Should a Hitch Rack or Roof Rack be Used to Carry Bikes and Skis with a 2022 Kia Soul

Updated 10/23/2021 | Published 10/22/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Cam Buckle Stabilizing Strap for Hitch-Mounted Accessories - 61" x 1" - Qty 1

(660)

$15.04

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"

(148)

$183.17

Landing Pad 22 for Yakima SkyLine and Control Towers - Qty 4

(894)

$143.95

Yakima JetStream Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 50" Long - Qty 2

(599)

$269.95

Yakima JetStream Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 60" Long - Qty 2

(599)

$269.95

Yakima ForkLift Roof Mounted Bike Carrier - Fork Mount

(20)

$248.95

Yakima HitchSki Snowboard and Ski Carrier for Hitch Bike Racks - 6 Pairs of Skis or 4 Boards

(34)

$287.91

Yakima FreshTrack 4 Ski and Snowboard Carrier - Locking - 4 Pairs of Skis or 2 Boards

(20)

$268.95

SkyLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Fixed Mounting Points, Flush Rails, and Track Systems - Qty 4

(60)

$274.95

Question:

I have a 2022 Kia Soul that does not have the rails so we cant attach an OEM crossbar or roof rack. I am looking at an aftermarket solution to be able to carry a bike and snow board and am debating between a hitch or roof rack solution: Hitch - Type of Hitch - Is there a bike rack that works with a class 1 hitch and the snowboard adapter? Seems the recommended are for a class 2 hitch. Is there a class 2 hitch that fits the Soul. - Will the snowboard adapter work with a Swagman bike rack? The distance between the two bars is about 11 1/4 inches wide outside to outside and about 11 inches long between front and back bike craddles Roof Rack - I wanted to confirm the Yakima roof rack will attach to the roof of the car without any rails there are grooves on the top of the car but nothing in them Thank you!

asked by: Randy

Expert Reply:

It does look like a Swagman bike rack like the Trailhead # S63380 will be compatible with the Class I hitch and the Yakima HitchSki # Y02418 since the cradles are adjustable along the arms of the bike rack. Yakima only rates their 4-bike racks for up to Class II hitches so you wouldn't be able to use a Yakima rack in your instance as there are only Class I hitches that fit your 2022 Kia Soul. If you'd like to go this route then I recommend using the Curt Hitch # C67FR (unless you have a 1.6L Turbo). It would be good to use a support strap # 18050 to help stabilize the bike and ski racks.

Yes, the Yakima crossbar systems for a naked roof will fit your Kia Soul as well. I recommend using the JetStream crossbars which include the following:

50" JetStream Bars - # Y00425
SkyLine Towers - # Y53TR
Landing Pad 22 - # Y00248

Attached is an installation video of this roof rack on a 2017 Kia Soul for you to check out. If you want to go this route then you can use 2 roof mount bike racks like the ForkLift # Y02098 and the FreshTrack # Y03092. You might need to shift the crossbars to the side a little or use longer 60" JetStream Bars # Y00426.

I personally recommend going with the roof rack solution because I believe you'll be pushing the limits of the Class I hitch if you use the bike rack option.