Choosing Between Hitch Mount or Trunk Mounted Bike Rack for 2012 Fiat 500

Published 07/23/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Thule Passage Trunk Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - Hanging Style

(967)

$179.95

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

(39)

$265.93

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

(22)

$226.52

19x47 Curt Cargo Carrier for 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Steel - 300 lbs

(1102)

$193.50

Kuat Ubar Bike Frame Adapter Bar for Women's and Alternative Frame Bikes

(131)

$49.00

Question:

In your opinion, which is the better, safer, more secure bike rack for a fiat 500? A trunk mount or a hitch mount? I would have to get the hitch, so its tempting to try the trunk mount, but Im not sure which is safer. Thanks!

asked by: Mary P

Expert Reply:

Purely by nature of the way it attaches to the vehicle, a hitch mounted rack would be the most secure. The rack's shank is secured to the receiver tube of the hitch, held in place by a steel hitch pin. The hitch is bolted to the undercarriage of the vehicle for an extremely strong installation. If you wanted to go the hitch route, I'd recommend the Curt Class I hitch, part # C11363 (for non-Abarth models). If you have an Abarth model, use # C11347. For a 2 bike hitch mounted rack, you can't go wrong with the Thule Camber, part # TH9058.

A trunk mount bike rack is connected to the vehicle by a series of nylon straps and hooks. Is this connection as strong as the hitch? Of course it isn't, but as long as you do not exceed the capacity of the bike rack the connection is plenty strong enough. The Thule Passage you've looked at, part # TH910XT has a 75 lb total/35 lb per bike capacity, and is very popular and highly rated by our customers, as you can see by looking through the product reviews.

Which should you choose? The hitch makes a good attachment point for other hitch accessories like a cargo carrier like part # C18110. Due to the small size of the Fiat 500, a cargo carrier can come in very handy for traveling. A weather resistant cargo bag like # e98990 would also be a good addition. If you don't see yourself using the hitch for anything other than carrying bikes, a hitch mount rack like the # TH910XT Passage would work just fine for you.

If you'll be transporting women's bikes or bikes with sharply-angled top tubes, you might also consider a frame adapter bar like part # UB01. The bar spans the distance between the handlebar gooseneck and the seat post, which provides a secondary attachment point for the bike rack. This allows the bike to be carried level, which maximizes ground clearance. I'll link you to a video showing how the adapter bar works.

I've linked you to the products I've recommended as well as to some product demonstration videos.