Recommended Way to Carry 3 Bikes on a 2006 Scion xB with a Bare Roof  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Like you said you aren't able to carry 3 bikes on a hitch mounted bike rack with your 2006 Scion xB because you need at least a Class II hitch and only Class I hitches are available for your vehicle. So that leaves either the roof or a trunk mount carrier.

If you want to add a roof rack you can use the Rhino-Rack system, parts # RRVA137B-2, # RRRLKVA, and # DK138. Then add 3 bike racks like the TomaHawk, part # RKY1222.

However, I recommend a trunk mount rack. It's a lot less expensive than a roof rack and a lot less permanent. So you're more likely to be able to use it on other vehicles. If you're going to be using the rack a lot or for purposes other than just the bikes then the roof rack is likely worth it. But for occasional bike use a trunk mount is the way to go.

A great trunk mount rack on your xB is the Hollywood Racks Over-the-Top, part # HRF2-3. It's specifically designed for SUV's and vehicles that have a rear hatch. You likely are going to need an adapter bar like the Swagman Deluxe, part # 64005 as well. It helps bikes that don't have a horizontal cross tube (like a typical men's bike does) ride level.

A third option to consider that's very portable like the trunk mount but brings the price back up like the roof option is the SeaSucker Bomber # 298-BB3008. It connects to your vehicle using vacuum cups that are extremely stable on the roof. Check out the attached video of the VW bus to see how strong the cups are. Then you can mount all three of your bikes to the Bomber and you won't need anything else.

Check out the videos of each product that I've attached to see them all in use.

expert reply by: Charles S

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Amy B.

4/14/2018

Thanks, Charles. I have a couple of other questions: 1. The weight capacity for the class 1 hitch non towing uses is 200lbs right? If yes, i don’t understand why 3 bikes won’t work. Our 3 bikes don’t come close to 200lbs. Does the weight of the rack itself push it over? 2. Does that trunk mounted rack have a lock? If not, can you recommend one that does?

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Charles S.

4/14/2018

To answer the second part of that first no it doesn't come with locks. Most trunk mount racks don't. To lock the bikes to the rack you can use a simple cable like like # e98891. Locking the rack to the car is a little different. You can use a security strap, part # TH533, that wraps around the rack and then connects back to itself. The anchor is then closed inside your xB's rear hatch. I've linked a video of it being installed so you can see how it works. As to your first question, a lot of times a bike rack and the bikes don't exceed the tongue weight capacity of a Class I hitch. But the problem isn't the weight, it's the distance. When you have a bike rack, or any accessory for that matter, sticking out from the back of a vehicle it's going to naturally bounce around. The further out the accessory reaches the more force is generated from that movement. Class I receivers are not designed to handle the added stress brought on from the amount of leverage that's put on it from an accessory that is that far from the back of a vehicle. This is why Class I receivers are not rated for more than 2 bikes on a bike rack.

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