Why Are Hatch Huggers Needed for Saris Bones on Certain Vehicles

Updated 04/23/2019 | Published 04/21/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Hatch Huggers for Saris Trunk Mount Bike Racks

(33)

$24.99

Saris Bones 2 Bike Rack - Trunk Mount - Adjustable Arms

(316)

$162.96

Question:

I just bought a 2019 Toyota Prius. I first bought a Saris Bones rack for 3 bikes, then I saw that I needed Hatch Huggers and that they are rated for only 2 bikes. So I exchanged my rack for a Saris Bones 2-bike rack and saw that Two pairs of Hatch Huggers are required. Can you explain a why 2 pairs of Hatch Huggers are needed and b why the Hatch Huggers cannot be used for 3 bikes on the Saris Bones 3-bike rack?

asked by: Pepi

Expert Reply:

The Hatch Huggers # SA3035 are needed to replace both the top and side hooks of the Saris Bones # SA805BL on your Toyota Prius. They are needed at the top to protect the glass on your Prius that's above the hatch. Then for the side attachments there's simply not a lot of room on your vehicle for the standard hooks to fit so the Hatch Huggers are needed to provide an alternative connection point.

I reached out to my contact at Saris regarding the 2-bike limit and he said that this has to do both with what the vehicle itself can physically handle in terms of weight at the rear along with the fact that when Hatch Huggers are used for the top hooks it does reduce the carrier's capacity a bit.

expert reply by: Chris R