Recommended Bike Carrying Solutions for Heavier Bikes on a 2015 Lincoln MKC  

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We do have several solutions for carrying bikes that are a little heavier, but these solutions would involve using a hitch mounted bike rack. Due to the way trunk mounted bike racks are attached to the vehicle, the weights of the bikes must be limited to a maximum of 35 lbs (30 lbs for the Yakima # Y02638 HangOut you looked at). Exceeding that weight would either damage the vehicle, cause the rack to come loose from the vehicle, or both. Which would be very bad. Because of that and the possible damage it could cause your vehicle, I couldn't recommend a trunk mounted rack. A trailer hitch mounted rack would be a much better choice, because the rack wouldn't actually touch your vehicle..

The first step would be installing a trailer hitch. I'd recommend the Draw-Tite Class III receiver hitch, part # 75943. I know what you're thinking...you've got this nice looking MKC, and the last thing you want to do is hang some ugly trailer hitch off the back of it. The hitch I recommended is purposely designed so that most of the hitch except for the receiver opening is concealed behind the bumper and bumper fascia (see the photo I provided). Besides providing a convenient attachment point for a bike rack, the hitch can also be used for other neat accessories like a cargo carrying tray, such as # e98874. I've used one of these before when traveling, and they are great for freeing up space in the interior of the vehicle.

For a bike rack, you can't go wrong with the Hollywood Racks # HR200Z Trail Rider. The rack has a 45 lb per bike capacity that would handle the weight of your bike with ease. A platform type rack is much easier to load than a hanging style rack. Lift the front of the bike, place the tire in the wheel hoop. Lift the back, place in the rear wheel hoop. secure the ratcheting hooks onto the bike's top tube and use the hook and loop straps to secure the wheels in the hoops. Very easy, even for a heavier bike like yours. The rack also includes a hitch lock to lock the rack to the vehicle, and the ratcheting hooks are also lockable to secure the bikes to the rack.

I've provided a link to an install video for the hitch, plus some product description videos for the products I've recommended.

expert reply by: Mike L

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