Is a Trailer Hitch and Hitch Mount Bike Rack a Good Idea on 2013 Hyundai Veloster w/Center Exhaust

Updated 10/28/2013 | Published 10/26/2013

Question:

One of the questions mentions the Kuat bike rack. I just was wondering how does that work with the exhaust right above the hitch opening? Would it cause anything on the bike rack to melt?

asked by: James

Expert Reply:

To be perfectly honest a hitch mount bike rack is not the best idea on a 2013 Hyundai Veloster or any vehicle that has center exhaust. The best option if a hitch mount bike rack is what you want is to use one that is made all of metal. Aluminum bike racks, such as Kuat racks, dissipate heat better than steel. Plastic will melt.

However repeatedly heating and cooling metal can damage it over time so I would avoid going with a hitch mount bike rack.

The better option if you want to carry the bikes at the back of the vehicle is to use a trunk mount rack, # HRF2, which will work will with the unique shape of the Hyundai Veloster. Even this type of set up could allow the bikes to hang too low depending on the types of bikes you have.

expert reply by: Michael H