How To Carry Two 50 lb Mountain Bikes With A 2017 Nissan Maxima

Updated 04/07/2025 | Published 04/02/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Saris Bones EX 3 Bike Rack - Trunk Mount - Adjustable Arms

(100)

$259.99

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

(98)

$228.86

Question:

I have a Nissan Maxima 2017 I am looking to buy a trunk rack that can hold two mountain bikes Wt about 50 lbs each.I see that the trunk bike rack look to hold 35 ponds each bike. Can buy a Saris Bones EX 3 for 3 bikes and just load 2 bikes on it? Thank you

asked by: Mark V

Expert Reply:

Hello Mark, thanks for reaching out. The only way to carry two 50 lb mountain bikes with your 2017 Nissan Maxima will be to install a trailer hitch, and use a hitch mounted platform bike rack.

Trunk mount bike racks are just not strong enough to carry 50 lb bikes. The highest per-bike weight capacity for a trunk rack is 35 lbs. So even if you were to Saris Bones EX 3 and do only two bikes on it, you would still be over the 35 lb per bike limit which would be highly unsafe and dangerous.

You only option will be to install a trailer hitch, the Curt # C11352, then use a bike rack like the Yakima HoldUp # Y02445 which can hold two bikes weighing up to 60 lbs apiece.

Let me know if you have any other questions and I am happy to get back to you.

expert reply by: Jesse M