Can Rear Hatch or Trunk Be Opened with a Trunk Mount Bike Rack Installed on 2003 Mazda MPV  

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Expert Reply:

You are right, with a trunk mount bike rack installed, bikes or no bikes, you cannot open the rear hatch or trunk on any vehicle including your 2003 Mazda MPV. There are a few reasons why. First, the opening between the trunk/hatch and the body of the vehicle will change shape. It can get smaller which will cause the bike rack hooks to bend the metal on the trunk lid. I have seen this happen.

The hinges are not meant to support the additional weight of the rack so if you could open it there is a slight chance it could damage the hinges, though probably not likely. But once you closed the trunk the fit of the bike rack would not be right and you would have to readjust everything.

Also, if you were to raise the trunk or hatch, since it would be heavier with the rack on it, the trunk could fall on you. And that would hurt.

If you anticipate the need to access the rear of the vehicle while carrying bikes there is a possible solution. You could install a trailer hitch such as # C12288. Then you could use a bike rack like the Yakima FullSwing # Y02465. Instead of tilting, this 4-bike rack swings to the side, with the bikes on it, to completely get out of your way so that you will have full access to the back of your vehicle. I have linked a video showing how it works.

If you will be carrying any bikes that do not have a top frame bar that goes straight across (like a typical men's bike would) then I recommend using bike adapter bar # 64005. This will allow you to carry those bikes more level and will provide better ground clearance. I have to use these adapters and without them my wife's bike would be at a severe angle and I would not be able to load my son's bike at all. I have linked a video showing how the adapter works.

expert reply by: Michael H

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