Hitch Bike Rack Options for 2008 Volkswagen Eos

Expert Reply:

You can go in one of two ways to mount your bike on your 2008 Volkswagen Eos 2-door coupe. The lower-cost method is a trunk-mount bike rack. A trunk rack is fine especially if you have only the one bike to transport, and if that bike is a fairly standard weight of 30-35-lbs. If you happen to have a recumbent or other specialty bike (or just a really heavy one) please let me know.

The trunk-mount 2-bike carriers confirmed to fit your 2008 Volkswagen Eos come from Yakima, a prominent quality maker, and they can be seen on the linked page. I suggest the folding KingJoe Bike Rack # Y02620 since it's arms can be folded down when not in use.

The other route is to install a trailer hitch and use a hitch-mount type bike rack. Advantages of a hitch rack include that the carrier and bike weight is handled by the car's frame - it's strongest part - rather than it's fairly thin sheet metal trunk. Another benefit of installing a hitch is that you can use other hitch-mount accessories like a cargo carrier. Draw-Tite Class I hitch # 24824 is the one I recommend. It is the lowest-cost option available and it can handle up to 2 bikes on a Class I-rated bike carrier. The linked video shows installation on your same car. Basic tools are needed to install it; just one special tool, a torque wrench like # ALL944001 is the only special tool needed.

The linked page will show you all 2-bike Class I hitch racks. You will want to choose one that provides at least 8-inches of clearance from it's hitch pin hole; this will ensure the rack does not come into contact with your bumper.

My favorite cost-effective hitch rack is the Curt # C18085. This wheel-mount rack offers a foot of clearance and it will make no frame contact with your bike since it suspends the bike from it's wheels. If you like you can add a h cable lock # e98891 to secure your bike to the rack