Bike Rack Recommendations for a 2016 Toyota Highlander without a Trailer Hitch  

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Expert Reply:

There are 3 ways to carry bikes: on a trailer hitch, using a trunk mount bike rack, and using a roof rack. Out of these options carrying the bikes on a trailer hitch is the safest, keeps the bikes off of the vehicle, and is the easiest to load.

Trunk mount bike racks are easier to load than roof rack bike racks but they do make contact with the vehicle (the rack not the bikes). And a roof rack is the hardest to load and unload. Otherwise they work well.

Since you don't have a trailer hitch I will first recommend a trunk mount bike rack. I recommend the Hollywood Racks Over-The-Top rack # HRF2. This rack is ideal for vehicles that have any type of spoiler at the top of the rear hatch. I have linked a video showing the rack on a similar vehicle.

If you want to go with a trailer hitch you can use Curt hitch # C13200. This is a Class III hitch with a 2 inch receiver so it is compatible with many types of bike racks. For a bike rack I recommend the Kuat Transfer # KU74FR. It holds the bikes at the wheels making it compatible with many bike styles. If any of the bikes have fenders though I recommend the Saris Freedom # SA4412B which holds the bikes at the frame and the bottoms of the wheels. I have linked videos of the hitch and bike racks for you.

If you want to go with a roof rack set up but don't have crossbars that run side to side then you will first need to add some. There are a couple of roof configurations your vehicle could have so I have linked the roof rack main page for your vehicle. You can select the type of roof yours has to see the available options.

expert reply by: Michael H

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