Will the Yakima FrontLoader # Y02103 Fit on My 2014 Focus Hatchback and Allow Me to Open the Hatch?

Question:

I am attempting to find a bike rack for my 2014 Ford Focus ST hatchback. Will this bike rack allow the the hatch to open completely without making contact to this rack or to a bike put on this rack?

asked by: Chad

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you. I went ahead and contacted my tech at Yakima, and they confirmed that the total length of the FrontLoader # Y02103 is 56 inches long. The length front the furthest forward position of your front crossbar on your 2014 Focus Hatchback to the line where the line where the roof and the hatch meets is 57 inches. With that measurement, you will have about 1 inch of clearance between the back of the rack and your rear hatch. If the rear hatch of your Focus crosses that line where the roof and the hatch meet, the hatch will most likely make contact with the FrontLoader or your bike's wheel extending over the tray.

With that being said, for a solution that definitely won't interfere with your rear hatch, I recommend the Rhino-Rack Road Warrior # RBC036. The Road Warrior measures only 45 inches long. As far as attachment style, the Road Warrior comes with quick-release, 9-mm stainless steel skewer that secures your front-wheel fork to the bike rack. It comes with all hardware included for a channel-mount application. I went ahead and included a video that shows the Road Warrior installed on a 2015 Focus Hatchback model.

In order to use the Road Warrior, you will need a crossbar system on your bare roof. For a compatible crossbar system, I recommend the following parts:

- Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 49" # RRVA126B-2
- Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Legs for Vortex Aero Crossbars - Naked Roofs or Fixed Mounting Points # RRRLKVA
- Custom DK Fit Kit for 4 Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Roof Rack Legs # DK307

With the above roof rack system, you will be able to transport your bike on your 2014 Ford Focus ST Hatchback.