Much to Mrs. Slow Poke’s chagrin, my bike collection is expanding. Gone are the days where I could simply throw my one bike in the trunk and be on my way. I now will take 2-3 of them when I travel and my trusty Jetta can’t accomodate multiple bikes. I want a bike rack and I was curious if the folks here had a preference for either a roof or trunk rack. Thanks.
I’ve got a Saris Bones 3 rack on my trunk. Regularly carry 2 bikes and have carried 3 on occasion. I prefer the trunk as I feel it gets better gas mileage than roof mounted racks and it doesn’t have the risk of pulling into any garage or covered parking structure and destroying my bikes. Plus the trunk racks tend to be cheaper.
I don’t like trunk racks because of my personal concern over my paint job. The roof rack is more permanent and doesn’t get in the way of trunk access.
However, the roof rack does have that downside mentioned of the risk of forgetting about roof clearance and having a mishap. It also impacts fuel economy sometimes in a pretty massive way (depends on car).
What I would suggest is a hitch-mount bike rack for use on the rear of the car. You can very easily/discreetly mount a small receiver hitch. It makes mounting and removing the bike rack easier and likely won’t interfere with trunk access.
I’ve had a trunk rack, a hitch rack, a spare tire mounted rack, and a roof rack. I’m converted… I’m officially a roof rack guy. allows me to still get into trunk without dealing with the bikes. I would also argue that although I get more bugs squashed on the bike, I get less paint chips & what not from gravel, dust, debris, etc. coming out from under the car. I don’t see to much problem with reduction in mileage - I drove about 650 miles twice this summer with a bike in a fork mount, the wheel in a wheel mount, and a soft roof bag and averaged about 1 - 1.5 mpg less than normal (normal is ~34ish, so still pretty good). Plus the fork mount locks the bike to the roof, which at least keeps the honest guy honest. I guess most trunk or hitch racks probably can be locked, too, but I think the solution in those cases is often a cable lock (at least, in my experience).
I have a Jetta, too. Using a roof rack. Getting ready to buy a second tray. Used to drive a big suv. Used a hitch rack with tail lights. Loved it. I’m still scared about driving into my garage!
Have owned a hitch mounted rack. Currently own a roof rack. My next rack will be - a hitch mounted rack. Better gas mileage and less worry about running afoul of low obstructions. In fact, I suspect we could start a pretty good thread about people who have forgotten they had their bike on a roof rack and run into problems pulling into their garage, going through the drive thru at McDonalds, etc. I tend to be pretty careful and still managed to destroy a low hanging sign at a drive through ATM. (Wasn’t even using ATM, had just used bank parking lot to turn around).
Also, although it’s less of a consideration with your Jetta, I have a pretty tall SUV and even though I’m 6’1" it’s still a chore getting bike off and on roof rack.
- Chances I’m going to be really tired after having used my bike: Pretty good
- Intelligence and memory function when I’m really tired: Very low
- #1 + #2: Chance I would forget about bike and drive into garage at least once: Very high
Result: Hitch rack.
-Jot
With the new P4 you will find your gas mileage actually improves when it is on your roof.
I usually carry mine on the roof rack with sub 9 disk and at the gas pump they give me money back due to negative drag.
- Chances I’m going to be really tired after having used my bike: Pretty good
- Intelligence and memory function when I’m really tired: Very low
- #1 + #2: Chance I would forget about bike and drive into garage at least once: Very high
Result: Hitch rack.
-Jot
I’ve done it…once.
as previously stated, roof racks make a huge impact on fuel economy. it kills me on long trips. thinking about switching to a trunk rack next year.
My bike rack for my Infiniti G35 is the back seat : ) I don’t use a rack and the trunk is too small. I’ve used trunk racks and roof racks on my Jeep Cherokee but no longer use either of them. The bike is safer in the back seat.
With anything you use - be sure you check with your car and/or homeowners insurance to check on coverage. Most car policies will not cover anything on the “outside” of your car unless you have a rider on your policy. Homeowners “may” cover it.
That list above is me knowing my limitations and hoping to hold the number to 0.
So far, I haven’t closed the garage door on my bike on the hitch rack. So far. 
-Jot
Recommendations on the best brands (roof or hitch)?
“With anything you use - be sure you check with your car and/or homeowners insurance to check on coverage. Most car policies will not cover anything on the “outside” of your car unless you have a rider on your policy. Homeowners “may” cover it.”
Thanks for the tip. I never would’ve thought of it.
We bought a Yakima trunk rack for my wife’s 07 Maxima and I am not impressed. The straps come loose and it sucks having a 30k dollar car with a jacked up paint job from the straps. I mostly try transport the bikes in my truck now whenever possible.
I’ve only had a roof rack.
Yakima’s clip and tower system were hard on the paint. This time around, I’m going with factory roof rack that clips directly into holes on roof. No metal to paint contact.
I would do a ST search in the Lavendar Room as well. Plenty of info there.
I use a Thule roof mount and have never felt insecure about my bikes staying in place. And gas mileage isn’t that much difference in my experience. The only trunk mount I’ve used is one of those cheapy strap on racks for my beater mtn bike.
I got the Thule hitch rack and the Yakima and took the Yakima back.
For me the reason was that all of the hitch racks appear to be made to be
long enough to deal with a spare tire on the back of the vehicle. Since
I don’t have one, and didn’t want to be taking the rack off and on to
park in the garage, I took the Thule to a friend who sectioned out
a part of it and thus I don’t have to take it off.
The Yakima would have been harder because it’s curved. It
also didn’t feel as secure in the hitch and didn’t have the
“lock loop” that you can run a cable lock through.
-Jot
I have a Honda Element and after hassling with a roof rack where at 6’3" I felt like a midget and needed a stepladder to mount the mountain bikes on top, I finally got rid of it. Also had an encounter with a parking garage wall (yes I know engage brain before engaging car), where the wall won (and the mountain bikes only took a slight licking), and I decided to go with a hitch mount. I really like the Saris Thelma. Lightweight, easy on-off and absolutely the easiest to carry multiple high end bikes with no worrying about scratching the bikes or wheels. Yes on my other car I use a Saris Bones and it really is fairly idiot proof (no comments please based on above wall encounter) and bomb proof, but scrunches up the bikes a little too much for my liking and you have to be more careful not to scratch the lovely carbon frames.
Just my 2 cents and everyone has their opinions as to which is safer for the bikes roof or trunk. In my case it made the decision for me.