Hollywood Racks Express Trunk Mounted Bike Rack

If you read nothing else that I write here, read this: This rack was the very best choice I could have made for my Car and my Bike. Excellent match. No Damage to either Bike or Car. No loosening enroute, never had to be tightened. No wobble. No wheel spin. No shake, No bounce. Drove about 1400 miles from Los Angeles>Austin Texas through several rain storms...some blinding. Wind conditions that were pushing around the 18-wheelers in front of me. No matter. No Problems. Now if you're interested in some details, read on...and too, I've even, for the 1st time, included some photos so you can see how I made small custom adjustments to fit the needs of my Bike-Auto combo.So after combing thru the Comments here on all of the Bike Racks that I was considering, and visiting a few local Bike shops in my area, I finally decided to purchase this one from amazon warehouse. Yes folks, a "return" that I had to wait for, but it arrived, as amazon promised, 2 days prior to my departure date. The rack had minor scuffs that were immaterial and there was no manual but that was un-important as the rack attachment is very simple to visualize. The challenge was how to securely apply this rack to my 2000 Saab 9-5.The 1st thing I noticed was that each of the 1" nylon straps were very long. I resisted cutting anyone one of them shorter, although I thought that I would shorten them eventually. I opened the rack to what I thought would be an approximate fit and placed the top 2-feet on the trunk and the bottom 2-feet on the bumper. But that didn't look right as the bars that held the bike were sloping downward. I wanted the Bike to tilt into the car a bit and so I readjusted the rack several times (without the Bike) lifting the bike up each time until I achieved the angle I was looking for. I also decided at this time to make 2 adjustments to my bike that were "key" to my success: I removed the seat-n-post, and I removed the 2 pedals. Buy a pedal wrench, they're inexpensive and this will save the car finish...read the distressed Comments. No Seat cleared my rearview vision.Once I had the correct frame configuration, I began tightening the straps. The rubberized clamps at the top & bottom of the Trunk stopped sliding and held fast, then I tightened them a bit more. I tested w/ the Bike on and retightened a bit more. I centered the Rack on the car and centered the Bike on the Rack. I had little but equal overhang on each side of the car. Nothing to be concerned about when parking.The one strap that confused me was the very looooong strap at the very top between the 2-feet near the rear window. What was it for? How to use it?I couldn't see a reason for it's location. I considered many options, but, Finally I made the decision to re-position it and that meant cutting it off the top bar. I examined my decision carefully and knew I could cut the strap from the bar without destroying it. Once I did that, I put the strap around the lower bar of the rack below the license plate and that was key to the stability I enjoyed. That move pulled together the entire arrangement into an incredibly strong, stable, shock resistant application for my Bike-Car combo.I added velcro straps, a bungee cord, a heavy red folded cotton cloth between the bumper and the Crank, and a large cable-lock thru the Frame and through a tow-loop under the rear of the car...Well that's it. I hope the photos provide some extra explanation for you. After this experience, I believe that you can carry your Bicycle(s) safely & securely with minimal scuffing if you take a little time to customize the bike-vehicle configuration.note// I've added 6 photos but they are not all correctly showing as one or more are sideways or upside down. I can't seem to change them so I give them to you as is and hope you can somehow deal with them...good luck

----------------------------------HOW SECURE IS IT?----------------------------------When properly installed, the rack is very strong and very reliable, much more than the Allen Sports model I also purchased. I experienced virtually no bounce/sway which gave me a peace of mind so I did NOT have to constantly check my rear-view mirror to ensure my bike had fallen off, which was very nice. It comes pre-assembled from Allen Sports, so no real issues with building it incorrectly by the consumer. All you need to do is to follow the instructions or watch the video tutorial and it will strap to your car in minutes. This is a very well constructed mount and will give years of service likely with no issues.The frame of this rack is wider than the Allen Sports rack I had also purchased which helped alleviate bounce/sway that the Allen Sports suffered from. This rack also had Rubber straps which were more secure than the fabric straps the Allen Sports had. Due to its wider frame it helps support and distribute the weight of the bikes for efficiently than the Allen Sports rack as well.----------------------------------WILL IT SCRATCH MY CAR?----------------------------------The mount has foam to cover all areas where it will come in contact with the paint on your car, so in theory it should be protected. For peace of mind it might be worth just covering the pedals with a sock or something soft and then securing the front bike wheels with a bungy cord to give some extra protection from bumps on the road.I have yet to have any issues with it hitting my car and/or scratching my car. Please be sure to clean your cars paint where you plan on installing it to avoid dirt from getting stuck between the foam and your paint, which CAN and WILL scratch your paint.----------------------------------WHAT'S INCLUDED----------------------------------As stated the mount comes pre-assembled, you will need to use the supplied straps to secure the bike and another set of straps (also supplied) to secure the mount to the car.----------------------------------RECOMMENDED BUT NOT INCLUDED----------------------------------Bungee cables - to secure the front tire(s) and pedal(s) from moving and hitting your car.----------------------------------SUMMARY----------------------------------Reasonably priced mount that is very well built and very secure due to its wider frame and rubber straps. If you need a trunk-mount rack with more security you would need to step up hitch mount.While I was on the freeway traveling at 70-75mph, I did NOT constantly check my rear-view mirror to ensure the bike didn't fall off the rack. I had peace of mind knowing my bike would be there when I got home. When I did get home, I checked the straps and everything was still nicely secured and my bike didn't budge!----------------------------------PROS----------------------------------* 3-bike trunk rack with user-friendly hub adjustment system* Soft cradles help protect bike finish; comes pre-assembled* Integrated tie-down strap for extra security on the road* Designed to fit perfectly on any type of vehicle* Folds flat for easy storage; limited lifetime warrant----------------------------------CONS----------------------------------* The bikes cannot lock to the mount* The Rack cannot be locked to the car

So a few things:1. It does fit a Skoda Octavia. You basically need to put the top straps in the rubber seal where the rear windscreen meets the roof. You dont have to open the boot to stick it in. See the photos.2. It's quite fiddly. Having two people makes it a lot easier. Especially as the bottom two straps can only be fixed on if you open the boot and then close it.3. Be careful on using the right securing belts on the right bit of the car. I unfortunately scratched my boot because I mixed up the side strap and the bottom strap.4. You'll need a lighting bar as it covers up your rear number plate5. It can only fit two bikes not three. The holder nearest the boot is too close to it and so you'll struggle to fit a 3rd bike on.I drove it about 50 miles on the motorway in total ranging from 60-80mph and both our bikes were very secure and didn't really move.

The Good - The frame is very well built, the locking mechanism is impressive and solid. The 6 straps on the 3 bike model hold the frame in place very well. The simple rubber straps for the frame are good too.The Bad - the bike recesses are really big, and as a result I can only get my bike frame on the end holder (the front of my frame is quite narrow). This means the whole assembly is very back heavy. Ideally I'd like the bike on the middle holder at least.I didn't need the instructions, as I've had a similar unit in the past (this is better).The single strap that holds the bike in place is a neat touch. I wrapped the strap through the spokes in the front wheel and back on itself to hold the bike in place. It works pretty well.Reasonably happy.

Great rack that fits on the back of my BMW 520d superbly well. I use it to carry my CUBE MTB Hardtail and its sturdy as a rock. The fact that it has 8 hooks keeps it solid and in place on a long journey. I've already recommended this rack to other BMW drivers who have tried this type of rack before but found them unstable. I'll say it again, it's rock solid and I have no concerns tootling up and down the motorway with my bike mounted on this rack on the back of my car and the straps stay tight and in place even after 3 hours or mor driving.

Holds me & girlfriend's bike on my BMW 320D fine. Space for 3 bikes but I only ever use it for 2. Very sturdy, and I have driven 300km+ in one trip a few times and this never falters. Highly recommend over a roottop rack, as would have difficulty with low ceilings etc. Make sure to have enough viewing space behind your car when reversing.

I’ve installed this in no time. It’s super ease to install and super intuitive.I’ve traveled 150miles with my bike and felt super safe and with no damage in the car or on the bike.My advice just for extra safety precaution, if you travel a long distance and make a stop,check the strapa and make sure they are still thigt.