We have a Tandem Topper on a Subaru Outback and I tried to mount the bike backwards for the same reason - so that we could open the hatch - but it didn't work. The rack has a pivoting fork mount so you just have to lift the front of the bike onto the mount from the side, secure the fork, then lift and swing the back end of the bike onto the tray. The problem is that because of the shape and height of the car plus the position of the rack, the chainrings contact the window before the fork is in the mount; so we have to roll the driver's window down to get the bike on the car. With the rack turned around the rear side windows are in the way and they don't roll down.
Addendum: I really like the pivoting fork mount; it would be a real pain to lift the whole bike onto the roof of the car.
Last edited by swc7916; 01-03-10 at 12:46 PM.