Just a few days back, all of our mates made a plan to go for a long road trip in the newest Nissan rouge. But some of us are religiously bike riders and wanted to make the trip more memorable by riding bikes during camping. But none of us has a bike rack to mount on the vehicle to take at least one or two bikes with us on the trip.
After tossing, the responsibility to get the best bike rack for SUV has been granted to me.
Swearing to God, I have had no idea about bike racks before. However, I’ve seen a couple of them mounted on the top or rear of the SUVs. But which one is the best and will not scrape off the paint from our handsome horseless carriage was the most challenging thing I knew to vouch out when looking for a bike rack.
Best Bike Rack for SUV
After grappling a lot I’ve learned certain things about bike racks. They come in various designs, have different styles, and load a different number of bikes. Above all, you can either mount a rack on the roof or rear of your vehicle. Evidently, all have different prices.
Since your budget, your vehicle’s size, and other things play a crucial role when buying a bike rack, you might like knowing some of the best options you can consider.
Therefore, to save you from the hassle, I’ve reviewed some of the best bike rack for SUV for you.
Let’s have a read:
1. Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks for 2 in. Hitch
This best carrier for SUV is perfect for those adventurers who want to take more than 2 bikes with them. Not only you can mount your kids’ bikes on it but you can also carry adult-sized bikes on it with a real breeze.
Hitch-mounted bike racks are looked down upon because they are heavier and look cumbersome on the back of your truck. More importantly, they are relatively costlier than roof racks. But this rack is compact and takes very little space on the rear of your vehicle. This rack isn’t mighty at all. Loading and unloading your bike from this hitch rack is quite hassle-free. The bike
With a sleek body, you might doubt its performance. But fret not, the strength of this device comes from its strong construction. Crafted with alloy steel, it has enough power to load 4 bikes at a time. Therefore, durable.
The best part? Well, this bike rack with its padded cradles allows you to accommodate odd-shaped frames. This rack is flexible and you can onboard girls frame style bikes without buying the extra support bar.
The rattling of bikes behind your vehicles may give you an air of annoyance when driving. But this tray rack is amazing since its mounting system is unique. Instead of using a locking pin, there’s a tension bolt that prevents the bike rack from rattling.
As far as price is concerned, it’s well priced and costs you just under $100. Being this, we can say that t’s one of the best cheap bike racks for SUVs. A deal comfier!
Features:
- Alloy steel construction
- 12.5 pounds weight
- Tilt-away main mast
- Folding carry arm
- 4 bike capacity
2. Thule EasyFold XT 2 Hitch Bike Rack
We think that carrying bikes that have handled fender is a bit tough to accommodate on a hitch-mounted bike rack. But the beauty of this rack from Thule is that it can carry handles fender bikes and other e-bikes with an equal breeze. This bike rack has the capacity of carrying two adult-sized bikes to lift heavy-duty bikes.
Unlike roof racks from Thule that come with various assembling parts, this one needs no assembly. You can install it to a 2by2 car hitch. Being a one-part rack, it is lightweight, compact but strong. Thus, in terms of design, it’s impressive.
The built-in anti-wobble function aids in maintaining the balance of your bikes and the vehicle’s handling when driving. It’s worth mentioning that the rack’s center arm can be folded down, allowing you to access your boot while it’s in position.
The bikes are locked by their wheels, then the ratchet is closed over the top. This prevents them from moving while you’re driving.
Loading and unloading bikes are also cinching because the rack has a ramp that unfolds from a middle storage compartment. This can clip into the ends of the platforms, eliminating the need to raise the bikes. So you don’t have to break your sweat when loading bikes on the rack.
Although it is one of the most expensive bike racks on our list, its performance is worth every single penny you paid for buying it.
Features:
- Aluminum construction
- 45 pounds weight
- Torque limiting knobs
- Ratcheting wheel straps
- Foot pedal tilt
3. Saris Superclamp Bike Hitch Car Rack
Saris Superclamp EX 4 rack is another nice consideration to go for if you’re looking for a tray-style bike carrier. Along with this, this bike rack is also great for families who want to carry three or four bikes when going on a road trip on SUV. not only this product is the best 4 bike rack for SUV, but is also one of the best hitch bike racks for SUV.
Although this bike rack can accommodate 4 bikes at a time yet its footprint is compact and lightweight. Weighing just 63 pounds and having a low profile footprint, it is quite a cinch for a 12-year-old boy to load or unload this bike rack at the back of an SUV.
Accessing your vehicle’s cargo area is the main concern when buying a hitch rack. The built-in tilting function tilts the rack down and provides enough clearance for opening the rear door of your SUV. This becomes more convenient when you are allowed to tilt the rack when fully loaded with bikes. Added to this, you can fold the carrier when not in use. Storage is a breeze.
The Superclamp EX4 is also great because it can carry different styles of bikes. Worry not, if you have hybrid bikes or mountain bikes, this one is the best bet because it will help you to take a collection of your bikes with you.
you can’t help appreciating the reflectors on the outside wheel trays of this rack, enhancing its visibility in dim light conditions.
What’s more? There is an integrated locking cable to secure the bikes to the rack and the locking hitch pin keeps the rack secured to your SUV’s hitch. The adjustable arms and wheel trays can fit not only e-bikes but also bikes with fenders.
This item is fearlessly the best 4 bike rack for SUV. But If you think that the EX4 bike rack is bigger for your needs, then you can also consider buying saris superclamp EX2 hitch rack for carrying 2 bikes.
Features:
- Alloy steel construction
- 63 pounds weight
- Integrated locking cable
- Built-in tilting
- 190 lbs. load capacity
4. Swagman XC2 Hitch Mount Bike Rack
This bike rack is somewhat different from other mentioned options on this list, as far as its design is concerned. Also, it is relatively lightweight than many of its peers. However, it’s not inferior in any regard and can effortlessly accommodate 2 adult-size bikes with fat tires.
Firstly, this one belongs to that category of hitch-mounted bike racks that don’t cost your arm and leg. For frequent bikers and everyday use, this might be not the least bike rack. Nevertheless, it has all the essential features to make it one of the best budget-friendly bike racks of 2021.
The XC2 is also commendable because of its lightweight nature. this helps in making it simple to transport once removed. When folded for storage, the horizontal bar folds up on both sides, making this rack incredibly compact; it will easily fit into your trunk or take up less room than typical hitch mount tray racks.
Two soft rubber-coated hook-shaped clamps slide up and down on the ratcheting system of the rack, securing the bikes. By pressing the small metal tab on the side of each clamp housing, you may easily adjust the clamps. If you don’t mind the clamps touching your bicycle frame and you’re driving on generally smooth roads, this is a good option.
To install and remove the rack from the receiver, the XC2 comes with mounting gear that requires the use of tools. It’s secured with a threaded hitch pin and a cotter pin in case it breaks loose while in use.
It’s not flashy, and it features a straightforward, no-frills design that’s easily adjustable to fit a variety of bike, wheel, and tire sizes.
Regarding its functionality and price, we can say that it remains one of the best options when you’re considering a hitch bike rack for a jeep wrangler or SUV. Besides, the compactness of this bike rack makes it a worth considering option as the best bicycle rack for small SUVs.
Features:
- Alloy steel construction
- 27.9 weight
- ratchet arms
- built-in anti-wobble hitch device
- compatible with 1 ¼” and 2” hitch receiver
5. Kuat Sherpa 2.0 2-Bike Hitch Rack
Kuat Sherpa 2.0 stands second to none when it comes to its usability, impeccable features, durability, and affordability. Smartly designed, this try-style hitch-mounted bike rack can take various types of bikes including mountain and road bikes. Therefore, it’s regarded as the best bike hitch rack for SUV.
When comparing Kuat Sherpa 2.0 with Allen Deluxe and Thule XT2 bike racks, this rack bears a hefty price tag. Assuming the fact that you’re looking for a more well-built rack that can provide you the ease of everyday use, Kuat Sherpa 2.0 would be your final bet.
This rack is also amazing and remains the best bike rack for SUV since it’s a lighter weight bike rack to mount at the rear of your passenger car. a Locking pin serves the purpose of securing the rack to the hitch of your SUV. That’s not all! Storing this rack is almost cinch. Thanks to its compact design, weight, and small size.
Hold on a minute and think again if you want to carry your e-bike along with your journey. The limited tire size of 3” may not fit your heavier e-bike.
You won’t resist appreciating the glossy metallic powder coat finish of this rack. Being corrosion-resistant, the rack is not just pleasing aesthetically but it can last you a bit longer. However, this metallic coat is not scratch-resistant.
Thankfully, this rack doesn’t prevent you from accessing the hatch of your vehicle. This function owes to its tilting ability that tilts the rack away even when the bikes are loaded to give you enough clearance to access the boot of your vehicle.
Features:
- aluminum construction
- 32 pounds weight
- 40 lbs. weight capacity
- Built-in tilting ability
- Locking hitch pin
6. YAKIMA – FullSwing Hitch Mount Bike Rack
If you’re looking for a hanging style hitch-mounted bike rack to fit fat bikes with monster tires, then the Fullswing from Yakima is your premium solution. Hanging style allows you to mount this bike carrier at the back of SUVs that don’t come with built-in hitch receivers. Due to this, this option comes in handy when you’re looking for best bike rack for suv without hitch. Or put in other words, it is the bike rack with no hitch SUvs.
Even though several bike racks can carry heavy-duty bikes, but this one is better in terms of durability and performance. Because of this, we have shortlisted this bike rack as the best trunk bike rack for SUV.
The first thing comes first. This rack requires assembling. Thankfully, it requires no rigorous method to assemble the tool. After assembling the tool once, you can straightforwardly mount this rack onto the hitch of any passenger car that has a receiver of 2″.
After connecting the rack to the hitch of an SUV, press the AutoPin connector to secure the device. You won’t hesitate to appreciate how effectively ratcheting straps attach bikes with anti-sway cradles. Your vehicle is secured, and so are your bikes.
The most striking feature of any bike rack is its sleek and foldable design that should allow you to get full access to the boot of your vehicle. The fullswing is amazing in this regard. This comes in handy when you’ve attached this bike rack to the rear of your SUV which has a bigger boot door opening sideways.
Despite the fact that this rack is designed in a way to keep bikes away from each other to avoid crashing, still, there’s a chance that your mighty bikes may catch scratches and gouges. Further to this, this rack tends to rattle when you’re driving.
Regardless of what type of bikes you want to carry and how gigantic they are in sizes, this hitch rack is backed up with a limited lifetime warranty.
For the price, it is value for money. So, worth recommended!
Features:
- 56 lbs. weight
- Fits any 2” hitch receiver
- Padded arms
- Automatic locking pin
FAQs:
What are the different types of bike racks for cars and SUVs?
If you want to transport your two-wheeler on your four-wheeler, the convenient way is to use a bike rack. But these racks come in different shapes, styles, materials, capacities, and prices.
The basic types of these bike racks are:
- Trunk mount:
These are the most inexpensive kind of bike rack and are somewhat limited in carrying the load.
- Hitch mount:
These are relatively more expensive but a great choice for everyday use. They have varying capacities to load 2-5 bikes at a time.
- Roof mount:
As the name is self-explanatory, you can mount these racks on the top of your cars. they are budget-friendly and can not only carry bikes but boats and other cargo stuff, as well.
- Spare tire mount:
These are also inexpensive bike racks. These racks usually sit on the tire or are securely screwed onto the tire mount.
What are the key features to look for before buying a bike rack?
Before deciding on a sort of car bike rack, think about how often you’ll use it, your vehicle’s compatibility, the number of bikes you’ll be transporting, and how much you want to spend.
Do people steal bike racks?
Sometimes, although not very frequently. There is no such thing as a universal bike rack since they are intended to accommodate certain models of cars. Additional security elements include locking mechanisms, cable and bracket attachments, and hitches. People have developed ways to dismantle bike racks both with and without the bikes.
Are bike racks useful?
Bike racks are useful for carrying bikes while you’re on the go. However, they may damage your vehicle if not installed properly. Even though the rack is not in direct touch with the vehicle, if the bike is not securely secured, it might collide with the vehicle. A swaying or turning bike might collide with an automobile and inflict harm.
Conclusion:
If you want to feel the ultimate pleasure while maintaining Go-green agenda even when you’re driving a four-wheeler, then you would probably need a bike rack to carry your bikes along with you.
The main objective of this write-up is to provide you a list of the best bike racks for SUV. All of these racks perform well and are great for your everyday use.
Know your budget and your specific needs and get the one that suits yours needs to enjoy bike riding.