Best Hitch Bike Rack for Any Vehicle
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Saris Freedom 2 Tray Hitch Bike Rack -
Saris MTR Bike Hitch Car Rack -
Thule EasyFold XT 2 Hitch Bike Rack -
Yakima Hangout 2 Bike Rack -
Buyer's Guide
There are best hitch bike rack in 2022 for most any vehicle and to fit most any size bike. They are a great way to escape the city and head out to the open road with your bikes in tow. Many manufacturers offer compatibility charts and ways to see what rack will work on your vehicle. This feature is great if you don't have a local dealer that can help you out. Most standard racks will carry up to 4 bikes.
When looking for a hitch mounted rack, you will find models that swing out of the way for easy rear access to your vehicle. The less expensive models are fixed and can make access a bit tougher. There are also models that have a hinge to lower them for limited access to the rear of your vehicle.
The racks on this list were chosen for their quality, ease of use, and versatility.
What are the best hitch bike racks of 2022?
Saris Freedom 2 Tray Hitch Bike Rack - Best Hitch Bike Rack Overall
Made in the US and a lifetime warranty, hard to beat that. The Saris Freedom 2 has that and so much more. It is made to fit both 2 inch and 1.25 hitches. It is lightweight, strong, and folds out of the way when not in use. After a long ride the last thing you wand to do is lift your bike, this rack is low enough that you won't feel the pain. It is extremely adjustable and will fit both kids and adult size bikes. Saris also makes a 4-bike version of this rack for family outings or rides with your friends. You might think all that comes with a huge price tag but at $250 for the Freedom 2, you will have a tough time finding a better deal.
Saris MTR Bike Hitch Car Rack - Runner Up
This rack looks like a piece of modern art. The curved wheel trays of the Saris Thelma 3 will hold most any size tire. This is a 3 bike rack and another lightweight "made in America" rack with a lifetime warranty. The rack folds up when not in use. The Thelma 3 is designed to never touch the bikes or your vehicle so you won't have any damage to either one from the rack. At less than $400, it is well worth taking a look at the Thelma 3.
Thule EasyFold XT 2 Hitch Bike Rack - Consider
The Thule Apex Swing 4 is another great option for four bikes and also has the swing away capabilities that the Swing Daddy does. Anti-sway cages prevent bike to bike contact and the hold fast cradles absorb some of the road shock for added bike protection. This rack is designed for a 2-inch hitch. The Apex Swing 4 is comparable in many ways to the Swing Daddy. This rack is easy to use and comes in at a price of $430.
Yakima Hangout 2 Bike Rack - Best Hitch Bike Rack
Another great option from Yakima for four bikes. The Big Horn has many of the same great features as the Swing Daddy 4. I wouldn't put as much weight on this rack, it is a lighter weight rack. If you are hauling heavy mountain bikes I would consider spending more and getting the heavier duty racks. This is a great option for the budget minded shopper looking for a great rack for not too much money. You can purchase an optional adapter if you have less than a 2-inch hitch but it will affect the movement, shouldn't be enough to cause a problem.
Buyer's Guide
Best Hitch Bike Racks Buyer’s Guide
Planning to buy hitch bike racks to keep your biker cycles with you while going on a long road trip? If yes, you will look at a detailed guide that will tell you about every important information. These bike racks will mount on the trailer hitch at the bottom and allow you to carry your bikes with moderate lifting easily. They work similarly to roof racks. However, as they extend the length of your vehicle so backing up or maneuvering will be a concern for some people. In addition to this, these racks also reduce the rear access, but most models will tilt down or swing away from the vehicle.
You need to pick the rack compatible with the size of the hitch receiver you currently have in your possession. Now, let’s discuss some other important information which you have to consider when buying the hitch bike racks:
What Are Different Types of Hitch Bike Racks?
The two different types of bike racks which can attach to your car are as follows:
Hanging (Mast Style)
These types of racks have a mast with arms that will support bikes by the frame. They are compact and very cheap compared to platform bike racks, which we will discuss later! Some racks can even haul multiple bikes; you can even place four or five bikes at once. But if you plan to put different bikes in terms of shape and sizes, you cannot do it.
Platform Style
In this type of rack, you will anchor the bike on trays to avoid the bike swaying. Moreover, it will also reduce the risk of bike-to-bike contact when you are going to transport it. You can carry two bikes with this rack, but it can take four bikes when using the extension. Remember that these are expensive in contrast to a hanging style. These racks are also capable of holding bikes of different shapes and sizes and even electric bikes.
What Key Factors To Consider When Buying Hitch Bike Racks?
Some other important factors which you have to keep in your mind when buying the racks for your bike:
Adjustable Arms
The majority of the racks come with adjustable arms for tire sizes ranging from 2 to 4 inches in diameter. The chances are very less that bike hitches have arms that can take fat tires with a diameter of 5 inches or bigger! This factor is essential to consider when you are going to purchase a bike rack. Why essential? Well, the answer is that not all bikes tires are the same, and picking the hitch rack with arms that are perfect for your bike tire’s diameter is not possible! Instead of picking the perfect match, you should limit your hitch use to one size of tire. Hence, adjustable arms will enable you to use the same rack for different varieties of bikes.
Foldability
This aspect is also very essential because you are not going to disengage your rack all the time when you are going to park your car in an open space or garage. When there are no bikes, then there is no point in extending your rack. It is the point where the foldable racks will become small, and you can even press them against your car. This act will enable you to store the rack and keep it attached to your hitch when you are not using it!
Dimensions
This point is relevant to the dimensions of the hitch rack and car. You need to pick a rack that will fit easily inside your vehicle. The majority of these racks will fit inside the standard SUVs for pickup trucks. To get the best, you should find a short one to add a lot of extra drag to your turns. Trailers are already difficult to manage, so adding a long hitch can make driving complex. It would be best if you go for shorter stockier racks in contrast to long ones.
What Are Some Benefits of Hitch Bike Racks?
Some of the best benefits of the bike arches are as follows:
- You will not have to lift your bike to place it on the roof as you can easily attach it to the back of your car.
- No more damage to the finishing of your car’s roof as you will place bikes at the back of your vehicle.
- It is very much easy to install and remove the rack as per your need.
- You can keep the interior of your car clean, and your friends or family can easily sit inside it.
- With the hitch bike rack at the back, you can fully concentrate on the road instead of looking at the top of the roof through the sunroof to watch the bike moving or not!
What Is The Price Range For Hitch Bike Racks?
The price range for a hitch bike rack is between $75 to $900. The variation in the price is due to the features you are going to get in your racks. Some of the features are high carrying capacity, control devices, dual-arm support, and much more. Moreover, the price will vary due to the quality and style of the rack.
Best Hitch Bike Racks FAQs
Q: How fast can you drive with a hitch bike rack?
A: It is mostly recommended to keep your car speed between a range of 70 to 80 mph when you are driving with a bike rack. You also need to slow down and cover the speed bumps.
Q: Can you remove the hitch bike racks?
A: Yes, you can remove them, and they are very easy to install as well. These racks are sturdy in contrast to trunk-mounted racks.
Q: Do I need a hitch for the bike rack?
A: Yes, to use a hitch mount bike rack, you will need a trailer hitch on your vehicle. You will not need this in the case of trunk or roof racks. Moreover, you can easily install this on any vehicle, be it minivans or oversize SUVs.
