When you are looking to get yourself the best hitch bike racks there are so many factors to consider.
The first and most important thing to consider is how many bikes you want the rack to be able to hold as you will notice a broad range of design options that are each capable of holding a different amount of bikes.
Depending on the hitch that you will buy, you will find that some of the hitches available are much more difficult to install than others.
You will find hitches that are made up of different materials and you will also find ones of different lengths and widths.
If you don’t know what to look for in a hitch it can be extremely hard to narrow down your options and find something that works well with your vehicles.
In order to help you with your purchase, we have narrowed down a list of our picks for the top hitch bike racks on the market as well as made a buying guide for bike hitch racks so that you know the things that you should look for in order to get yourself something of high quality.
Buying Guide
Price
The first thing that may have a large impact on what type of a bike hitch rack you get is what kind of a price you are willing to pay in order to buy one.
It is important to set yourself a budget so that you don’t go overboard and buy something that you can’t afford financially.
Price can be a good starting point to look at in order to get an idea of the quality of the unit, but you should always look at the specifics in order to make sure that the price just isn’t inflated and that what you are paying for is actually worth the money.
Bike racks can come in a wide range of prices and it is important to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth, but the only way to do that is to do some side by side comparisons and to decide on the features that you want incorporated into the design of the bike hitch rack.
Warranty
When it comes to bike racks many of the bike racks on the market will come with a lifetime warranty on the product.
It is always important to know how long your warranty lasts you and what is covered within the warranty so that you can have some peace of mind with your purchasing decision.
Price can have an impact on the length of the warranty of some products and it is important to be aware that you may have to pay more initially for a product in order to get a longer warranty on it.
The great thing is, for a few extra dollars being able to replace your unit a few years down the road rather than having to buy a new unit is a great deal.
Hitch/ Attachment Method
One of the most important things to look at when you are shopping around for a bike hitch rack is how the unit attaches onto the vehicle.
You need to know the length of your tow hitch if that is how it attaches and you need to know how to install the unit, or be able to get someone to install the unit for you.
One thing to note, if you live in an area that has poor weather part of the year which doesn’t allow for biking, it may be a good idea to get something that removes fairly easy from the vehicle so that you don’t have to deal with the struggle of taking it off and putting it back on at the end of each and every biking season.
Material
Depending on how much money you spend on getting yourself a bike hitch rack, one thing that you may notice is that you will find a range of materials that the rack is made up of.
In order to give yourself better gas mileage, it is important to note that the lighter the rack, the less gas mileage it will eat up during your driving.
Just make sure that you don’t buy something that is too light of a material to be able to hold up the weight of your bike because the last thing you want to happen is have your bike rack snap and break your bike as you are driving down the road.
Length/ Width
If you like to be able to use the back of your vehicle for storage, one thing that you are definitely going to want to look for in a bike rack is something that either doesn’t block that part of the vehicle or something that folds and allows you to open your hatch.
Most bike racks will block your vehicle hatch so you will definitely find that the majority of the time there is some kind of a folding mechanism built into the design if it allows you to be able to open the hatch.
It is important to note that if you want to carry more bikes, generally speaking you are going to have to have a larger bike hitch rack and therefore have to do more folding and take a little bit more time to be able to open up the hatch of your vehicle.
Paint/ Finish
This can be a very important aspect of a bike rack for some people especially if you are going to attach the bike rack to a nice vehicle.
You are going to want something that suits the color of your vehicle and some people may want something that doesn’t stand out too much on the back of the vehicle so that they can still see out the back window when they are driving.
The nice thing about paint on a bike rack is that it allows the material beneath to be covered in something and makes it less prone to rust from bad weather and sitting outside.
Most bike racks on the market will use a powder-coated paint finish in order to allow for optimal protection from weather conditions, but this is always something that you should take a look at so that you can have a better idea as to how long the bike rack will last you.
Manufacturer
One thing that you can take a look at in order to get an idea as to the quality of the product is the manufacturer of the product.
It is a good idea to look at the manufacturer in order to see how long they have been in business as well as what people are saying about some of the other products that they make.
Generally speaking if they have been around for a long period of time they probably make good products as over a long period of time consumers will have started to realize if they made poor quality and choose not to buy from that manufacturer potentially putting them out of business as a result.
There are so many manufacturers who make bike racks and it is very hard to tell the good manufacturers from the bad unless you are a bike rack expert, so this is always something that you should take a look at before deciding on a final purchasing decision.
Hitch Bike Rack Reviews
1. Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch
This is a very nice bike rack that is in the average price range. The nicest thing about this bike rack is that it has a lifetime warranty on it in order to give the consumer some peace of mind with their purchasing decision.
The bike rack is made out of steel and is powder-coated so that it is rust-resistant and more durable.
This bike rack in particular is capable of carrying four bikes at one time, but this manufacturer does make a 2,3,5 bike carrying version of this hitch.
This bike hitch fits onto a regular two inch trailer hitch and features foldable carrying arms that you can use when the rack isn’t being used.
This rack installs in as little as five minutes time so it is great for someone who takes their bike rack off and on at season’s end.
Pros:
- Manufacturer makes a 2,3,4,5 bike carrying version of this hitch bike rack all for a good price
- Black powder coat makes the unit more durable and looks good with most vehicles
- Foldable arms for when the unit isn’t in use
- Fits on a two inch trailer hitch
- Lifetime warranty with your purchase
Cons:
- Steel isn’t the lightest material
- Bike carrier does sit fairly high on the vehicle and will block window view
2. BUZZ RACK Hotshot 4-Bike Hitch
This bike rack requires a bit of a higher budget to purchase but it does allow you to use the rack on a tow hitch that is one and a quarter to 2 inches.
This hitch can carry four bikes at one time and has secure ratchet straps built into the design in order to hold the bikes in place. This bike rack can be tilted down so that you can access the back hatch of the vehicle with ease.
This unit is powder coated steel which adds some great durability to the unit and it does incorporate a variety of colors including black, silver and a green color into its design.
To give you some peace of mind when driving this unit has a cable lock as well as a locking hitch pin so that you don’t have to worry as much about your bikes falling off when you are driving around.
Pros:
- Powder-coated finish adds durability to the unit
- Cable lock and hitch pin for added security and peace of mind
- Rack can be tilted down in order to be able to access the back hatch of the vehicle
- Secure ratchet straps to hold your bikes in place while driving
- Can fit a tow hitch that is one and a quarter inches to two inches
Cons:
- Higher price tag may be out of reach for some people
- Will block a lot of view out of the back windshield
3. Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch
This next bike rack is available for a mid-high price range.
The bike rack is capable of holding two bikes at one time but does a better job at leaving some of the window open so that the driver can see stuff behind them when carrying bikes around.
This unit is compatible with tow hitches that are one and a quart inches to two inches.
There are ratchet straps on the unit that are used in order to make sure that the bikes are nicely secure and you will also find that the center arm of this unit can be easily folded down so that you can access the back hatch of your vehicle.
One thing that is very important to note about this unit is that it does have a maximum weight limit of 35 lbs per bike which is very important to keep in mind if you have an E-bike or a heavier bike that you are looking to tow around.
Pros:
- Can be used on a tow hitch that is one and a quart to two inches
- Center arm can be easily folded in order to access the back hatch of the unit
- Only takes a couple of minutes to put on and take off of the vehicle
- Can be used to hold two bikes with frames up to 59 cm
Cons:
- 35 lb weight limit may not be enough for some people
- Average to high price tag could be out of reach for some
4. Bell Hitchbiker 450 4-Bike Hitch
This bike rack is capable of fitting four bikes at one time and can hold four bikes that each weigh up to 35 lbs for a total weight limit of 140 lbs. This rack is coated with a powder-coated paint in order to make it a more durable design.
The rack is capable of folding so that you can access the back hatch easily as you need.
One nice thing about this unit is that there are cradles on the unit which help to keep the bikes nice and stable while you are driving and yet keep them nicely secure so that you don’t have to worry about your bikes falling off when you are driving.
Pros:
- Can fit a hitch that is one and a quarter to two inches
- Powder-coated finish for more durability
- Foldable rack to access the back hatch easily
- Cradles to hold the bikes securely in place
- Very low price tag for the number of bikes that this unit can hold
Cons:
- Can only hold 35 lb bikes
5. MaxxHaul (70210) 4-Bike Deluxe Hitch
If you are looking to get something extremely cheap then this could be a good solution for you if you are on a budget. This unit is capable of working on any two-inch tow hitch and is made from a steel construction design.
There is a bike cradle that is used to hold the bikes in place and Velcro straps are used in the design for added security.
This unit can be swung down fairly easily in order to get access to the rear hatch and it quite amazingly can hold four bikes at one time all for an extremely low price tag
Pros:
- Minimalist design is easy to use
- Can be swung down to provide access to the back hatch of the unit
- Made out of steel
- Cradle and Velcro straps are used to keep the bikes in place
Cons:
- May not be as secure as you might like
- Not powder coated so it may not last you as long thanks to rust
6. Road-Max RMBR4 Hitch
If you have a high budget and you want something that looks fancy then this could definitely be a bike rack that you may be interested in.
This unit can be easily folded to provide trunk access which is a very handy feature to have. There are wheel straps and buckles on this unit in order to keep each bike sturdy and in place regardless of the rim and tires size on the bike.
There are padded arms on this unit that go up vertically in order to make the bikes more stable during your drive and this unit is capable of fitting on any two-inch tow hitch and can carry four bikes at one time.
Pros:
- Wheel straps, buckles and a vertical arm in order to keep your bike more secure
- Can hold all bikes regardless of wheel and rim size
- Eye appealing design
- Can be folded to access the trunk of the vehicle easily
Cons:
- High price tag could definitely be out of reach for some people
7. Tow Tuff TTF-2762KR
If you have a bit of a higher budget and want something multipurpose then this could be a great bike rack for you.
This cargo carrier has a total weight capacity of 500 lbs and is made out of steel in order to offer you optimal hauling without the worry of sturdiness.
This carrier fits all two-inch tow hitches and has an adjustable wheel holder and tie down holes so that you can keep up to four bikes tied down and secure on the unit.
You will get tie-down straps with your purchase well as a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty on the product to give you some peace of mind.
Pros:
- Multipurpose design allows you to carry other good up to 500 lbs in weight
- Can hold four bikes at once and has adjustable wheel holders and straps to keep everything secure
- One year manufacturer’s warranty to give you peace of mind
Cons:
- May not be the most eye appealing unit
- A bit of a higher price range for the unit may be out of reach for some people
8. Hollywood Racks Traveler Hitch
This unit is about in the average price range and has a lot to offer. The unit comes in a variety of size options and can hold anywhere from 3-5 bikes according to your needs.
This is a pretty sturdy design thanks to rubber bike cradles and stabilizers as well as tie-down straps in order to keep your bike from moving around when you are driving.
This rack can be easily folded down in order to allow you access to the back hatch.
In order to give you some peace of mind when purchasing this unit, there is a limited lifetime warranty given by the manufacturer to give you some peace of mind with your purchase.
Pros:
- Very stable design thanks to tie down straps, stabilizers and rubber bike cradles
- Easy to tilt to reach your back hatch
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Available in a variety of sizes that can fit from 3-5 bikes and a variety of tow hitch size options
Cons:
- Average price tag could still be out of reach for some people
- Will block a decent amount of your rear view
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
Hopefully, after reading this article you now feel like you have a better grasp on the things you want to look for in your own bike rack.
And hopefully, the list of our picks for the top bike racks has shown you some options out there that work for you.
Always make sure that the bike rack is actually compatible with your vehicle before getting it shipped out to you and it is a good idea to make sure that you double-check the price as well as the length and terms and conditions of the warranty so that you can be sure you know what product you are buying and how/ when you can return the product if you need to.
You should always think about future use of the bike rack if you are thinking of purchasing one as the larger bike racks that are capable of holding more bikes are actually fairly similar in price to the smaller ones so you will definitely want to think about and decide if you ever want to go on a bike trip with other people.
Best of luck with your bike hitch shopping and hope that you find yourself a quality bike hitch that works for your situation. Enjoy your biking!
