Hello. I have been cycling ever since I was a little kid.
This has always been our family tradition to take our bikes with us whenever we go for a vacay, and that thing is built deep within me.
My ultimate love for bikes has taken me to the point where I can go nowhere without my bike by my side. Especially on vacations and day-outs with my friends. So, whenever I go, wherever I go, I put my bikes on the racks and off we go!
Over time I have done my fair share in searching the best hitch bike racks for my bikes.
Experience and hit and trial have led me to believe that the best pick you can make is through experimenting.
Understanding your bike’s need and your own preferences will ultimately lead you to pick the best and safest car rack for your bikes.
What features to look for in a car rack:
The top things that you have to consider while choosing a car rack are that it should be light-weighted.
The material used should be not heavy because you have to carry that around in your car and additional weight will only be baggage to your already stuffed in the car.
The car rack should have an easy installation mechanism so that it be user-friendly. The locking mechanism should be safe enough to fulfill the original purpose of the car rack i.e. the safety of your bike.
According to your needs, the car racks can have places for multiple bikes, so you can mount up to 3 to 4 bikes and carry them around.
So not only yours, but your friends’ bikes will also stay safe and well-protected.
Three major types of car racks:
There are three major types of car racks depending upon their location of installation on a car.
They can be installed on the trunk, on the roof of the car and on the hitches.
Hitch mounted car racks are my personal favorite options:
The car racks that can be installed on the hitches are my personal favorites.
They can be easily installed on any car with a hitch, especially the SUV and trucks which can accommodate even heavy car racks and can transport up to 4-5 bikes.
That entirely depends on what your need is and how many bikes you need to transfer. But generally, the hitch mounted car racks are the safest as they do minimal damage to the car.
But there are also a few things that you’d like to keep in check, that the entire overall length of the car will be increased after the hitch rack installation so just check the space in your garage first because taking off the rack and installing it back on again every time before use can be a hassle if you take out your bikes regularly.
However, if it’s a rare thing then it won’t be a problem.
The hitch mounted car racks are undoubtedly my favorites and I listed them all down below so you can see and choose your favorite too.
Have a look at my list:
I did some research on this topic and made a list of the best car racks with hitches that in my view can cater to all your bike safety and carrier needs. Have a look and make your best pick.
The 8 best safe car racks for bikes with hitches:
Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack:
So basically, this rack is my favorite one. It stays well in your budget and can accommodate up to 5 bikes.
It is light weighted and comes with easy installation, the two most important features to look at when looking for a hitch-mounted bike rack as described by me earlier.
The rack can be used to accommodate a wide variety of bikes making it user-friendly.
So not only you can take your bikes, but also your friends’ too.
Hollywood Racks HR1400 Sport Rider SE4:
Here I am going for a more elite choice with respect to the cost.
But the cost is entirely justified by the super amazing platform-style hitch rack which can accommodate up to 4 bikes.
What makes it, even more, user-friendly is that it can be tilted down easily for access to the trunk, a feature which most hitch racks lack.
It comes with an 8’ security cable and a locking hitch pins making it one of the best choices if you can afford the budget.
Yakima Products Hold-Up Tray-Style Bike Rack:
Yakima is a name of trust when comes to bicycle gear.
It brings yet another product, the Hold Up which is a tray-style bike rack.
It has the capacity to accommodate two bikes.
Both of the bikes are safely well-kept from each other owing to its strengthened arm pivot and side to side adjustability.
The rack is super light-weighted with only 49 lbs. and is strong enough to accommodate two bikes of 60 lbs. each.
Critical Cycles / Retrospect Lenox Hitch Mount Bike Rack:
This amazing product comes with amazing prices that are well suited to your budget.
It can accommodate 2-4 bikes with a total weight limit of up to 140 lbs. it can be folded and tilted easily for storage and easy use, the only limitation that we see is that the vehicle must have a Class III or IV hitch in it.
Thule T2 Pro XT 2 Bike Rack:
Thule is a name of excellence in bike products.
The only thing that’s not in our favor is that these are a little more on the expensive side. However, the above-mentioned bike rack is an amazing product accommodating up to 2 bikes.
These have a side to side adjustability and easily foldable racks, with easy tilting, making this product super easy to use and adjust with.
Thule Apex Swing Away Bike Rack:
Another amazing product from Thule.
But what makes it even more interesting than the above-mentioned Thule product is the presence of Hold Fast cradles that are shock-absorbing protecting your bikes when being transported on the vehicle.
Apart from this, the Swing Away bike rack is amazing for carrying up to 4 bikes and a combined weight of up to 140 lbs.
Yakima Ridgeback Tilt-Away Hitch Bike Rack:
Yakima makes it back to our list with this amazing bike rack.
Accommodation up to 4 bikes and providing easy access to the trunk by tilting are the key features.
Additionally, there are full-removable and zero-hassle ZipStrips securing the bike to the rack.
Hollywood Racks Trail Rider Hitch Rack:
This bike rack is a true gift for people who are just going for a quick ride.
Hassle-free easy installation and un-installation make it my choice to go. The super-lightweight of only 39 lbs.
makes it perfect for instant use.
So, these are the best car racks for bikes with hitches, for securing and transporting your bike on your vehicle around the town or to a vacation site.
Pick up your best choice and let me know if you have any further questions about bike racks. Maybe I’ll be able to help you owing to my great research on the topic. Happy biking!