Choosing a Bike Rack for a Car

If your car is already outfitted with a tow hitch, a hitch-mounted bike rack can be a great option. This design fits into the hitch itself, supporting a bike rack that extends behind your car without fastening to the car itself. Hitch-mounted bike racks are easy to install when you need them, and easy to take off when you don’t. This makes them ideal for the weekend adventurer. Because the rack is installed behind the car and not on top, it’s very easy to load and unload your bikes.

• Platform hitch racks: Designed for securing the tires of the bicycle, a platform extends from the hitch. This model makes a great choice for beach cruisers and mountain bikes.
• Hanging hitch racks: This variety features a support structure that extends up from the hitch, supporting the frame of the bike. This design is a great choice for high-end road bikes with narrow tires.

Some hitch-mounted bike racks are entirely stationary, blocking access to the trunk when they’re installed. If access is going to be an issue, look for a model that swings away from the rear of the car and offers easy access to the trunk. The swing-away models are typically more expensive. However, they are a worthwhile investment for long road trips. Some of these racks are versatile in design, allowing you to mount more than just bikes. Many accommodate skis or snowboards, as well.

Safety Tip: Make sure to check the size of your hitch before purchasing a hitch-mount bike rack to ensure the right fit. Hitches are available in multiple sizes, and not all styles are compatible. A hitch mount is not appropriate for any vehicle that features a spare tire mounted to the trunk.

If your car doesn’t have a tow hitch, trunk racks for bikes are also readily available. These racks feature a strap mounting mechanism that attaches to the trunk itself. They are some of the most affordable options, making them perfect for anyone who only needs to tow bikes on occasion. They can even be switched from one vehicle to another with ease.

The strap design of trunk-mounted bike racks makes them easy to adjust to fit most car models. They are also simple to transfer from one car to another, when the need arises. When considering a trunk-mounted bike rack for your car, look for a model with soft padding where it comes in contact with the car. This helps preserve the finish of the car.

You should know that when the trunk-mounted bike rack is in place and loaded with bikes, it can both block access to the trunk and reduce visibility out of the back window of the vehicle. Take care when driving with bikes on the back of the car. And always use side mirrors when trying to switch lanes. If you are driving a long distance, keep in mind that the items you store in the trunk will remain inaccessible until you unload both the bikes and the bike rack.

Use straps or bungee cords to secure tires and handlebars in place for transit. This will reduce the risk of scratching from spinning wheels or swinging bikes.

If you’re an avid adventurer, car roof bike racks are a great option. These racks stay on your car all the time and provide a safe and secure way to haul your bikes. They can also transport other sports equipment, including surfboards, kayaks, snowboards, skis and even cargo carriers. The versatile design makes this rack a quality investment. It also makes a great gift idea for any outdoorsman on your list.

One of the greatest benefits of roof-mounted bike racks is that they keep the rear of the car clear. This allows for full visibility out the back window and easy access to your trunk. Plus, this makes roof racks an ideal choice for travelers that are also taking suitcases and gear along for the journey.

Not all roof mounts are appropriate for hatchback vehicles. Make sure your trunk has clearance to open fully with the rack in place. Before you load up a roof rack, check the user’s manual for your vehicle to find the roof weight capacity. Too much weight can cause damage to many car models. Fortunately, since your items are on top of the car, you’ll have full access to your trunk during your travels.

As you browse through all the best bike racks in a given category, take the time to think about your lifestyle. Finding the best rack for a car is all about weighing a few key factors:

• Mounting location
• How many bikes you need to carry
• The need for trunk access
• Route and distance of travel
• Budget

Remember to consider how many items you’ll be hauling along with your bikes and how you will have to load and unload that gear. And are you taking suitcases or camping equipment? Putting a hitch rack on the back for the bikes and a rack on the roof for a cargo carrier is a great two-prong approach to carrying large loads.

Many types of bike racks work on most models of cars. When you’re trying to determine which bike rack will best meet your needs, check out this quick comparison of each model.

Hitch-Mounted Bike Racks:

• Fast and easy to install
• Helps prevent the car from getting scratched
• Positioned for easy loading and unloading
• Carries up to 5 bikes, making it ideal for families
• Some models block access to the trunk until the bike rack is removed
• Can be on the higher end of the price point for bike racks
• The large design takes up more storage space between uses

Roof-Mounted Bike Racks:

• The versatility of design makes them suitable for carrying other outdoor toys, as well
• Racks can stay mounted to the car between uses
• All windows and trunks are free and clear
• Creates more resistance than other varieties
• Be careful of low-clearance bridges and tunnels
• Can make it hard to load and unload bikes because it is a long reach

Trunk-Mounted Bike Racks:

• Easy to transfer from one vehicle to another
• The adjustable design fits many vehicle models
• Stores bikes in a way that makes them easy to load and unload
• Carries 1 to 3 bikes safely
• Most models block access to the trunk while the rack is in place
• They can potentially scratch or mark the car

As you narrow down your choices, look at any manufacturer notes about makes and models of cars that the racks are designed to work with. Some options will require additional tools to complete the installation process. It is also a good idea to refer to your car's owner’s manual before adding any rack systems. The manual will give you both a maximum weight limit for the roof and maximum towing capacity for a hitch.

If you are going on longer trips, maximize storage by using a combination of bike racks and cargo carriers. A cargo box on the top of the car offers additional space for camping gear and suitcases. Meanwhile, a swing-away hitch rack makes it easy to carry bikes and maintain access to the trunk.

Many bike rack designs can carry much more than bikes. When you select a roof model, you can stow a wide array of outdoor toys for weekend adventures.

Kayaks, surfboards, skis, snowboards, paddleboards and cargo boxes can be strapped on top of your car the same way you would stow bikes. Roof racks designed to carry more than one bike can also carry more than one piece of outdoor gear.

Roof racks aren’t the only bike racks that offer this versatility. Many of the hitch rack designs can also be used to carry these items.