How to Choose a Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack

A hitch-mounted bike rack is a type of bike rack that slides into the receiver of a trailer hitch on a car or truck. This type of rack has some advantages over roof- and trunk-mounted bike racks:

Available in a large variety of styles
Make it easy to load and unload bikes
More aerodynamic than roof-mounted racks
Eliminate overhead clearance problems with garage doors compared to roof-mounted racks
Available with greater capacity than most trunk-mounted bike racks
More secure than trunk-mounted racks
Work with more vehicle models than trunk-mounted racks

In this article:

What are the Different Kinds of Hitch-Mounted Bike Racks?

Hitch-mounted bike racks fall into one of two major groups - hanging and platform racks. Platform racks are generally easier to use, while hanging racks typically offer a better cost value.

Platform Bike Racks

Hold 1-4 bikes
Make minimal frame contact
Much easier to load and unload than hanging bike racks
Can accommodate a variety of bikes, including women's step-through and kids' bikes, but may require adapter for some
Provide a stable platform to eliminate sway

Platform racks support bikes by their wheels and secure the bike with either wheel clamps or frame clamps. Adjustable wheel holders allow platform bike racks to fit a wide range of bikes regardless of size, frame, suspension, or wheel size. This type of rack is also easy to load because it's relatively low to the ground, so you won't have to lift bikes too high to load them.

Frame-style clamps hook over your bike's crossbar, holding the bike in place by the frame. Wheel-style clamps hold bikes in place by their wheels, eliminating any contact with frames. This is a great option if you want to protect your bike's finish and maintain its warranty, which can be invalidated by using any rack that grasps the bike's frame. This type of rack is also a good choice for bikes with suspension because it doesn't push down on the frame.

Hanging Bike Racks

Hold 2-6 bikes
Typically make frame contact (except for a few wheel-mount racks)
May require adapter bar for alternative-framed bikes (such as women's step-through bikes)
May be too wide or bulky to hold kids' bikes
Cost less than platform racks
Weigh less than platform-style racks

Most hanging bike racks support bikes by their frames, so the bike hangs from its top tube. These hanging racks work best on standard-frame bikes.

Bikes with alternative frames may not hang level on a hanging rack. If you have a bike with an alternative frame, and it doesn't hang level, an adapter bar can help. An adapter bar clamps onto the seat post and head tube of your bike and provides a support that rests on the bike rack's arms.

What's the best bike rack for...

Road and mountain bikes: Standard-frame bikes work well with all types of hitch-mounted racks. However, platform racks are easier to load, and many avoid making frame contact.
Bikes with step-through frames: Platform racks will hold step-through bikes without an adapter. Most hanging-style racks, however, do require an adapter.
Children's bikes: Some children's bikes require an adapter, but many can fit on hanging racks with closely spaced dual arms or single arms with small cradles. There are also platform-style racks designed to accommodate smaller bikes.
Carbon-fiber frames: To avoid scratching carbon-fiber frames, the best choice is a platform-style rack that avoids any frame contact.
Bikes with suspension: Platform racks with wheel clamps won't compress your bike's suspension.

etrailer.com's Recommended Bike Racks:

What Kinds of Racks are Available for Specialty Bikes?

The world is full of non-traditional bikes and cyclists. So of course, it follows that we need hitch bike racks to accommodate these special bikes! These racks may offer features like higher weight capacities or alternative spacing in order to hold electric bikes, recumbent bikes, fat bikes, and more.

Bike Racks for Electric Bikes

These beefy racks are designed to handle the extra weight of electric bikes. To provide the needed extra strength, critical joints are welded, and heavy-duty materials are used in their construction.

Bike Racks for Heavy Bikes

Sometimes you just need a little more muscle in your bike rack. These racks deliver that added weight capacity to get your wheels to the trail safely.

Bike Racks for Carbon-Fiber Bikes

The key with carbon-fiber bikes is avoiding frame contact to prevent scratches. These wheel-mounted platform racks will protect that sleek frame during your drive.

Bike Racks for Fat Bikes

The cradles on these platform bike racks are designed to support the wider tires found on fat bikes.

Bike Racks for Recumbent Bikes

The wheel hoops on these racks can be spaced further apart to fit the smaller wheels and longer wheelbases of recumbents.

Which Bike Rack Will Fit My Vehicle?

Weight Capacity Sticker on Trailer Hitch Receiver

Trailer hitch receiver label (expanded)

The Hitch Receiver

Before you buy a hitch-mounted bike rack, you'll need to know if it will fit the hitch on your vehicle. Your bike rack should be compatible with both your hitch receiver size and its weight class. For instance, a 2" Class III hitch receiver can handle a 2" Class III bike rack (or smaller). However, a 1-1/4" Class I hitch receiver can't hold anything larger than this.

Most bike racks are designed to fit either 2" or 1-1/4" hitch receivers, and their weight capacities usually include Class I, Class II, and Class III. Check your hitch receiver for its size and class, and make sure to use a bike rack compatible with these specifications.

If you don't know the class of your hitch, you should be able to determine it based on the hitch's maximum capacity. Check your hitch for a sticker or stamp indicating the weight capacity.

Class I Hitches: Up to 2k lb capacity, 1-1/4" receiver size
Class II Hitches: Up to 3,500 lbs, 1-1/4" receiver size
Class III Hitches: Up to 8,000 lbs, 2" hitch receiver size

No hitch? No problem. Many mechanically inclined individuals install their own hitches with just a few basic hand tools. We even have videos to walk you through it!

Vehicle Clearance & Compatibility

If you need to clear a spare tire or extended back bumper, there's an easy way to check which bike rack will work best for your vehicle without running into any obstacles. Check out our tips for measuring for these circumstances. Also note that many bike racks feature swing-away or tilt-away options that allow you to open your rear cargo area even with your bikes loaded.

You can add a hitch extender to your hitch to give you more clearance, but remember that an extension will reduce the weight capacity of your hitch by half, so this should be a last resort if you can't find another option with enough clearance.

Ground clearance can also be an issue if you drive a car that sits low to the ground, particularly when you drive over dips in the road or into driveways. If your vehicle has low ground clearance, consider a bike rack with a built-in rise in the shank, as shown in the rack pictured below. This rise can help to prevent the bike rack from dragging on the ground.

Hitch bike rack shank with built-in rise, as seen on the Swagman Trailhead 3 Bike Rack # S63365.

Bike Capacity

Typical hitch-mounted bike racks are available to carry 1 - 6 bikes. Racks for specialty bikes, like trikes and recumbents, may only be able to carry 1 or 2 bikes. Never overload your bike rack, your hitch, or your vehicle's capacity.

What Special Features are Available on Different Bike Racks?

Many bike racks have additional convenience and security features. Here are a few to keep an eye out for:

Swing-Away Bike Racks

The rack swings away from your vehicle to provide unlimited access to your trunk or rear hatch, even with your bikes loaded.

Tilt-Away Bike Racks

The rack tilts down and away from your vehicle, allowing you access to your trunk or hatch. Some tilt-away racks allow you to keep your bikes loaded, although others require you to remove them first.

Fold-Up Bike Racks

These racks fold up against your vehicle when not in use, keeping your vehicle profile relatively small.

Bike Racks with Integrated Locks

Many bike racks offer integrated locks to secure your bikes to your rack and/or your rack to your hitch. For the best security, choose a rack that includes these locks, or purchase a cable lock and hitch lock separately.

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Updated on: 4/20/2021

Mindy

8/19/2022

I have a 1 1/4 receiver on my 2008 Scion xD. I have a curt bike hitch that isn't able to keep adult mountain bikes high enough from the ground. Is there a way I could add or modify something to make the bikes lifted higher? If not, can you recommend the lowest cost best option for my vehicle? I'm not concerned with trunk access or being able to fold it while it's not in use. Thanks

David B.

8/19/2022

I don't have any adapters for class 1 or 2 hitch receivers that can help you. I would go with one of these hanging style racks # SR2703. Let me know what you think or if you have any questions about them. Or if you want a trunk mounted rack we can look at those but I think you'll be better off with the hanging style hitch rack.

Kristia

6/26/2022

I have a hybrid suv (Kia Niro) and want a trailer hitch and bike rack recommendation for 2 mountain bikes.

David B.

6/27/2022

I need to know the year as well as the make and model to get you a hitch receiver. Once I know that I can get you the information you need.

Kristia

6/27/2022

@DavidB, my Kia Niro LX is a 2019. Not the plug in hybrid.

David B.

6/28/2022

Okie doke Kristia, you need this # e33AR for a hitch receiver. For a bike rack that will hold two mountain bikes I think this linked page will give you a great place to start and pick from, we have so many options I would hate to take away some of them from you without you seeing. I do feel platform racks are better and for mountain bikes I favor hollywood racks over the other brands due to the versatile nature of the rack itself. If you have any questions about a specific item let me know!

Helpful Links

s.aspx?qry=bike+rack&furl=-pg-hitch_bike_racks-sf-platform_rack-pc-2_bikes-hs-mountain_bikes

Angela B.

1/14/2022

If you do not have an receiver on the back of your Honda, that should be the first thing to purchase. this receiver can be used for bike racks, cargo racks, and even towing. I recommend the # C11525 Class -1 hitch for 2019 Honda excluding Hybrids. This will give a 200 pounds of tongue weight( That is the part that supports the bike rack and bikes. And also gives you 2000 pounds of towing capacity. For the bike rack I recommend the Swagman # S64683 2-bike rack. It has a tilting function so you access your trunk.

Patrick R.

11/17/2021

Have a 2016 Subaru Outback. We have two adult bikes (one of them a women's bike) and two kids bikes smaller than 14 inches. My wife would like a rack that still allows access to the trunk. Any suggestions?

Les D.

11/23/2021

Since you have bikes a varying sizes and styles, you will want to use a platform rack. Your Subaru has a hitch tongue weight limit of only 200 pounds. your rack and 4 bikes have to be less than this. (Same for either engine,) It seems that your Outback came with a 1-1/4 inch hitch receiver. If it did not you could install the EcoHitch # 306-X7267 Class-3 receiver hitch. (25 pounds) This is a 2 inch receiver that will offer you more future flexibility for accessories like a cargo basket. I would use the Saris Freedom Bike Rack part # SA4414B that holds four bikes and it can fold up when not in use, or tilt away to access the back of the vehicle. (56 pounds) I have attached a link to all of the other 4-bike platform bikes.

Helpful Links

dept-pg-hitch_bike_racks-sf-platform_rack-pc-4_bikes.aspx

Patrick R.

11/24/2021

@LesD Thank you!!!

Johnny

10/10/2021

Can you please help me pick out the best bike rack for my wife’s 2019 Honda accord. I’m thinking I want a style that fits into some kind of a receiver. Thank you for your time. PS it only needs to fit two bikes

Les D.

10/22/2021

@Johnny If you do not already have an accessory receiver on the back of your Honda, that will be there first thing to get. This receiver can be used for bike racks, cargo racks, and even towing. I recommend the Curt # C11525 Class-1 hitch for 2019 Honda Accords - excluding hybrids. This will give you 200 pounds of tongue weight (the part that supports a bike rack and bikes, and 2000 pounds of towing capacity. For the bike rack the Swagman # S63400 2-bike rack is light and offers tilting function so you can access the rear of your vehicle.

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