Availability of Bike Rack For 2012 Toyota RAV4 Without a Trailer Hitch

Question:

does A TOYOTA rav 4 2012 have to have a hitch for a bike rack? Is there another type I can use?

asked by: Ruth

Expert Reply:

The other ways to carry bikes on your 2012 Toyota RAV4, besides using a hitch, is to use a roof bike rack or to use a spare tire bike rack. If you have a spare tire cover, it would have to be removed to install the bike rack. The spare tire bike rack will not work if your vehicle has a spare tire mounted backup camera installed on it.

For a spare tire carrier I would recommend the Thule Spare Me 2 Bike Carrier, part # TH963PRO, or the Yakima SpareRide 2 Bike Carrier, part # Y02599. Both of these bike racks can carry 2 bikes. The weight capacity on the Thule bike rack is 75 lbs and the weight capacity on the Yakima is 70 lbs.

If you are going to be carrying womens or childrens bikes that do not have the horizontal bar at the top of the frame, you will want to use the Thule Bike Adapter Bar, part # TH982XT, or the Yakima Bike Adapter Bar, part # Y02531. They both attach to the center seat post and to the handlebar post and provide a horizontal bar, so the bike can ride level on the bike rack. I am including links to video reviews on both of the adapters.

For a roof bike rack you will need to have crossbars that run from side to side on your roof. If you have no existing side rails or crossbars you can use the The Rhino-Rack # RRVA126B-2 crossrails, # RRRLKVA feet, and # DK043 fit kit. This will give you the crossbars on your roof.

If you have the factory side rails on your roof that run front to back you can use the Yakima RailGrab Roof Rack, part # Y00408. This will attach to the side rails and give you the needed crossbars.

I am including links to video reviews on both of the Yakima roof rack systems.

After you have crossbars on your roof you can then add a bike rack like the Yakima Raptor Roof Bike Rack, part # Y02093. This bike rack can carry 1 bike and has a maximum weight capacity of 35 lbs.