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The SUV has become an iconic vehicle that instantly makes you think of family vacations.
They have plenty of room for many family members, and they do pretty well for space when it comes to packing everything you need for a trip away. However, if you’re looking to pack some bikes with you, you might find that you can’t just stash them into the SUV that easily.
This is where bike racks come in. They’re the go to for transporting bikes on vehicles, and they’re very easy to use, perfect for any sort of trip. When it comes to bike racks, there are many many different types and sizes, with different suitabilities for different types and sizes of vehicles.
It’s important to have the right bike rack, which is why you should look for a bike rack that is specifically designed to be used on an SUV.
Even within bike racks that are designed for SUV vehicles we can find many different types and sizes, so it is very important for you to find a bike rack that fits your car specifically. Then, you can simply attach it on, load the bikes, and enjoy your trip!
With such a competitive market and so many options of bike racks available, we know it’s a bit overwhelming to try and find the best possible product that fits your needs.
That is why we’ve done the research for you, and we’ve compiled a list of our top picks for best overall bike racks that fit SUV’s.
We’ve taken into account the product descriptions, the quality and efficiency, and all of the customer reviews and ratings to ensure you get the best!
In a hurry?
You’ve planned a family trip, maybe as a vacation, and you have many fun excursions and activities planned once you get there.
You want to take the bikes with you, so that you can cycle around and explore the area you’ll be visiting, but you need a good bike rack to fit your SUV.
Finding the right bike rack can be tricky, so if you’re ready to purchase and you want to delve into your possible choices, or if you’re in a hurry to get your bike rack so you can leave on your trip, we recommend you check out our top number one pick: the Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Rack.
This deluxe bike rack is from a reliable and well known brand, that specializes in different types of bike racks and therefore has the experience to deliver high-quality products.
Able to carry 4 bikes, it uses a patented tie-down system to individually secure each bike, which makes them more secure and comfortable to load and unload. The rack is very easy to install and can be set up in 5 minutes. It’s made of steel, for durability, and it has a special no wobble bolt for extra security when driving at higher speeds.
The rack tilts back for easy lift-gate access to the back of your SUV, and when not in use it can be completely folded away. Remember that this product cannot be used without a professionally installed 2-inch hitch.
- Reliable and well known brand
- Carries 4 bikes
- Patented tie-down system
- Versatile use – can be used on 2 types of hitch
- Adjustable arms for different frame sizes
- Easy access to back of SUV and folds away for storage
- Patented quick snap set up design
- Dual compound tie down cradles
- Extra large car pad
1. Allen Sports unisex-adult Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack
Allen Sports is a reliable and renown brand, popular for its different bike racks and bike related products. It always delivers with excellent quality, so it is no wonder that one of its products has made it to the top of our list.
The Deluxe 4-bike rack is an overall excellent choice. Your SUV has to be fitted with a professionally installed hitch to be able to use this bike rack, which is a good investment to make as it will ensure your bikes are completely safe and stable.
The carrying arm of the rack is 22 inches long, and has room for four bikes. Each bike is individually secured and tied, with an Allen Sports patented tie-down system. This will make it a lot more comfortable to use, as you can unload a bike without touching the rest if need be.
The rack itself is very easy to install and set up, and can be ready within 5 minutes. It comes with special no wobble bolts for extra security. It’s made from steel, so while it’s a little heavy, it is extremely durable and can withstand the weight of the bikes with ease.
You can still access the back of your SUV when the bikes are loaded, thanks to the rack tilting back for easy lift-gate access. And when not in use, the rack folds out of the way so that you don’t have to worry about it.
- Reliable and well known brand
- Carries 4 bikes
- Patented tie-down system
- No wobble bolt for added security
- Easy gate-lift access and folds away when not in use
- Might need extra cords to stop bike handles from moving
2. Swagman XC2 Hitch Mount Bike Rack
The Swagman XC2 hitch Mount Bike Rack is one of the easiest to set up, with a stylish design and versatile usability. It can take up to two bikes, in a highly secure and comfortable way.
This bike rack can be fitted onto a 2-inch hitch but also a 1¼ hitch, meaning it can be used on more than one SUV, which makes it a lot more versatile than the average rack. It only takes a few minutes to assemble, and the upright ratchet arms easily adjust to different bike frame sizes, to accommodate all of your different bikes, up to 23.2”.
The sturdy design helps keep your bikes secure, but it also has a built-in anti-wobble hitch device to further keep your bikes in place.
The center arm of the rack can be folded down so that you can easily access the back of your SUV if needed, and when not in use it folds into a highly compact shape for easy storage or transportation. If your bikes have fatter tires than average, you can easily buy a fat tire wheel tray as an accessory, which can be easily attached to this bike rack.
It’s also worth noting that the frame arm grips of this bike rack have a frame-friendly coating to avoid scratching or damaging the finish coat of your bikes.
- Versatile use – can be used on 2 types of hitch
- Adjustable arms for different frame sizes
- Easy access to back of SUV and folds away for storage
- Frame-friendly coating to protect bikes
- Built-in anti-wobble device
- Not as secure as other bike racks
3. Allen Sports Premier Trunk Rack
The Premier Trunk Mounted Bike Rack is another product by Allen Sports, which immediately places it as a reliable and high-quality product.
As opposed to the Deluxe that we shared as our top pick, this bike rack is mounted on the trunk of the SUV, which might look more complicated to some, but it means you don’t need a professionally installed hitch on your vehicle.
This rack can easily accommodate two bikes of any size. It features a patented quick snap set up design which makes it really easy to install, as well as having a patented pending design which allows it to fit many different vehicles, including the SUV.
The bikes remain completely secured and safe, thanks to the Allen Sport dual compound tie down cradles that individually secure and protect each bike.
To help distribute the weight of the bikes and help protect your SUV, it has an extra large car pad. Like other Allen Sport products, it has a life-long warranty, although you probably won’t need to ever use it as it is a highly durable bike rack of excellent quality.
- Patented quick snap set up design
- Dual compound tie down cradles
- Extra large car pad
- Accommodates 2 bikes of any size
- Straps need re-tightening during long trips
4. Tyger Auto Deluxe Bike Mount
If you’re going solo or you just need to carry a single bike on your trip, having a big bike rack can be more of an inconvenience.
The Tyger Auto Deluxe Bike Mount, however, would be the perfect option, as it is designed to carry just one bike. It easily and effectively secures to the boot of your SUV, and can also be used on many other vehicles as long as they don’t have a rear spoiler.
It comes with instructions, just in case, and it arrives fully assembled. All you need to do is attach it to your SUV, which can be done in just a few minutes. The lower frame of the rack is padded, so that it protects your car from the bike and vice versa.
The bike frame is protected and secured with individual soft cradles and ratchet buckles. This bike rack also has an OE standard black E-coating for rust resistance, ensuring a higher durability.
The carry arms are easily folded when not in use, so this little bike rack can be stored away and be used on the go when needed.
- Designed for a single bike – small and portable
- Padded lower frame
- OE standard coating for rust resistance
- Extremely easy to install and use
- Boot of the SUV cannot be accessed with bike rack
5. YAKIMA – FullSwing Bike Rack
The YAKIMA FullSwing Bike Rack is a sturdy and practical choice that allows you to safely carry four bikes in one go, making it ideal for family trips and adventure escapades.
It’s suitable for differently sized bikes with different frames, and is able to secure them all to a great standard. The swing away design of this bike rack allows it to swing completely to one side so that you have full access to the boot of your SUV, which is really convenient on longer trips!
A speed knob secures the rack into place, which means you don’t need any tools to install and set it up. It also fits in place with a single bolt, so it’s super easy to put up on your SUV and only takes a few minutes.
ZipStraps hold the bikes firmly in place, which are very easy to add and can be locked onto the bike and mount for safety. Anti-sway cradles also ensure that the bikes don’t move about and crash into each other as you drive, with extra padding on the mount to keep everything stable and protected from any damage.
- Carries 4 bikes
- Swing away design for access to SUV back
- Speed knob and single bolt to secure rack
- ZipStraps and anti-sway cradles
- Straps will have to be re-tightened during long trips
Best Bike Racks for SUV – Buyer’s Guide
If you’re looking for a bike rack for your SUV, then you’ve established that it’s a great way of transporting your bikes on a trip in a safe and secure way, which is also very easy to install and use.
There are many different options in the market for different types of bike racks, so it can be a bit overwhelming to try and figure out which option is the best fit for you, your SUV, and your bikes.
There are many factors you need to consider before settling on a certain bike rack, and it’s good to look out for the different possible features to ensure you’re getting the best for your money.
To help you out, we’ve compiled this little buyer’s guide with a summary of the main features and factors to take into account before deciding on a bike rack to buy.
Type of Bike Rack
There are different types of bike racks available, so the first thing you need to do is settle on which type better suits your needs and your personal preferences.
Hitch-mounted bike racks are some of the most common, and they require a lot less effort from your part to load and unload the bikes. They require your vehicle to have a hitch-mount professionally installed to be used, although most vehicles tend to come with one anyways.
If this is an option you’re going with, you need to make sure the bike rack fits the hitch mount your SUV has, usually it will require a 2-inch hitch. A benefit of hitch-mounted bike racks is that they keep the bikes out of the wind and are highly stable and sturdy, often fitting a larger number of bikes than average.
Strap-on trunk bike racks don’t require your vehicle to have a hitch mount, as they attach onto the vehicle trunk with the help of straps. This means that they can be used with a bigger variety of SUV’s and other vehicles, but it also means that you often won’t have access to the back of your SUV while it’s in use.
They’re a bit more limited in regards to bike capacity, but they’re a lot easier to install and are great for less regular use.
Roof bike racks are more typically used by professional cyclists that often have to transport their bikes to different locations. They require quite a lot of strength to be able to lift them onto the roof of the SUV, and they might cause your vehicle to exceed height limits in some circumstances.
They’re very stable and can hold many more bikes than the other two options, but they’re not recommended for family use or for regular loading and unloading of the bikes.
Amount of Bikes
The amount of bikes you wish to transport on your SUV is vital to determine which bike rack is suitable for you.
Different bike racks will have different capabilities for the number of bikes they can carry. On average, bike racks will carry 2 to 3 bikes, but this varies from product to product so make sure to check the capacity.
Access to the SUV Trunk or Back
If you choose a hitch-mounted bike rack you’ll almost certainly be able to access the trunk of your SUV, even when the bikes are loaded.
Some bike racks make it easier than others, which is something to look out for if you think you’ll need to regularly access the trunk of your vehicle during the trip.
Safety Features
Safety is key when it comes to transporting bikes on your SUV, you don’t want anything falling off and causing an accident while you drive.
Always check the product description about how stable and sturdy it is, and how it secures the bikes onto the rack. If the bikes are secured individually they are always more secure, but you then need to check if they’re protected from crashing into each other when in movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bike racks damage your car?
If not secured correctly, bikes can hit and scratch against the car, causing damage to both the car and the bikes.
This is why it’s important to check if your bike rack has a form of padding to protect against this type of damage, and to always secure the bikes correctly.
