SUVs are superb for a family’s outdoor recreational activities. These large cars provide plenty of room for everyone to ride comfortably and you also get adequate trunk space for all your supplies and gear. However, if you have to bring two or three bikes with you during the trip, you may not be able to fit all your stuff in the boot so you would need the best bike rack for SUV cars.
Bike Rack for SUV Reviews
There are dozens of SUV bike racks in the market today. Before you decide to buy one, it’s important to do your research and understand the pros and cons of each brand.
Nonetheless, we analyzed several models and came up with some of the best bike racks for SUVs out there.
1. Thule T2 Pro XT 2 Bike Rack
You can consider the Thule T2 Pro as a spacious and practical rack that can hold two bikes at any given time. However, if you need to haul more than two bikes, special rack adapters are available to help you expand capacity up to 4.
The rack has a hitch mount design and features integrated cable locks for extra security. We noticed however that the cables are low gauge and would easily be cut by anyone motivated enough.
Despite this, the cable locks are still good enough to tightly fasten the bikes on the rack. Additionally, you will also love that the Thule T2 Pro gives you plenty of room as the rack leaves nearly a foot of space between each bike.
2. Swagman XC2 Hitch Mount Rack
The Swagman XC2 is extremely versatile. It’s designed to accommodate large tires too and comes in a stylish sleek design.
The rack is quite sturdy and can handle up to 70 pounds in weight. It fits into a 1 ¼ hitch receiver but would also work on a 2-inch option. This means that this bike carrier for SUV can fit into several cars without any issues.
The Swagman XC2 also has a built-in anti-wobble device that keeps all the bikes secured and balanced when on the road. The rack features upright arms with built-in ratchets. The ratchets are also adjustable, something that makes it easier to fit several different bike frames.
3. YAKIMA HoldUp Hitch Mount Tray Rack
The YAKIMA HoldUp is also a hitch bike rack that offers superb ergonomics and enough durability to accommodate heavier bikes.
The rack is versatile enough to attach to any SUV but falls short when it comes to user-friendliness. However, it’s very affordable compared to other racks out there. Its compact design should make storage and portability easier.
The YAKIMA HoldUp also comes with a beefed-up arm pivot for extra strength. It’s a great option for long-winded road trips on rough roads.
4. Tyger Auto TG-RK3B203S Bicycle Rack
The Tyger Auto TG-RK3B203S is a heavy duty bike rack for SUV that can easily transport three bikes. The rack protrudes about 20 inches from the rear when fully installed.
No doubt this is long compared to other racks. But when you consider it can hold three bikes, perhaps it could be a bit longer than that. Nonetheless, the Tyger Auto rack rests relatively closer to the vehicle and this gives it extra support and strength.
This has a downside though because it means the bikes also come uncomfortably close to the car which isn’t recommended. But other than that, it’s a solid and versatile SUV bicycle rack.
5. CyclingDeal Alloy Car Roof Carrier Rack
The CyclingDeal Carrier Rack, as the name suggests, is a roof-mounted design. At just 15 pounds, it’s one of the lightest racks you can buy.
The piece is constructed from aluminum for extra longevity too. It holds the bike wheels very securely in place and has channels that go the entire length of the bike for extra reliability.
Still on reliability, unlike most racks that use the peg-in-hole attachment, the CyclingDeal Roof Rack uses buckles on its mounting saddles to ensure secure attachment. The rack is also very easy to mount and doesn’t require any tools.
6. KAC Overdrive Sports Hitch Mounted Rack
The KAC Overdrive Sports K2 is available in two options, a two bike model and a four bike model. It features a durable heavy-duty design that should last years.
You also get two lock cylinders that perform two roles. First, they lock the rack to the receiver, and secondly, they also help to secure the bikes to the rack as well. The KAC Overdrive Sports K2 also attaches to the hitch receiver and it feels a whole lot tighter than most receiver hookups.
The manufacturer even claims that this bicycle rack for SUV offers an anti-wobble fit once you fully mount it on the receiver. The only downside we found is that this rack doesn’t work well with road bikes that tend to have thin tires.
7. Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Rack
The Allen Sports 4 is a durable high-performance rack that features a hitch mount design too. The rack protrudes nearly 22 inches from the tailgate, enough to carry up to four bikes. It’s also fitted with a tie-down system that secures each bicycle in place.
However, you will need to fit a 2-inch trailer hitch onto your vehicle to use this rack. Although there are several trailer hitch options out there, we would strongly recommend a Class III or IV hitch. They are durable enough to hold your rack in place without any issues.
The Allen Sports 4 also comes with sturdy heavy-duty steel construction and an excellent black powder finish for immense class. It’s one of the few racks on the market that combines strength and aesthetic value very well.
8. MaxxHaul 4-Bike Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack
This sturdy 4-bike rack is designed to attach to a 2-inch trailer hitch receiver in no time. The racks are also innovatively designed to ensure that the only connection between your car and the rack is at the hitch receiver.
This is especially important for one reason. It allows the bike rack to fold downwards, something that makes it easier for you to access the rear of your car. However, you’ll need to remove the bikes racked if any to be able to fold down the rack. But it’s a pretty good feature that gives you more flexibility.
The rack also comes with padded cradles designed to offer a softer hold on the bikes. This ensures the bike paint isn’t damaged. Despite this, you’ll have trouble fitting four bikes on this rack.
How to Get the Best Bike Rack for SUV
What is the best bike rack for an SUV? There are many things to consider as you start shopping for a bike rack. How many bikes can the rack hold? How much money are you willing to spend? Is it a durable rack that will serve you for years?
These are all valuable questions to ask but there are still many other factors to keep in mind before you buy the best SUV bicycle rack. We will highlight some of them here below.
Capacity
Let’s start with the most basic question. How many bikes do you intend to hold with your rack? Ultimately, you want to pick the best 2 bike rack for SUV that can haul all the bicycles you have. Typically, a majority of bike racks for SUVs would carry two bikes at any given go. But some brands will accommodate up to four.
It’s also possible to extend the capacity of your rack by buying extra adapters. Either way, always make sure the rack you go for can accommodate all the bikes of your family members.
Security
It’s very common to leave your racked bikes in your car to do other errands.
Let’s say, for example, you’ve stopped for gas and you need to jump into the convenience store and buy a few supplies. This means that for several minutes your bikes will be unattended.
Quality
The last thing you want is to buy a bike rack only for it to break after a few months. Besides, you still want a bike rack that can strongly and securely hold your bicycles in place even at fast speeds. Bike racks are typically constructed using heavy-duty metal for strength and durability.
However, it’s important to make sure that this metal doesn’t dent your car. For this reason, you may want to consider racks that feature rubber and foam designs at the point of contact with the vehicle.
Anti-Rust
It’s also important to go for racks with anti-rust technology. Rusting affects the strength of metal and will significantly accelerate the degeneration of your racks.
Anti-rust properties are especially important for people who live in high salt areas like near beaches. The same way you protect your bikes from rusting should be the same way you protect the bike racks too.
Size
You’ll need to find some space to store the three bike rack for SUV when it’s not in use. Typically, smaller, foldable, more compact racks provide a lot of flexibility in storage.
It’s, therefore, recommended that you choose such designs. But in case you intend to install the rack on your SUV forever, then you don’t need to worry about storage.
Usability
When it comes to ease of use, there are two standards to look for. First, you need to know how easy it is to install and remove the rack from your SUV.
For most people, a bike rack is a temporary accessory. In essence, you simply mount it on the car if and when you need it.
It’s therefore important to pick a rack that takes less than five minutes to mount and unmounts without searching for how to put bike rack on SUV guides online.
Compliance
Because of their design, bike racks can cause a lot of inconvenience to other road users. This is why there are laws and regulations in many countries around the world that govern how the racks are used on the road.
Before you purchase a rack, you may want to check with your local transport authorities and know which racks are allowed and which ones aren’t. Your safety on the road is also very important.
Price
If you’re going to spend money on an easy bike rack for SUV, then it’s only fair to make sure that you get as much from it as possible.
The value of a rack is determined by its cost and the features it offers. Ideally, you want an SUV bicycle rack that offers as many useful features as possible without costing too much money.
Types of SUV Bike Racks
There are several different types of SUV bike racks designed to meet the needs of different people. Each of these options has unique pros and cons too.
Here’s a breakdown of each type out there:
Roof Mount
As the name suggests, these racks are placed on the car’s roof. They are normally clamped on the crossbars on your SUV. Roof mount racks can carry a lot of bikes if needed.
But they are very expensive compared to other racks in the market. Additionally, it takes a lot of time and upper body strength to load bikes on the roof of the car.
Trunk Mount
Trunk-mount bike racks are designed for people who don’t have a hitch on their cars. The racks simply secure your bikes on the car using a series of nylon straps and hooks. However, trunk mount racks have a few challenges.
First, they are very light and wouldn’t be able to hold heavier bikes. They don’t also offer any security. The racks can easily be cut.
Hitch Mount
These bicycle racks for SUVs are mounted to a hitch located at the back of your SUV. Hitch mount bike racks are available in three major categories.
They include Class I, Class II, and Class III. Although they are relatively expensive compared to other types of racks, they offer an array of excellent features, including easy installation.
Specialty Racks
Specialty racks can carry special bikes. We all know that bikes come in different shapes and sizes, right? While most racks can accommodate a fair share of bikes out there, there are a few bike brands that may require special racks.
Common features in specialty racks include a hook and loop tie-down mechanism designed to separate bicycles from each other.
Conclusion
Getting a quality bike rack may seem like an easy thing but when you start considering all the options available, it’s easy to get confused. Although each rack offers its pros and cons, we strongly believe that the Thule T2 Pro stands out in many aspects.