Best 4 Bike Hitch Rack Of 2024: Buying Guide & Reviews

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Allen Sports Deluxe Locking Quick Release 4-Bike Carrier
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Allen Sports Deluxe Locking Quick Release 4-Bike Carrier

Allen Sports Deluxe Locking Quick Release 4-Bike Carrier is a bicycle carrier that lets you carry four bikes with ease. The arms fold out of the way when not in use and the rack tilts back when needed. Individual tie downs secure and protect your bike, so you can transport it with confidence even if you're in a hurry. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: MaxxHaul 70210 Hitch Mount Bike Rack 4-Bike Rack

MaxxHaul 70210 Hitch Mount Bike Rack 4-Bike Rack allows you to transport your bikes with ease, even on the toughest trails. The rack is easy to assemble and folds up to close flat against your car, so it's always convenient. Read Review

3. Best Choice: IKURAM R 4 Bike Rack Bicycle Carrier Racks Hitch Moun

IKURAM R 4 Bike Rack Bicycle Carrier Racks Hitch Mount is a durable and highly functional bike carrier rack. It has a wide range of frame sizes and designs that fits all types of bicycles, which is highly stable and easy to carry up to 4 bikes. IKURAM provides professional consulting services and warranty for its products. Read Review

4. Best Convenient: Tyger Auto TG-RK4B102B Deluxe 4-Bike Carrier Rack Compatible

The Tyger Auto TG-RK4B102B Deluxe 4-Bike Carrier Rack Compatible is built with a 4 bike capacity, sturdy and handy construction, easy ratchet buckles, TYGER cable lock & hitch lock & security strap included and convenient vehicle access with the tilt down feature and foldable carry arms when not in use. The soft cradles and protection pad are designed to secure your bikes individually and protect your bike frames. Read Review

Hitch racks are one of the most useful things to have on your vehicle. You can easily secure multiple bikes onto your vehicle and take them with you wherever you go. In this article, we will talk about the best hitch racks for bicycles so that you can choose the right one.

A lot of people don’t know this, but you can use your car as a storage unit for your extra stuff. What do we mean by that? Well, some car owners install extra storage spaces in their cars in order to efficiently store their stuff instead of having it take up space in their garage or house. As such, today we are going to talk about the different types of bike hitch racks and which one is the best for you.

Following extensive study and analysis, we've come up with the Allen Sports Deluxe Locking Quick Release 4-Bike Carrier, which we hope will meet your demands. However, it is not the only thing on our list. We also show a full buyer's guide and a number of different options are available to help you find the most suitable.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Allen Sports Deluxe Locking Quick Release 4-Bike Carrier
Our Score:
9.8
Allen Sports
  • Individual tie downs secure and protect bicycles
  • Hitch insert fits either 1 1/4 or 2 inch receiver hitches (2 and 3 bike models) or 2 inch receiver hitches (4 and 5 bike models)
  • Accommodates a wide range of bicycle frame designs
TOP Choice #2 MaxxHaul 70210 Hitch Mount Bike Rack 4-Bike Rack
Our Score:
9.6
MAXXHAUL
  • Swing down feature allows easy access to rear of vehicle
  • Adjustable bike cradle with hook and loop straps. Comes with hitch pin
  • Powder coated to resist rust and corrosion. Rigid all steel construction. Includes reflector for added safety
  • 🎄Rigid All Steel Constructed Bike Hitch Rack: Long-lasting and durable all steel construction with protective powder paint finish
  • 🎄Easy fold-down Arms: Be folded up quickly when bike racks not in use for compact transport and easy storage.
  • Easy installation in minutes. (DIY instruction included in package.) NOTE: Both provided Safety Straps must be installed to stabilize bikes while driving. Otherwise, any resulting accident and damage will not be covered by warranty.
  • TYGER No-Hassle Limited Lifetime Warranty for US customers!
  • 4 bike rack fits vehicles with a 2 inch trailer hitch only. Vehicle will require professionally installed Class III or IV 2 inches hitch to use this product
  • Rack sets up and installs in less than 5 minutes; Included no wobble bolt secures rack inside of receiver hitch with a movement free installation
  • Allen's warranty does not cover items purchased through third-party sellers
  • Get your bikes on the road without the hassle with the RidgeBack; Carry 2, 4 or 5 traditional geometry bikes to your next ride (slanted top tube bikes require the TubeTop adapter, sold separately)
  • Protect your bikes from dents and scratches with the anti-sway cradle that eliminates bike-to-bike contact; Zero-hassle ZipStrips secure your bikes to the rack
  • Want more peace of mind? Lock your bikes to the rack with the HandCuff locking cable (sold separately) so you can adventure without worry
  • Designed to fit 2" hitch receivers
  • Bike arms fold down when not in use
  • Superior bike stability and fit. Please note some frame styles may requrie a Thule Frame Adapter to securely attach to hanging bike racks.
  • Protect your gear by adding a DeadLock (sold separately) to lock your bikes to your hitch mount and the hitch mount to your vehicle
  • The SwitchBlade anti-sway cradle eliminates bike-to-bike contact, preventing interference and scratches; Durable powder coat finish stands up to adventure
  • Easy to install and load and designed to tilt out of the way when not in use; TriggerFinger technology lets you fold down the arms with one press of a button for a lower profile
  • MADE FOR YOUR BIKE: This platform-style, hitch-mounted bike rack fits your 2-inch hitch receiver and supports the skinniest road bike to the fattest e-bike— and everything in between. Transport up to 4 bikes weighing a total of 240 lbs.
  • ANYTIME ACCESS: Reach for your gear without removing your bike rack. A quick-release tilt lever provides easy access to your vehicle’s rear cargo area, no bike unloading required. This rack creates a low profile and stores easily when not in use, thanks to its compact folding design.
  • LIMITED LIFETIME MANUFACTURER WARRANTY: KAC will replace defective parts or materials for as long as you own your rack. (Please note that use on RVs and 5th-wheel trailers is prohibited.)
  • [TOW YOUR BIKES] This heavy duty, all-steel bike rack will easily transport up to 4 bicycles. It features padded bike cradles with hook and loop straps to protect the bikes.
  • [EASY INSTALLATION] Easily transfers between with 2" hitch receivers right out of the box.
  • [SMART DESIGN] The arms fold up and down with ease for quick storage and easy loading. The rack tilts down for easy access to the rear of the vehicle.

What to Look For in a best 4 bike hitch rack?

Some of you may be reluctant to select one of the best 4 bike hitch rack, to be honest. The main reason is that you didn’t study that before. There are pretty lots of factors that must be considered when investing in best 4 bike hitch rack. You are expected to count on our expertise in best 4 bike hitch rack to make the right choice. 

So now we move on to the significant factors related to best 4 bike hitch rack you must keep in mind:

Wheel Size And Tire Width Compatibility

While tire size and wheel width don't matter when selecting a hang rack, those who choose the platform design will need to ensure that their bikes fit into the provided trays. The good news? Most road or mountain bikers will not have any problems. Every platform rack in our collection can accommodate 26-to-29-inch wheels, and 3 to 4 inches under tires. Problems can arise when you go to extremes with fat bikes and kids bikes that are 12- to 24 inches in diameter or have 4- to 5-inch tires.

Ease Of Use

You've likely had to lift a mountain bike with full suspension onto a hanger rack. Or, if you have tried to Tetris on four bikes from a rack that was poorly made, then you understand the importance of ease-of-use.
Hanging racks are a great option for a common bicycle, the diamond-frame. You can lift the bike and slide it on the rack. Once it is secured, you can bungee it to the front wheel. It also gives you the opportunity to do some bicep curls before going on your ride.
A platform rack is a better choice for bikes with heavier frames or unique designs. It is easier to transport the bike because it has a lower frame. Once you get it on you won't need to move it around to make adjustments. It can be difficult to hang a bike on a rack.
The ramp is often the most cost-effective option, but it's also the most convenient. You can simply place your bike on the platform rack using this feature. This feature is great for riders with heavy bikes such as e-bikes and cruisers.

Bike Weight

Maximum bike capacity
Maximum weight capacity for a bike
If you plan on transporting heavy downhill mountain bikes or e-bikes, fat, and/or cruiser bikes, make sure to check the rack's weight limit. Each design listing will indicate the bike's maximum weight. This amount may vary greatly. For comparison, standard road and mountain bikes weigh less than 35 pounds. E-bikes, however, can be up to 50 pounds. We recommend that you upgrade to a more robust model if your weight is close to or above the max. It's worth it to avoid breaking the rack or invalidating your warranty.

Mounting Systems

Two ways can you lock your bike on a mounting system are available. First and foremost is the strap system. The strap system is usually composed of an elastic or ratcheting strap that covers a portion of your bicycle. It's usually the frame in hanging racks, but it can also be used for platform racks to hold the wheels.
This is most commonly used in platform racks. It is an arm that extends from the platform to ratchet down on your bike's tires. They secure the bike to the platform. They are often reinforced with straps that run around the wheel's bottom to increase security.
The strap system is used in every hanging rack that we have seen. It's strong and reliable, but it can be damaged or broken by users. Many straps secure bikes with at least two straps at every attachment point. Your bike could fall off if the shepherd's hook is broken (which happens very rarely).

Durability

Hitching racks are very durable. As they transport loads on rough roads, the single attachment point places a great deal of stress on racks. They are usually made of sturdy materials like steel so breaks rarely happen at their attachment point.

Bike Capacity

Generally speaking, platform racks are capable of holding anywhere between one and four bikes (if an extension is purchased), while hanging racks hold up to five bikes. The 1UP Recon Rack 6 can hold six bikes vertically and is a notable exception. Most riders prefer the 2-bike model, however families and those who plan to take their bikes on group rides may want to consider a hanging model with a larger capacity or one of these platform add-ons.

Bike Wheelbase Compatibility

The wheelbases of mountain bikes are getting longer, with longer design trends. There may be compatibility problems with certain platforms racks. This won't affect most people, but it will be of concern to larger downhill riders who use large, uphill-oriented mountain bikes. You can check your bike online by searching for a diagram. Bike manufacturers almost always include the wheelbase. You can also measure the distance between the rear and front axles to check your bike's wheelbase. This number can be used to compare your bike's wheelbase with the maximum spec of the rack that you are interested in buying.

Security

Two main vulnerabilities of bike racks are theft. The bikes can be taken off the rack and the rack can be taken down. It doesn't matter if the bikes are there; racks can also be valuable items to potential thieves.
It only takes seconds for someone to steal your bicycle from the rack, whether you are going to a shop or just to get you home at night.
Your entire rack can be taken if someone is equipped with the right tools. If you don’t own a garage, this can pose a problem.

Tilting Feature

A tilt-feature hitch rack is a good choice if you are like many cyclists and plan on keeping your rack attached to your car for extended time periods or want access to your rear cargo space. With the exception of a few very inexpensive options, almost all bike racks with a hitch mount have this feature. Tilting racks are able to be tilted over using a lever. This allows you to lift the rear hatch of the vehicle or open its tailgate. Tilting is possible on platform and hanging racks. However, platform racks can be tilted with bikes loaded. Hanging racks must first unload bikes. It's another reason why we like the platform rack design.

Hitch Receiver Size

Most hitches come in a 1.25-inch or 2-inch size. Before purchasing a bicycle rack, it is important to verify the size of your vehicle.
If you intend to transport several heavy ebikes, the 2-inch larger hitch will be able to hold heavier loads. You'll also find adapters for most racks to accommodate both sizes.

Bike Frame Compatibility

The shape of your top tube is important when hanging bicycle racks. To hang your bike, you'll need to have a triangular-shaped bike frame. This is the case for both traditional mountain bikes and hardtails.
Hanging racks may not work well if your bike is a mountain bike or step-through, as well as a smaller child's bike.

FAQs

Why Are Bike Racks So Expensive?

A high-quality bike rack is essential if you are to keep your bicycle safe. Racks made of durable materials will last for years, protecting your investment. A cheap rack will cause damage to your bike or vehicle.

How Do You Transport A Bike Without A Rack?

Some bikes can be put in the trunk, back or under the vehicle. However, it may not work if the front wheel is removed. You may not be able to accommodate some bikes in your vehicle. A friend who has a van can help you to transport your bicycle.

What Is The Easiest Bike Rack To Use?

Each type of rack has its advantages. Hanging racks can be used if you don't have to lift your bike. You can secure your bike by placing it on the arms. Then tie the straps and bungee your front wheel.
The platform racks are easier to use than the cradles, but they require less muscle. They do require a little more effort to secure the bike. Swing-away racks make it easy to reach the rear of your bike. If you have a lot to carry (for example, camping trips), one of these racks might be a good choice. ).

Can You Put A Bike Rack On Any Car?

You should find the right bike rack for your vehicle amongst many options. For some styles, you will need to attach a hitch or crossbars/tracks to the roof. Before you make a purchase, be sure to check the specifications on the rack.

Do All Bike Racks Fill All Cars?

Although most bikes racks can be adjusted, they are not universally compatible. There are simply too many shapes and sizes of bikes to make this possible.
You need to know the dimensions of your rear bumper if you are thinking of buying one. There are different rear racks that work well with various cars, such as saloons and hatchbacks. You can find the manufacturer's website to check which racks will fit your vehicle.
A roof rack that is not compatible with the current roof bars may also be incompatible. There are two types: the traditional square-profile or more modern, oval aero bars. Oval bars cut through air and reduce drag. They also produce less wind noise. Make sure your roof rack will fit with any shape of roof bar you choose.

Do Bike Racks Damage Your Car?

A hitch-mounted rack has a greater chance of being preferred to a trunk-mounted one. This is because the hitch does not have contact with the vehicle's body. It reduces rubbing on the paint. This keeps the rack from contacting any parts of the body where it could damage or dent.
No matter how careful a company takes when creating a rack system, human error is always possible. If the rack is not on the car, opening the hatchback can cause the rack to be lifted off the vehicle.
It can damage the rack and cause scratching. When you reach the back of your car, make sure that the rack is not in the way.
If you aren't careful, bikes can contact your car. Sometimes platform racks are used to transport the bike near a car's rear window. If the road is particularly bumpy, this can make it more likely that the handlebar will pass through the window.
This can be solved by moving the cradles closer to the windows. The front tire can hang unsupported, which could lead to it bumping into your car.
Although it's not as serious as breaking windows, the damage to the finish can be severe over time. This is a simple fix. To solve the problem, secure the wheel using a strap and bungee rope.

What Is The Best Bike Rack For Four Bikes?

There are versions of both platform and hanging racks that can accommodate four bikes. The hanging racks are more difficult to protect your bikes as they attach from the top. The bikes can swing or hit each other while traveling thanks to this.
It is possible to space out fewer bikes, which reduces risk. Space is constrained with only four bikes. Make sure that your cradles are sufficiently spaced so the bikes don't collide, even with minimal swings.
Platform racks make this less problematic as bikes can be locked in place by both wheels. This adds stability and strength. Because the platform racks are lower, it's easier to place the bikes onto them.

Which Car Bike Rack Is Best?

Each person will have their own opinion on the best bike rack for them. It's almost impossible to pick the right bike rack for each situation because there are so many factors.
It is best to determine your requirements and then choose the rack that best suits you. A good hang rack will allow you to easily transport your bicycle around the house.
A platform rack can be a great choice if you are concerned about keeping your bike clean and safe. People who have difficulty lifting their bikes from the platform rack are also able to use it.
You get more features the higher your price. Racks with high-end features include security levers and buttons, which makes them more user-friendly. You can also access the trunk with these racks without having to remove your bikes.
Consider the things you can live without, and what you really need. You'll be able to find the right rack by balancing your needs and spending budget.

Are Hitch Bike Racks Better?

Hitch racks can be a good option if your car has that capability. Mounts that attach to the hitch receiver are better than trunk racks and roof racks. They also protect your vehicle's finish.
These racks are also easier to set up than any other option. This is great news for those who don't need a rack in their car all day. It's attached with a steel pin so it takes only one step to attach it to a trailer hitch and then one to take it off when it's time to go.

The list of best 4 bike hitch rack is frequently updated whenever new data becomes available. Please take more time to visit our website to stay up-to-date with changes in the product.

You are supposed to be free to get in touch with our customer support. All of your problems or challenges with the best 4 bike hitch rack will be carefully considered.


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

Read Scott's full bio