The Best Mtb Hitch Rack For 2024

Katie Finn By, Katie Finn
Updated
Best Mtb Hitch Rack
Best Mtb Hitch Rack

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Allen 2-Bike Hitch Rack

This rack fits a wide range of bicycle styles and sizes, up to 35 lbs. per bike. With its tilt-back design, you can easily access your lift gate without removing the rack from your vehicle. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: MaxxHaul 50027 Hitch Rack

Make your next adventure even easier with the MaxxHaul 50027 Hitch Rack. This hitch rack is designed for a 2-bike carrying capacity and features a vertical post that can be quickly removed for compact storage. Read Review

3. Best Durable: IKURAM R Racks Hitch

Transport your bikes easily with the IKURAM R Racks Hitch. The dual-arm mounting design is optimized for a range of frame sizes and designs, making it more stable and able to accommodate up to four bikes. Read Review

4. Best Design: KAC K2 2” Hitch Mounted Rack

The KAC K2 2” Hitch Mounted Rack is the perfect solution for transporting your bike safely and securely. It has locking adjustable padded frame hooks, so your bike is protected from bumps, bangs, and theft. Read Review

5. Best Adjustable: Swagman Bike Rack

Get your bike ready for the open road with the Swagman Bike Rack. This bike rack tilts down to allow you to access your vehicle's rear easily. With its easy installation and secure fit, you can save time and energy for more biking. Read Review

A hitch rack is the best option if you're looking for a convenient and secure way to transport your mountain bikes. Hitch racks are easy to install, provide a fast connection to your vehicle, and offer a variety of features to make transporting your mountain bike more accessible and safer. Knowing which is the best can be challenging with so many different hitch racks available.

To help you decide, we've compiled a list of the best mtb hitch racks on the market. From lightweight, adjustable shelves to secure, heavy-duty models, these racks will ensure your mountain bike is safe and connected no matter where you're headed. Whether you're looking for a simple, budget-friendly option or a feature-rich model to keep your bike secure, we've got you covered.

You can count on our team of experts who have spent over 22 hours conducting results through 8,336 genuine customer reviews. Because of this, we concluded that the best mtb hitch rack is Allen 2-Bike Hitch Rack. Because of its tilt-back design, you can easily access your lift gate without removing the rack from your vehicle. And MaxxHaul 50027 Hitch Rack, which has a one-of-a-kind hook design, makes it possible to accommodate frames of varying sizes for transport that are secure and dependable.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Allen 2-Bike Hitch Rack
Our Score:
9.7
Allen Sports

With this 2-Bike Hitch Rack, transporting bicycles on the back of your vehicle is more straightforward than ever before. This rack can accommodate various bicycle types and sizes because it has a wheel adjustable wheel tray frame attachment system that is simple to use. Moreover, this product makes carrying bicycles that do not have a standard top tube possible without an adaptor bar.  

This rack features a wholly adjustable and padded upper frame connector that provides additional protection and safety for your bicycle. The strap connection is compatible with a diverse assortment of tube sizes and shapes, and the buckle is shielded from damage by a TPR shell that completely encases it. In addition, this product can hold tires with a maximum width of 3 inches. However, the strap is a bit thick, so pushing through the hole in the rack might be challenging.

TOP Choice #2 MaxxHaul 50027 Hitch Rack
Our Score:
9.6
MAXXHAUL

The MaxxHaul 2-Bike Platform Style Hitch Mount Bike Rack is the perfect choice for your SUV, truck, or car if it has a hitch receiver measuring 2 inches. This product has a one-of-a-kind hook design, making it possible to accommodate frames of varying sizes for transport that are secure and dependable. In addition, you can secure the bicycles with straps or another securing mechanism to prevent them from moving around too much while transported. 

This rack can be adjusted to accommodate the frames of most bicycles with wheel diameters ranging from 20 inches to 26 inches, thanks to the hooks and tire cradles. To facilitate simple installation, disassembly, and efficient space utilization, this rack comes with fast hitch pins that may be used to remove vertical posts swiftly. When transported, the bike will remain stable thanks to the hitch tightener incorporated into the design to minimize wobbling and noise. However, the anti-rattle plate might become loose after repeated use, so you must tighten it to continue using them.

TOP Choice #3 IKURAM R Racks Hitch
Our Score:
9.4
IKURAM R

This sturdy bike rack is made entirely of steel and can easily transport up to four bicycles. It is designed to protect the paint with cushioned bike cradles and hook-and-loop straps. In addition, this product can be mounted onto most regular Class III & IV hitches 2 inches wide. The swing-down backward design lets users open the rear gates without removing the hitch rack. 

Though the arm is a little short, this rack still protects your bike well. Rubber cradle straps that are long-lasting and resistant to ultraviolet light can swiftly keep your bicycle in place and accommodate various tube sizes. Your bikes will be securely in place by the tie-downs with a plush cradle bed for further protection. When the rack is not being used, the Quick Fold-Down Arm Design allows the 24.8-inch long folding carrying arms to rotate out of the way so they can be transported more easily and stored more efficiently. 

This hitch-mounted bike rack has a platform style and fits into a 2-inch hitch receiver. As a result, it can handle bicycles of varying sizes, from the leanest road bike to the heaviest e-bike. Although it is a bit heavy, this rack is strong enough to carry either one or two bicycles with a combined weight of up to 120 pounds. In addition, the KAC rapid-release clever tilt tilts the complete bike rack away from your vehicle within one operation. This enables you to reach the rear cargo area and fully open the hatch doors without removing the bikes from the rack.  

This product features adjustable heavy-duty cradles that support your bike tires, ranging from 5-inch fatties to the tightest road tires. When you want to fold the rack up for storage, you can easily alter the length of the tire holders so that they are shorter, or you may adjust them to accommodate any wheelbase. Moreover, this rack prevents theft by locking the rack to the hitch and removing slack between the receiver and the frame, making the ride feel smooth.

5 Swagman Bike Rack
Our Score:
9.0
Swagman

This Swagman bike rack can carry two bicycles weighing up to 45 pounds. It is compatible with most frame sizes, shapes, and styles, including fat bikes, and it can accommodate tires up to 3 inches wide and wheels that range in diameter from 20 to 29 inches. Besides, this rack may be tilted back to provide access to the trunk without the need to remove the bikes from the frame, and it can be folded up out of the way when it is not being used.  

This product will securely fasten your bicycle with adjustable ratchet hooks. Locking threaded hitch pins and locking ratchet hooks keep your bicycle steady while you're driving, and the two lock cylinders that come with the rack secure your bike to the rack and dissuade robbers. Moreover, the CHINOOK wheel ratchet straps are designed to hold bicycles and ensure the wheels are firm. Although some grey paint on this rack may come off after a long time, you can feel assured that it doesn't affect any function.

6 WEIZE Hitch Bike Rack
Our Score:
8.8
WEIZE

The WEIZE bike rack is built with reinforced steel, making it long-lasting and robust enough to support two bicycles weighing up to 60 pounds. In addition, compared to roof racks, this hitch-mount bike rack can save you up to thirty percent more money on fuel costs by minimizing the amount of wind resistance. The hitch tightener on this product is designed to prevent the bicycle from swinging and causing damage to your vehicle's paintwork. 

This bicycle car rack can be folded up, but it also has a tilting mechanism that makes it possible to access the back of your vehicle even when it is full of bicycles. The anti-theft locking hitch pin and the no-wobble hitch tightener reduce any slack between the receiver hitch and the rack. Also, the no-wobble hitch tightener prevents your bike rack from being taken by another person. The Velcro straps to secure the tires seem a bit thin, but you don't need to worry about it because it still helps you fix your bike during the whole journey.

7 Hollywood Racks Hitch Bike Rack
Our Score:
8.7
Hollywood Racks

The tow hitch bike rack is lightweight, user-friendly, and compatible with many bicycle and automobile models. This adjustable bike hitch expands the range of cycling possibilities available. It can also accept bicycles of varying frame sizes and styles. In addition, this hitch-mount bike rack features individual wheel trays, which make loading and unloading the rack a pleasure. 

Most kid's bikes, hybrids, road bikes, and mountain bike frames can be stored on bike racks. It has a locking threaded hitch pin to ensure nothing moves around while transporting. The extensible aluminum ramp that comes with this product makes loading and unloading quite simple. Moreover, it features a balanced tilting that makes it easy to access the trunk even when loaded with bicycles. However, it would be best if the middle bar on this rack was higher to mount bikes quickly.

More To Consider

8 Vibrelli Electric Bike Hitch Rack
Our Score:
8.6
Vibrelli
9 Hyperax Bike Rack
Our Score:
8.1
HYPERAX
10 INNO INH110 Bike Rack
Our Score:
7.9
INNO

What to Look For in a best mtb hitch rack?

The best mtb hitch rack is assessed based on many factors. best mtb hitch rack research varies depending on the type, feature, and quality of this product. It is not too complex to cover, yet we will give you some buying guide and solutions to these problems.

Please take a closer look at best mtb hitch rack characteristics below would be beneficial for you. Let’s look through and keep in mind:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

FAQs

What is a mountain bike hitch rack?

A mountain bike hitch rack is a device that attaches to the rear of a vehicle, usually a car or SUV, and provides a secure way to transport mountain bikes. The rack typically has a hitch receiver, which is designed to fit into the hitch of the vehicle, and the bikes are then secured by straps or other fastening devices.

What are the advantages of using a mountain bike hitch rack?

Using a mountain bike hitch rack has a number of advantages. First, it provides a secure way of transporting your bikes, protecting them from the elements and ensuring they do not get damaged while in transit. Secondly, it also frees up space inside the vehicle, allowing you to bring other items with you on your trip. Finally, it provides an easy and convenient way to transport multiple bikes at once.

What should I look for when buying a mountain bike hitch rack?

When buying a mountain bike hitch rack, there are a few things you should look for. First, make sure it is compatible with the hitch of your vehicle. Secondly, make sure it is able to securely hold your bikes, and that it can accommodate the number of bikes you need to transport. Finally, make sure it is easy to install and remove, and that it comes with all the necessary hardware and straps for securing the bikes.

Are there any safety considerations to keep in mind when using a mountain bike hitch rack?

Yes, safety should always be a priority when using a mountain bike hitch rack. First, make sure the rack is securely attached to the vehicle, and that the bikes are securely fastened to the rack. Secondly, check the straps and fastenings regularly, and replace them if they become worn or damaged. Finally, make sure the bikes are balanced correctly on the rack, and that they do not obstruct your view when driving.


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About Katie Finn

Katie Finn

Katie Finn is a freelance writer who loves to explore the world and go camping. She's also an editor for CampfireHQ, where she enjoys writing about wildlife and camping tips. She also has a passion for reading and learning new things, which she often incorporates into her writing.

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