Top 16 Best Bike Racks For Suv Reviews [NEW LIST]

If you’re fond of biking, having the best bike racks for SUV that fits your needs and vehicle will give a big difference in your luggage packing. Of course, the actual purchasing process might be challenging due to the wide range of bike racks exists. That’s why you need us! In this article, we are going to share the 16 best options that have been divided into 4 major categories. You’ll also find an ultimate buying guide and the FAQs section that we’ve included later. Read on! See also:

• Top 14 Best Bike Racks for Garage Storage Reviews
• Top 15 Best Hitch Bike Racks
• Top 12 Best Bike Rack For Jeep Wrangler Reviews [NEW LIST]

Top 16 Best Bike Racks For Suv Reviews in 2021

Hitch-Mounted Bike Racks

Thule T2 Pro XT 2 Bike SUV Bike Racks

The Thule T2 Pro XT has won our Editor Choice’s Award in terms of hitch-mounted bike racks, for good reasons. While remaining the latest iteration of the Thule T2 series, it features some notable changes in lateral adjustability and tray spacing that decrease the bikes’ likelihood when contacting with each other during the transportation. The bike rack also highlights an impressive capacity of 4 bikes with excellent ergonomics and easily adjustable ratcheting wheel clamp arms. Many of our testers particularly loved the thoughtfully wide wheel trays that allow users to mount different wheels and tires of bikes with ease. Product Specs

Allen Sports 4-Bike SUV Bike Racks

The Allen Sports remain the runner-up position in our list because of their signature Allen’s patented tie-down system. It highlights 22-inch long carry arms to keep your bikes more firmly and securely while quickly folding off to give less bulk when not in use. They also meet all kinds of versatility to fit nicely different bike sizes, from the adult road to kid-sized mountain bikes. Plus, no-wobble bolts to fully tighten the rack in place with noiseless and scratch-free. The most convenience is, its rack tilts back helps you easily access the back of your SUV. Due to the reports of our testers, this bike rack takes within 3-5 minutes to install – an amazing result compared to other counterparts at this affordable price point. The only drawback is its 2-inch trailer hitch that requires professionally installed Class III or Class IV. So, if you’re a low-tech person, ask for help from a skillful technician. Product Specs

Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike SUV Bike Racks

The Swagman XC doesn’t feature the cheapest price on our list, but we feel that you will get much more than what you’ve paid for. It’s a hitch-mounted bike rack that is compatible with 1 1/4″ and 2″ hitch receiver while delivering 2-bike capacity. Moreover, it is the user-friendly construction for rapid setup as well as the anti-wobble hitch device to be noiseless during the travel. According to the report of our tests, it gave no single problem when bouncing on some rocky roads. Highly recommend for a bike rack with ultimate security and ease of getting bikes on/off. The rack does emphasize special upright ratcheting arms to possibly fit various sizes of bike frames, maximum of 59cm and under proper adjustment, it can match to 20” – 29” bike tires. Regardless, it’s a lightweight model that you can fold up and carry around effortlessly on one hand when not in use. Product Specs

Tyger TG-RK4B102B 4-Bike SUV Bike Racks

The highly-anticipated Tyger TG-RK4B102B is the best hitch-mounted bike rack featuring dual arms to not only hold up to 4 bikes at once but also flexibly fit either a 1.25” or 2” hitch receiver. Make no mistakes; the unit offers thick securing pads, soft cradles, and OE standard black color E-coating that offer the phenomenal damage-free protection that we really like. Glad to find that it’s not a copied design of other previous counterparts, but completely a whole new design. Its anti-wobble construction has gained the most impressive of us. It’ll take you 30 seconds to unscrew the rack and there is also a huge plastic knob for a reason. Product Specs

Yakima Ridgeback SUV Bike Racks

Being a highlight out of the popular Yakima SUV bike rack series, the Ridgeback carries all strengths from previous siblings. Such as the zero-hassle ZipStrips for extra protection, the UpperHand lever for effortless access, and the Tool-free SpeedKnob for quick assembly. It’s also a versatile model that nicely fits either a 1-1/4” or 2” hitch receiver. But if you treasure your vehicle coating and not concern about the height matter, then roof-rack it. This is really versatile! While hitch mounting the unit, we found that it didn’t extend the vehicle as much as other counterparts at the same price point. We also appreciate the additional bottle opener that allows you to have a joyful post-ride cold one. Overall, if you’re not a fan of saving some hundred bucks on an unknown brand while risking thousands of dollars of your bicycle, pick this. Product Specs

Thule Vertex XT SUV Bike Racks

Out of the bunch, Thule Vertex stands out with the largest capacity – up to 5 bikes at once – for a big family or a group of friends to join in a biking trip together. The published weight load is 150 pounds, as a maximum but its decently sturdy frame and towbar can hold even heftier than that. Take about 10 minutes to assemble and include “sway-free” bracket things. But it will be more effective when the number of bikes is under 3. While fitting most 1 1/4″ or 2″ receivers, it can’t go into the smaller ones, which we think is a bonus to soup up the bicycle support with no needs of a receiver’s adapter. Rubber straps are easy to use and bikes sit firmly during our testing distance. The arm cable lock is quite helpful if you fear of thieves. Product Specs

Yakima – FullSwing 4-Bike SUV Bike Racks

The Yakima FullSwing is a well-rounded hitch-mounted bike rack for bicycles with traditional frame geometry with a higher weight capacity. Compared to the previous sibling – the 2008 Swing Daddy, this latest version comes in some highlight improvements that you’ll be willing to pay for (if you’re a person who concerns more about quality rather than budget issues). Aside from the better look, we were amazed by the unbeatable performance of its ratchet-style bindings and integrated locking system. Meanwhile, the swing-away construction provides direct access with scratch-free to the back trunk of your vehicle. And the additional bottle opener beefs up the convenience as well as value to the unit. All-in-all, this cuts above the rest. Product Specs

Strap-on Trunk Racks

Allen Sports SUV Bike Racks

The no-hitch Allen Sports SUV is our Top Pick for a strap-on trunk-mount bike rack that has broken the mold to be the only unit in this list that features 2-bike hanging capacity. While the extra-large padding points efficiently limit damage on the vehicle finish, its individual dual compound tie-down cradles help with protecting and securing your bikes. Setting the Allen Sports SUV is rather easy thanks to its quick snap setup design. The whole process will take 2-4 minutes if you’re a handyman and under 15 minutes for amateurs. Like other good strap-on trunk racks, this unit fits different vehicles, from SUV’s, minivans, to sedans. We love its two-sided straps sine they keep bikes incredibly sturdy during the travel, even in a high crosswind. No swaying, if that’s also what you want to know. Product Specs

Saris Bones 2-Bike SUV Bike Racks

The Saris Bones was quite new to us, but after the tests, it gave the strongest impression. Compared to other counterparts in this field, Saris Bones is rather costly but we all feel it’s well-worth for the quality. The biggest bonus is its injected-molded arms and legs that feature unbeatably heavy-duty strength. In reality, the rack can hold firmly 2 bikes at the maximum weight capacity of 70 pounds without swaying or rattling. Moreover, this unit is entirely crafted from recyclable materials with an emphasis on a non-rustic feature. According to the Bicycling Magazine Safely ratings, it’s got 4.5/5 stars. We love the careful rubberizing at each foot to ensure the ultimate protection against damage for your vehicle. Made in the USA, at least you can rest assured of its quality. Product Specs

Tyger Auto TG-RK1B204B SUV Bike Racks

We recently discovered a new Best Buy For The Price winning platform strap-on trunk rack in the Tyger Auto TG-RK1B204B. At a humble price point of under $70, the unit gives more than what you can bargain for:

• Versatile fitting to different vehicles
• Foldable, handy carry arms
• Protectively soft cradles for scratch-free

Most notably, is the OE standard black E-Coating that gives a rustic-free performance to stand the last of time and the padded lower frame with an included safety strap to keep bikes at a safe distance from your vehicle. This additional strap also takes the role of the quick open-close system, giving an under 5-minute setup as well as easily taking down the bikes. However, this is a two-edged sword when there’s no way to lock your beloved two-wheel steed securely.

Product Specs

Spare Tire Bike Racks

Allen Deluxe 3-Bike SUV Bike Racks

No surprised when Allen’s bike racks almost take the highest ranks in each category of our top-rated list. The brand is an actual OG in this industry with over 45 years of experience. Our most favorite is the generous capacity of their products. For example, the Deluxe budget hitch bike rack can accommodate 3 bikes at once while its specific design gives the best fit for most externally mounted spare tires. The rack is adjustable to extend its length according to the number of bikes whereas detachable to allow folding itself when not in need. The straps, on the other hand, keeps its role nicely of securing bikes without swaying or any mishap during the travel. For low-tech people, its pre-assembly right out of the box is a big help. And due to the official announcement of the manufacturer, this lightweight rack can hold up well out of 100 pounds – twice time heftier than its weight, which is amazing. Product Specs

Thule 963Pro SUV Bike Racks

The Thule 963Pro falls right in the middle of the spare-tire bike rack range that we’ve tested in terms of performance. The best thing that we’ve found in this 19” x 5” model is its ability to fit oversized tires – something that other competitors hardly do. Thule highlights their signature Stay-Put Cradles to prevent swaying effectively during transportation. All you need to do is following carefully the instruction but don’t fret, it’s rather easy to read and understand. At the mid-price point, we appreciate the sturdy carbon frame with a compatible key system to not only last a lifetime but also put on/off bikes with ease. Of course, the carrying arms are foldable to give less bulk when not in use. Product Specs

Yakima SpareRide 2 Bike SUV Bike Racks

90% of our testers agreed to pick the SuperCush ZipStrip cradles as their most favorite feature about this rack since it highlights phenomenal security to your bikes. Meanwhile, it makes the loading/unloading process not easier. Yakima always impresses us by the latest, practical applications to their products and in this case, it’s the SKS locking package to keep your bikes against potential thieves. Or, the efficient ZipStrips, the locking knob, and the TireTread pads to ensure your bikes finish always in the best condition. The last bonus is, its anti-sway cradle design keeps the unit from the most common problems when it comes to tightening bikes into an SUV. Product Specs

Roof Mounted Bike Racks

Yakima FrontLoader SUV Bike Racks

In the range of roof-mounted bike racks, we see the Yakima FrontLoader is unbeatable on almost aspects. This one-bike rack has designed a sleek looking and moreover, can fit different sizes of bike tires, from 20” to 29” of wheels and maximum 3” tires. That’s a big thank you to the versatile crossbar which is spreadable within 16” to 48”. Regardless, it gives no direct connection and no frame contacting both your bikes and vehicle, meaning that the rack leaves no scratches or damage on them. But what we love the most is, it requires no front wheel removal, unlike other roof-mounted bike racks. So, it’s a good choice if you prefer a handy model with as little labor taking as possible. It’s also user-friendly with pre-assembly out of the box to require a tool-free installation. Product Specs

Yakima ForkLift SUV Bike Racks

ForkLift is the very first fork-style roof-mounted bike rack of Yakima that highlights its versatility to fit all-disc brakes of bicycles produced by Thule, Yakima, and OEM’s. While the unit requires front wheel removal, which might take little of your effort when taking on/off the bikes, it strikes back with a better secure and lockable skewers to keep bikes tightened snugly in place. During our tests of driving on highways with strong crosswinds and on rocky roads, the bikes that it was holding didn’t move a bit, which is impressive. In our humble opinion, this unit is a good choice for any bikes featuring aero-shaped factory crossbars. The built-in adjustable knob makes it easier access for single-handed. The only thing you should be aware of is the total vehicle height after mounting your bikes on top. Product Specs

Bonus:

Allen Sports 900B SUV Bike Racks

The Allen Sports 900B is actually not a bike rack, but more likely a bike-frame adaptor that supports the bike trunk strapping on the process with scratch-free and ease. Due to its construction, the unit will give the best fit for different bikes, as long as they feature 16” – 27” distance between the stem and seat post. As it’s coated with a plastic layer, the bike-frame adaptor ensures leaving no damage to your bicycle’s finish. So, who should buy it? The Allen Sports 900B is the best choice for people whose bicycles are unmatched with the bike rack. For example, while the 26” women’s bikes won’t fit the Allen 4-bike rack, this additional turns out to be essential to deliver better fit and security.

The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Best Bike Racks For Suv In 2019

Type

As mentioned, you need to determine the most suitable out of 4 types of bike racks for SUV. To do so, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each model: Securing points There are two must-consider features for this important feature:

• Strength to keep your bike(s) in place during the transportation
• How well-padded they are to keep bikes from damage

While ensuring the securing points keep your beloved two-wheel steed firmly with little to none swaying issues, they must ensure to stay firmly against the high crosswind. Locking Cables This is an anti-thief component that features a sturdy chain wrapped around your bike(s) then, lock them into places.

FAQs

Do trunk bike racks work on SUVs? Yes, they do. Trunk bike racks are appreciated by their versatility that can be mounted on different vehicles, from SUVs, vans, to cars. What size hitch do I need for a bike rack? There are two common sizes of hitches:

• The 1-1/4″ x 1-1/4″
• The 2″ x 2″

You need to determine the opening of your vehicle’s hitch to find the equivalent bike rack. Take note that the 1-1/4″ x 1-1/4″ hitches are divided into Class I and Class II, in which Class II is more heavy-duty than its sibling. Do bike racks fit all cars? Not at all. It depends on three elements:

• The kind of your bikes
• The number of bikes you intend to carry along
• Where you’re going to position the bike rack

How do you put a trunk bike rack on an SUV?

The installation is really easy with 4 simple steps: Step 1: Put the lower support bars of your bike rack below or above the license plate (varied due to the type of your SUV) while the upper side is on the top of the trunk lid Step 2: Mount the hooks for the upper straps to the trunk lid’s top edge and tighten them Step 3: Repeat the step to the hooks for the lower straps, it should be attached to the trunk lid’s bottom. Step 4: The same with the hooks for the side straps and in this case, it should rest on the trunk lid’s side edge To help you easily imaged what I’ve just said, watch this video: https://youtu.be/lkG5JOerxhs Will I have to drill holes in my car? None of the 4 bike racks above require you to drill holes in your vehicle. Either it’s attached directly onto the hitch receiver or indirectly via roof rack or straps. So, rest assured! My vehicle doesn’t have rain gutters, can I still put a roof rack on it? Yes, you can. Follow this detailed instruction if you want to learn more about how to install a bike rack on your vehicle without rain gutters. What if I change vehicles? If you’d like to change the vehicle, it’s indeed possible. The only thing to keep in mind is finding an alternative with the same attaching points. Can I put a hitch on my car while using a bike rack? No, you can’t. This type of bike rack is usually blocked from being utilized by other applications. Can I get replacement parts for my rack? Reputable bike rack brands always offer a great warranty on their products so, during this period of time, you can contact the manufacturer for any replacements needed. Can I go through a car wash with my rack on the car? Possibly. But I bet the manufacturer doesn’t recommend doing that because it might be harmful to three parties – including your vehicle, the bike rack, and the car washing machine.

Conclusion

Out of various options of bike racks for SUV, your final selection will depend on three major things:

• How often you use it
• The number of bikes to be mounted on the rack
• Your vehicle design

I hope you’ll consider carefully all of them to find out the most suitable option. Thanks for reading!