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If you're trying to find the easiest way to transport your bike, then hitch mounted racks are the way to go. Securely attaching the receiver hitch to your vehicle will provide you with unmatched versatility and even ease of use. There are plenty of options to choose from; however, finding a complete review of the best one on your own can be difficult to do so.
In order to help you out, we have compiled the top hitch bike racks for your ease. So keep on reading.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 4 Bike Hitch Racks
- OUR TOP PICK: Thule Apex XT Bike Hitch Rack
- RUNNER-UP: Thule Range Bike Rack
- BEST YAKIMA 4 BIKE HITCH RACK: Yakima RidgeBack Hitch Bike Rack
Table of Contents
Comparison of the Best 4 Bike Hitch Racks
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Perks of Getting a New 4 Bike Hitch Rack
A New 4 Bike Hitch Rack has many advantages and the most common ones include the following;
Durability
This is the most common benefit provided by a new bike rack. When investing in a new product, you do not have to worry about it being worn out soon because it will be incredibly durable. Similarly, a new bike rack will last for a long time period and provide you your money's worth.
BV Bike Bicycle Hitch Mount Rack Carrier
Easy to Use
These bike racks are incredibly easy to use. They come with proper hitches and rails that allow you to fasten your bike onto the racks without worrying about it falling down. Also, it is ideal for everyone; beginners who have no idea how to use these racks, as well as professionals, can use it without a problem.
Makes Moving Easy
For people who own bikes, moving from one place to another can be tough. However, with these racks, you can move them easily. You can transport them from one place to another without any problem, which these racks perfect for buying.
What Makes a Great 4 Bike Hitch Rack?
To find a good bike hitch rack, you need to look out for a couple of features. These features provide you your money's worth and also provide you with its complete usage. Some things that make a bike rack stand out include the following:
Easy to Set up
A bike rack will be an ideal investment only if it comes with user-friendly capabilities. If the rack is difficult to set up and use, then there is no need to buy it because you will require help whenever you want to use it. Instead, an easy to use bike rack will make it a simple task for you to move from one place to another without any worry.
Versatile
This is also incredibly important for a bike rack. If the rack you get is not versatile, then it won't be ideal for you. Versatility means that it should be able to get all kinds of models upon it so that you do not have to worry about one of your bike being left behind.
Affordable
Nobody likes to spend a lot of money right away, and the same is the case with these racks. No matter how badly you need them, if they are expensive, you won't be willing to get one. A good rack will not only be versatile but will also be affordable.
Review of the Best 4 Bike Hitch Racks
Finding the best four bike hitch racks can be difficult to do so, and for this reason, we have compiled a comprehensive review of the best ones. These racks are mentioned below, along with their pros and cons and even who it is most suited to. Read on below to find out more.
Best Overall:
Thule Apex XT Bike Hitch Rack
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers hardly have anything to complain about with this unit. They are stating that for the quality and design, it is a good rack. Some have had a little trouble with the assembly, but overall, it was worth buying. It is a light and easy to load rack and allows for easy access to the rear of the car.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find this to be a well-designed rack that is both light and easy to use. It has an integrated cable lock and tilts down feature for accessing the rear of the car. The padding is quite useful and allows for additional security. It has an overall professional look to it and looks great on your vehicle.
Who Will Use This Most
It is a great looking rack that would look pretty cool in your car. It can carry up to 4 bikes and is best suited for those campers who like taking a bike ride wherever they go. It can fit any bike size, which means either it's a family trip with children bikes or a friendly trip with your biking friends, this is the best accessory for your car to make your camping experience great.
Bottom Line
It is a premium hanging hitch bike rack that provides superior protection. Having an integrated cable lock allows you to lock the bike onto the rack. Moreover, it has bike stability that prevents bike to bike contact and has dual folding arms. It is easy to install and provides hassle-free access to the rear of your car.
Runner-up:
Thule Range Bike Rack
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
As per recent buyer reports, Thule UpRide is a great roof-mounted bike rack that provides your bikes with the secure hold that they need. It makes use of two counteracting cradles, and both of them exert an opposing force on their front wheel that leaves less chance of failure.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Since the cradles do not come in contact with the bike frame or even the fork, there is no chance that the bike is scratched or has the paint rub off. This is also a good idea for buyers who do not want a really expensive bike rack but own expensive bikes and would prefer to transport it without any scratching.
Who Will Use This Most
This bike rack is great for SUVs and truck owners who have a big family and want to travel with their bikes. No vacation is complete without having bikes to ride onto as they are the best way to explore the city, and with this bike rack, you can do just that.
Bottom Line
In all, this product with an anti-wobble system can carry bikes with different wheel sizes and is even inexpensive. It has an easy loading process and a protective rig that ensures no scratches or paint problem on your bicycles.
Best Yakima 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
Yakima RidgeBack Hitch Bike Rack
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have been very pleased with the design and found it to be a stable of the rack. This rack kept the bikes secured even when the car was speeding. Some customers complained that it is very difficult to fit four bikes; however, with the right procedure, as mentioned in this guide, you can fit four bikes easily without any problem.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It is smartly designed to give you ease in accessing the rear of your car without any difficulty. It can fold flat, and the racks are completely removable. It also allows for easy 5-minute installation, and the anti-sway cradle design also minimizes bike to bike contact, which is quite a great feature.
Who Will Use This Most
This is great for all the campers out there that would love to enjoy nature and go for a bike ride and get the most soothing natural experience. It is easy to fit and assemble, which makes it a great buy for anyone who likes taking their bikes with them where ever they travel.
Bottom Line
It is a good rack that is best for three bikes. Its design and functionality are better than many racks out there in the market; however, for the price, you can look into some more interesting options that allow for carrying four bikes.
4. BV Bike Bicycle Hitch Mount Rack Carrier
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to recent buyers, this bike is incredibly affordable and solid for use. It can hold up to four bikes on it and keeps them all secure. It also fits securely to your truck, and since it can be folded easily, you can carry it in your truck whenever you want.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product stands out because of the great features it comes with. It firmly holds your bike via its three-point connection. It also has a tilt-back design that allows the users to open their back gates without worrying about detaching the entire hitch rack.
Who Will Use This Most
Judging by its features, it is ideal for families who tend to travel a lot. This product has a folding design that makes it perfect for you to save space in your house and in your car. Also, the safety reflector enhances the visibility and ensures that driving in the night is safe.
Bottom Line
Overall, this rack is feature-filled and a great purchase. It ensures flexibility and versatility. It also comes with a safety reflector, a fold-up design, and a tilt-back design. The affordable price point on this product is worth investing in.
Best for the Money:
Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to recent users of this product, this rack is ideal for transporting four bikes easily without any problem. It comes with long carrying arms that can cater to your needs and ensures that the bikes are tied in a proper way without rubbing off on each other.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product stands out due to its flat-folding ability that it provides. This rack allows you to avoid any damage from occurring and can be traveled with easily due to its low weight. Since it doesn't take up too much space in your house, it is ideal for buying.
Who Will Use This Most
If you have various different bicycles with different designs, then you can invest in this rack without any worry. It is a strong one with a black colored powder coat. It has an individual tie-down system as well that secures the bike using the Allen patented system and keeps it well protected.
Bottom Line
To sum up, this bike rack makes an ideal investment. It is not a fit for trailers, but for SUVs and cars, this rack is perfect. It is durable, affordable, and long-lasting, and since it can carry up to four bikes, for a large family vacation, it is worth investing in.
Best Saris 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
Saris Bones Hitch 4-Bike Rack
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have been quite satisfied with their purchase; they have commented on the aesthetics and the fact that it's sturdy and lightweight. Some customers, however, did have trouble with the straps, but overall, it is a fantastic bike rack. The attachment straps don't easily come off and allow you to utilize all three straps.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Bones Hitch is one of the lightest racks on the market. It being light in no way means it's not sturdy; it is both strong and durable. The coated hold-downs and anti-sway strap protect and stabilize the bikes. It is easy to install and maneuver, and its tilting feature allows for easy access to the rear of the vehicle. Not to forget, it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a great buy for those who love making their camping trips worth remembering. Having the facility of carrying your bikes wherever you go is a great way to enjoy your trips. It allows for four bikes to be loaded and is easy to assemble and use, which makes it a great buy for all those nature lovers out there.
Bottom Line
This bike is characterized by foldable arms, an extremely user-friendly design, durability and low weight, and a lifetime warranty. It is one of the best bike racks out there in the market. It just doesn't get better than this. Thus, it is a must-have for all those campers and enthusiasts out there.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
When shopping for the best four bike hike rack present in the market, you must be aware of the type, weight, and stability of these bikes. Read on below to find out more.
Weight
Each model of bike rack comes with its own weight, but you must keep in mind that a heavier rack does not always mean more durable and sturdier. Sometimes, weight is not an ideal feature, and having a robust rack is more important. Also, the load weight, which is the maximum weight you can put on the bike rack, must be high for four bikes.
So find a rack that has a high load weight and not too much weight on its own.
Stability
Not all racks have the same built; what sets a good rack apart from the bad ones is how stable it is when it gets loaded by bicycles. The stability of the rack depends entirely on its loading mechanism, size, shape, and even bike spacing. Stability is also depending on the shape of the bike you are carrying.
Type
Hitch mounted racks come in two types; hanging racks and platform. With platform racks, the bikes tend to rest on a platform, and the point of contact is the bike wheels, whereas hanging racks suspend the bikes through their frames in a way that they look like hanging.
Depending on the types of bikes you want to transport, the rack type must be an important factor to keep in consideration.
How Do You Put Four Bikes on a Bike Rack?
In order to understand how to put four bikes on a bike rack, we have included a video for your help. It will demonstrate how to place the four bikes together. For your ease, we’ve explained the steps below:
- To install a bike, make sure you use a bike adaptor bar, which goes between the seat and the handlebars, allowing your bike rack to attach and hold the bike. It is a good idea to start with your heaviest bikes first.
- Then place your bike as close to the middle as you can without touching and leave about an inch of space between the closest component of your bicycle and the center post.
- Then use the second bike and place the adaptor bar and put it on the rack. Make sure that this bike is pointing in the opposite direction and push this as far on the other side as possible without it interfering with the handlebars and the seat.
- Also, make sure the pedals do not mesh with one another, and you can also get a strap to keep the wheels steady and avoid them from swiveling.
- Follow the same procedure for the two other bikes; for the third bike, the handlebars will go in between the handles of the first and the seat of the second bike.
- On the last bike, you will place the adaptor, but this bike will have the handlebar up, and the seat will be down. This way, you will place all four bikes on the rack tightly without any worry.
Conclusion
With the information mentioned above, you can easily go ahead and buy the rack most suited to you. However, you must do your own research as well to be fully able to determine your needs. Go through careful considerations and features you should look for to make the best decision for your household.
People Also Ask
Even with all the information above, some people are left with some questions. In order to keep your head clear during bike rack shopping, you must have all the answers, and so we have answered the frequently asked questions down below for you.
How Does a Hitch Bike Rack Work?
As the name suggests, this is a type of bike rack. It slides easily in the trailer rack’s receiver and hitches on a truck or a car. It is more secure than truck-mounted racks.
What Size Hitch Do I Need For a Bike Rack?
Before investing in these racks, you must know which size is ideal for your use and whether the hitch will fit easily on your vehicle. Most hitches come with a 2" x 2" or even a 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" receiver opening. If the opening of your hitch is 2" by 2" then any bike rack made for an opening like this will fit.
How Do You Put a Hitch on a Bike Rack?
In order to place the hitch onto the bike rack, you need to slide the bike rack arm onto the vehicle's hitch mount. Make sure you line up the hole in the receiver along with the hole present in the hitch mount.
