Best tow-bar mounted bike racks for cars
Bike riding trips are irresistible for a passionate cyclist. But cycling excursions can be stressful for even pro-cyclists if hauling the bikes safely poses a challenge. A bad experience with bike transportation during vacation time is a nightmare for any rider.
It would certainly dampen the high spirits of even cycling enthusiasts. This can be avoided by simply fitting a suitable bike rack to your vehicle. A perfect bike rack is your key to making your cycling tours awesome. A decision to select a suitable bike rack depends on your vehicle, the number of bikes you want to carry and the last but most important your budget. An ideal rack can make it a picture-perfect relaxing trip.
As a biker, you always want to carry your precious petals on a rack that is sturdier, swanky and quick to unload at your destination. So here we are going to share a tow bar mounted bike rack which is trending these days in the market because they are quick and easy to load and unload.
They can haul two-four bikes depending on the model. Expert bikers prefer towbar-mounted racks as they are stronger than bike carriers that assemble on the tailgate of the vehicle. These racks ensure easy loading and unloading of bikes. Tow bar arrangement cuts the possibility of unwanted damage to the bike and car during road travel. These racks eliminate the risk of any damage to both vehicle and bike. The list of benefits of a tow bar-mounted bike rack is long, it can be mounted directly on a tow bar which makes it super easy to lift bikes, simple and convenient to use. Some tow bar racks can be assembled to carry bikes on a trailer.
With so many advantages, even the price isn’t too expensive. They are valued for money in the long run. Moreover, they embrace your precious bikes. So choose the best one for you! The tow bar mounted bike racks are a great option if you have a tow bar on your vehicle or plan to install one soon. The tow bar bike racks are available in two styles. The hanging tow bar rack can carry up to 4-bikes. It is a tiltable rack that allows rear cargo access and they are easy to load and unload. The platform tow bar bike racks can carry up to three bikes.
Let's have a look at the best towbar mounted bike racks
Swagman Bicycle Carrier TRAVELER XC2 RV Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack
Best Overall
- Best all round
Pros
- Recreational vehicle approved
- Fits 2” hitch receiver
Cons
- cannot access the rear of RV while bikes loaded on rack
KAC S4 2” Hitch Mounted Rack 4-Bike Premium Carrier with Quick Release Handle
Budget option
- Cheap
- Does a great job all round
Pros
- Quick release handle
- Anti-wobble system
Cons
- Not fit for women and child bikes
Tyger Auto TG-RK4B102B Deluxe 4-Bike Carrier Rack Compatible with Both 1-1/4'' and 2'' Hitch Receiver
Premium option
- Fits all types of hitches
Pros
- Cable and hitch lock along with security straps
- Soft cushion protector
Cons
- Rack is not foldable and uses space in storage.
Helping you to avoid the discomfort of spending multiple hours to get an answer to your query why go for a tow bar mounted rack? We here encompass different tow bar mounted bike racks by weighing up their pros and cons. This page will clear your concerns and guide you in selecting a bike rack that you can trust to transport your bike on long trips. Let’s first explore the compatibility of different bikes to tow bar bike rack. Bikes that have bolt-on carriers can fit on flange style tow bars while bikes with a clamp-on carrier can go with both flange and swan neck tow bars.
If you have yet to install a tow bar on your vehicle then it is recommended to have the best tow bar bike rack. A buyer should purchase the tow bar and bike rack together. It will help you to find how easy it is to assemble and whether it is a perfect fit for your bikes.
Swagman Bicycle Carrier TRAVELER XC2 RV Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack
‘Ride, paddle, explore: seek your adventure’, is the motto of bike rack company Swagman based at Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. This two-bike carrier is built for durability and can be mounted on the tow bar of various sizes of trailers and campers.
Swagman XC2 is approved for installation on recreational vehicles, trailers or the fifth wheel. This rack has gone through rigorous testing before its formal launch in the market for trailers.
The rack is made from black colour steel. It has a load capacity of 35 LBS per bike. The rack accommodates bikes of wheelbase up to 52” and maximum width of 3-1/2”.
Swagman was among the pioneers in the world of design hitch style bike rack in the early 90’s. Hitch racks were designed to make bike transportation smooth and hassle-free. The rack makers still follow their mission to ensure the safe hauling of a bike. The TRAVLER XC2’s design makes it sturdy and lightweight. You can also order a locking hitch pin and security cable for the safety of bikes.
This hitch-mounted rack can be installed in minutes on the recreational vehicle. The black powder coat finish is resistant to rust and corrosion. For quick loading and unloading of bikes, this rack has ratcheting hooks and an upright arm with a push button.
Swagman bicycle rack can easily fold when not in use to access the rear area of the recreational vehicle. TRAVELER XC2 is 624 ounces and the rack has a dimension of 5*35*11 inches.
KAC S4 2” Hitch Mounted Rack 4-Bike Premium Carrier with Quick Release Handle
This premier heavy-duty rack bike rack is designed to haul bikes through off-road terrain. KAC S4 is built to endure punishing road conditions and long road journeys. It is essentially a bike carrier for off-road drives and it is popular with biking experts as well. Mount it on the tow bar of a powerful vehicle and you are good to conquer any mountain trail. All you need is a 2″ tow hitch receiver to attach this solidly built rack. This stylish rack looks stunning on most vehicles.
With its load capacity of 130 LBS or four- bikes, KAC S4 is a great deal for biker’s communities or a bunch of passionate cyclists. A-frame adapter will turn this rack into a carrier of bikes for tiny tots and women bikes.
This solidly built rack is an ideal fit for trucks, cars and SUVs. It is made of powder-coated steel to withstand heavy bike load on bumpy roads. Its anti-wobble system keeps a firm grip on each bike. Two-arms with eight ultra-stretchable and UV resistant rubber straps cushion the load effectively on all kinds of roads.
The additional haulage in this rack doesn’t hinder access to the rear cargo. It’s a huge advantage when you are on the way to a long trip and loaded with cargo.
This rack is easy to store. KAC’s compact design can be folded back-to-back of the vehicle when not in use. This feature makes parking easy in cities, garages and tight parking places when you travel.
Bike riders love the hitch pin locking system and rear reflector on this rack which ensures double safety during travelling.
KAC, a company run and owned by cycle enthusiasts, has endeavoured to make installation of a rack an easy job. The company extends performance guarantee and a wide variety of mishaps are covered in a limited warranty offer.
Tyger Auto TG-RK4B102B Deluxe 4-Bike Carrier Rack Compatible with Both 1-1/4'' and 2'' Hitch Receiver
Tyger Auto is your ticket to group cycling ventures. This heavy-duty rack is ideal for biking communities as well as serious bikers. With this rack in your kitty, you can plan a biking day with friends or venture out on long-distance rides on the weekends.
Tyger Auto deluxe bike carrier fits perfectly on a 1.25-2” receiver. This rack is not for you if you own a recreational vehicle, trailer, camper or vehicle which is longer than 18 feet.
The tow bar installed carrier bike carrier has a cable lock and hitch lock. For extra stability, it has security straps that minimize the rattling of bikes. It is a rust-resistant rack with OE standards black colour E-coating. TYGER auto TG-RK4B102B deluxe bike carrier has soft cradles and protection pads that are designed to secure your bikes and protect each bike frame.
The bike carrier is weighed at 28.22 lbs. Its installation is simple. A detailed manual of instructions to guide you to install the bike rack is included in the packaging.
TYGER auto offers a no-hassle limited lifetime warranty of the bike rack but with a condition that both safety straps must be installed to stabilize bikes while driving, or else any accident or damage will not be covered in the warranty.
The bike comes with a tilt-down feature which allows easy access to the rear cargo area. The rack has folding carry arms which can be flattened with the back of the vehicle when bikes are not loaded.
Allen Sports 2-Bike Hitch Racks for 1 1/4 in. and 2 in. Hitch
Your kid will be chuffed when he sees his bike being loaded along with yours on the next vacation. Allen Sports 2-bike hitch rack can make it happen with its carry arms that is good to haul kid bikes, MTBs and adult bikes. It is fit to accommodate a wide range of farm sizes and design bikes.
With this rack, Allen sports has filled the gap in the bike rack design that mostly are not apt to carry all bikes including kid-bikes. It’s a must-have carrier if your kid enjoys cycling.
The rack has a maximum load capacity of 70 LBS which is adequate to haul most bikes including mountain bikes.
The rack is fit for 1 ¼ and 2-inch receiver hitches which can take a load of up to two bikes. The rack fits on the tow bar hitch of the vehicle. It just needs three bolts to fit the rack and it’s ready to get loaded. An easy to operate tie-down cradle system grips the bikes separately and it is fully functional. This tie-down mechanism is fixed on the carry arms and it rotates to accommodate a wide range of bikes.
While your sports bike rack is mounted on the tow bar you can tilt it back to the liftgate to access the rear of the SUV or vehicle. In fact, for easy storage, this rack can be completely folded and stored in the garage. Allen deluxe hitch bike rack is delivered with all required hardware for installation on the hitch receiver. For safe transportation of the bikes, this rack has a no-wobble bolt to tighten the rack in place.
Allen sports hitch bike rack which weighs 21 pounds come in two-colours-silver and black. For rust resistance, this rack is coloured with a black powder-coated finish
Conclusion
Tow bar bike racks allow free cabin space for you. They provide safety for bikes and vehicles on travel through tough terrain. It is a blessing on a long vacation when you are packed to the hilt. The tow bar bike racks are truly your precious possessions which make your cycling excursions delightful. So find the best buddy bike rack for your cycling excursions. An ideal car rack will make your riding experience safe and delightful.