Last Updated on March 14, 2023 by Will Sabel
A bike rack makes transporting bikes on a car safe and simple if you want to go on exotic, far-flung trails or plainly haul the bike around town.
Before you go out there and buy one on the spur of the moment, make sure you do your homework to ensure you get the right rack for your car, cost estimate, bike, and riding style.
Hitch racks are made to safely transport your pedaled belongings while also making loading and unloading the bike simple.
Racks differ in the mounting position, trunk access, and the number of bikes they hold, but they’re all solid choices for your next two-wheeled excursion.
Why Do You Need Hitch Racks?
Hitch racks, which connect to your vehicle’s rear trailer hitch, can hold one to four bikes and are available in a multitude of configurations, from trays that offer a platform for the bikes to remain standing on to cradles that the bike sits in.
Installing a hitch rack is simple if you already have a hitch on your vehicle. Simply slide the rack into the hitch, and you’re done. Likewise, if you don’t want to drive around with the rack all the time or want to remove it during the off-season, this makes it simple to put it on and off your car.
Hitch racks keep bikes a safe distance from your car, reducing the risk of scraping them while loading and unloading them, and they necessitate less lifting than roof racks, which is particularly advantageous for those driving taller vehicles such as SUVs.
It also is simpler to confirm that the bike is properly secured because it’s held in front of you, just a few feet above the ground, rather than when you’re attaching the bike to your vehicle’s roof.
What Makes Hitch Racks Superior?
Hitch bike racks are the result of all of this. Hitch racks have trays for holding your bikes and attach them to the trailer hitch receiver under the bumper. When you don’t have a bike in it, most of them fold up and get out of the way.
They are better compared to a roof rack simply because of their location. You only need to lift the bike about a foot off the ground; there’s no need to hoist it just above your head. And it’s mostly protected once it’s in the car.
You are not going to lose your bike if you drive through as many low arches as you want. Furthermore, most hitch racks continue past the bikes, so if you are rear-ended by another vehicle, you will be protected.
What is the maximum weight that a bike rack can support?
A bike rack can support weights ranging from 17 to 85 kilograms on average, calculating 37 lbs and 188 lbs.
To put it another way, bikes’ total min and max weights have to be less than 85 kilograms and more than 17 kg, including both.
However, the load carried varies depending on the bike’s model and type. A typical bike rack can also hold between one to four bikes at a time, with the highest bike load ranging from 17 to 60 kilograms.
Whether you mount your bike rack to the boot, hitch, or roof will affect its carrying capacity. Bike racks come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Their sizes are also vastly different from one another. As a result, you should adhere to the bike rack’s holding capacity per their type and avoid exceeding those limits.
The Summary
Hitch racks are great for transporting a variety of bike styles without having to lift heavy or dirty bikes up and onto your vehicle’s roof. They are superior to roof racks simply because of their location.
You only need to lift the bike about a foot off the ground; there’s no need to hoist it just above your head.
And it’s mostly protected once it’s in the car. You will not lose your bike if you drive through several low arches as you would like.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the purpose of a bike rack?
Bike racks let you take your bike with you anywhere, even if you’re looking for solo adventures or family vacation fun.
Is it true that towing a vehicle reduces its lifespan?
Don’t force your luck and exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity now that you know what makes it up. This will only shorten the life of your vehicle and put you and the others on the road in danger.
More Guides:
