10 Best Hitch Bike Racks - Two Wheeling Tots

Hauling kids bikes can be a challenge, but over the last 15 years of hauling our families bikes around, we’ve found several great options at various price points. From hanging racks to vertical racks, we’ve tested over 20 different racks with kids bikes of all sizes to find the best rack for your family at every price point.

Our Favorite Kid Bike Friendly Bike Racks

Model	Why We Love It	Capacity
HANGING: Under $500
Thule Apex XT	Best Hanging Rack	2 to 5
Allen Deluxe Hitch Rack	Best on a Budget	2 to 5
PLATFORM: $599+
Benton Shifts & Grins	Holds all Size Kids Bikes	2 or 4
Thule Epos	Easy to Install, Folds for Storage	2 or 3
Rocky Mounts GuideRail	Best Bang for Your Buck	2 or 3
Kuat Piston Pro	Best Overall	2 to 4
VERTICAL: $999+
VelociRAX MAX	Best Value	3 to 7
Thule ReVert	Easiest to Use	4 or 6

Before purchasing a rack, know there’s much more to consider than just capacity and price. Use the chart above as a starting point, but be sure to dive into the rest of this article, which contains a quick buying guide for hitch racks, mini-reviews of each rack we recommend, and insights on how different types of racks perform on SUVs and minivans.

Hitch Bike Rack Buying Guide

1. Budget less than $500? – Go for a hanging rack. Only get a trunk rack if you can’t put a hitch on your car.
2. Does you car have a high-capacity 2″ receiver? – If not, get one. You’re limited to 2 capacity racks without one.
3. Want rear window visibility when the rack’s empty? – Go for a vertical rack. 4-capacity platform racks block the view out the rear window when folded (but 3-capacity racks don’t!).
4. Will you regularly be hauling bikes with different wheel sizes? – No? The RockyMounts GuideRail offers the best performance for the price. Yes? The Kuat Piston Pro is worth the extra cost as its arms easily adjust to fit different wheel sizes in mere seconds (others require tools and time)
5. Child on 12″ or 14″ Bike? – Plan on throwing the bike in the car (including balance bikes). They are too small for any rack.
6. Hauling 5+ Bikes? – VelociRAX offers the best bang for your buck.
7. Low-clearance vehicle or lifted SUV/truck? – The Alta vertical rack or Thule ReVert is your best bet. More on this below.

Table of Contents

• Hitch Bike Rack Buying Guide
• HANGING HITCH BIKE RACKS
• PLATFORM HITCH BIKE RACKS
• VERTICAL HITCH BIKE RACKS
• The Best Hitch Bike Rack for Your Vehicle Type

HANGING HITCH BIKE RACKS

Hanging hitch racks carry bikes by their frame rather than the tires, suspending them horizontally on two support bars. These racks typically accommodate bikes with wheel sizes 16″ and up and are available in 2 to 5 bike capacities.

• BEST FOR
  • Tight Budgets – Inexpensively carry up to 5 bikes
  • Quick Trips – Racks are lightweight and easily and quickly go on and off your car
• LESS IDEAL FOR
  • Tetris Haters – It can be a challenge it make all your bikes “fit” on the rack
  • Expensive Bikes – Bikes are spaced closely. You bikes will likely get scratched
  • Carbon Bikes – Never hang a carbon frame by the frame
  • E-bikes Owners – Too heavy to hang by their frame

Best hanging rack

Thule Apex XT

$449 – $599

CAPACITY: 2, 4, or 5 bikesFEATURES: Lightweight, tilts for hatch access, low profile, integrated bike lock, anti-wobble hitch system, more spacing between bikes than other hanging racks

Pros:

• 7″ spacing—more room between bikes than competitors
• Easy-to-use ratcheting straps and anti-sway cradles
• Lightweight – easy to take on and off the car
• Integrated locking cable for bike security
• Accommodates 20″ bikes, and even some 16″ bikes
• No tools needed to install!
• Swing out option on 4-bike capacity

Cons:

• Potential for bike contact and damage
• Most women’s and kid’s bikes need a top tube adapter, adding to the cost

View on Amazon View on REI Our Review

About the Apex XT

For families looking to avoid the weight and cost of platform racks, hanging racks like the Thule Apex XT are a great alternative. They’re lighter, easier to install, and budget-friendly.

The Apex XT stands out for its sleek design and generous 7” spacing between bikes, minimizing bike interference, an issue with most hanging racks that typically have only 5”-6” of space. This makes it easier to load and reduces the risk of damage. One of our mom testers loves how effortlessly she can install or remove the rack from her van in seconds, without help.

Best on a budget

Allen Deluxe Locking Hitch Rack

$230

CAPACITY: 4 bikes (2, 3 or 5 bike options as well); 20″ wheels +FEATURES: Super lightweight, locking hitch, quick installation & removal, tilts for hatch access, anti-wobble hitch system

Pros:

• Affordable, with a good-quality build
• Lightweight (just 26.6 lbs.) – one person can easily install it
• Doesn’t block rear window when unloaded
• No extra tools needed; tightening knob prevents wobble

Cons:

• Bikes are spaced pretty close together, so initially figuring out the best configuration can be a challenge
• Bikes may get scratched or damaged from contact during transport

View on Amazon Our Review

About the Allen Deluxe Locking Hitch

Often priced under $200, the Allen Deluxe Hitch Rack is a fantastic budget option. While it’s not as high-end as other models, its quality and ease of use are impressive for the price.

At just 26.6 lbs., it’s lightweight and can be installed or removed in under three minutes, perfect for spontaneous trips. Though the bikes are spaced closely, once you find the right configuration, loading becomes much quicker.

Its slim design adds just 7.75” of length to your vehicle, and the foldable arms and tilting vertical post provide easy hatch access. Despite its compact size, readers report that the 5-bike version actually fits all 5 bikes!

PLATFORM HITCH BIKE RACKS

On platform bike racks, the bike sits upright on the rack with its wheels resting on wheel trays. The bike is then secured to with dual ratcheting arms over the front and rear tires (ex: Kuat Piston Pro and RockyMounts GuideRail) or a clamp directly onto the frame of the bike (Thule Epos 3).

Older style racks with a “shepards hook” over the front tire (like the Thule T2 Pro or Kuat NV) are not recommended for kids bikes as they struggle to get a secure fit (even with adaptors).

• BEST FOR
  • Expensive Bikes – Minimal frame contact, ideal for carbon frames, carbon wheels, and full-suspension bikes
  • Heavy Bikes – Higher weight capacity, suitable for e-bikes (weight limits vary by rack)
  • Small Kids Bikes – Easier to haul 16″+ kids bikes than other styles of racks (only true with dual arm rack style racks)
• LESS IDEAL FOR
  • Spontaneous Trips – Typically very heavy, difficult to install/remove frequently (except Thule Epos 3)
  • Rear Visibility – Can blocks license plate (problematic in some areas) and rear window when folded

BUDGET option

Benton Shifts&Grins

$599

CAPACITY: 2 or 4 capacityWEIGHT CAPACITY (for ebikes): 55 lb. for each tray FEATURES: Easily folds up while empty on the car, tilts down while loaded, easily holds kids bikes of all sizes even 12”, sits flat against the wall when stored

Pros:

• Great quality and functionality for price
• Easily hauls kids bikes of all sizes, even a 12” with training wheels!
• Every tray can hold up to 55 lb.
• Tool-free swap from 2 to 4 capacity and back
• Shepards hook has a lot of travel to fit range range of sizes

Cons:

• Very heavy (4 capacity is 114 lb.)
• No locking mechanism
• Cheaper quality powder coating

View on eTrailer

About the Benton Shifts&Grins

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly bike rack that can securely hold bikes of all sizes—including kids’ bikes—the Benton Shifts&Grins is worth a serious look. While its build quality may not match premium platform racks that cost twice as much, its performance—especially with smaller bikes—is hard to beat.

Unlike every other platform rack on our list, the Shift&Grins can easily carry 12” bikes (even with training wheels!) without any adapters or awkward setups. And if that’s not enough, the rack also folds up effortlessly with the push of a button. When not in use, the hitch arm tucks neatly into the rack, allowing it to sit flush against a wall for compact storage.

All in all, the Shift&Grins delivers impressive versatility and value for the price. Just be aware: it’s not built to weather the elements long-term. After just a couple of rainy days, we noticed small patches of rust beginning to form—so store it inside when you can.

easiest to install, folds up

Thule Epos 3

$1,299

CAPACITY: 2 or 3 capacityWEIGHT CAPACITY (for ebikes): 75 lb. for each tray (160 lb. max capacity)FEATURES: Holds three bikes by the frame and wheels; easily holds 16″ to 29″ bikes ; tilts for rear access (even when loaded); super easy to put on and take off the car; stores compactly; wheels for easy transporting

Pros:

• Works great with front and rear fenders, and rear racks
• All rack touch points with frame are rubberized
• Holds wheels sizes 16″ to 29″ with up to a 53″ wheelbase
• Great for e-bikes (up to 75 lb.)
• Locks includes for every tray as well as for the hitch
• Ridiculously easy to mount and take off hitch
• Compact, foldable design with wheels for easy storage
• Extended wheel straps available to make it compatible with fat tire bikes up to 5″ wide
• Optional bike repair stand attachment for easy repairs on the go

Cons:

• Has more plastic parts than most racks
• May not be suitable for some bike with carbon frames
• Does not fold up against the car, but easily comes off, so there no need to keep it on the car when not in use

View on Amazon

About the Thule Epos 3

The Thule Epos 3 is a standout hitch rack for anyone who needs easy storage, quick installation, or simply doesn’t want a rack living on their vehicle full time. Weighing just 51.4 pounds, it is one of the lightest 3-bike platform racks available, which makes it easy to lift onto your hitch. The support arms fold up while the rack is still on the car, which makes it easier to remove from the vehicle, and once off, the built-in transport wheels let you roll it effortlessly between your car and garage.

What truly sets the Epos apart is its versatility. It works seamlessly with everything from full-size mountain bikes to small kids’ bikes, including 16-inch models. This is rare among platform racks, as many struggle even with 20-inch wheels. The rack also tilts, even when fully loaded, giving you easy access to the rear of your vehicle. With a per-tray capacity of 75 pounds and a total capacity of 160 pounds, it is also fully e-bike ready.

The rack secures bikes using a rubberized support arm and strap that wrap around the frame or the front tire, paired with wheel straps that keep the tires in place. Despite its simple design, the Epos provided an impressively stable hold in testing, even with heavier mountain bikes.

If you have a carbon frame, bikes can be secured by the rear tire (in the similar fashion to the Thule T2 Pro), versus on the frame. We used it with ours without any concerns, although Thule recommends checking with your bike manufacturer to be sure. Overall, the Epos 3 is a cleverly designed, easy-to-use rack that works beautifully for families and riders with limited space.

best bang for your buck

RockyMounts GuideRail

$849 – $1,129

CAPACITY: 3 bikes max, (2-bike base + single tray add-on)WEIGHT CAPACITY (for ebikes): 60lb. first two trays, 45 lb. third tray (within racks 120 lb. max capacity)FEATURES: Very easy to load and unload (no wheel straps to fiddle with), bike spacing is easy to adjust in the event of bike contact, comes with robust chain lock, frame-free contact, full metal construction for excellent durability. Version with swing-out arm also offered

Pros:

• Very easy to use – fast and simple to load and unload
• Bikes can be adjusted on the rack without removing them in order to prevent interference
• Can hold 12″ to 16″ bikes in a pinch (we used Voile straps around each tire for extra security)
• Full metal construction for years of durability
• Includes 10mm square chain lock for added security
• Folds up or tilts down for trunk access
• Great clearance for low hitch vehicles

Cons:

• Max capacity of 3 bikes
• Tools needed to adjust arms for smaller wheel sizes (unlike the Kuat Piston Pro)
• Not compatible with tires wider than 3.0” or with fenders

View on Amazon View on Backcountry

About the RockyMounts GuideRail

The RockyMounts GuideRail is easy to use, offering the same functionality as the pricier Kuat Piston Pro at a lower cost. From loading and unloading to adjusting bikes to prevent contact, it’s a breeze. It handles a wide range of bike sizes, from long wheelbases to 16” kids’ bikes—and even some 14” bikes with extra straps around the wheels for security.

One standout feature is the GuideRail’s all-metal, plastic-free construction, ensuring durability and no risk of melting parts. Each bike tray is tiered to offset handlebars, and the longer trays allow for side-to-side adjustments without removing the bikes. For vehicles with low hitches, the rack’s tiered design also prevents bottoming out.

best overall

Kuat Piston Pro

$1,098

CAPACITY: 2, 3 or 4 bikesWEIGHT CAPACITY (for ebikes): 67 lb. per tray (42 lb. per tray if on RV)FEATURES: Ridiculously fast and easy to load, pneumatic arms pop open with a single button, quickly adjusts to fit a wide range of wheel sizes, semi-integrated 12mm cable lock included

Pros:

• Super smooth, quiet and very easy to use
• Can hold up to 4 bikes
• Spacing between bikes (side to side) can be adjusted without removing the bikes
• Easily hauls 16″ bikes (with help from extra straps for security)
• Extremely durable metal construction

Cons:

• Pricey!
• Heavy – making it difficult to put on and take off car

View on Kuat View on Amazon

About the Kuat Piston

Having used a wide range of bike racks over the past 10 years, I can confidently say the Kuat Piston Pro is my absolute favorite. It eliminates the usual fiddly hassle of bike racks, making loading and unloading bikes of all sizes quick and effortless.

Whether I’m transporting a 16″ kids’ bike or an XXL 29″ full-suspension mountain bike, each tray easily adjusts to fit—no tools or adapters required. For someone who regularly hauls a variety of bikes, this feature alone is a game-changer (as shown in video below).

The smooth, responsive pneumatic piston arms are the icing on the cake. They keep the rack quiet (no loud ratcheting sounds) and make loading and unloading incredibly fast.

For added security when hauling 16” bikes on the Kuat Piston Pro, I recommend using a wheel strap (we used 15” voile straps) through each wheel, in addition to lowering and tightening the rack arms. While the arms do a great job securing the bike, the shorter wheelbase of a 16” bike means it may not be held as tightly as larger bikes. Using wheel straps provides extra stability. You can see these straps in action in the image above as well.

VERTICAL HITCH BIKE RACKS

Vertical hitch bike racks position bikes perpendicular to the ground with the front tire pointed up and the rear tire pointed down. Bikes on vertical racks can either hang via their front tire, the handlebars, or the headset of the bike and make no contact with the frame of the bike.

Capacities range from 3 to 7, and between all the brands available, vertical hitch racks can accommodate all types and sizes of bikes. For a detailed comparison, check out our article on the “9 Best Vertical Racks for Cars with a Hitch“.

• BEST FOR
  • Hauling Lots of Bikes: Easily carries up to 7 bikes.
  • Rear Visibility: Offers excellent visibility out the rear window when not in use and blocks rear blinkers less than platform racks, even when loaded.
  • Mountain and Hybrid Bikes: Works best with flat-bar bikes; bikes with dropper or swept-back bars can be problematic.
• LESS IDEAL FOR
  • Spontaneous Trips – Heavy and difficult to install and remove
  • Smaller Bikes (16″): Can accommodate, but requires extra padding (like a pool noodle) around the front wheel for a secure fit.
  • “Tetris” Setup: Can require trial and error to fit bikes without them touching, especially with different bike styles. Racks with more space between baskets (like the VelociRAX 412 or 5X) help to solve this issue.

best value

VelociRAX MAX

$899 – $1,119

CAPACITY: 3 to 7 bikesWHEEL SIZES: 20″ to 29″, fat bike tray upgrade available. (16″ wheel sizes in a pinch with a pool noodle and a bungee cord)WEIGHT CAPACITY: 100 lbs. per bike, 300 lbs. totalFEATURES: Tilt-down damper-assisted hinge for lowering bikes, models can hold up to 7 bikes, converts to a wall-mounted garage bike rack (necessary accessory parts included), optional light bar for added visibility

Pros:

• Available in a wide variety of bike capacities (3 – 7)
• Hydraulic dampening system lowers a loaded rack slowly
• Rear hatch access, even with a fully loaded rack
• Low profile – can see out the rear window when loaded or unloaded
• Can convert to an on-wall garage storage rack

Cons:

• 90 degree angle between hitch arm and vertical post make bottoming out in steep driveways more likely for low-hitch cars (vans, smaller SUVs)

View on VelociRAX Our Review

About to VelociRAX MAX

The VelociRAX MAX is a perfect “Goldilocks” option in vertical bike racks and offers great features for a great price. Recently updated to be much studier and more robust, the MAX racks now offer a crazy 100 lb. weight limit per bakset and a 300 lb. limit per rack. The rack is also has much less “wobbles” while in use and is one of the few racks that can carry up to 7 bikes (the Alta Superior is the other), making it ideal for large families or group rides.

Even for only 3 to 6 bikes, the VelociRAX MAX remains a durable and high-quality choice. In addition to its high weight capacity, its damper-assisted hinge gently lowers a fully loaded rack for easy unloading or access to your vehicle’s rear hatch.

For families with a variety of bike sizes, the 5X model is highly recommended (image above is the 5X). With 15″ between baskets, it’s much easier to load compared to models with just 10″ of spacing.

To haul a 16” or 20” bike, however, make sure you order the Small Wheel baskets (one basket needed per bike – baskets only sold as a set of 2). To load the 16” you will need to add a cut pool noodle around the rim of the small basket for additional padding.

We also found the VelociRAX easier to load than vertical racks like the Yakima HangTight, thanks to its front tire baskets. However, you’ll need to consider your vehicle’s hitch height. Low hitches may cause scraping, while high hitches can make raising the loaded rack more difficult.

If your vehicle has an extreme hitch height, Alta Racks or the Thule ReVert might be a better option, but VelociRAX works well for most vehicles. For more details, check out our full review.

Easiest to use

Thule ReVert

$899 – $1,099

CAPACITY: 4 or 6 bikesWHEEL SIZES: 20″ to 29″(adaptor required for 20″, 24″), fat bike tray upgrade availableWEIGHT CAPACITY (for ebikes): 55 lbs. per bike, 250 lbs. totalFEATURES: Hydraulic lift and lower assist, optional bike repair stand

Pros:

• Lift assist makes it super easy for one person to push up a fully loaded rack, even on high-hitch vehicles.
• With just one or two bikes loaded, the rack automatically lifts after pulling the release lever.
• The rack also assists when lowering, preventing bikes from crashing down.
• Securely locks onto the hitch with no tools needed to install or remove.
• Wide, easy-to-use wheel straps.
• Wheel cradles on the lower bar keep bikes steady during loading.
• Optional repair stand kit allows for quick maintenance at the trailhead.

Cons:

• Hard to see when empty on a parked or moving vehicle at night (we recommend adding reflective tape).
• Significant effort is required to pull down when empty (placing a foot on the rack helps a lot!).
• Only available in 4 and 6 bike capacities.
• After extended use, the rack can develop a squeak at the base (not the hitch receiver) when driving around town with an empty rack.

View on REI View on Amazon Our Review

About the Thule ReVert

The ReVert stands out with a game-changing lift-assist feature—a first for vertical racks.

This lift assist makes raising a fully loaded rack effortless, even on tall SUVs. Our 14-year-old tester easily lifted it loaded with e-bikes, a big improvement over other racks requiring significant effort.

Thule offers great add-ons, including a bike repair stand accessory, integrated locks, and adapters for 20” and 24” bikes, plus a fat bike kit—making the ReVert highly versatile for any adventure.

The Best Hitch Bike Rack for Your Vehicle Type

All of our recommended racks are compatible with a wide range of cars, but cars with high or low-hitch receivers can present additional challenges, especially with raised SUVs and minivans.

Need a hitch receiver? Be sure to opt for a high-capacity 2” receiver. For mid-size SUVs, an OEM receiver is ideal since it often sits higher on the vehicle (mounted in the bumper vs. beneath the car) compared to standard aftermarket options.

Full-size SUV or Trucks (Raised or Not)

Full-size SUVs tend to be taller, and many have lift kits that make them even higher. The taller your vehicle, the more challenging it can be to load and unload bikes on a hitch-mounted rack. Some vehicles may benefit from hitch-lowering receivers to reduce the height of the rack or extenders to allow the rack to fold up without hitting the bumper.

Both platform and vertical racks can be difficult to manage on high-hitch vehicles. While vertical racks tilt down for easier loading, pushing the rack back up into position can be a real challenge, especially with heavier bikes.

We tested both the Alta GPR and VelociRAX on our 2008 Land Cruiser with a 25” hitch height. The Alta vertical rack was our favorite as its variable height feature allowed us to lower the rack’s top bar, which greatly simplified loading and unloading bikes. While the VelociRAX vertical rack lacks adjustable height settings like the Alta, they do offer a hitch-lowering receiver that lowers the entire rack on the hitch.

Platform racks, like the Kuat and RockyMounts, are also more challenging to use on tall vehicles. Loading bikes onto a platform rack requires you to lift the bike straight up and over the end of the rack to reach the tray. With smaller 1 and 2-capacity racks, this isn’t a huge problem, but because platform racks are tiered (to offset handlebars), by the time you reach the 3rd or 4th tray, you have to lift the bike much higher than the hitch receiver height to load it (see image below).

For reference, I’m 5’10”, and while I can manage to load my bike onto the 3-capacity RockyMounts GuideRail, it still requires quite a bit of effort. Although the GuideRail doesn’t offer a 4th tray, if it did, I wouldn’t recommend it on high-hitch vehicles—it would make loading bikes even more difficult.

Several other brands do offer a 4th tray, but we’re actually not fans of any platform racks with 4 trays. 4-capacity platform racks block the rear window of the car when folded up. With the backup camera already obscured by the rack, losing visibility through the rear window for months on end is frustrating. That’s why we recommend vertical racks for hauling more than 3 bikes, as they don’t block the rear window.

Mid-Size SUV

For mid-size SUVs, we also recommend 3-capacity platform racks. With a lower hitch height, loading bikes requires less lifting compared to full-size SUVs. While the RockyMounts GuideRail is more tiered than the Kuat (as shown below), the mid-size SUV’s 16” hitch height requires less lifting as compared to the 25” height of a full-size SUV.

Like full-size SUVs, 4-capacity platform racks also block the rear window when folded up, so if you need to haul more than 3 bikes, we prefer vertical racks. Between the Alta and VelociRAX, we prefer the Alta due to its smoother ride when paired with Alta’s Retractable Straps (shown below), which reduces feedback from the rack. The VelociRAX tends to have more noticeable feedback, especially on unibody vehicles compared to body-on-frame vehicles, though many VelociRAX owners report no issues (we experienced strong feedback on both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot).

Minivan

Low clearance is a common issue for minivans since the hitch receiver is mounted beneath the vehicle. For 3 bikes, platform racks are a great option. If you need to transport 4 or more bikes, we prefer the Alta as it offers better ground clearance than the VelociRAX. Additionally, Alta’s retractable straps reduce rack feedback while driving.

If the Alta is too pricey, don’t hesitate to get the VelociRAX as we know many people who use them on their minivans without complaint.

Rear Access (All Cars)

From loading up helmets to pulling out the snacks, all racks on this list provide rear access to your vehicle by either tilting back away from the car (both vertical and platform racks to this) or swinging-out away from the car (both Alta and VelociRAX offer a swing-out option).

Related Bike Rack Articles

The Best Vertical Bike Racks

The Best Trunk Racks for Cars