Jeep owners know that their vehicles come with a lot of useful accessories. But if you need more than just basic items like a jack, then it’s time to look at other options. One great option is a trailer hitch-mounted bike rack. And since there are so many different types on the market, knowing what to buy can be difficult.
Luckily, we have a list of the best bike racks available today, including some made specifically for Jeeps. Let’s get started.
Best Bike Racks For Jeep
The first thing you should consider when shopping for a new bike rack is how much cargo space you actually need. If you only tow one mountain bike (or maybe two), then you may not even need a tow hitch bike rack.
In fact, you can probably find something better for your vehicle without spending a lot of money. However, if you have multiple bikes, want to transport something larger than a skateboard, or plan to use your bike rack while commuting, then this article is for you.
Of course, you’ll also need to make sure that what you choose fits your specific vehicle. Fortunately, most bike racks are attached via a ball mount, which means that they can easily be swapped out for ones that work better with your car.
After all, you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a bike rack only to realize later that it doesn’t fit your vehicle. So before you make any purchases, take note of the size of your vehicle and make sure the product you’re interested in works well.
Now that you know what to look for, let’s move on to some of the best bike racks currently available. As mentioned above, these products were chosen because they offer excellent performance, value, and durability.
However, if you prefer to shop by price, you can check Amazon’s best sellers page to see if there’s a particular model you’re interested in.
1. Allen Sports Deluxe
While Allen has long been known as a high-quality manufacturer of tow hitches, their bike racks aren’t so bad either. The company offers several models, but the Allen Sports Deluxe is generally regarded as one of the best bike racks for Jeeps.
It features a simple design with durable materials, perfect for both city driving and rougher trails. This unit comes complete with mounting hardware, making installation fairly easy for anyone. And thanks to its heavy-duty construction, this bike rack can hold up to 70 pounds.
It includes additional safety features, such as LED lights, a breakaway cable system, and a locking lever that prevents accidental unhooking. You can attach up to four bikes per side using the included crossbar kit. Plus, this device folds flat for easy storage after every ride.
Overall, the Allen Sports Deluxe does everything right, offering a decent weight capacity, plenty of room for large and small bikes, and incredible strength. For less money, you can buy the Allen Sport SLX, which is similar to the Deluxe version but doesn’t include the extra cables.
2. Hollywood Racks SR1 Mount Rack
If you’re looking for something a little more expensive but with even higher specs, the Hollywood Racks SR1 Mount Rack is definitely worth considering. Like the previous units, this one is made specifically for Jeeps.
It attaches to the rear bumper using a sturdy aluminum base plate. It then hooks over the rear window and is secured with straps. Once installed, this bike rack holds three bikes on one side and two on the other. Its wide platform provides ample room for cyclists to exit, and it folds flat for convenient transport.
This unit comes with a variety of accessories. There’s a single-bike attachment that fits almost any bike, plus a two-bike attachment for those with two bikes. Or if you have a motorcycle or snowmobile, there’s even a triple bike attachment.
Plus, there’s also a ski/rack adapter, which allows you to use this bike rack to store your skis. It even comes with an optional front bar, which allows users to hang bags from the handles.
Lastly, the Hollywood Racks SR1 Mount Rack comes with a lifetime warranty, so you can feel confident that you are getting a reliable item. For Jeep lovers, this bike rack has a lot of advantages.
Not only is it comfortable and safe to ride, but it’s also very affordable. But most importantly, it’s incredibly functional. While it may seem bulky, you’ll quickly discover that it provides years and years of trouble-free service.
3. Thule 963PRO Spare Me 2 Bike Carrier
For those who really want to go overboard, the Thule 963PRO Spare Me 2 bike rack gives you everything you need to comfortably transport two bikes along with two passengers.
Made mostly of metal, this unit features a sleek design that looks good enough to put on your lawnmower. It uses a simple sliding mechanism to lock into place and is compatible with trucks, minivans, and SUVs of various sizes. When you’re ready to go, simply release the latch and remove the unit from your vehicle.
As for functionality, this bike rack holds eight bikes, but only supports four on each side. Also, it doesn’t fold down. Instead, you have to take the whole thing out and set it aside when you’re done riding.
4. Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks
While the Allen brand isn’t as popular as others, there’s no doubt that Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks are an exceptional deal. Although they cost a bit more than competitors, they still provide tons of utility for a lot less money. These units feature a strong steel frame and solid plastic components.
They fold up nicely for storage, are built tough enough to handle large loads, and even come with racks for smaller cars. Since they’re designed to carry four bikes, you can leave them parked near your house and forget about transporting them.
And unlike the Allen Sports Deluxe, the Allen Sports 4-bike hitch bike racks include extra cables. This allows you to hook up to six bikes at a time instead of four. Finally, the brackets used to secure the hitch receiver to your truck are adjustable, which means they can accommodate almost any type of vehicle. With a little modification, you can even install these on SUVs.
All in all, these things are extremely versatile and durable. If you’re in the market for a bike rack designed primarily for Jeeps, then I recommend checking out the Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks.
5. Thule 962PRO Spare Me 1 Bike Carrier
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the Thule 963PRO Spare Me 2 bike rack, the Thule 962PRO Spare Me 1 bike rack may be exactly what you’re looking for. Priced at about three figures fewer dollars, this unit still provides the same amount of stability and convenience as its more expensive counterpart.
It also performs similarly in terms of weight capacity, supporting up to six bikes. But perhaps the biggest difference between the two is the number of extras that come with the cheaper unit.
Instead of having to assemble everything yourself, the Thule 962PRO Spare Me 1 bike rack ships disassembled and ready to use. This makes it much easier to get if you live in an apartment building, have a short driveway, or live in an area where it takes time to unload your vehicle. Other advantages are the extra cords and the bag strap. Overall, this product is great for those who don’t have a garage to store large pieces of equipment.
Load Capacity and Compatibility:
All of these bike racks work great with most passenger cars and minivans, although you may need to make sure your Jeep has a suitable hitch receiver first. You should have no trouble finding compatible receivers for modern Jeeps, but older models may require a modification first. Just check the owner’s manual, along with the instructions provided with your particular unit. When buying a new bike rack, be sure to get one that suits your purpose.
Here are some general guidelines to follow when selecting a bike rack.
For Jeeps with 4 doors: Choose a model that offers enough clearance between the edge of the door opening and the front wheel sprocket. Ideally, it should extend beyond this distance to ensure clearance is maintained in various driving situations.
For Jeeps with 2+2 seating: Choose something that doesn’t block the headrests. Also, try to avoid anything that extends beyond the width of the seat rails. If you’re concerned about obstacles blocking visibility, opt for something narrower.
Conclusion
In case none of the above bike racks fit your needs, here’s one last recommendation. The best Jeep bike racks were written and curated by professional cyclists. Their mission is to help readers find the best products available, based on extensive research and expert opinions. We hope you enjoy it.
