When finding a bike rack for a truck there are a whole lot of things to consider from mounting options to the cost.
With all of those things in mind I decided to write a buying guide with all the things you have to consider when buying a bike rack and best bike racks for your truck with all the pros and cons.
Best bike racks for a truck lined up as follows.
- Thule T2 pro XT2 Bike rack
- Kuat Racks Sherpa 2.0-2 Bike Rack
- Swagman XC2 Bike Rack
- Rocky mounts backstage 2 Bike Rack
- Yakima Ridgeback Bike Rack
- Yakima fullSwing 4 Bike Rack
- Recon Rack Gen2 R6 Bike Rack
- Thule 501 insta gater truck bed racks
- Heininger Automotive 2025
- Swagman Pickp Truck Bike Rack
Apart from the above racks, in this guide you’ll read best tailgate pad options and few more fork mount options!!
So read further.
First of all we should look at what are the mounting options available on the market.
At the end of this guide you can decide what mounting option is best suitable for you.
Contents
Bike rack mounting options you have
- Tray style hitch mounted racks
- Upright style hitch mount
- Truck bed tire racks
- Truck bed fork mount racks
- Tailgate pads
Tray style hitch mounted bike racks
Top pick
Thule T2 pro XT2 Bike rack
- Number of bikes: 2 , 4 with add on
- Max Weight Per Bike : 60 lbs.
- Weight: 52 lbs.
- What we like:
Well built and Durable
Easy tilt release function
Wheel trays fit anything between road bike tyres to fat bike tires
Two extra bikes can add on
Bike locks included
- What we don’t like:
High price tag
Thule is a leading manufacturer in vehicle Bike racks. Thule T2 pro XT2 is one of their best hitch mounted bike racks in the market.
It’s the best because it’s user friendly and durable.
An easy to reach tilt release handle at the end of the rack and a tool-free vehicle mounting system included to this hassle free rack that can handle nearly any size and type of bike in the market.
Second Runner up
Kuat Racks Sherpa 2.0- 2 Bike Rack
- Number of bikes: 2 bikes
- Max Weight Per Bike : 40 lbs.
Weight: 35 lbs. - What we like:
Lightweight
Foot pedal tilt mechanism
Tool free assembly
Easy loading and unloading with low profile design
- What we don’t like:
High price tag
Kuat sherpa can’t neglect when talking about hitch mount bike racks. This Kuat sherpa 2.0 is a lightweight bike rack which can easily install and take off from a truck.
This can hold wheel bases upto 47 inch and tires as large as 3 inches.
It’s folding front cradle adds space between your vehicle and rack to avoid scratching your rear door.
There’s a special hitch cam system which can install easily without tools.
There are locks with keys to protect your hitch and bikes from thieves. Integrated cable with a lock prevents your bikes loaded on the rack.
Even when the bikes are loaded you can easily tilt the rack away to open the rear door.
Budget pick
Swagman XC2 Bike Rack
- Number of bikes: 2 bikes
- Weight: 32 lbs.
- Max Weight Per Bike : 35 lbs. per bike
- What we like:
Lightweight and sturdy
Inexpensive compared to similar style racks
Powder coat finish
- What we don’t like:
High wobbling in high speeds may be experienced with some hitches.
Assembling instructions are not satisfying
This is a hitch mounted platform style bike rack. Can secure a bike from two wheels and frame. There are adjustable upright arms for different sizes of bike frames.
When you need to enter the rear of the vehicle, the rack’s center arm can fold down easily without removing the rack.
If you need more security you can buy the locking hitch pin security cable separately.
If you need to mount bikes with fat tires you can buy trays suitable for them separately and mount them.
Swing feature
Rocky mounts backstage 2 Bike Rack
- Number of bikes: 2 bikes
- Rack weight : 59 lbs.
- Max weight per bike : 60 lbs.
- What we like:
180° swing away ability
No frame contacts for securing. Less ability to damage the frame
Locking hitch pin and cable lock for more security
- What we don’t like:
Can’t extend for more bikes. 2 bikes only.
It’s better if the security cable were longer.
This is a platform style hitch mounted rack.I thought to add this rack in this list because of its unique swing away feature.
Even with bikes loaded, the rack can swing away and access to the back of the vehicle easily.
Fit bikes up to 48″ wheel base. Capable of fitting fat bikes due to 13″ spacing.
The bikes fit somewhat higher from the hitch. If you have low garage doors be aware about the fitting height of the bikes.
Upright style hitch mount
Top pick
Yakima Ridgeback Bike Rack
- Number of bikes: 2 bikes (4 and 5 bike carriers also available)
- Weight: 32 lbs.
- Max weight per bike : 40 lbs.
- What we like:
Can carry up to 5 bikes with large size carrier
Tilting capability to access back area
Easy too free installation
Folds flat for easy storage
Durable and stable design
- What we don’t like:
This bike rack is not much suitable for 4 or 5 bikes. Better to use for 2 bikes
Price tag is high when comparing with build quality
Tie straps not compatible with some large bikes.
This is an upright style hitch mount bike rack. According to a lot of user reviews and opinions this bike rack is good but not works fine as advertised.
For carrying two bikes this is fine.
But when carrying 4 bikes or 5 bikes, this is not the best option. The rack tends to bend with the time.
So be careful about that. Some bikes may not fit with this carrier.
Apart from those things Yakima is a company manufacturing quality products for years.
This rack gives a sturdy and better carrying ability for two bikes.
Also great
Yakima fullSwing 4 Bike Rack
- Number of bikes: 4 bikes
- Weight: 56 lbs.
- Max weight per bike : 40 lbs.
- What we like:
Quick easy installation
Swing away design
Fits all types if bikes upto 4bikes
Secure locking to keep rack and bikes protected from thefts
- What we don’t like:
Integrated lock is bit short
Women’s and children’s bikes need an adapter to use this rack.
This is a hitch mounted upright style bike rack.
Specialty is this also has the swing out feature to access the rear area of your vehicle easily.
It’s hard to find an overall best upright style bike rack. All of them have their own pros and cons.
But when it comes to yakima full swing 4 this has better user opinions than other up right style racks.
Easy installation and quick remove capability with speed knob.
Upgraded ratchet style bindings secure the bikes to the rack well.
Quick and easy locking integrated bike lock gives ability to secure the bikes from theft.
When it comes to downsides fitting 4 bikes is a pain to this rack.
Due to lack of support bikes can rub and scratch easily when all the 4 racks are used. Bikes with sloping tops need extra adaptors to fit.
For 6 bikes
Recon Rack Gen2 R6 Bike Rack
- Number of bikes: 6 Bikes (4,5,6 bike options)
- Weight: 85 lbs.
- What we like:
Capable of carrying 6 bikes at once
All steel materials, no plastics
Three hight positions to adjust for bike ground clearance
Tilting ability of rack to access rear of vehicle
- What we don’t like:
There are no security locks or cables to protect the rack and bikes.
No locking hitch pins.
Truck bed tire racks
Top pick
Thule 501 insta gater truck bed racks
- Number of bikes: 1 bike
- Weight: 9.9 lbs.
- What we like:
No way to damage the frame, because no contact with the frame
Integrated locking
Easy loading and unloading
- What we don’t like:
Only one cycle can be secured with one rack.
This is an inexpensive truck bed mount bike rack. Very easy to mount and use.
No drilling or modifications required. You don’t have to remove the front wheel to secure your bike on this.
Gives an easy sturdy carrying solution.
If your truck bed is short, you can secure your bike with a rear wheel and turn your bike handle to one side.
Only downside is you can just carry one bike per rack.
But you can add 2 or 3 racks in a truck bed according to your bed size and carry a few bikes.
Best overall
Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage SportsRack BedRack
- Number of bikes: 4 bikes
- Weight: 0.5 lbs.
- What we like:
Tool free assembling
Won’t scratch truck paint or bike paint
Can use as a bike standing frame away from the truck
- What we don’t like:
Doesn’t fit well to trucks with bedliners.
For larger truck beds, this may not be the perfect bike rack.
This is a truck bed bike rack that can haul 4 bikes at a time.
Low weight and easy to set up on the truck bed.
When not in use this can be used as a stand alone rack outside the truck.
Before buying you should check with your truck bed size.
Truck beds with bed liners may not work well with this kind of rack. some users found wobbling of bikes when driving.
Truck bed fork mount racks
Top pick
Swagman Pickp Truck Bike Rack
- Number of bikes: 1 bike (can extent for 2)
- Weight: 13.5 lbs.
- Maximum weight per bike : 35 lbs.
- What we like:
Easy to assemble without drilling.
Bikes can easily secure on fork mounts
Gives sturdy mounting.
- What we don’t like:
Have to remove the front wheel
This is a truck bed fork mount rack made with stainless steel. Can attach 2 fork mounting blocks per bar.
Those blocks can be repositioned on the main bar to get enough space between the bikes.
These blocks have 9mm quick release skewers to anchor and secure bikes.
Also great
1. Hollywood rack T970
2. Sunlite Bike Block Fork Mount
These fork mounts can attach to solid surfaces like truck beds or home made custom racks. Less expensive and less space consuming. Down side is we have to remove the front wheel to carry a bike.
Tailgate pads
Top pick
Yakima Gatekeeper
- Number of bikes: 5(small) , 6(large)
- Weight: 5 lbs.
- What we like:
Easy to set up and carry up to 5 bikes
Cushion cradles don’t damage bike paint
Soft back protects truck paint
Tuck away cover to open the rear view camera when tailgate pad put on
- What we don’t like:
Tailgate pads don’t have a locking system to protect bikes from thefts
Budget
Dakine Pickup Pad DLX
- Number of bikes: 5 small , 7 large
- Weight: 0.22 lbs.
- What we like:
Easy to install
Tailgate protected with pads
Anchor straps for individual bikes
Large flap opening for tailgate handle and back camera
- What we don’t like:
Some users have problems with strapping when setting up the tailgate pad.
Below are another two great tailgate pads you may want to check out if the above two may not work for you.
Both of them have maximum 6 bike capacities. Materials and look differs a bit.
Race Face T2 Tailgate Pad
Evoc Tailgate Pad –
ease of attachment and removal best
Now you have got a better understanding of bike rack options for your truck and best bike racks you can according to different budget options.
Here I add only the best bike racks with top user reviews after doing a whole lot of research work for weeks.
I hope you find this guide helpful. If you think this guide may be helpful for your friend or someone share this with them. You just have to hit a share button below.
Peace!!
Featured image credit: kuatracks.com
