Best 4 Bike Hitch Racks for 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

If you have bikes that need transportation, you should consider investing in a hitch rack. 

In order to carry your friends’ and family’s bikes anywhere on the road, hitch racks are the ideal items. 

If you’re also looking for the best one, continue reading our top picks and how you can also choose the correct one. 

Comparison of the Best 4 Bike Hitch Racks

Can You Really Find a Quality 4 Bike Hitch Rack That’s Affordable?

You can find a hitch rack for your bike without breaking the bank, but it all depends on the features that you’re willing to let go of by paying a little less. For a budget of $150 or below, it is a bit difficult to get a hitch rack that has a lot of value and features. In this range, you can expect to get a model with the capacity of carrying four to five bikes.

As your budget increases, so does the quality of the hitch rack. A model in the range of $150-$300 comes with many features and excellent durability to last a long time. A folding frame facility is also available in such racks. Expensive models that cost above $300 have innovative and high-quality features, such as wheel clamps, extra straps, and folding frames for added convenience. 

Characteristics of Our Favorite 4 Bike Hitch Racks

After thorough research, we have narrowed down the three best features that you should consider before purchasing a four-bike hitch rack. These will help your bike stay in place and secure no matter where you transport them. Here are some of the most important ones that you should look for:

Clamps

An ideal bike hitch rack comes with a clamp that prevents the bike from slipping or sliding when being transported. The clamp secures the bike and keeps it from tipping over when there’s a curb or acceleration in the car. Anti-sway clamps are the most common ones found on bike hitches.

Straps

Sometimes, a cradle or clamp might not be enough to secure the bike, especially if it’s a heavy-duty one. For this reason, you must invest in a bike hitch rack that comes with straps so that you can secure the wheel to the rack or cradle and provide extra support to the bike.

Cradle

To ensure the bike is kept on the rack, investing in a hitch that comes with a cradle is necessary. In most hitch racks, the cradle is found at the back where the front wheels stay at the bottom and provide security to the bike, so it’s tight. 

Review of the Best 4 Bike Hitch Racks

Let’s now review some of the best four-bike hitch racks that you can find in the market today:

What Do I Need to Know Before Buying a 4 Bike Hitch Rack? 

Before you invest in a four-bike hitch rack, there are some things that you should know. Below are a few tips that can help you make a better decision and help you get the best-quality hitch rack for your biking needs.

Compatibility

You must always check whether the bike you are going to attach to the rack is compatible with it or not. If you end up buying a rack without checking its compatibility, chances are it wouldn’t fit, and your purchase will become a waste.

Securing Pin

Ensure that you have a securing pin for the hitch receiver. The pin will help keep the rack in place and avoid it from sliding as you drive. This will also ensure that the bikes stay in place and do not get damaged during transport.

Straps and Tie-Downs

If you have a very expensive or heavy bike that needs more precautions or safety measures, find a hitch rack with additional straps and tie-downs for the bikes to be more secure and tight during travel. Straps are also handy for longer trips where the rack may become loose. 

What Type of 4 Bike Hitch Rack Do I Need?

In order to understand which bike hitch rack is best suited for your needs, you need to know the different types you can find on the market. There are three types of bike hitch racks: platform, roof-mounted, and hanging racks. Let’s look at them in greater detail. 

Hanging Racks

Hanging racks are used to support the bikes from the top lube and then let them loose from the bottom. This ensures that the bike's tires or wheels are safe from any damage or obstruction, and they are not damaged during transport.

Platform Racks

These bike racks support the bike from the wheels. Some of the models may attach to the wheel or the frame of the bike, while most of them hold the bike with tires, straps, or clamps. 

Roof-Mounted Racks

Roof-mounted carriers attach the bikes to the existing crossbars on SUVs or wagons. This type is more money-saving for vehicles that already have crossbars fitted on their roofs, as you just have to mount the bike on top of it with the help of mounting feet and clips.

Comparison Overview 

Let’s take a look at how different brands and types of bike hitch racks compare with each other:

Thule vs Yakima Bike Rack

Both these brands lead the hitch rack industry, and they both have very loyal customers. They also offer similar features and capabilities in their products, and that makes it harder to pick which brand to buy. It all comes down to the budget, the exact features, and the type of hitch rack you need.

Thule has a better reputation as its products are highly durable and last for a long time. Their sturdiness and high-quality materials make them one of the most sought after and reliable bike hitch racks. Yakima bike racks are also great in quality, available at a lesser price, and are equally as popular.

Thule Apex vs Vertex

Thule’s Apex model is a new premium and high-quality hitch rack with security, comfort, and innovative design, making it one of the most impressive models on the market. The bike locks to the carrier and comes with an integrated auto pin to protect the bike during transport and transit.

The Vertex model is an ideal rack for regular bike riders who require stability and security of the hitch receiver. The improved hitch switch helps unload the carrier and provide maximum bike security. The arched mast and the bike arm design allows for easier bike loading and off-loading.

Roof Rack vs Hitch Rack

A roof rack is more versatile and can be used to stack different kinds of bikes with ease and comfort. However, it isn’t as accessible as a hitch rack, as it only requires you to go to the mount and retrieve the bikes. 

Roof racks require you to mount all the bikes over your head, and considering the weight and number of bikes you load, it can be dangerous. To safely mount and off-load the bikes, a hitch rack is a better option as it is safer and much more easily accessible, making it convenient. 

How to Load a 4 Bike Hitch Rack

If you need a complete guideline on how to load a four-bike hitch rack, you should look at this section. Here, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to load one with ease.

1. If your bike has a full suspension setup on it, chances are the rear suspension will be in the way of installing it on a bicycle rack. 

2. You’re going to need a bike adapter bar, which is a span that goes between the handlebars and the seat. This gives you a place for your bicycle to attach and hold on to.

3. It’s a good idea to start with the heaviest bike closest to the car and then work your way out back. 

4. Next, attach the bike to the cradles, and make sure you set the front wheel more to the outside than the back.

5. Make sure you maintain some distance between the two bikes to eliminate interference and avoid the pedals touching each other. Do this with all four bikes, and adjust the straps accordingly.

6. The last thing you need is a safety strap. Loop it around all the bicycles and make sure they’re secure and tight.

You can also watch the video given below to get a better visual depiction of the installation process:

Conclusion 

Hopefully, this article helped decide which bike rack to buy for your next trip. Getting a rack can be difficult, especially if you don’t know which features to look for. With this guide, you can be sure to pick the right model for your road trips.

People Also Ask

For more information and answers to your queries, you can take a look at this portion. It will give you a clearer idea about hitch racks in general and how to take care of them when you need to go somewhere. 

Why Can't You Use a 4 Bike Rack on a Class 1 Trailer Hitch?

While the gross weight on the Class I hitch is about 2000 pounds, the tongue weight is only 200 pounds. The difference between these two weights is that the former refers to the heaviness of the trailer towing, while the latter is the vertical weight you can put on the hitch. This is why you cannot carry more than two bikes on a Class I trailer hitch. 

How to Put a Female Bike on Rack

These are the steps you should follow in order to put a female bike on the rack:

1. Open up the rack and attach it carefully to your vehicle.

2. Make sure you protect the delicate parts of the bike, such as the pedals and the wheels.

3. Use the safety straps for added protection.

4. Ensure that the rack is in an arc shape.

5. Attach the clips onto the bike and tighten the straps.

6. Make sure that the rack is sturdy and doesn’t move. 

How Do I Keep My Bikes From Getting Stolen Off My Rack?

Make sure that you lock your bike to the car when you’re not using it. Personalize your bike and invest in good-quality locks so that no one picks at them. There are several kinds of anti-theft locks and devices that you can find on the market, so make sure you get a good quality one for your bike.

Can I Go Through a Carwash With a Mounted Hitch Rack?

No, you cannot go to the carwash and get your vehicle washed while having a mounted hitch rack. This is because the parts or steps in the car wash can cause permanent damage to the delicate parts of the rack. You should use a mild detergent without any solvents to ensure the safety and durability of the rack. 

How Do I Maintain My Bike Rack?

Use soap and water to clean your bike rack regularly, even though a water-soluble solution can also work well. Make sure you keep the moving parts moving as they should not be damaged during the cleaning. This includes locking mechanisms and lock cables.

How Do I Load Different Sized Bikes Onto My Hitch Rack?

With the help of adjustable frames and hitch tubes, you can fit in any kind of bike on the hitch rack. You must use a bike adapter bar, cradles, and straps to ensure the safety of the bikes. Keeping some distance when latching the bikes on the hitch rack is also necessary to reduce friction in different-sized bikes.

How Much is a Bike Rack?

Bike racks can cost anywhere between below $150 and $300 and above. This mainly depends on the quality and design of the models and the features that they offer. The more features the model offers and the sturdy the rack is, the higher the price tag will be.