Platform Hitch Bike Carrier Options for Your Vehicle

If you're in the market for a platform hitch bike carrier, you'll want to consider the various options available for your vehicle. These carriers can be attached to the rear of a car, SUV, or truck, providing a convenient and secure way to transport bicycles.

Platform hitch bike carriers are available in different types, including swing-away and tilt-back models. Swing-away carriers are great for easy access to the rear of your vehicle, while tilt-back carriers are ideal for those who want to be able to open their trunk while the carrier is in place.

The weight capacity of a platform hitch bike carrier is an important consideration, as it will determine how many bikes you can safely transport. Typically, these carriers can support between 2 and 5 bikes, depending on the model and weight of the bikes.

Some platform hitch bike carriers also come with additional features, such as built-in locks and storage compartments.

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If you're in the market for a platform hitch bike carrier, there are some top-notch options to consider. The Küat Piston Pro X Hitch Rack takes the cake as the best overall choice.

For those on a budget, the Hollywood Racks HR200Z Trail Rider Hitch Rack is a great value. It's a solid option that won't break the bank.

The Thule T2 Pro XTR 2 Hitch Rack is a notable update to the classic Thule design. It's a great choice for those who want the latest and greatest.

If ease of use is a top priority, the 1Up USA Equip’d Double Hitch Rack is the way to go. It's incredibly easy to operate, making it perfect for those who want to get on the road quickly.

For those who need a sturdy double platform, the Yakima StageTwo Hitch Rack is the way to go.

Here are our top picks for platform hitch bike carriers:

Allen Hitch Bike Carriers are a popular choice for platform hitch bike carriers. They offer a sturdy and reliable way to transport bikes, with a maximum weight capacity of 5 bikes.

Allen Hitch Bike Carriers are designed to fit a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. Their universal hitch mount makes it easy to install the carrier on most vehicles.

Allen Hitch Bike Carriers are known for their ease of use, with a simple and intuitive design that makes it easy to load and unload bikes.

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Tailgate and trunk access can be a challenge with bike racks, but many top picks offer tilt-down designs that allow you to open the back of your vehicle even with bikes loaded.

Some bike racks are designed to pivot 90 degrees, completely clearing the rear of your car or truck, giving you full access to the trunk or tailgate.

A simple hitch extender can provide extra clearance, as Senior Reviews Editor Bobby Lea discovered when fitting the Thule T2 Pro XT to his F-150.

Using an anti-rattle clamp with your rack can add stability and peace of mind, giving you more confidence when driving with your bikes loaded.

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The Allen AR100 Tray is a budget-friendly option that's perfect for those on a tight budget. It's available in 1-, 2-, and 3-bike configurations, making it a versatile choice for cyclists.

This rack has some features similar to those found on Thule and Küat hitch racks, such as the arm that clamps over the front wheel and the cradle for the front wheel. It's also tool-free and easy to secure.

The Allen AR100 Tray is not a good choice for transporting e-bikes, so keep that in mind if you have an electric bike. It's also worth noting that the minimum wheel size is 26 inches, which is the largest minimum of any rack on the list.

Here are some key specs for the Allen AR100 Tray:

The tray folds up when not in use and tilts back for easy tailgate access when holding a bike, making it a convenient option for cyclists.

Thule Hitch Bike Carriers offer a reliable option for transporting bikes on a platform hitch bike carrier. The Thule T2 Pro XTR 2 Hitch Rack can hold two bikes with a weight capacity of 60 pounds per bike.

This rack is designed to accommodate wider tires and different wheel sizes. The integrated cable locks keep your bikes secure, and the rack's arms have wide, comfortable grips and slide easily to secure the front wheel.

The Thule T2 Pro XTR 2 Hitch Rack is a bit heavier and more expensive than other options, but it's a dependable product that has been serving users well for over 6 years. It's a good option for riders with e-bikes, as it can hold plenty of them.

Here are some key specs for the Thule T2 Pro XTR 2 Hitch Rack:

The rack's expansion wedge system makes installing and removing it easier, but it's not foolproof. The wide trigger handle allows you to raise and lower the rack with a single hand, making it easier to access rear hatches.

Hollywood Hitch Bike Carriers are a popular choice among cyclists and car owners alike. They offer a sturdy and adjustable platform that can accommodate up to 5 bikes.

The Hollywood Hitch Bike Carrier is designed to fit most vehicle hitch sizes, making it a versatile option for those with different types of cars. It's also made from heavy-duty steel, ensuring durability and long-lasting performance.

One of the key features of the Hollywood Hitch Bike Carrier is its adjustable bike tray, which allows for easy loading and unloading of bikes. This tray is also designed to hold bikes securely in place, preventing them from shifting or falling off during transport.

The Hollywood Hitch Bike Carrier is also known for its ease of installation, which can be completed in just a few minutes. This is thanks to its simple and intuitive design, which makes it accessible to users of all skill levels.

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The Yakima Hitch Bike Carriers are a popular choice for many cyclists. They offer a range of features that make them a great option for transporting bikes.

One of the key benefits of the Yakima Hitch Bike Carriers is their ease of use. In fact, the StageTwo model impressed testers with its ease of use and flex-free performance after 2,500 miles of on-car testing.

The StageTwo has a 70-pound weight capacity, which is a significant advantage. However, it's worth noting that it's only rated up to 35 pounds per tray, so it's not suitable for transporting e-bikes.

The rack is also very versatile, accommodating wheels as small as 16-inches. This makes it a great option for bikes with smaller wheels.

Here are some key specs for the Yakima Hitch Bike Carriers:

One thing to keep in mind is that the StageTwo's trays are offset, which can make the bikes sit more widely apart. This can be a consideration for tight parking spaces.

RockyMounts Hitch Bike Carriers are a great option for transporting your bikes, especially if you have fat bikes. They offer a 2-bike platform hitch rack that can accommodate wheel sizes as small as 20 inches.

The RockyMounts MonoRail is a top choice, featuring ratcheting arms to secure the front wheel and a folding design for easy storage. It's also designed to support tires up to 5 inches wide, making it perfect for fat bikes.

If you need to carry a third bike, a single-bike add-on is available for the RockyMounts MonoRail. This is a great option for those with multiple bikes or who want to transport a smaller bike.

Here are some key specs for the RockyMounts MonoRail:

The adjustable trays on the RockyMounts MonoRail are a thoughtful touch, shifting 2 inches side to side to prevent handlebar or pedal interference when the rack is fully loaded.

The Swagman Hitch Bike Carriers are a great option for budget-conscious riders. They're very reasonably priced, with the Swagman XTC2 being one of the most affordable 2-bike racks we confidently recommend.

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The Swagman XTC2 is made by British Columbia–based Swagman and fits both 1¼-inch and 2-inch receiver tubes. It accommodates wheel sizes from 20 to 29 inches.

The rack is lightweight and easy to install, but the wheel hoops are not as smoothly or precisely adjustable as on more premium racks. The rack doesn't tilt away from the vehicle when loaded, limiting access to tailgates or liftgates.

The Swagman XTC2 has a total weight capacity of 70 pounds, with 35 pounds per bike. It's not suitable for e-bikes.

Here are the key specs of the Swagman XTC2:

The Küat NV 2.0 Hitch Rack is a top-notch option for carrying your bikes. It features an expanding-wedge design that secures the rack in your vehicle's receiver hitch and locks in place with a theft-preventing thru-bolt.

This design keeps the rack wobble-free, even when you're cruising down the road. The rack is rated for up to 60 pounds per tray, making it suitable for many e-bikes.

One of the standout features of the NV 2.0 is its built-in repair stand. This handy feature lets you do on-the-fly maintenance, and it's especially useful for parking lot repairs.

The repair stand is not the sturdiest, but it's a big improvement over leaning your bike against your vehicle. A stout pivot lets you flip the rack up when you're not hauling bikes, deploy it flat when you are, or drop it to a 45-degree angle for easy access to trunks and pickup beds.

The NV 2.0 also comes with integrated cable locks and adjustable cradles that offer better clearance for stacked bikes when loaded. To keep the ratcheting system running smoothly, be sure to clean it regularly, especially after driving on dirty or dusty roads.

Saris Hitch Bike Carriers offer a high degree of configurability, allowing you to build the rack to meet your carrying needs or budget.

Their MHS (Modular Hitch System) 3-Bike Hitch Rack is a great example of this, with a sturdy weight limit on the inner section of the rack that can hold up to 80 pounds.

The rack's folding arms are designed to hold your bikes securely, much like the 1Up Equip'd, but with a more affordable price tag.

However, it's worth noting that the add-on sections have a lower weight limit, supporting only up to 35 pounds, which may limit your choices if you're carrying multiple e-bikes or heavy downhill/enduro rigs.

The Saris MHS 3-Bike Hitch Rack is available in two sizes for 2-inch receivers: 2+1 and 3+1, which can hold up to three bikes or one bike and a cargo basket.

Here's a quick rundown of the bike capacity and weight limits for the Saris MHS 3-Bike Hitch Rack:

North Shore Hitch Bike Carriers are a popular choice among mountain bikers. They pioneered the vertical-style rack, which is now commonly seen at trailheads and mountain bike parks.

The North Shore Racks NSR 6-Bike Hitch Rack is a great example of their products. It can hold up to 300 pounds of bikes, with each bike weighing a maximum of 60 pounds.

This rack is specifically designed for mountain bikes, including downhill bikes and electric mountain bikes. However, it's not compatible with road bikes due to its design.

One of the best features of the NSR 6-Bike Hitch Rack is its adjustability. It can fit a range of vehicles, making it a versatile option for many riders.

Here are some key features of the North Shore Racks NSR 6-Bike Hitch Rack:

The rack also folds down when not in use, making it easy to store and transport.

CURT bike racks are designed to fit 1-1/4-inch or 2-inch receivers.

They offer a range of bike rack styles with capacities from two to five bikes, making them suitable for various family sizes and lifestyles.

The tilt-away feature of CURT bike racks allows for easy rear vehicle access, which is a convenient perk for users.

The bike racks are solidly built and easy to use, making them a practical choice for bikers of all levels.

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