If you’re gonna use your car to transport big old bikes, then you should definitely check out our best trunk mounted bike racks.
No matter what kind of car you drive, there’s a bike rack for it. You don’t have to worry about hitches or roofs. The conversation isn’t about your car (almost). Trunk-mounted racks work with anything you drive.
Here at Mud Bike, we have researched and compiled a list of the best trunk mounted bike racks that are reliable and strong. It’s already expensive to buy quality bikes, so you don’t want to ruin them with bad racks. To see our list of the best trunk mounted bike racks, keep on reading.
Best Trunk Mounted Bike Racks For Sedans and SUVs This Year: Our Criteria and Results
A trunk bike rack is typically cheaper than a permanently mounted rack, but you have to make sure it’s properly secured. Besides being transferrable, they can also be removed for security reasons.
In exchange for all the convenience, trunk-mounted bike racks can be a hassle to install and remove, but once you get one adjusted for your car – and you’re familiar with how the straps and hooks attach – you’ll be able to do it in minutes. A pedal could spin and scratch your car’s paint if weather stripping or rear spoilers get in the way. There are also limitations on where hooks attach if weather stripping or rear spoilers get in the way.
Since trunk racks are universal, some bikes with step-through top tubes (like mountain bikes) may need an adaptor, and some bikes with a straight top tube (like road bikes) may not slide on. In addition, trunk mount bike racks aren’t designed for e-bikes, which are much heavier.
You’ll find the best trunk mounted bike racks below, with what we like (or dislike) about them and a price check link.
| Ranking | Brand & Model | Top Advantage | Top Disadvantage | Link to Purchase | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Pick |   | Hollywood Rack F4 Heady Duty 4-Bike Trunk Mount Rack | Has buckles for quickly tying down your bike | Smaller mountain bikes and step-through bikes may require a top tube adapter to fit the bike rack | Click to check price |
| Runner-up |   | Saris Bones EX Trunk Mount Bike Rack | Good for 3 full size mountain bikes | Doesn’t come with a lock | Click to check price |
| Also consider |   | Allen Sports Deluxe – 4 Bike Trunk Mount Rack | Straightforward installation | May scratch the paint on your car during rough rides | Click to check price |
| 4 |   | Thule Outway Platform 2 | Allows lifting the hatch without removing | Expensive and pretty heavy | Click to check price |
| 5 |   | Yakima Fullback 3 | Folds easily and comes with a lock | Expensive and heavier than other locks | Click to check price |
| 6 |   | Tyger Auto TG – RK1B204B Deluxe Trunk Mount Bike Rack | Comes out of the box completely assembled | Smaller mountain bikes and step-through bikes may require a top tube adapter to fit the bike rack | Click to check price |
| 7 |   | Allen Sports Ultra-compact Trunk Mounted Bike Rack | Very compact, and can be folded when not in use | Side straps must be used to secure the bikes. | Click to check price |
Avoid this one |   | Allen Sports Premier Trunk Mounted Bike Rack | It has Rubber straps with a quick-lock feature. | The clips that hold the rig together are made of bare metal and will easily scratch your car’s paint. | Click to check price |
Not a lot of options right? But they’re all tested and proven to work. Find out how we chose the best trunk mounted bike racks below.
People Also Ask: Are trunk mounted bike racks good?
Yes, trunk mounted bike racks are good. Simply attach your bike to the hatch for convenience and versatility.
How We Select The Best Trunk Mounted Bike Racks
When it comes to choosing a bike rack for your trunk, there’s a lot to consider. We considered these things when choosing our best trunk mounted bike racks:
Number of Bikes
How many bikes do you have? Each rack holds a different number of bikes, so pick one that works for you.
Locking Mechanism
A bike rack with a lock is important because bikes can be expensive. Is the lock included, or do you have to install it? Pick a rack with a lock that works for you.
Build Quality and Material
There’s no denying that quality varies. Make sure your bikes are protected with a bike rack that lasts.
Brand Reputation
Some people say brands are just names, and don’t really matter. It’s not true. The best bike rack brands have long histories of delivering top-performing racks.
Customer Reviews Over a Multitude of Sites
The best people to get product feedback from are people who have bought and used trunk mounted bike racks.
Several of these bike racks we’ve used before. Those factors determine everything else.
Best Thule Trunk Mount Bike Rack
Thule Outway Platform 2
Pros
- It sits high so it doesn’t block the registration plate or lights
- Lockable for extra safety and security
Cons
- Pretty heavy for its bike capacity
- Pricier than most of its tier
Trunk-mount bike racks follow a basic formula.
The bikes are hung from the top tube by some straps. With a hitch mount rack, you have the option of a platform tray rack that supports the bike from below.
Thule’s Outway Platform splits the difference. You get the ease of installation that comes with trunk-mount racks, but the bike sits on a platform. However, it’s more expensive and heavy than most trunk-mount racks.
In exchange, the number plate stays visible and the bikes won’t swing while moving, so it might be worth it. You’ll also find a hanging version with the same name when you’re shopping.
If you like this trunk mounted bike rack, click on the link below as it could be on sale right now.
If not, check out the next brand below.
People Also Ask: Can you open the trunk with the Thule bike rack?
Yes, you can open the trunk with the Thule bike rack. Because trunk mounted racks are attached so they don’t block your trunk’s opening and closing mechanisms. Just expect it to be a little heavier than usual.
Best Yakima Trunk Mount Bike Rack
Yakima Fullback 3
Pros
- Solid metal material for better durability
- Fold easily when not in use, and comes with a lock for extra security
Cons
- Quite heavy
- Expensive
Yakima’s Fullback is made from metal, but it’s solid.
Thanks to the ratcheting vehicle top arm and bike cradle arms, this rack was super easy to install. ZipStrips from Yakima cinch down quickly and easily on the top tube and seat tube for a tight, secure grip; they’re also removable and don’t get in the way.
The rack is also easy to store because it folds almost flat. There’s a lock included to keep bikes safe. Although it’s heavy and expensive, it’s also available in a Halfback version that’s less expensive.
If you like this trunk mounted bike rack, click on the link below as it could be on sale right now.
If not, check out the next brand below.
Best Hollywood Trunk Mount Bike Rack
Hollywood Racks F4
Pros
- Tubes and hardware made of extra-heavy steel
- It folds flat for easy storage
Cons
- It’s too heavy to install on a plastic hatchback
- Rack doesn’t swing away, so you can’t open your rear door without removing it
Hollywood F4 is a good heavy-duty bike rack.
It holds up to four bikes with its heavy-duty steel tubing and fittings. With dual positioning (no spoiler), you get a personalized trunk/bumper fit.
Strong straps and buckles keep heavyweights in place. Everything folds flat so it’s easy to store. It fits most minivans, SUVs, and sedans thanks to its dual-positioning trunk/bumper system. You can carry up to four bikes on this rack with extra-heavy steel tubing and fasteners.
If you like this bike rack, click the link below to check the price as it could likely be on sale right now.
If not, check out the next item below.
People Also Ask: Are Hollywood Bike racks any good?
You can get great build quality at an affordable price with Hollywood bike racks. Their simple, strong design keeps your bikes safe on your vehicle even though they’re not as fancy as some higher-end racks.
Best Tyger Trunk Mount Bike Rack
Tyger Auto TG – RK1B204B Deluxe
Pros
- Sturdy and handy construction
- You can fold the carry arms when they’re not in use
Cons
- Not compatible with vehicles with rear spoilers
- An additional adaptor is needed for bikes with top frame bars
With the Tyger Auto TG – RK1B204B Deluxe Trunk Mount Bike Rack, you can mount your bikes on minivans, SUVs, and sedans.
It’s got 3 bike cradles with ratchet buckles to protect the frames, so you can carry 3 bikes at once. OE black E-Coating keeps it from rusting. When you’re not using them, you can fold the carry arms.
Definitely a reputable brand, and very durable.
Click the link below to check the price because it’s probably on sale.
Otherwise, check out the next item below.
Best Allen Sports Trunk Mount Bike Racks
Allen Sports Ultra-compact Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
Pros
- When it’s not in use, it folds up
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Bikes must be secured with side straps
Allen’s MT-2 2-bike carrier combines full-featured bicycle carriers with a revolutionary folding design for simplicity and convenience.
The MT-2 has a sturdy steel frame that’s easy to store and transport. The dual compound tie-down cradle protects and secures bikes. Allen’s unique tie-down system keeps your bikes safe and secure. Although they’re fixed on the carry arm, they can rotate to fit different bikes.
If you like this bike rack, click the link below to check the price as it could likely be on sale right now.
If not, check out the next item below.
Allen Sports Premier Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
Pros
- There’s a quick-lock feature on the rubber straps
- Easy to install
Cons
- It’s made of bare metal, so it’ll scratch your car’s paint easily
- Racks need to be installed right, so they don’t cause accidents
The Allen Sports S-102 Premier Two-Bike Carrier fits minivans, hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs.
You can transport your bicycles safely around town or across the country with this setup. You’ll have excellent stability in your car with two side belts.
Secure and protect your bikes with unique tie-down technology. You can install Allen Premier Racks in seconds. The Rack folds up in one hand, so it’s easy to store.
Its carry arms can accommodate a variety of bicycle frame sizes. Most adult bikes fit the Rack, as well as most women’s and kids’ bikes.
To check the price, click the link below. It might be on sale right now.
Otherwise, check out the next item below.
Allen Sports Deluxe – 4
Pros
- Two side straps make it super stable
- The clear arch preserves the paint on the top and bottom
Cons
- To prevent scratching on the car, fix the two side straps
- Not recommended for vehicles with rear spoilers
With the Allen 104D Deluxe 4 Bike Trunk Mount Rack, you can easily transport bikes in most sedans, hatchbacks, minivans, and SUVs.
A revolutionary tie-down system protects and secures each bike. With a simplified, one-configuration design, the rack’s 22-inch carry arms can hold up to four bicycles and pop up when not in use. It’s quick and easy to install.
Extra-long receiver posts let you mount several spare tires outside. It looks beautiful and lasts a long time because it’s UV-resistant polyester powder coated.
You can check the price of this bike rack by clicking the link below. It is likely to be on sale right now.
Don’t like it? Saris offers a trunk bike rack for 3 bikes. Check it out below.
Best Saris Trunk Mount Bike Rack
Saris Bones EX
Pros
- Fits 3 full-size bikes and secures them with easy-to-use tie-down straps
- High build quality
Cons
- Rubs on your car’s paint after long-term use
- Comes with extra obsolete velcro straps that have little to no use.
Along with its practicality, the Saris Bones EX has some subtle tweaks to the classic Bones design. This is one of the best rear-mounted carriers for three bikes with a few upgrades, especially the bike tie-downs.
Anyone who’s used Saris Bones cycle carriers before won’t find them too overwhelming. With their dog-leg design and built-in strap guides, Bones’ three-bike carriers fit spoiler-equipped vehicles, along with some premium tie-downs for bikes. That said, Bones is still a classic.
It’s bound to be on sale right now, so click the link below to check the price.
That’s it for now. Keep an eye on this list because we’re always adding new quality trunk bike racks.
Summary: Our Final Results and Picks for the Best Trunk Mounted Bike Racks
You’ll find that the racks designed to carry your bikes in your vehicle’s trunk have gone through a lot of thought and engineering. Find out which trunk rack fits your lifestyle and transport your bikes faster and easier.
Little too many to pick from? Why not pick from three? Check out our top 3 trunk bike rack recommendations below.
| Brand and Model | Top Pro | Top Con | Link to Purchase | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Pick | | Hollywood Rack F4 Heady Duty 4-Bike Trunk Mount Rack | Has buckles for quickly tying down your bike | Smaller mountain bikes and step-through bikes may require a top tube adapter to fit the bike rack | Click to check price |
| Runner-up | | Saris Bones EX Trunk Mount Bike Rack | Good for 3 full size mountain bikes | Doesn’t come with a lock | Click to check price |
| Also consider | | Allen Sports Deluxe – 4 Bike Trunk Mount Rack | Straightforward installation | May scratch the paint on your minivan during rough rides | Click to check price |
There are lots of trunk mounted bike racks on the market, but we’ve figured out the best prices for each category so you don’t have to. It’s bound to be on sale this time of year, so click the link on the bike rack that you’re most interested in. Also, stay tuned to this article as we will be updating it every time we find a quality trunk bike rack.
In the meantime, we get a lot of questions asking if a trunk mounted bike rack can scratch your car’s paint. So Do Trunk Bike Racks Damage Your Car? Click the link and find out.
