The best trunk bike rack should last you for many years. So, before purchasing one, you need to consider it carefully. This means you need to ensure you get the right one for your needs. Here are some of the things you need to consider before purchasing the best trunk bike rack for your vehicle.

Factors You Need to Consider

1. Number Of Bikes

Here, you need to know how many bikes you intend to carry. You may take your bike at the moment, but with a proper rack, you may find that a family member or a friend is sharing with you. Having the best trunk bike rack for one bike may look okay, but it may not be the right choice if you have a family or friend you ride.

As I have mentioned, the best trunk bike rack should last you for years. You would want to future-proof your purchase by buying the best trunk bike rack that can carry many bikes.

2. Type of Rack

The next thing to consider is the type of rack you want to choose. In this section, I will discuss the different types of rack.

a. Strap on Trunk Bike Rack

The strap on trunk bike rack straps to the rear of your car. Among the best trunk bike racks you can purchase, this is the cheapest one but can be the least secure. Anyway, there are plenty of choices to choose from. Most are using a hook system to secure the rack inside the vehicle.

The good news is that it is easy to install and remove as needed.

b. Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack

The hitch-mounted rack is an excellent alternative to strap on a trunk bike rack. However, it is much more expensive. This best trunk bike rack type clips onto your tow hitch and locks into position. This is heavier and can be swung out to get access to the trunk.

But, when you choose this, you’ll also need to consider whether you need to use the tow hitch at the same time or not. Just to add, there are two different types of the hitch bike rack, one that allows you to use the hitch while the other is not.

c. Roof Bike Rack

The roof-mounted system perhaps is the most versatile of all. It is certainly the most expensive as you need to buy clamps and roof bars before you can get this best trunk bike rack. With this, your bike will clamp securely in an upright position. This creates additional drag when you’re driving.

This system allows you also to carry several bikes on the roof. This is the most flexible of all; you’ll just need to lift your bike onto the roof of your vehicle.

According to reviews, the best trunk bike rack is one that is simple and effective.

3. Budget

The budget is critical when buying the best trunk bike rack. In most cases, many people buy the strap on trunk bike rank as it’s the cheapest option and still does its job to carry and secure.

However, if you have more than enough funds, you can buy Thule, a kind of premium trunk bike rack. This is more expensive but has better quality than the basic hitch-mounted rack.

What matters is that you know how much funds you have so you can set a budget for the bike rack that you want. This prevents you from regretting it in the end.

4. Height

The type of best trunk bike rack you’ll purchase should match the height of the bike that will sit on your vehicle. This also applies to the type of vehicle you have. Most bikes support bars that are at arm level or higher. In this case, you need to consider how easy it will be to fit the bikes and keep them in position.

Deciding the best trunk bike rack to purchase is essential. This would ease the fastening of your bikes to it.

5. Recommendations

It’s a good idea to ask others for advice if they have experience with a specific bike rack. This will help you decide better.

It would be even better if a family member or a friend will lend you their bike rack so you can test it first yourself. This will make it easier for you to decide if it’s the best trunk bike rack for you and your vehicle.

6. Reputation

The manufacturer’s reputation is another consideration when choosing the best trunk bike rack. One of the recommended brands is Thule. This company is known for its high-quality products.

It may be tempting to buy the cheaper alternatives on the market. However, these are maybe using substandard materials that cannot be used for the long-term.

When it comes to those best trunk bike racks that provide great balance with durability and price, Allen Sports is the brand you can count on. The company has been in the industry of making bike racks for a long time already.

Taking a look at the social media sites can also help you if you aren’t sure of the product you need to buy. You’ll most likely read honest reviews from people who have purchased a specific bike rack. You can use the information to help you choosing the best trunk bike rack for your needs.

7. Ease Of Fitting

The best trunk bike rack should be easy to fit. This means one should use hooks to clip around your trunk and a ratchet that straps to keep them in the position.

If you’re planning to purchase a trunk-mounted bike rack, you’ll need to take it on and of as when you need too. This means you need to consider how easy it is to take it on and off. You wouldn’t want to have a bike rack that would take you 30 minutes to fit in.

8. Storage

Another thing to consider is where you’re going to store your bike racks when not in use. Some of the best trunk bike racks can fold up and can easily be stored even without much space.

However, if the bike rack doesn’t fold, then you’ll need to find a place where you can put or hang it.

9. Security

Security is another factor when purchasing the best trunk bike rack. This means your bike rack should lock well. You can attest this by ensuring it would be difficult for someone to take them.

In this case, securing the chain around the bikes and the vehicle is something you need to.

If this is what you need to do to secure your bikes, you may need to consider an alternative type of rack to lessen the hassle. Both the hitch mount and the roof system have locks. These locks secure the bike to the racks and your vehicle.

10. Need Access to Trunk

It’s not a good idea to open your vehicle’s trunk once the bikes are in position. It would cause stress to your vehicle and can cause you injury if the trunk swings back down fast.

So, before opening the trunk, you need to remove the bikes first. Leaving the rack shouldn’t be a problem. However, doing this regularly can affect your bike rack. This is the reason why you need to consider this possibility before purchasing it. You need to choose the best trunk bike rack for your needs.

11. Multi-Vehicle

If you own more than one vehicle and you’re thinking of putting the rack to your other vehicles, then you need to choose the best trunk bike rack that will fit both.

Don’t forget that a trunk bike rack can cause scratches on your vehicle if you don’t ensure that the clamps and pads are in good condition before you use it.

Final Words

I hope that through this guide, you can find the best trunk bike rack for your needs. By considering the above factors I mentioned, you should be able to decide the best trunk bike rack that will satisfy your current and future needs.