5 Best Electric Bike Racks 2024 for Trucks, RVs, Cars & SUVs
May 20, 2024
When looking to explore further and find new trails, you need a reliable rack that can hold your electric bike (ebike) and transport it safely. But not any old rack will do. You need a robust rack that can handle the extra weight associated with ebikes. Plus, you’ll want a bike rack that’s easy to use and fits your car.
Fortunately, there are several different types of electric bike racks to get the job done. From hitch racks that are easy to load and unload to roof racks that work on vehicles without a hitch, you’ll find an option that works for you.
Before you run out to buy the best bike racks for ebikes, there are a few things you should consider. First, think about what type of car you drive and its compatibility with bike racks.
If you have a small sedan, a roof rack may be easier to use and you won’t have to pay to get a hitch added. If you drive a truck, a tailgate pad can be an easy way to get your bike from point A to B. For mid-size vehicles and SUVs, hitch racks and platform racks are easy to load and you can usually fit more than one ebike.
Whether you’re looking for the best ebikes or already have one, you’ll want to read through the specifications of the hitch to make sure it can hold the weight of your specific ebike. Size also matters if you want to bring along bikes for the whole family.
With these things in mind, let’s dive into the best ebike racks. On this list, you’ll find the best electric bike car racks, hitch racks, and roof racks including:
1. Best Ebike Rack & Best Ebike Hitch Rack: Aventon Foldable Hitch Rack
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Total weight capacity: 155 lbs
- ✓ Maximum number of bikes: 2
- ✓ Price: $399 MSRP
The Aventon Foldable Hitch Rack is our top pick for the best ebike hitch rack and best ebike rack overall. At $399 MSRP, it’s an affordable bike rack to expand your horizons and ride into new frontiers.
Hitch racks are convenient since you don’t have to lift a heavy electric bike over your head to load it on the car. Designed with a low-to-the-ground profile, it’s simple to just raise the bike onto the rack, secure it, and head on your way. The responsive tilting system makes it just as easy to load bikes as when you use ebike racks with ramps.
This ebike car rack has a two-inch hitch bar that fits most vehicles. It has a built-in stabilizing system to prevent wobbling as you cruise down the highway to your next adventure. Designed to fit bikes with tires up to five inches wide, this Aventon rack is also a great fat-tire hitch rack.
The quick hook adjusting system lets you easily load the bike, while quick pins allow you to adjust the height to fit your bike frame. A keyed safety system keeps your bike safe in transport and when you make quick stops.
This is an excellent choice if you're looking for a bike rack for heavy ebikes. It has two bike slots and can hold up to 77 pounds per bike, with a total maximum payload capacity of 155 pounds. Best of all, it folds down and out of the way when not in use.
Pair it with the Aventon Hitch Rack Adapter if you have a step-through ebike. Made of durable steel, the handy bike adapter bar is designed to create a top tube so you can use the Aventon foldable hitch-mounted bike rack with a step-through bike. Adjustable for 25 to 32 inches, this bar fits all Aventon ebike models. Molded collar ends prevent scratching and protect the finish of your ebike.
2. Best Ebike Rack for RVs: Aventon Tie Down Straps
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Total weight capacity: 1,200 lbs of breaking strength
- ✓ Maximum number of bikes: N/A
- ✓ Price: $29.99 MSRP
Looking for electric bike racks for RVs and trucks or one that offers versatility to secure bikes to a rig like an off-road trailer? Consider using Aventon Tie Down Straps to keep your bike secure when getting to and from the trailhead, campsite, and wherever your adventures take you.
At just $29.99 MSRP, these tie-downs are affordable and versatile, so you can use them to strap your bike onto a trailer, rack, or in a truck bed. They boast a heavy-duty working load of 403 pounds per strap, making them suitable for any ebike.
These tie-downs are made of 1.5-inch polyester webbing and boast 1,200 pounds of breaking strength. The industrial-grade buckle and rubber-coated S-hooks make it easy to strap on and keep things secure, even as you go over bumps in the road.
3. Best Thule Bike Carrier for Electric Bikes: Thule T2 Pro XTR Hitch Bike Rack - 2 Inch Receiver
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Total weight capacity: 120 lbs
- ✓ Maximum number of bikes: 2
- ✓ Price: $749.95 MSRP
The Thule T2 Pro XTR Hitch Bike Rack - 2 Inch Receiver makes it easy to transport your ebike and is our pick for the best Thule bike carrier for electric bikes. An integrated switch lever instantly tilts the rack up or down for seamless loading. The AutoAttach system quickly clamps to your car hitch receiver and comes off in seconds. This particular model is designed to fit two-inch hitch bars.
This Thule bike carrier for electric bikes holds up to two bikes with a maximum weight capacity of 60 pounds per bike or a total weight limit of 120 pounds—which is less than the Aventon Foldable Hitch Rack. To increase the load capacity of this ebike hitch rack or to carry up to four bikes, you’ll need to purchase an additional add-on.
At $749.95 MSRP, this bike rack costs a pretty penny ($400 more than the similar Aventon Foldable Hitch Rack).
4. Best Electric Bike Roof Rack & Best Electric Bike Rack for Cars: Yakima BaseLine Towers
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Total weight capacity: 165 lbs
- ✓ Maximum number of bikes: N/A
- ✓ Price: $196 MSRP
The Yakima BaseLine Towers are our pick for the best electric bike roof racks and the best electric bike rack for cars. They’re designed specifically for cars that don’t have gutters or roof rails. They’re the perfect way to get an electric bike roof rack without having to spend money and time at the dealer modifying your car. The integrated Tri-axial DropHook™ clip adjustment molds to different roof shapes and provides a secure hold.
It’s compatible with Yakima JetStream, CoreBar, and RoundBar crossbars. It features a maximum load of 165 pounds, but be sure to check your vehicle specifications and the payload of the bars you’re using.
Keep in mind that while roof racks work with ebikes, you need to have enough strength to raise the entire bike’s weight up and onto the rack. At $196 MSRP, these towers can quickly convert a car without a roof rack into a car that has one.
5. Best Electric Bike Rack for Trucks: Thule T2 Pro XTR Hitch Bike Rack - 1.25-Inch Receiver
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Total weight capacity: 100 lbs
- ✓ Maximum number of bikes: 2
- ✓ Price: $749.95 MSRP
The Thule T2 Pro XTR Hitch Bike Rack - 1.25-Inch Receiver offers ease of use, making it a great hitch rack for all types of vehicles. It’s our pick for the best electric bike rack for trucks. Just like the T2 XTR Pro above, this one is built for cars with a 1.25-inch hitch size (which also means it has a lower weight capacity).
It features integrated wheels to help you get the rack to and from your car. The tool-free Auto-Attach system quickly snaps into place so you can load two ebikes. It has a max weight of 60 pounds for an individual bike and a total weight of 100 pounds.
Designed to fit tire widths up to five inches, it’s suitable for different types of bikes including electric mountain bikes (eMTB), road bikes, commuter bikes, and fat-tire bikes. It has an integrated bike lock that you can run through the front wheel, rear wheel, or frame to keep everything secure and have peace of mind.
Use the HitchSwitch lever to tilt the rack up when you’re not using it or tilt it down to get easy access to the rear part of your vehicle without removing the electric bike carrier rack.
Ideal as an electric bike rack for SUV or car, this rack will cost you $749.95 MSRP, 87% more than the Aventon Foldable Hitch Rack.
