The Best Truck Bed Bike Racks for 2019

Pick-up trucks are super versatile vehicles. You can load just about anything in the truck bed, including your bike. However if you want to make sure your bike is secure and does not get damaged during transport, you need a good truck bed bike rack. Let's look at some options and what to consider when choosing a bike rack for your pick-up truck.

Inno Velo Gripper Truck Bed Bike Rack

Product overview

The Inno Velo gripper is a single bike rack that fits onto the side of a pickup truck load bay. Installation is quick and does not require any drilling. Once installed you can use it to secure your bike to the side walls of your load area. Because the bike rack is mounted to the side it leaves a lot of room for other items to be loaded. It also means that depending on your vehicle the bike can be loaded without having to get into the load bed. This truck bed bike rack is a great choice if you have only one bike or you need to transport other items other than your bike.

 Inno Velo Gripper Truck Bed Bike Rack
  • SPACE-SAVING - Mount your bike in the upright position on the inside of your truck bed, freeing up 90% of your truck bed to carry other gear.
  • ALL TYPES - This carrier is adjustable and can hold a bike of any shape or size.
  • D-RINGS - Each clamp has built-in D-rings that provide tie-down points for a cable lock with or without the bike mounted.
  • SIMPLE INSTALLATION - Easy, clamp-on installation to truck bed side rails.
  • HASSLE-FREE - Hardware is included and there no drilling required.

Heininger Advantage SportsRack BedRack Elite 4

Heininger Advantage bike rack for truck beds

Product overview

Section where you cover specific parts where this product is better than other choices in the same price range, where the manufacturer did a really good job, special features you wished other choices had, etc.
  • Holds up to 4 Bikes
  • Accommodates Bike Wheels up to 29"
  • Fits Most Truck Beds: Rack Width Extends 52" to 68"
  • 24" Cable Lock Included to Secure Rack to Truck
  • Works With or Without Bedliners

Thule 501 Insta-Gater Truck Bed Bike Rack

Thule Insta-gator truck bed bike rack

Product overview

Section where you cover specific parts where this product is better than other choices in the same price range, where the manufacturer did a really good job, special features you wished other choices had, etc.
  • Thule one key system compatible
  • Weight - 9.9 pounds
  • Fits Wheels from 20-29"

Thule Bed Rider XTR

Thule Bed Rider might be the best truck bed bike rack

Product overview

Section where you cover specific parts where this product is better than other choices in the same price range, where the manufacturer did a really good job, special features you wished other choices had, etc.
  • Lockable skewer with single-side adjustment makes it easy to secure the bike to the carrier for stable and secure bicycle transport
  • Aluminum telescoping bar with soft grip rubber feet hold carrier on side rails of pick-up trucks without drilling (Not over-the-rail bed liners)
  • 3 Thule One-key lock cylinders included to lock the bikes to the carrier and the carrier to the truck
  • Additional bikes can be transported with the Thule locking bed-rider add-on block (#Brlb2, sold separately)
  • Will Not work on trucks with over the rail bed liners

Buyer's Guide

Truck Bed Bike Rack

All the different styles of bike rack has made it quite difficult for consumers to identify and decide on the right truck bed bike rack. All you need to know is that the correct rack has the capacity to not only fit your truck properly but also provide secure transportation without necessarily breaking the bank.

Undoubtedly, the wrong rack is a serious safety hazards, which can cause serious damage to both your bike and truck during transportation. Let's look at the considerations when choosing a truck bed bike track.

Pro Tip

For extra security make sure your bike can easily be locked to the rack or truck bed.

Space

A convenient bike rack does not obstruct the rear view, especially when driving. At the same time, the correct rack will use much of your roof space, as it leaves room for any a kayak rack, cargo boxes, or any other accessories. When you are a space-conscious person, you should consider purchasing hitch rack since folds in against your truck, especially when not in use, taking less space. On the same note, go for roof mounted bike racks if you do not want any form of obstruction.

How Often You’ll Use it

The frequency of how bike racks are to be used should also be considered. If the need to transport your bike is one-off, then you can opt to rent, borrow one or buy the cheapest rack. On the other hand, if you plan to use the bike rack every weekend, a durable one is your best option.

Safety and Security

Besides space, security remains a vital determinant of a good and efficient bike rack for trucks. If your vehicle lacks a truck cap, it is advisable that you consider purchasing bike racks that come with extra truck caps, which helps a great deal in protecting your bike and other items from adverse or inclement weather conditions. The cap in question further plays a fundamental role in increasing security while driving. In most cases, however, people tend to have difficulty loading and unloading their bikes with the already installed cap.

Additionally, correct bike racks should be lockable to prevent your bikes from moving while driving at low to high speeds. Equally important, buy racks with plastic stoppers to ensure that your bike and rack do not scratch the truck bed liner, regardless of the number of bikes you need to transport. The plastic stoppers also possess the ability to support a broad range of bikes, including those with unusual designs. In this way, your bike remains safe while in transit.

Number of Bikes You Carry

Another essential feature that should guide you when choosing a truck bed bike rack is the number of bikes that can be in transit. Various bike racks are adapted and modified to carry a different number of bikes. Thus, before purchasing your new rack, it is essential to consider the maximum number of bikes you can carry.

Installation

The amount of time you spend installing a bike rack is of great importance, given some traditional racks are time-consuming. In this sense, you need to check for easy to install bike racks, which offer an efficient, as well as a stable way of transporting your bike. Purchase flexible racks that you can assemble in a few minutes and install without using any drilling tool or fixing tools. For example, you might only need a wingnut screw to complement the adjustable rubber stabilizers, which typically secure the rack to the truck bed’s inner sides.

Budget

Most rack shoppers will always remain conscious about price. In this sense, you do not allow affordable or relatively expensive prices deter you from acquiring best bike rack. For instance, Trunk mounted bike rack is not only the most affordable type of all carriers, but also appeals to most people, given its lower price point. Despite their cheap nature, these racks offer a sturdy way of transporting multiple bikes. Additionally, they are easy to store, and a perfect choice for short trips.

Storage When Not in Use

The most convenient bike racks are assembled and locked to the trucks without the use of any tool or even drilling holes. They are simply secured in the truck walls by rubber stabilizers, which are adjustable. Hence, the fixing system allows you to remove the rack easily and store it in your truck when not in use.

In spite of most bike racks designed to carry bikes, others may be used for other functions. This spares you the hustle of storing them at the corner of your garage. Bike racks such as the bar type racks secure to the lining of your truck bed, hence end up being used to support and hold other items that are transported.

Bottom Line

Conclusively, it is evident that the various truck bed bike racks possess the desired features, making it tough ask choosing the correct rack. In response to this challenge, we have identified determinants to consider before spending your coin on any rack displayed outside there. In essence, you have to check for bike rack prices, space, aspects of security and safety, as well as the ease of installation.

Alternatives

Swagman Adjustable Truck Bed Bike Rack

Pipeline Racks Truck Bed Bike Rack

Apex Rage Powersports TBBC-4

Saris Kool 2 Bike Truck Bed Mount

For the latest deals and product news, sign up for our newsletter

Amazon Associates Disclosure

loadyourgear.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

All content © 2023 loadyourgear.com & PixelProjects