If you’re in a hurry and still want to grab the best bike rack for Rav4, then we recommend the Thule 963PRO, confidently.
As much as cycling is a fun activity, sports surely keep you fit and healthy too! Cycling isn’t just about burning calories while paddling hard to lose weight but for some, it is one of the most affordable ways to explore the world through adventure and fun.
A ride that is easy to carry around, affordable to maintain, and comfortable to use, a bike is what most people love to ride today!
But wait, are you struggling to carry more than one bike in your car?
Even if you own a Rav4, transporting multiple bikes can be difficult. Thus, this is where we’d like to introduce you to bike racks for your vehicle.
A bike rack makes transportation of bikes super easy, is quick to install, and saves both your two-wheeler and vehicle from unnecessary scraping and tearing.
Want to know more about the amazing racks that could change the “game” for you, here is the list of the best bike rack for Rav4 that we promise are easy to install, super sturdy, and yes, easy to use!
Comparing 8 Best Bike Rack for Rav4 2022
Are you in search of a reliable solution to transport your bikes? Planning a family adventure on your mountain bikes anytime soon?
Bike Rack | Type | Bike Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|
Spare Tire | 2 | ||
Spare Tire | 2 | ||
Trunk | 3 | ||
Spare Tire | 2 | ||
Trunk | 3 | ||
Hitch | 4 | ||
Hitch | 2 | ||
Spare Tire | 2 |
Allen Sports Deluxe 2-bike rack is one of the finest bike racks for Rav4 with a spare tire!
It consists of a steel frame with a wide bottom profile and wider carry arms that make the accommodation of different types of bikes super easy!
Whether you’re looking to mount a lady’s bike or you’re heavy, mountain bike, this one rack is designed for fitting in an entire family’s cycles without a problem.
Moreover, if you’re looking for a frame that is sturdy enough to hold multiple bikes at a time, the Allen Sports 2 bike rack, as the name suggests, can easily manage to fit 2 bikes at a time!
But remember, the combined weight of your bikes shouldn’t exceed 70 pounds! Is Allen’s bike rack a secure product to transport your bikes with?
It is definitely! The Sports Deluxe 2 bike rack comes with individual tie-down cradles that allow you to lock in the rack securely the back of your Rav4, even if you have a spare tire at the rear, do not worry as this one is specially designed to fit perfectly on the “extra” tire at the back.
If you’re looking for durability, let us tell you that this spare tire rack comes with a black powder finishing that adds to its long-life performance!
- Can hold up to 2 bikes at a time
- Steel frame finished out with black powder coating promise great performance and added durability
- Easy to install
- Designed to sit comfortably on a spare tire of a Rav4
- Consists of individual tie-down cradles for added security
- Comes with Allen Sport’s warranty
- Affordable
- If not installed properly, it might scratch the paint of your car
- The quality of cradles could be improved to make the fixation of bikes more secure
Next up is Thule’s 963 Pro spare me bike rack, another bike rack for Rav4 with a spare tire!
But what makes it so special you ask? We’ve found this bike rack to be made from heavy-duty steel with a vinyl coat that makes it durable!
Moreover, it consists of stay-put cradles attached to an anti-sway frame that keeps the bikes fixed in one place, reducing the bike to bike or bike to car contact that helps avoid unnecessary damage to either vehicle.
Sounds great, right? But we aren’t finished yet!
The Thule 963 Pro bike rack is easy to install, fits perfectly on the spare tire of your Rav4, and best of all, consists of a built-in integrated locking system that allows the rack to tightly hold to the vehicle while also keeping the bikes securely fixed in place.
Furthermore, it is compact, manages a load capacity of 75 pounds which lets you transport 2 bikes simultaneously without a problem.
And yes, when not in use, you can easily fold down the carry arms and save some space at the rear for easy parking!
- Consists of a steel frame with vinyl coating for added durability
- Comes with a load capacity of 75 pounds that lets you transport 2 bikes at a time easily
- Built-in integrated locking system for secure transportation of bikes
- Anti-sway cage that helps avoid unnecessary damage to both the bike and the vehicle while in transit
- Compact and easy to install
- Foldable carry arms
- The bars are long apart from each other which makes accommodating multiple bikes a little difficult
- The rubber straps may damage over time
- Not compatible with all vehicles
If you’re looking for something sleek and stylish, a rack that fulfills the purpose of transporting bikes safely yet is shiny and durable, you need to get your hands on the Saris Bones Ex trunk bike rack!
This Rav4 trunk bike rack is made from plastic and 100% recyclable material that adds to its years of performance.
Moreover, the rack has been designed to perfectly fit 3 bikes simultaneously. The Saris Bones rack is all about durability and high performance, letting you transport multiple bikes without a hassle.
The frame consists of integrated strap management that allows you to fit the rack at the rear of your trunk with sheer sturdiness. Furthermore, the premium bike hold downs have been crafted to hold down the cycles with 100% security, keeping them safe while in transit.
The bike rack does sound great, isn’t it? Let’s add here that the straps are made of recyclable material and as per the manufacturer’s guarantee, the straps won’t wear over time!
The Saris Bones 3 bike carrier is a solid framed product made for bike enthusiasts that wish to go on a cycling adventure, hence letting them carry multiple bikes safely and without any worries!
- Compatible with most vehicles
- Can hold up to 3 bikes at a time
- Made from plastic and other recyclable material which promises long-lasting performance
- Integrated strap management keeps the frame fixed in place
- Premium bike hold downs keep the bikes safe
- Articulated rubber feet keep your car’s paint job safe from scratches
- Comes with a manual for easy installation
- Some users have complained of the straps coming to lose after a few uses
- Not ideal for mountain bikes
- The quality needs to be improved
How can we not mention the Allen Sports Premium 2 bike rack when talking about the best bike racks for Rav4?
Allen Sports is a popular name in the industry and thus, when talking about quality racks, a name that quickly crosses our mind is the Premium 2 bike rack!
This compact bike rack is all about convenience! It comes with foldable arms, hence when not in use you can easily fold them up and save some parking space at the back.
Moreover, the metal frames with two bottom “sure straps” promise 100% sturdiness, making the transportation of bikes easy, convenient, and safe!
And how can we forget to mention the in-built tie-down system? Well, you read it right!
The tie-down system not only helps to keep the rack in place but ensures your bikes are held down tightly and reach the destination with complete safety. Furthermore, it is also difficult to break into these systems so, in your absence, you’ll be sure that your bikes are secure!
Allen Sports Premium 2 bike carrier consists of a wider bottom for easy accommodation of bikes, is made from high-quality steel finished off with black powder coating for added durability, and consists of rubber cradles that not just fix the frame in place but can stand the wearing over time.
Moreover, the rack is easy to assemble and install, hence all you need to do is spare a few minutes from your day and the rack is all ready to go!
- Easy to assemble and install
- In-built tie-down system for guaranteed security
- Rubber cradles that won’t wear or tear easy over time
- Accommodates 2 bikes at a time
- Sturdy and compact
- Comes with foldable arms
- Steel frame with black powder coating promises durability
- Wider base for easy accommodation of bikes
- Does not fit all vehicles with spare tires
- Some users have suggested using an additional chain and lock for extra security as the in-built system isn’t much reliable
- The rubber straps wore off easy
With a load capacity of up to 99 lbs, Tyger’s auto deluxe bike rack takes the next place on our list of the best racks for Rav4!
The Rav4 bike rack no hitch is all about convenience and great performance! It is compatible with most vehicles include hatchbacks, minivans, and your Rav4.
Moreover, the frame has been carefully designed with padded lowers that are not only easy to fix but ensure to keep the paint job of your vehicle safe and clean!
Do you see the individual soft cradles? These have been added to secure the bikes in place tightly of course, while taking care of it and avoiding unnecessary damage during transit.
Oh, and yes, these cradles come with an E-coating that keeps them protected against rust and UV rays.
But are you worried about installing it? well, that won’t be a problem as the carrier comes with an easy manual to guide you through the process, making installation quick and convenient!
Furthermore, if you see closely, the bars are long and accommodating while padded completely hence, keeping the bikes safe from bumping into the vehicle and damaging on the way.
And let’s not forget the additional safety straps that the rack comes with minimize bike rattling, keeps the two-wheelers secure, and the frame sturdy. Moreover, the lifetime warranty offered on the Tyger’s auto deluxe rack lets you use it for longer, without any hassle!
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Additional straps minimize bike rattling and offer extra security
- A lower padded frame keeps the bike safe from bumping in the vehicle
- Individual cradles tightly secure the bikes into place
- E-coated cradles are protected against rust and UV rays which adds to their life and performance
- Compatible with most vehicles
- Not easy to install
- The nuts aren’t galvanized hence may rust away quick
- Not ideal for women’s bikes if placed along with men’s bike
- May not fit over all vehicle types as mentioned
The IKURAM 4 bike rack is an ideal bike rack for most bike enthusiasts. Why do we say so?
Well, this is because we can’t get enough of the sleek design put together with alloy steel that guarantees 100% durability. Thus, long-lasting performance is what this one promises to deliver!
Moreover, the bike rack has been cleverly designed to accommodate not one, two but 4 bikes simultaneously. That is correct!
The IKURAM bike rack is made to accommodate multiple bikes without bending or breaking, thus giving you a fair chance at planning a family adventure cycling trip every day!
And let’s not forget the compactness that the rack offers. It comes with foldable arms hence when not in use; you can easily fold the arms up to save some space at the back.
But what makes the IKURAM bike rack special is the tilt-down backward design! How is it useful you ask?
Well, if you need to put in or use the rear at any point, you can easily pull back the rear for easy accessibility, thus making it great for people who need to use the rear of their vehicles more often.
But is the rack safe to use? Yes, 100% safe it is!
The bike carrier comes along with dual-compound cradles made from UV-resistant rubber that lets you fix your bike safe and tight. Moreover, you get an anti-rattle hitch tightener that supports the rack during installation, reducing any unnecessary wobbling or swaying.
The IKURAM bike rack is great for a family of enthusiasts who is looking for a durable, high-performing, and safe bike rack to carry their two-wheelers to the destination without a hassle!
- Can accommodate up to 4 bikes at a time
- Dual compound cradles made from UV resistant rubber secure the bikes tightly
- Anti-rattle hitch tightener eliminates wobbling and swaying during transit
- Made from alloy steel which adds to its performance and durability
- The tilt-down backward design increases the rear accessibility of the vehicle
- Foldable arms and compact design
- Sturdy and strong
- The carry arms look a little short in length
- Installing the hitch receiver can be difficult
- The hitch receiver is not compatible with most vehicles
This black steel beauty has won the hearts of many with its great performance! the Swagman XC2 is designed to carry a maximum of 2 bikes at a time, weighing no more than 35 lbs each.
But the thing that actually makes it a clear winner is the versatility it offers. The rack has been designed to fit different wheel sizes ranging from 20 inches to 29 inches. Thus, no matter which vehicle you own, all you need to do is fixing in the hitch and slide in the rack!
Moreover, the XC2 by Swagman is easy to assemble and install. You don’t need any extra pair of tools to get it in place. The ratchet arm fixes easily and place and then just slide in the rack, adjusting the height according to your requirement.
Talk about sturdiness and durability, the XC2 bike carrier offers it all! The addition of the anti-wobble hitch makes sure to keep the rack fixed well in place.
Had enough of the goods? Well, we have more? When the rack is not in use, rather than de-installing the entire frame, you can simply fold up the center arms to save space at the back,
Moreover, the frame comes with padding that ensures to keep the bike safe from damage during the transportation process, while also doing your vehicle some good.
But how do you tie down the bikes? Well, you have cradles and straps to hold the two-wheelers in place plus if you wish to make the accommodation more “safe”, you can always get additional chains, cradles, and locks for added security.
And yes, for the fat tires, Swagman sells tire trays separately, in case you need one for your vehicle!
- Easy to assemble and install
- Sturdy and durable
- The hitch receiver can fix over wheels of different sizes ranging from 20 inches to 29 inches
- The padded frame keeps the bike safe while in transit
- The anti-wobble hitch keeps the frame fixed well in place
- Foldable center arms, compact and lightweight
- The lock system needs to be improved
- Users have complained of the cradle snapping and throwing the bikes off during transportation
- The hooks chip off the car and bike’s paint
What has helped Fieryred’s bike rack earn its place on our list of the best rack for Rav4?
Durability, high-end performance, and superb locking system are what helped the rack carve its way to our list!
The bike carrier is carefully made from heavy-duty iron which of course, guarantees durability. With a capacity to accomodate2 bikes at a time, the rack promises to carry your expensive studs safe and sound.
Moreover, the frame has been coated with a powder that keeps it protected against changing weather, hence adding more years to its amazing performance.
But is the rack compatible with most vehicles? Is it easy to install?
If you’re thinking about installation and compatibility, let us tell you, the Fieryred’s bike rack comes with a universal fitment, making it easy to fix at spare tires of most vehicles without any difficulty.
Furthermore, the anti-sway design holds the rack tightly in place while you carefully place it on your bikes, keeping both the vehicle and the studs safe from any damages.
Another amazing feature that this rack highlight is the in-built anti-theft lock, which effectively holds your expensive bikes in place and is hard to break in, keeping them safe in your absence.
Sounds wonderful, right? The bike carrier by Fieryred has a total load capacity of 75 lbs, letting you carry no more than 2 bikes simultaneously, easily!
- Heavy-duty iron construction
- Built-in anti-theft locks keep the bikes safe in your absence
- Load capacity up to 75 lbs
- Offers universal fitment
- The frame is coated with black powder that keeps it protected against changing weather
- Anti-sway design and easy to install
- The iron frame may be more prone to rust and UV damage
Best Bike Rack for Rav4: Buyer’s Guide
For a bicycle enthusiast, carrying a bike to distant places can be pretty difficult. Although, yourRav4 might have ample space to fit in the bike, scratching and damage is always a risk!
Thus, a quick solution that we suggest is buying a bike rack. But how do you buy the right one? What things should you be looking for? If you’re new at buying a bike rack for your Rav4, here are the things that you should consider:
Load Capacity
What is load capacity? By load capacity, we simply mean the total weight a bike rack can hold. But why is it important?
Imagine you plan on taking two bikes or more at a time along the way, and as soon as you load all, the rack starts bending under their weight, ultimately breaking lose! Doesn’t the thought scare you?
This is why; when buying a bike rack first ask yourself how many bikes you wish to transport. The more the load you’re seeking to apply, the higher the load capacity you’ll need. Hence, this way you’ll be sure of safe transportation of your two-wheelers.
A Built-In Security System
We are sure, you must have heard like a hundred stories of bikes getting stolen presently. Hence, this is why, to ensure the safety of your two-wheeler, we suggest you opt for bike racks that come with a built-in security system.
Although a manual key system may serve the purpose of temporary security but know it, these locks can be broken easily. On the contrary, for a thief to break into a built-in security system is nearly impossible, thus keeping your bike absolutely safe during your absence.
A bike rack this advanced may be a little expensive, but believe us, purchasing it is worth every penny!
Compact Design
When you’re already driving the monster Rav4, you wouldn’t want to add on things that take up more space.
Go for a compact bike rack! Not just smaller in size or lightweight but also includes features like foldable arms that safes up some space at the rear.
Moreover, for bikers who take up the hobby occasionally, a compact bike rack is definitely the best choice as you can un-install them fold up the arms, and pack them away until use for the next time.
Easy to Install
For a non-technical person who’s new to bike racks, getting an expensive rack with a complicated design is a big NO from our side.
Although, these may offer more sturdiness, installing it will be a new struggle altogether! Hence, we advise you to go for racks that are easy to install. Maybe have a few screws that help it tighten in place but no fancy, complicated locking systems to confuse.
Most bike racks come along with a manual for guidance thus follow it to the “T” and we are sure you won’t have a problem putting it together!
Number of Bikes to Be Carried
Another point of importance to remember when buying the best bike rack for your Rav4 is that you need to make sure you already know the number of bikes you’ll be carrying.
Well, you can expect to fit in two bikes in a bike carrier that is designed for one! Hence, if you’re a whole family who loves cycling, it is wise to go for a bike rack that can hold multiple bikes at a time, just in case all of you plan on going on a “cycling” trip together.
Budget
Are you on a low budget but looking for a bike rack that is high-performing and durable? Do not worry because once you step out of the house, you’ll find some popular brands offering decent quality racks at affordable prices.
Although we all know when you ask for high quality, you need to pay high for it. but then when investing in things like a rack, we do suggest you do opt for a higher quality one if you can afford it for sure.
Or else, set your budget and buy a rack accordingly, or else you’ll end up spending more than you would have wished for!
Material
Steel and aluminum are metals that are known for durability, thus we’d suggest you simply go for racks that are made from either of these.
Although you’ll be tempted into buying plastic or racks constructed of other materials, cheaper ones of course, but remember, the higher quality material used in the making, the more durable and sturdier the rack will be.
This goes especially for cyclists looking to carry multiple bikes at a time. for higher load capacity, you need a frame that won’t bend under the weight of your two-wheelers thus, choose a bike rack made from high-grade steel or aluminum to be sure of the quality, performance, and unmatched durability!
Types of Bike Racks
Before you head out to buy a bike rack for your vehicle, you need to understand the types available and which one will suit you the best.
So basically, there are four types of bike racks: trunk-mounted, roof-mounted, hitch mounted, and spare-tire bike rack. We are sure you had no idea about these or did you?
Each bike rack serves a different purpose; hence, here is a more detailed look into the types so you can be sure of buying the right one for your vehicle.
As per the name, roof-mounted bike racks are installed at the top of your cars. Thus, if you own a vehicle with a higher roof, we won’t suggest going for this one.
But otherwise, for a normal car like a sedan or even a minivan, the roof-mounted bike racks make an ideal choice.
These are easy to install and safe parking spaces at the back, moreover giving you complete accessibility to the rear. Furthermore, this rack can be used to transport various stuff including kayaks, boats, and bikes of course!
Most are designed to accommodate a large number of bikes, ranging from children to mountain bikes without a problem. Thus, if you’re looking for a rack that can hold multiple bikes without taking much space at the back, this one is for you!
Amongst the lot, the trunk-mounted bike racks are the most affordable ones! Most models come with adjustable straps, hence making them easy to install.
Although, these are safe to use but surely not the safest ones amongst the four of the rack types! Loading bikes more than their capacity can lead to the rubber straps breaking easily which of course can cause a serious accident while on the road.
Thus, if you have a low budget and thinking of buying this one, we’d suggest buying a handful of extra cradles for added security and safety of your bikes.
Labeling the hitch-mounted bike racks as the sturdiest ones, we won’t be wrong! These are easy to install, are compatible with most vehicles, and hence, surely strong and sturdy!
Most racks come with hitch receivers that make installation no problem but in case yours doesn’t offer one, you’ll need to buy the receiver separately.
If you own a wrangler or a Rav4, a spare tire bike rack is your thing. This easily attaches to your spare tire, without you having to remove the extra tire from the rear.
It is sturdy and strong, can carry multiple bikes at a time, and is easy to install. The only negative aspect of the spare tire rack is that it limits the accessibility to the rear; otherwise, this one is great for bike enthusiasts who own jeeps and vehicles with spare tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
By far, a bike rack has been rated as one of the best ways to transport bike racks for cyclists who love adventure. Yes, we know one cannot always carry it on their shoulder or stuff it inside the car!
Hence, if you looking for the best bike rack for Rav4, we’d suggest getting a close look at Allen Sports Deluxe 2 bike rack and Thule 963PRO Spare Me Bike Rack while still exploring other options!
Remember, when investing in a product like a bike rack, look for durability, high-end performance, and sturdiness, and of course, the safety system that it comes along with!
Hi Brian.
Interested in the Saris EX, but Saris says it won’t fit a 2021 Rav 4. Do you have any clarification on this? Thanks!
Chris Pacilla