When looking for a bike rack for your SUV, the hitch rack might just be the first thing you think of. You can put them on and take them off in minutes and it all works very well. But, if you’re trying to avoid messing up the looks of your car by installing a hitch, here are the 5 best bike racks for an SUV with no hitch that do the job perfectly.
The bike racks we reviewed are durable, secure, easy to use, and able to hold from one to four bikes at once with no problems. Best of all, they keep your car’s tires and exterior nice and clean with no risk of damage. Read on to see if we have something you are looking for.
Other features: installs in minutes, tie down straps for wheels, and locking feature
This bike rack is our top pick as it’s very stylish, reliable, budget-friendly, and installs in minutes. All you need to do is place it on the roof of your car, lift your bike onto the rack, and secure it using the straps or a small lock for security. The good-looking design fits any type of vehicle and it is incredibly easy to use. The best part about this bike rack is that it’s lightweight and very easy to assemble. It can be used with all types of cars because you can mount it on the roof or even inside your trunk.
The Swagman Upright is a cheaper model than most other Swagman mounts, including the Enforcer product that has even more durability than this. It is great for those looking for value for money, and for those who have thicker tires up to 3 inches in width, as the Swagman UPRIGHT can handle these thicker and chunkier tires and a weight of up to 35 lbs. However, if you plan on carrying a bit heavier bike, we recommend the option below because it has a higher weight capacity.
Other features: quick and secure mounting dial, soft claw pads
Our Premium Pick, the Thule ProRide XT, is a sturdy and durable rack built to handle the weight of your bike and conveniently attaches to all Thule racks and many factory-installed bars. This is one of the best Thule roof racks on the market today. The quick-dial mounting system adjusts for a perfect fit and the bike is secured into place with soft rubber padded clamps which will not damage your frame. The Thule ProRide XT uses an anti-sway design to keep your bikes from rocking back and forth as you drive, minimizing any distractions or accidents. Best of all, this rack can be switched from one side of your vehicle to the other when needed.
This is an upgrade on the Thule TopRide system which is similar in its design, but not as well-reviewed, and it doesn’t quite havе the same high capacity for bike weight. This can hold bikes of up to 44 lbs, but remember that there is only room for one bike on the rack.
Other features: strap mounting, fits vehicles with spoilers, provides 6.5″ of space between bikes
The Saris Bones EX 3-Bike rack is our third choice for the best bike rack for an SUV without a hitch. The bike rack is easy to attach and can hold up to three bikes. Best of all, the trunk mount design fits perfectly on most SUVs and cars with spoilers. The premium bike hold downs ensure that your bicycles are securely attached to the rack, making it perfect for road trips. It is also made from 100% recyclable plastic and supports up to 35 lbs per bike. Best of all, the innovative arc-based design separates bikes on different levels, providing an astounding 6.5″ of space between bikes!
This is quite unusual when compared to other bike racks on the market as it has the largest vehicle compatibility of any trunk rack out there. You name it, and this will likely fit with no trouble at all. It’s also unusual as it is the best model for carrying three bikes. Most alternatives carry 2 or 4 bikes at once.
Other features: folding, single configuration design, patented individual tie down system, 12-inch-long carry arms, lifetime warranty
Weighing a mere 8.8 lbs., the Allen Sports Deluxe 102DN-R is one of the lightest trunk mount bike racks on the market with a carrying capacity of 35 lbs. per bike and up to two bikes per unit. It has carry arms that are 12 inches long, which provides enough space to transport even high-end mountain or touring bicycles. This bike carrier features a durable alloy steel construction and folds down for easy storage when not in use. You can rest assured knowing your bike rack has a lifetime warranty to protect it from any manufacturing defects. Even if there are any issues, the Allen Sports Deluxe will provide you with a free replacement or full refund of your original purchase price.
The Allen Sports Deluxe 102DN-R is an upgrade from their ultra-compact models and has the side straps to give you more of a lateral stability. It’s not quite up there with the ultra-professional Premier model which give your vehicle even more protection, but it does provide a great set of arms for carrying your bikes. If you need more space still, the Allen Sports range does have some even larger truck mount racks for bikes.
Other features: 21-inch-long-carry arms, strap mounting, foldable, extra-large car pads
The Allen Sports Premier S104 is another great bike rack that doesn’t require a hitch receiver for installation! This trunk-mount rack can easily carry 4 bikes and is perfect for people who don’t want to put holes in their car, but still need a sturdy bike rack. The patented quick set-up frame makes it easy and simple to put together and start using. The individual dual compound tie down cradles provide extra security and protection for your bikes. Not only this, but the wide profile feet help to protect your car by keeping them away from scratching up against it. We found it very convenient that this rack can also be folded down when not in use. It’s also made of alloy steel which is great for extra durability.
This is an upgraded model from the Allen Sports Premier S102, which has room for two bikes only, but the S104 has a huge 140 lbs. capacity and space for four bikes. Compared to many other racks on the list, this makes a great choice for families heading out on a trip who need to take four decent-sized bikes with them, and keep them secure the whole time. It’s also great for those who want a quick and easy setup.
The best hitch-less bike rack will let you take your bikes with you without having them drag all over town or worse yet, get damaged during transport. Before you start shopping, there are a few things to consider.
There are three main types of bike racks that you can choose from. Roof-mounted and trunk-mounted options do not require a hitch. Trunk-mounted racks are the most popular because they don’t occupy any space in the car’s interior or exterior.
Roof mounted bike racks can be ideal for SUVs but make sure your vehicle has a strong enough roof rack before buying one.
A trunk-style rack will most likely suit your needs if they’re fairly minimal. A roof rack is ideal if you need to transport more than one or two bikes, but they do take some getting used to. They are also more expensive than trunk or bumper styles.
What exactly do you plan to carry with your bike rack? If you’re planning on carrying more than two bikes, make sure the rack has a high load capacity. Most types of racks will be able to carry four bikes comfortably unless they are specially made for small vehicles or single sports.
Most people who buy a rack for their vehicle choose between installing it permanently or using the removable option.
– Permanent Installations
This type of install will give you the best security and protection for your bikes, but it does come with disadvantages as well. Installing a bike rack is often more expensive than setting up a removable one, and can involve hiring a pro. If you’ve never installed a bike rack before, you can read our guide on how to install a bike rack on an SUV. We also recommend choosing the bike rack that comes with step-by-step instructions to save you time and frustration.
– Removable Options
If you don’t have the money or time to install your new rack permanently, choose a removable option instead. You may have concerns about security when you purchase this type of rack, but most have locks so you can secure the entire rack to your vehicle. Removable racks are also great if you don’t use your car every day and want the option of removing it when necessary.
Bike racks can be made from a variety of materials including aluminum, plastic and steel. Aluminum is the lightest material, but it’s also very expensive. Plastic is cheap but not as durable as aluminum or steel. Steel tends to protect your bikes better than other materials will and won’t chip easily.
If you choose a steel or aluminum rack, look for one that has a powder-coated finish. Powder coating is a dry finishing process that has become extremely popular since its introduction in North America over in the 1960s. Representing over 15% of the total industrial finishing market, powder is used on a wide array of products. This will increase the durability of the material and protect it from rust.
Don’t neglect the stability of the rack. The last thing you want is for your expensive new bike to come crashing down on all fours while driving around town – terrifying! Make sure that the rack is going to stay in place and not move or shake when transporting your bikes. You might have to pay a little more for a durable product, but it will be worth it by protecting your investment from damage during transport.
Stability may come at the price of lighter weight though so keep this in mind if you intend on taking off-road biking trips with your vehicle frequently.
If you only plan on transporting bikes with small frames, you may only need a basic rack. However, if you ride any size other than that, then make the investment in a heavy-duty rack. When it comes to bike racks for SUVs without hitches, size definitely matters.
If you know that you’ll also need to transport other items along with your bike, then you’ll need to make sure the rack is large enough. That way, your gear won’t get damaged or dirty while you’re traveling. You’ll also want to make sure the racks are secure so that nothing will fall off during transport.
Securing your bike is one of the most important factors when choosing a rack. However, it’s also something that most people tend to forget about until they’re driving down the road and their prized possession has fallen off somewhere.
Make sure you invest in a rack with locks so everything will stay in place during transportation. Also, check that the locks are easy to access so you can get them open in a pinch.
For extra security, consider a rack with a cable or chain so you can lock your bikes once they’re on the rack and while they’re still on your vehicle. This will protect both your bikes and any other luggage on your rack from theft.
How much money have you set aside for this purchase? Budget is always a factor when buying something, even if it’s something you really want. If you’re looking for a rack that attaches to the frame, expect to pay more than one that attaches directly to the trunk or roof of your vehicle. You might also pay more if you need a high load capacity, but most racks are reasonably priced unless they come with unique features.
When we buy anything, we want it to be the best. The same is true with buying a bike rack for your SUV or truck that doesn’t have a hitch system.
You will be impressed with our Editor’s Choice, the Swagman UPRIGHT roof rack. It’s lightweight, easy to handle and it will hold your bike in place without risking damage to your car. It works with all tire sizes and has a nice mount design.
Our Premium Pick, the Thule ProRide XT is an aluminum roof rack with a large load capacity that has a secure quick-dial mounting system to fit almost any vehicle. The bike is positioned securely with a soft rubber pad and anti-sway cages design.
The Saris Bones EX 3-bike rack also deserves its place among the best bike racks for an SUV with no hitch. The trunk mount design fits perfectly vehicles with spoilers, making it perfect for road trips. It also provides 6.5 inches of space between bikes, which is by far the most in its class.
