How to Put a Bike Rack on a Car

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Last Updated on February 10, 2022

Transporting your bike from one place to another shouldn't be challenging. While putting your bike inside the vehicle may seem convenient, it makes the car interior look dirty and takes lots of space.

A bike won't fit well in the boot or interior, which explains why you need a vehicle with a bike rack or just buy the best bike rack. You can place a bike rack on top or at the back of the car.

If you have multiple bikes, you can buy a different bike rack model to accommodate all the bikes. The good news is, you don't have to be a DIY junk to learn how to put a bike rack on a car.

This article will learn about the three-bike rack types and how to install them on your car. Let's get started.

Contents

Roof Racks

You should install roof racks on cars that have crossbars and rails. To transport your bike, you will only need specific adapters to clamp on the crossbars. If you have a car with a naked roof or lacks pre-installed racks, you will need a foot pack, kit, and crossbars to build a roof rack system.

Three advantages of having a roof rack are that you can carry many bikes on the roof. Second, it doesn't block the line of sight like other types of roof racks. Third, your bike spares your car from any form of damage. Here are the steps you need to follow when installing a roof rack

1) Take the measurement of the length and width of your car

Measure the length and the width of your car to get an idea of the kind of roof rack you need and its equipment. For instance, if the rails are 50 inches long, it means you can attach at least four bikes to the car.

2) Figure out your mounting system

The mounting system you choose will determine whether you need extra equipment to attach the roof rack or not. For instance, some roof racks will only work with naked roofs on your car. That means you will have to get a foot pack, fit kit, and crossbars.

For small cars with a curvy top, you'll require a short adapter before you can mount the roof racks. Adapters distribute the weight on the two-door cars. If you have a car with pre-existing mount locations, your job will be more comfortable.

3) Put the roof rack’s frame together

Screw the crossbar, side rails, and put the frame on the car. Make sure the roof rack is at the center of the car.

4) Uncover the mount holes

If you have a car with a naked roof, you will have to mount holes into the top to attach the roof rack. If your vehicle came with pre-existing mount locations, you wouldn't need to drill holes.

5) Tighten the screws

Insert screws on the roof rail and tighten them. That way, you'll fix the base of the roof rack on the car. For vehicles that have roof rails, all you need to do is loosen the thumbscrews to fix the bottom of the roof rack on the car.

6) clamp the mounts down on the crossbars

Finally, you’ll need to clamp the mounts down on the crossbars. Start from the back and move forward. Make sure the roof rack is tight and secure.

Hitch Rack

If you drive a large car like SUV, vans, or crossovers, chances are you can't access the roof quickly. The best way of transporting your bike would be to use a hitch rank. A hitch-mounted bike rack makes access easier while freeing up your car's interior space.

A hitch rack will work well with a car that has a hitch receiver. Otherwise, you may have to buy one and install it. Here are the steps you need to follow when installing a hitch bike rack:

1) Know your car's hitch class

 If your car has a hitch receiver, it will work with a hitch mount. There are different types of hitch rack classes. You may want to know the class your car belongs before you buy one.

2) Determine the towing capacity and the kind of rack needed

Know your car's towing capacity before getting a hitch mount. Second, you need to know how many bikes you hitch will be carrying.

3) Get the size of the hitch

Most car hitch racks will have an adapter. If your car's hitch is 1 ¼, remove the adapter to make the hitch compatible with the rack.

4) Install the hitch rack

Slide the hitch rack into the car's receiver.  Then, line up the holes on the receiver and the rack. Using a bolt and local washer, tighten and secure the rack.

Trunk Rack

They are easy to attach and give you the freedom of movement. If you wish to remove the rack, you can do it without any challenge, and you can install it easily. Unlike other types of bike racks, trunk racks can hold a maximum of 2 bikes. To add a trunk rack on your car, here are the simple steps to follow:

Step 1: Put the rack on the ground to separate the straps.

Step 2: Open the trunk. Make sure the top straps and hooks are all in place.

Step 3: Next, you’ll want to lay the rack on top of the trunk. Put hooks at the bottom of the trunk, close it, and tighten using the straps so that the hooks don’t wobble or slide.

Conclusion

You don't have to put your bike inside the boot or car. We know installing a rack might be challenging at first, but if you follow the steps outlined in this article, the process will be more straightforward.

Keep in mind that you need to ensure that straps and hooks are tight. Before you put your bike on the rack you need to test to make sure you have nothing loose. Otherwise, you might cause accidents on the road, or someone might steal your bike.



Harold Whitford

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About the Author

My name is Harold Whitford, a husband, father, and avid cyclist with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Delaware. Having been in the industry for more than 15 years, I have a number of the road race and national time trial championships in my bag.

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