A Comparison of Hitch-Type Bike Carriers

Hitch-mount bike carriers attach to a previously installed 2- or 1.25-inch trailer hitch on the back of your vehicle.

  1. Types

    • Two types of hitch mount bike carriers are available. The tray or platform carrier option transports the bike upright by sitting the bike's tires in a tray or on a platform. The tube top style straps the bike by its frame to a fork-like pair of poles.

    Cost

    • As of October, 2010, carriers can be priced as low as $50 and as high as $700. The cost of the bike carrier can vary depending on how many bikes the carrier holds, the material it's made of and any additional features you choose to add.

    Features

    • Some racks have a swing-away or fold-down option, which enables you to move the bike carrier away from the vehicle without removing bikes from it. Most bike racks hold between one to four bikes; some racks can hold up to five bikes.