How to Lock a Bike Carrier to a Car

Bike carriers are designed to transport one or more bikes safely when installed on vehicle. Carriers are produced by several different manufacturers and may be mounted to a roof rack or receiver hitch. Securing the rack is important to assure that both the bike and rack are not stolen. Locking a roof rack and hitch rack differ in procedure, however, both are easy to do and well worth the extra time.

Things You'll Need

  • Hitch-mounted bike rack
  • Hitch pin
  • Padlock
  • Roof rack bike carrier
  • Locking cores
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Instructions

  1. Hitch-Mounted Bike Racks

    • 1

      Insert the mounting tube of the rack into the receiver tube of the hitch. Slide the bike rack tube as far as possible into the receiver hitch.

    • 2

      Locate the hitch pin hole on either side of the receiver hitch. Align the holes on the bike rack tube with the holes of the hitch. Insert a hitch pin so that it goes completely through and out the opposite side.

    • 3

      Insert the hasp of a lock into the hole in the straight end of the hitch pin. Secure the lock by inserting the hasp into the body of the lock until it locks into place.

    Roof-Mounted Bike Rack

    • 4

      Secure the bike carrier to the roof rack. Bike racks typically feature two pieces that connect and lock to secure the bike rack to the cross bars. The method of installation will vary, depending on the manufacturer.

    • 5

      Lock the rack with a key, if possible, or secure with a cable. Wrap the cable around the bike, carrier and rack to secure the rack and provide extra protection for the bike.

    • 6

      Install lock cores into the risers of the roof rack. Remove the plastic plugs and make sure the core holes are free from debris.

    • 7

      Insert an installation key into the lock core and push the core into the core hole of the riser. It may be necessary to slightly twist the core. Remove the installation key when the core locks in place.

    • 8

      Insert the locking keys and turn the core so that it locks. Repeat the procedure for the three other risers. Locking the rack will help prevent the entire assembly from being stolen.