How to Use Hitch Mounted Bike Racks

Hitch mounted bike racks are one of the easier ways to transport bicycles on your vehicle. You do not have to worry about having to lift them over your head to a high rack on the roof, or about having a trunk mounted strap system coming loose. The tires stay on the bike during transport and usually just attach with a few straps. Hitch mount bike racks come in different styles, all designed to mount the bikes easily and quickly, and some swing out of the way when not in use.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the type of hitch receiver you have on your vehicle. There are different sizes, with the two most common being 1 1/4-inch or 2-inch sizes. Purchase the hitch mount bike rack with the appropriate size. Some hitch mount bike racks come with an adapter to fit either of the two common sizes, others are sized to fit specific hitch measurements.

    • 2

      Assemble the bike rack arms or tire cradles according to the diagram provided. The assembly will depend on the type of rack you purchased, some have cradles for tires at the bottom and small arms at the top, others just have extension arms at the top to which the bikes are strapped.

    • 3

      Remove the ball hitch on your hitch receiver, if you have one. Remove the locking pin or mechanism from the hitch attachment on the bike rack. Slide the bike rack end into the hitch receiver. Locate the correct position and mount the locking pin or mechanism. Different bike racks have different positions and some are adjustable, depending on the number of bikes being transported.

    • 4

      Load the bikes into the rack. Top mount racks install bikes by hanging them in the slots provided and tightening the straps. Cradle mount racks install the bikes by setting the tires into the cradles, placing the upper hook over the bike in position and locking in place.