Nissan Xterras are an excellent, versatile vehicle for families who love spending time outdoors. There is usually plenty of room in these vehicles for the entire family and their luggage, especially with the addition of hitch cargo carriers, but adding two or three bicycles to the mix may prove problematic. It might be time to start looking for a bike rack for your Nissan Xterra if your family enjoys biking and wants to venture beyond a few blocks.
Nissan Xterra bike racks are available in a variety of shapes, capacities, and styles. But not all of them are compatible with Nissan Xterras, and even those that are might not fit your specific vehicle. Weighing all your options is very important before buying a Nissan Xterra bike rack. It is important to know the pros and cons of each model.
Thule, Allen, Yakima, and Swagman are among our favorite Nissan Xterra bike rack manufacturers.
Cheap | Best Over All | My Choice | Value For Money |
 Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Rack 4 Bikes |  Swagman XC 2-Bike Hitch Mount 2 Bikes |  Yakima Frontloader Bike Mount 1 Bike |  Allen Sports Deluxe Spare Tire Mount 2 Bikes |
Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Rack
The Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack is our top pick for a Nissan Xterra hitch mounted bike rack. An 8-inch trailer hitch is required for your vehicle. We recommend that you get a professional to install a Class III or IV hitch if you don’t already have one.
Each bicycle is secured individually with the help of a tie-down system attached to the carrying arm, which extends 22 inches. When no bikes are attached, the arms can fall out of the way. The storage process becomes easier this way. Racks are easy to set up and assemble.
With one pin, it is easy to remove the rack from the hitch. With its steel construction (so it does weigh more) and a classy black powder coating, the Allen Sports Deluxe comes with a lifetime warranty. This piece of equipment is of high quality and will last many years.
The Allen Sports Deluxe 542RR and 545 model series each feature two models. Each rack is capable of holding up to four bicycles. Extra features include quick-folding, carrying arms, quick-fastening straps, and dual compound cradles. In addition, it features a rapid tilt-away mast and a dual compound spine shield.
As a result, we suggest that you buy the standard 542RR model since we are not convinced the extra utility justifies the price difference. For those looking for these features in their bike racks, Allen Sports S545 Premier Hitch Mounted 4-Bike Carrier may meet their needs.
Swagman XC 2-Bike Hitch Mount
Easy to install, this stylish rack can even accommodate fat tires if you purchase an extra tray. Tires between 20′ and 29′ will fit on the standard rack. The rack mounts on either a 1 14 hitch receiver or a 2” hitch receiver; this makes it possible to use it on more than one Nissan Xterra; handy if you have two or a friend needs to borrow it. A locking pin of 12 inches ensures that the rack cannot be removed once it’s been installed. The 10mm cable is sold separately.
This rack has a capacity of 70 lbs, which means each bike can hold 35 lbs. One of its most important features is its anti-wobble technology. As a result, your vehicles will handle better while driving and your bikes will be balanced. A useful feature of this rack is that it has a fold down middle arm to allow access to your boot even when it’s in place.
Moreover, you need to consider how large the frame of this rack can be. Ratchets are integrated into the upright arms of this chair. Adjustable mounts allow you to adapt them to your bicycle’s frame. 59 cm is the maximum height of your bike’s frame.
This steel 2-bike rack from Swagman is 32 pounds in weight and made of lightweight steel. During inactive times, the device can be folded vertically for minimal space consumption around the house or in your vehicle. If you are reversing, don’t forget that it’s there!
There is a note to be made regarding the way the bikes are secured to the ratchet by the wheels. While driving, this keeps them from moving. Wheel plates can be slid to accommodate various frame sizes. This rack can handle all types of bikes, whether they’re road, downhill, full suspension, or a BX.
Yakima ForkLift Fork Mount
Yakima’s Forklift Rooftop Bike Mount is the roof-mounted bike rack we recommend for your Nissan Xterra. This decision is strongly influenced by the quality of design and construction, as well as its versatility. In addition to fitting Yakima round, square and factory crossbars right out of the box, this particular Forklift mount also fits most other brand names of car rack systems that feature round or square bars, as well as most factory crossbars on Nissan Xterras. Installing the bike mount on your car roof rack is a simple and tool-free process.
On the rack, the wheel tray can be easily adjusted, making positioning of the rear wheel easy. In addition to mountain bikes with 29″ wheels, the Forklift can also accommodate bikes with longer wheelbases. Holding the bike firmly in place is a lockable skewer with an integrated adjustment knob for easy single-handed operation. Yakima or the internet will have through-axle adapters for bikes with thru-axles. There is no configuration that can’t be securely mounted on the Yakima Forklift by means of the Yakima Forklift front mount. Some disk brakes will fit, but others are a little tight.
The design of the Yakima is elegant and simple and even when compared to similar racks like the one by Thule, you’ll quickly come to understand that they’ve minimized the number of parts (for example there’s only a single bolt per clamp, but that’s all that’s needed as opposed to four bolts on the Thule) This makes mounting and dismounting the Yakima really easy.
Finally, as expected the Yakima Forklift is designed to not touch the painted surfaces of your bike and makes for a great bike mount even for modern carbon bikes.
Maxx Haul (70210) 4-Bike Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack
Maxx Haul bike racks are an inexpensive way to transport a family of bikes, perfect for holidays, family days out, or as a new way to commute. Transporting four bikes is possible with this sturdy, durable cart. With a swing down feature, access to the rear vehicle is not hindered, something important for family road trips on long journeys with a lot of family members and a lot of luggage.
As your bikes travel, these steel hitch racks guarantee that they are secure and safe with the hook-and-loop straps that are included with the rack. Although this bike rack cannot be used on RVs or bikes with slanted handlebars, there are very few limitations when using it for your family.
Pros:
- Holds 4 bikes – family
- Steel made, sturdy, durable
- Easy swing down feature
- Fast and easily adjustable
- Hook and loop straps
Overall, we liked Maxx Haul (70210) Hitch Mount Rack because it eliminates a great deal of stress when traveling with your family, a full car, and bikes.
BV Bike Bicycle Hitch Mount Rack Carrier
A bicycle rack with this design looks good and helps save space. The rack can be folded flat when not in use, so your vehicle will be shorter when not in use. The tilt-back design allows you to access the rear even when the bike rack is in use, without having to remove the rack from your Nissan Xterra. Multi-bladed safety reflectors increase your visibility, particularly during night driving and driving in bad weather, such as fog, rain, and hail.
Additionally, drivers, road users, and other bikers are protected. Two anti-wobble technologies prevent rotation between the hitch and the rack while your bike is attached, which means no scratches, dent, or damage can be caused while it is in transit. Protect your bikes with the tray-style loop and padded arms, which hold them securely and prevent damage.
The pros are:
- An aesthetic design that saves space
- This folding, tilt-back chair folds flat
- Reflectors increase visibility for safety
- Technology that counteracts wobbles in two directions
- The loop is tray-style, padded and secured
Why We Liked It – We like the BV Bike Bicycle Hitch Mount Rack Carrier because it is so safety conscious, enabling you to travel with bikes in the safest possible manner on the road.
Conclusion
You have a number of options when it comes to Nissan Xterra bike racks. You must consider the vehicle’s design, the number of bikes to be transported, and how often you will be traveling with the bike. It is fine to use a spare tire Nissan Xterra bike rack for cycling occasionally if you and your partner will only go cycling occasionally. Often biked to faraway places by your family, then you’ll need a rack for hitch bikes with adapters for alternative frame bicycles if you go biking every day.
You need a roof rack if you do more than just carry bikes, such as kayaking, surfing, and skiing, but also enjoy other outdoor activities. If you choose a specific product, be sure to read reviews and do some research about it.
[…] Other exterior features include signature LED headlamps, daytime running lamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels, bike rack space. […]