How to Install Bike Rack on Car

There is no doubt that bike racks are an essential part of every bike enthusiast’s life. Bike racks are a great way to transport your bike when you are going on an extended trip.

The good news is that if you are reading this article, you are in luck because this article will answer most of your questions about how to install your bike rack on your car, if you have any.

As a bike rack installer, my goal is to help you get your bike rack up and running as soon as possible.

It will be my pleasure to guide you through all of the pertinent issues as they relate to the subject matter we will discuss.

Is this something you can do by yourself? Let’s first find out if that is something you can do by yourself.

 

Is it possible to install a bike rack by myself?

Most of the time, you should be able to install a bike rack on your car by yourself if you have the right tools.

Depending on which bike rack you choose, there may be simple instructions and videos included that will assist you in setting it up.

In spite of this, there are many types of bike racks, which may make installing some of them more difficult than others as there are so many types.

You might not need any tools in order to install some bike racks, which are designed to be mounted without tools.

In case you need to get tools for the job, then all you need to do is to get the right tools for the job and get started.

You could also hire a technician to perform the task for you if that’s something you’d prefer to have done for you.

However, the manufacturing industry has come to realize that people prefer products that they can fix or install themselves without having to hire a technician to help them out.

There is a reason why the newer models of bike racks for cars are DIY (Do It Yourself) in nature.

It is certainly possible for you to install your bicycle rack by yourself, so yes, you can do it yourself.

You can even install the different types of bike racks on your vehicle without looking at your manual, as the instructions in this article will guide you on how to do so without looking at your bike rack manual, such as hitch racks, trunk racks, or roof racks.

In order to make the installation easier and faster, there are some tools that may be needed in order to make it more efficient.

Here are a few of them.

 

Tools You Need To Install a Bike Rack

Using a wrench will help you tighten bolts and nuts if your bike rack has provision for them as well as to secure the position of your bike rack once you have tightened them.

Having a measuring tape handy – this is what you’ll use to determine the right bike rack for your crossbars by measuring the length and width of your crossbars.

There is no need to make a cut if you have a marker pointing out where to cut.

In order to give your bike rack adequate space for it to be able to attach to your bike rack, you will need scissors in order to cut off excess rubber from your crossbars.

If you want to get to the top of your car easily, you will need a ladder.

Now that we have the tools listed out, let’s move on to learning how to install the bike rack that you are going to put on your car.

The following paragraphs will provide the detailed instructions for the installation of the three major types of bike racks: hitch racks, trunk racks, and roof racks.

If you have a bike rack of a particular type, you will need to select the one that deals with it and follow the instructions explained.

 

How To Install Hitch Bike Rack

It would be great if you had a hitch bike rack if you had more than one bike and needed a way to transport them when you went on a trip with them.

The first thing you need to do before you can install your hitch rack is to make sure that you have already installed a hitch receiver on your car. Most cars come with preinstalled hitch receivers, but if yours does not, you can easily add one to it.

Here is a guide that will show you how to install a hitch bike rack on your car.

You should first know what class your hitch receiver falls under by looking at its size. It is usually heavy-duty cars that fall under Class 5, which is determined by the size of the hitch receiver. Class 1 and 2 hitches have open openings of 1.25 inches, while Class 3 and 4 have open openings of 2 inches. It is possible that you will need to purchase an additional adapter if your hitch receiver is larger than your rack, and once you have determined what class your hitch receiver is, it is time to move forward.

In the second step, you will need to make sure that all of the parts are included in the hitch rack pack. This is where you will need to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Once you have completed the instructions, it is time to put the frame together.

I recommend that you ask someone to help you lift your rack if it is heavy, if it is a medium or heavy rack. Although most racks are medium to heavy and do not weigh more than 50 pounds, if yours is a heavy rack, ask them to help you lift it.

The fourth step is to make sure that the bolt lines from both the rack and the receiver are positioned properly. Once the hitch bolt has been inserted (this is usually included in your rack package), tighten it firmly with a wrench. You will then need to insert a cotter pin on the bolt opposite from the head of the rack if it came with it.

Having followed all the necessary steps, you need to load your bike(s) onto the rack. You will want to tighten the bikes with telescoping bar clamps and straps around the wheels or frame of the bike. The best way to ensure that everything is properly installed and secure is to pull firmly on the bike and rack to see if anything moves. If it does, then you’re good to go.

 

How to Install Trunk Bike Rack

To know if a trunk rack will fit your car, you should first check with the manufacturer’s website to see if their trunk rack will fit. It is important to check with the manufacturer’s website before making a purchase. It is important to note that there are different types of trunk bike racks that are made for different car models. Once you are sure that the trunk bike rack fits your car model, you can purchase it. Here is how to install a trunk bike rack.

First, you will need to read the instructions that came with the trunk bike rack that you purchased. There might be different instructions for different models of cars, so pay attention to the instructions that pertain to your car model.

If your trunk bike rack comes with straps on the bottom, sides, and top of the rack, then you will need to wrap them around the sides of your car’s trunk. If your rack comes with straps on the bottom, sides, and top of the rack, then you should pay attention to the next step.

In Step 3, you are going to have to open the trunk of your car, hook each strap to the side of each strap corresponding to that strap. Fold over the lip of your trunk and then slide the bike rack across the trunk until it rests on the center of your car so that the pads resting on your car are at the center. You can now adjust the straps by adjusting the slide or pulling on the buckle. The trunk bike rack you have should be able to clip all the way around the trunk so that you can lock it inside. If it clips all the way around, then you should be able to lock it inside.

You have to test whether the trunk bike rack is well-fixed before you proceed. The trunk bike rack usually comes with two bars that stick out of your car trunk at a 15 to 45 degree angle. Then, lift the bike and place the top tube of your bike over the bars in the trunk rack. Now, you can transport your bike on your trunk bike rack. Slide your bike down before you wrap the security straps around your bike wheels. Make sure that the trunk and bike do not shift when you push them. The trunk bike rack allows you to transport your bike.

It is important to keep in mind that trunk bikes cannot accommodate more than three bikes at a time. If you mount more than three bikes at a time, the mount may be broken because of the excess weight. Therefore, it is best and safer to mount only 2 bikes at a time. It would be better to use a hitch bike rack if you need to transport more than two bikes.

 

How to Install Roof Bike Rack

You should opt for a roof rack if you want a bike rack that does not take up any precious trunk space or interfere with your driving. Roof racks might have some drawbacks, for example low clearance and increased fuel consumption, but they are also an extremely convenient way to transport your bike.

If you have purchased a rack kit, you should make sure that it is equipped with all the components you need for the installation. The rack kit is likely to come with all of the components you need. If there are any missing parts, you may have to inquire with your seller or purchase a replacement part.

The following is a step-by-step guide on how to install a bike rack on your roof.

There are two steps that you need to take in order to choose the appropriate roof bike rack for your car. The first step is to measure the distance between the crossbars on your car.

The next step is to read the instruction manual to become familiar with the details of the rack kit. Then, take out the skewer from the rack kit and insert it into the hole on the front of the housing for the skewer. Once the skewer has been secured, you need to screw the nut very tight. As this is where your bike’s front wheel frame will be attached, you need to make sure it is very secure.

The third step is to anchor the rack to the crossbars on your car. First, place the rack on the crossbars, then attach the snit-skid plates, and then secure the rack to the crossbars. The rack and the crossbars should be perpendicular to each other. You must first place the front crossbar in between the racks four front mounting screws, then place the rear crossbar between the back two sliding screws. When you have checked that the screws are in the correct position, you will then install the knobs.

You could also use a pair of scissors to cut out some of the rubber padding on your crossbar. Once you have removed it, you will then be able to slide it back into place to make room for the bike rack.

You will mount your bike onto the bike rack here and secure it to the rack. For this, you will need to remove your front tire from your bike and mount the fork to the skewer. You need to make sure that the lever is properly closed so that it feels sturdy. After that, position the rear wheel to the wheel holder and slide it until it is completely secure. Once you have tightened the wheel holder knob, you will then be able to secure the rear wheel with the ratchet strap.

You will need to double check all the straps and knobs on your bike and the roof bike rack to make sure they are all secured successfully. Give the bike and the roof bike rack a strong tug to see if they are all anchored. If none of them move, then you have successfully anchored your roof bike rack along with your bike.

 

Important/Pro Tips To Note

You should make sure that your car is capable of accommodating your choice of bike rack. You can always find this information on the manufacturer’s website if their rack can fit your model of car before you make your final decision.

I will point out a few things you should look out for in each bike rack mentioned in the article in which I will present its benefits and drawbacks.

It is important that you take note of these tips when trying to determine which type of rack will work best for your vehicle.

Hitch Bike Rack Installing

It is important that you make sure that your car has a proper hitch receiver before you settle on a hitch bike rack. Some car hitches are too small for a hitch bike rack. You should also check the towing capacity of your vehicle to see if you can take the hitch rack and your bicycles with you.

In order to haul up to five bikes on a car, you will need a hitch bike rack. Hitch bike racks are easy to install and they will hold up to five bikes.

Generally speaking, it is important to keep the front tire’s cradle in mind because it is usually larger than the rear tire’s cradle. In order for your bike’s front tire to swing into your car, you need to properly support the front cradle, especially if you are positioning it backwards. Also, always lock the bike to the bike rack while driving.

Trunk Bike Rack Installing

A trunk bike rack is a good solution if you don’t want to make your bike and the rack vulnerable to damage when you go under bridges and garages that are low enough to damage your bike and rack.

It is also possible to use trunk racks to transport your sled or kayak as well, if you want to bring them along with you on your trip in addition to bikes.

However, trunk bike racks can block your rear view, which makes you susceptible to bumping into objects in the back of your car. If your car has a rear view camera that allows you to see what is behind your vehicle, this won’t be an issue.

There is also a limitation on the number of bikes they can transport at a time, which is two or three per vehicle.

Due to the fact that they rest heavily on the body of the car, trunk bike racks have a major drawback. This is that they can leave your car trunk with scratches and marks as they rest heavily on the body.

Roof Bike Racks Installing

The roof bike rack is a great way to free up space inside your car as well as outside your car. These types of racks work with the tension on the crossbars in order to hold the rack in place. Therefore, your vehicle must have crossbars at the top for this rack to work.

As a result, you will no longer have to worry about your rearview mirror getting obstructed.

In addition to their benefits, roof bike racks have a few disadvantages as well, like exposing your bicycle to debris and wind as well as increasing gas mileage. Roof bike racks may cause damage to your bike if you are driving under places with low clearance.

In addition, roof bike racks cannot carry more than one bike, so if you have more than one bike, you will have to install a second roof rack.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Final Thoughts

There is no rocket science involved in installing a bike rack on your car.

It is my hope that if you read this article, you will be able to install your bike rack without any problems.

In the comment section of the post, you will be able to ask any questions you may have.