Electric bikes are the new hit for biking enthusiasts because they offer more convenience and fun. With the increase in the e-bike market, there is also a high demand for the best e-bike hitch rack and we are here to support you find the most suitable one

Rarely hitchless bike racks are compatible with e-bikes, but these bikes are mostly compatible with hitch bike racks as compared to other racks because of their heavy weight. But still not all hitch bike racks are e-bike compatible.

This article has shortlisted the top 6 hitch racks for your electric bikes. You will find everything you need to know about these racks and then you can make an informed decision and purchase the rack best suited for your requirements.

We have also rated all racks by using our Rack Score rating system. These scores will make it easier for you to compare the features, security, aesthetics, capacity, and value of money of the 6 racks.

SUMMARY

	Capacity	Foldable	E-bike ramp	Tilt	Best for?
Thule EasyFold XT	65	Yes	Yes	Yes	Premium quality most convenient e-bike rack
Saris Superclamp EX	60	Yes	No	Yes	Best heavy-duty hitch rack for 4 e-bikes
Hollywood Racks Sport Rider	80	Yes	No	Yes	Best for super heavy e-bikes, up to 80 lbs
Yakima OnRamp	66	No	Yes	Yes	RV Bike rack
RockyMounts BackStage	60	Yes	No	Yes	Best swing-away e-bike rack
Vibrelli Electric Bike Hitch Rack	65	Yes	No	Yes	Most economical rack for 2 e-bikes

Our Top 6 Picks for Best E-bike Hitch Racks

Thule EasyFold XT is the most convenient with a built-in ramp and tilting feature

• Weight: 56lbs
• Max tire width: 5″
• Wheelbase: up to 60″
• Hitch: 2″

If you are looking for a premium quality best e-bike hitch rack, we highly recommend Thule EasyFold XT. It has many valuable features such as the bike loading ramp, tilt away, and folding features.

E-bikes are heavier than most other bikes and loading them onto a bike rack is no less than a challenge. Understanding this, Thule came up with this convenient bike rack and incorporated a ramp.

You can get this rack for your expensive e-bikes without a second thought because like other Thule racks, EasyFold too has reliable integrated security locks for both the bike and bike rack. Thule EasyFold fits both 2″ and 1.25″ receivers.

While using this e-bike rack, you can easily access the trunk by just tilting it through the foot pedal. And when not in use the rack can be fully folded into a compact structure and stored. It also has wheels and a carry handle for easier handling.

Despite these features, it would only be suitable if you want to carry two e-bikes, each weighing no more than 65 lbs. The only downside is the high cost but the high-end features are worth the price.

Hollywood Racks Sport Rider is best for heavier electric bikes

• Weight: 56lbs
• Max tire width: 5″
• Wheelbase: up to 60″
• Hitch: 2″

The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider is an e-bike-compatible rack with a high load-carrying capacity. It can carry 2 bikes each with a maximum weight of 80 lbs. You can accommodate bikes with wheelbase and tires of up to 60″ and 5″ respectively.

For mounting and carrying e-bikes, you will have to remove the batteries. This hitch mount rack is a top seller on Amazon for obvious reasons. You can easily install it in your car without any tools or assistance.

It is a heavy-duty rack perfectly capable to hold two heavy e-bikes and does not let them wobble. It also has a tilt-away feature for easy access to the car trunk.

Sport Rider has a reliable and high-quality locking system for the bike to rack and rack to the vehicle. It only fits a 2″ receiver.

This rack has received a very good response from users due to these features. Moreover, it is available at a very low price as compared to other e-bike hitch mount racks and offers a nice deal.

Saris Superclamp EX is a Heavy duty rack that carries up to 4 bikes

• Weight: 63lbs
• Max tire width: 4″
• Wheelbase: up to 50″
• Hitch: 1.25″, 2″

The 4-bike version of Saris Superclamp might be the right fit for you if you own up to 4 e-bikes. This bike rack is very sturdy and is built with high-quality material.

The fact that it can accommodate up to 4 bikes, gives the impression that it would be very heavy. But this is not true about the rack which only weighs around 60 lbs.

This e-bike rack can be tilted even when fully loaded which is impressive because only a few hitch-bike racks tilt when loaded. You can also fold it for compact and easier storage.

Saris Superclamp allows for quick mounting of bikes using dual wheel-clamping hooks. The rack is versatile and thanks to the adjustable arms and trays, it would also be suitable if you have different types of bikes.

The 4-bike version of this rack fits only a 2″ receiver while the 2-bike version fits both 1.25″ and 2″ receivers. This bike rack scores less than Thule EasyFold on customer satisfaction but costs less at around $680 for 4 bikes.

Read the full article here.

RockyMounts BackStage gives easy access to the back of your car with a 180-degree swing

• Weight: 59lbs
• Max tire width: 5″
• Wheelbase: up to 49″
• Hitch: 2″

RockyMounts BackStage is also compatible with e-bikes. It can carry two bikes weighing up to 60 lbs. This is the best swing-away hitch e-bike rack. If you have to access the trunk even with bikes loaded on the bike rack, you should consider BackStage.

It swings 180 degrees for easier access to the back of the vehicle. The bikes are held very safely without any frame contact because it grips the bikes from the wheels.

This rack is compatible with bike tires up to 5” wide and wheels that are 20” to 29” in diameter. BackStage is also compatible with a range of wheelbases from 34” and 49”.

Other than the swing-away feature, this hitch rack also has a tilt-away feature and it can also be folded. The locks for securing bikes and the rack are included. You should go for RockyMounts BackStage if you have two bikes and your vehicle has a 2″ hitch. It will not work if your bikes have fenders.

Vibrelli Electric Bike Hitch Rack is an Economical bike rack for 2 electric bikes

• Weight: 35lbs
• Max tire width: 5″
• Wheelbase: up to 50″
• Hitch: 2″

The Vibrelli e-bike compatible rack can accommodate two e-bikes with each weighing up to 65 lbs. This bike rack is versatile thus apart from e-bikes, it can be used for mountain bikes, road bikes, fat tire bikes, and others.

Like most other best e-bike hitch racks, it also has tilting and folding features. These can be functioned by the foot-operated mechanism. Both these features allow for access to the trunk. This is useful if do not have time to install and uninstall the rack repeatedly.

Vibrelli e-bike rack is made to fit 2” hitch receivers but make sure that the hitch on your car is at least 12 inches above the ground.

It also has a hitch lock that prevents the wobbling of bikes and minimizes movement. Moreover, it has three security locks to keep the bike rack and bikes secure from theft.

Yakima OnRamp is a highly adjustable bike rack for electric bikes

• Weight: 57lbs
• Max tire width: 4.5″
• Wheelbase: up to 50″
• Hitch: 1.25″, 2″

Yakima OnRamp is another rack on our top list for the best e-bike hitch rack. With a 2-bike capacity. Its load capacity is 66 lbs per bike which means it would be suitable for most e-bikes.

Yakima OnRamp, as the name shows, has a ramp for easy loading of bikes. This roll-on mounting system is handy for e-bikes because they are pretty heavy.

This versatile rack can be used with many types of bikes including road, mountain, and hybrid bikes. apart from that, you can carry kids’ bikes, women’s bikes, and even bikes with fenders.

You can also accommodate fat tire bikes but for that, you will require the FatStrap kit. This versatility is due to the highly adjustable frame attachments.

The bikes with wheelbases up to 50” can be carried on the Yakima OnRamp. This hitch mount rack includes the Same Key System for the security of bikes and bike racks.

With this rack, frame contact can be avoided and use for expensive e-bikes becomes possible.

How to Select the best e-bike hitch rack?

There are certain things you should consider to make the right e-bike rack decision.

• Is the load-carrying capacity of the bike rack high enough for carrying your e-bike(s)? This is the most important thing you need to consider before purchasing the rack because, unlike other bikes, e-bikes are quite heavy and not all racks can carry such a high weight. We recommend you look for hitch mount racks with a minimum weight carrying capacity of 60 lbs. Moreover, platform-style hitch racks are better suited for e-bikes.
• How easily would you be able to load the e-bike(s) on the rack? Ease of loading of bikes is especially crucial when we have e-bikes. Since these bikes are heavy, it can be difficult to load them. If you are not okay with carrying these heavy-weight bikes, you can look for racks that have a bike loading ramp included. In this way, you can easily roll on the bike. But if your rack does not have a ramp, you can also buy it separately.
• Do you need access to the rear of your vehicle when the rack is installed? Hitch bike racks are heavier as compared to trunk mount racks. It is not easy to uninstall them whenever you need access to the car trunk. You should thus, look for tilt-away or swing-away features in the racks.
• Will your expensive e-bikes be secure on the bike rack? The security features of a bike rack are a cherry on top. E-bikes are more expensive than other traditional bikes. After spending a hefty amount on them, you wouldn’t want them to be stolen. While taking a road trip, there will be a lot of instances when you will have to leave the car for some time. To be carefree about the bikes on the rack, we recommend you look for e-bike racks with locking mechanisms.

Why are there no trunk bike racks for e-bikes?

We do not recommend trunk bike racks for e-bikes. Although they are more convenient for loading heavy bikes as compared to roof bike racks, still they are not as safe as hitch racks. A major limitation is the load-carrying capacity of racks. Most trunk bike racks carry a maximum of 35-40lbs while even the lightest e-bikes weigh more than that. Secondly, these racks are mounted with straps, and they are not very strong to carry the weight of e-bikes. Moreover, as compared to hitch racks, some trunk bike racks have frame contact which makes them non-suitable for expensive bikes.

Problems faced with e-bike racks

Although riding on e-bikes is a captivating thought, traveling in a car, SUV, or truck along with them is not a piece of cake. You might have to deal with the following:

• Low fuel efficiency- E-bikes are very heavy and carrying them in a car adds extra pressure on the engine which results in more fuel expenditure in less distance. 
• Aerodynamic drag- If you transport your e-bikes by loading them on roof bike racks, they will reduce the overall aerodynamics of the car. 
• E-bike handling laws- When looking for an e-bike rack you will have to spend more time analyzing if it meets the electric bike handling laws of your state. For example, you should check what is the total weight allowed for the hitch and then buy a rack accordingly.
• Frequently check the setup- E-bikes are heavy which means that the bolts and other parts of the rack would loosen frequently so you will need to inspect them by stopping occasionally during your road trip. 
• More security locks- You might want additional locks for securing your expensive e-bikes. 
• Prevent wobbling- You wouldn’t want your e-bikes to wobble in the rack. For this, you would have to ensure the hitch pin is of high quality. 

Do e-bikes need special bike racks?

E-bike racks do not have special racks but some of the racks are compatible with them because of additional features. Hitch mount racks that have high load-carrying capacity i.e., at least 60 lbs per bike are compatible with e-bikes. Even among them, some of the racks are mast-style or commonly known as hanging racks while others are platform hitch racks that are made in a tray style. The platform-style hitch racks are more compatible with e-bikes. These racks do not have any frame contact with e-bikes. They secure the bikes through wheels and are suitable for numerous frames. Hanging racks mostly require an adapter and these adapters cannot support e-bikes because they are not very sturdy. 

Can I put an e-bike on the car roof?

You can but it is discouraged. Roof racks are not right for e-bikes because loading a bike on top of the car requires lifting it and this is a very difficult task in the case of e-bikes. And even if you have help, you might end up damaging the bike frame or hurting yourself. Secondly, most vehicles do not allow you to carry heavy-weight objects on the roof otherwise it can be dangerous. Putting e-bikes on the roof can also cause resistance due to wind. 

How do you lift a heavy e-bike?

Lifting a bike for loading on the roof of a vehicle is almost impossible unless you are into weightlifting. Even loading them on the trunk would require a lot of strength. The best way to load an e-bike on a hitch rack is to get a loading ramp. Some racks have an integrated ramp but in other cases, you can also get it separately. These ramps allow for easy roll-on loading of bikes on a rack. But in case you can’t get both, you should lift one wheel at a time for loading on a platform-style rack. You can also remove the e-bike battery for easier loading. These batteries are pretty heavy so you can see if your bike allows the removal of the battery. 

How do you carry an e-bike in a truck bed?

Carrying an e-bike in a truck bed is quite simple if the bike fits in the length of the bed. You just need a truck bike rack that secures the e-bike and keeps it upright. For example, the Pipeline Racks are compatible with electric bikes because they can hold wheels of a vast range, and also there is no frame contact so you can trust them with expensive e-bikes. But one problem with these racks is that you have to place the heavy bikes on the truck bed. For this, you will either lift the bikes or use a ramp and roll the bikes on the bed and then secure them on the rack. But due to the trailer, the hitch is not available for bike racks, these truck bed racks are the best available solution. 

How do I put an e-bike in my SUV?

The best way is to buy an e-bike hitch mount rack because, without it, there’s a high chance that you will damage your expensive e-bikes. These racks would allow easier loading and unloading of bikes. You just need a suitable hitch receiver and get it installed at the back of your SUV. Once it is installed you can adjust the hitch bike rack in it and lock it with a hitch pin. These racks are available in many different designs, and they are more aerodynamic in contrast to roof bike racks. You can also lock your bikes on the rack and since there will be no frame contact, you can enjoy the road trip without affecting the bikes or your SUV.