Best Bike Rack for Minivan

Small in size and compact, a minivan is a powerful vehicle that is loved by many! It is one of the finest cars when talking about small cars yet when it comes to performance, nothing can beat its healthy engine and power steering. If you’re planning to transport your bike any time soon, you need bike rack for minivan right away!

A minivan is ideal for big families because it offers wider space. Not only this, it is super safe to drive, giving you full control over the wheel so you feel secure. This is why, when talking about bike transportation, a minivan makes a great vehicle for carrying stuff. But of course, even with the spacious setting at the back, pushing in your studs is always risky.

As a bike lover who owns a minivan, you can now easily find racks that are highly compatible with your car. Before you head out to buy a bike rack for minivan, here are a few things that you should understand first.

Minivan and bike rack: They go hand in hand

Although, a minivan is quite spacious with removable back seats, when it comes to hauling bicycles, you need a better way to do it.

This vehicle is ideal to carry bigger families along with extra baggage. Even if you’re able to stuff your bike inside of it, you might simply end up damaging both vehicles and the stud during the way.

So, what can you do? Are there any bike racks for minivan too?

Of course, there are! A lot of sports labels manufacture bike racks designed especially for minivans. This way, you’ll be saving your time and energy while enjoying hassle-free transportation of your favorite sports gear!

Types of Bike Rack for a Minivan

Ideally, there are four main types of racks: trunk-mounted bike rack, hitch-mounted bike rack, roof-mounted bike rack, and vacuum-mounted bike rack. Each type uses a different style to mount, serving a unique purpose on its own. Some may find one type of bike rack for minivan better than the other, depending on many factors that influence the decision.

Thus, the article will continue discussing each type in detail while mentioning the best racks that fall in each category, making your decision easier and quicker.

Trunk-mounted Bike Rack for Minivan

This one is the simplest one of the lot when it comes to installation. A trunk-mounted bike rack for minivan uses straps, hooks, or cradles to attach to the car. The straps are made from nylon while the hooks come covered with rubber padding, promising a stronghold to the minivan. These types of bike racks are lightweight, super easy to install and most of them can conveniently carry more than one bike at a time.

With a trunk-mounted bike rack, you do not need additional hitch receivers or crossbars. Apart from its simple design and ease of use, the only downside it has is that once installed, you cannot gain complete access to the rear of your vehicle. No matter you have bikes place in it or not, the rack leaves no space at the back for you, unless you take it down.

Pros:

• Easy and tool-free installation
• Attaches to the vehicles strongly, using straps and hooks

Cons:

• The un-padded metal hooks will ruin your minivan’s paint job
• May not be as sturdy as other racks
• Limits the access to the rear end of your minivan

Now, let’s talk about the best trunk bike racks you can find in the market:

1. Thule Passage 2 Bike Carrier

Thule is not a new name when it comes to quality sports gear!

The Thule Passage 2 bike rack for a minivan makes a perfect choice for people who need a sturdy carrier for their studs. it can easily hold up to 2 bikes at a time, with a combined weight not exceeding more than 35 pounds per bicycle.

Furthermore, the addition of the Patented Fit Dial flexible system ensures that the rack is compatible with most vehicles and attaches strongly. It comes with double support arms that hold the bike and can be twisted to adjust according to the size of the bike.

Moreover, the carry arms are well padded with rubber which guarantees damage-free transit. This Thule bike rack for minivan comes with 6 straps that hold your bike down and included a built-in anti-sway system that keeps the rack from falling off during bumpy rides. And yes, you can now enjoy hassle-free usage with its life-time warranty.

Pros:

• Anti-sway system for safe transit
• Padded hooks and cradles
• Bike carrying capacity up to 2
• Patented Fit Dial flexible system makes the rack compatible with most vehicles
• Double, adjustable carry arms
• Comes with Thule’s lifetime warranty

Cons:

• The straps are held together with plastic which can wear over time
• Limits access to the rear of a minivan
• Cannot be attached along with the car spoiler

Hitch-mounted Bike Racks for Minivan

Looking for a rack that is super sturdy and simple to install? A hitch-mounted bike rack is what you should have then!

Unlike a trunk-mounted bike rack, the hitch-mounted bike rack for minivan uses a hitch receiver to attach to the vehicle. You first need to drill holes in the vehicle to attach the receiver which comes along the rack. If so is not the case, you’ll need to buy these separately, or else installing the rack will become a problem.

There is no lifting high of heavy racks required with this one. And because a hitch rack attaches first to the receiver and then the car, it has no direct contact with your vehicle, thus keeping it safe from damages.

Pros:

• Quick and easy to install
• Does not damage the vehicle
• Sturdy and durable
• Can easily fit bikes into it

Cons:

• Finding the right hitch receiver for your car may be a problem at times
• Does not allow towing because of the hitch

When it comes down to sturdiness and secure transportation of your studs, a hitch-mounted bike rack for a minivan is a great choice.

2. Saris Freedom 4 Bike Platform Rack

As the names suggest, the Saris freedom is a hitch-mounted bike rack that can accommodate a maximum of 4 bikes at a time.

This one fits a hitch receiver measuring 2×2 inches and once fixed in place, the Saris Freedom can hold up to four bikes at a time. It is lightweight and highly sturdy with a metal frame that can withstand the weather changes without a problem. Also, the entire frames come coated with black powder which ensures you get to enjoy rust-free usage for many years to come by, backed up by Sairs’s limited lifetime warranty.

The bike holding platform is made from injection-molded plastic while the straps come with rubber padded hooks that grab your bicycles strongly yet safely. And most importantly, the twist knobs on the wheel tray gives you complete control over the rack, allowing you to adjust it so it can fix different types of racks without a problem.

But, can you access the rear with the Saris Freedom hitch-mounted bike rack for the minivan attached at the back? Yes, you can! Use the push lever to tilt the rack or fold it when needed to reach out to the cargo in the back.

The Saris Freedom bike rack is safe, sturdy, and durable, offering full value for money!

Pros:

• Strong metal frame coated with black powder for rust-free performance over the years
• Adjustable wheel tray
• Can accommodate 4 bikes in a single go
• Lightweight and foldable
• Comes with Saris’s limited lifetime warranty
• Easy to install
• Rubber hooks for damage-free installation
• Gives full access to the rear when needed

Cons:

• No locks for securing the bikes with the rack
• The rubber on the clamps will wear with the passage of time

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3. Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch Mounted Bike Rack

A beast in the world of sports gear, Allen is every household’s name, satisfying with its performance to date!

This hitch-mounted bike rack comes with a heavy-duty metal frame, allowing you to carry up to 5 bikes simultaneously. Yes, that is right! The Allen Deluxe bike rack for a minivan is the best rack for a family of bike enthusiasts, making transportation of their expensive gear easy, quick, and convenient. But remember, when managing your bikes on it, know that the total weight of the bicycles should not exceed 175 pounds, or else you’ll end up damaging both the vehicle and bikes.

The Allen Deluxe bike racks can easily slide into a hitch receiver measuring at 1 ¼ inch or 2 inches, keeping your rack away from the car, of course. Furthermore, it comes embedded with an anti-wobble bolt that tightly secures the rack inside of the hitch receiver so it does not sway during transit, risking everyone’s life.

Want to hear more? This bike rack for a minivan is quick to install and consists of slim carry arms that are strong enough to hold your heavy bikes yet take less storage space. The individual tie-down system not only secures your bikes well in place but keep them away from bumping into one another during travel.

Moreover, if you wish to access your trunk, the rack will easily tilt away from the rear, giving you ample space to fetch out your cargo.

Pros:

• The patented individual tie-down system
• Tilts away from the trunk giving you complete access to the rear
• Anti-wobble bolt to secure the rack inside the receiver tightly
• Can hold up to 5 bikes at a time
• Easy to install

Cons:

• The rack is only compatible with hitch receivers measuring up to 2 inches
• No locks included that will safely fix your bikes in the rack

Roof-mounted Bike Rack for Minivan

Won’t the trunk-mounted or hitch-mounted bike rack work for you? Well then, it is time to move onto the next type of bike rack, which is a roof-mounted one.

When it comes to a roof-mounted bike rack, installing it is not a problem at all! The rack uses crossbars to attach to the roof of your car. Because the rack is fixed on the top, you have complete access to the rear of the vehicle making it easier for you to load and unload stuff in the back.

Talking about loading? Because most minivans are taller than an average car, you might need extra strength or a helping hand to lift the rack for installation. but that said, a roof-mounted bike rack is easy to install, sturdy and one of the safest ways to carry your studs on road.

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Give full access to the rear of a minivan
• Sturdy and strong

Cons:

• Cannot be installed with crossbars
• The bikes need to be lifted high to be positioned, which can be a problem for many people

4. Yakima HighRoad Roof Bike Rack

Talking about the best roof-mounted bike rack and missing out on Yakima HighRoad bike rack? So not done!

Yakima is another popular name when it comes to sports goods, manufacturing high-quality racks for many years, and satisfying the clients with its fabulous deals. The HighRoad is a sleekly designed roof-mounted bike rack for a minivan that is easy to install and creates no noise during travel.

It is made from heavy-duty steel for promised sturdiness while the chip-resistant coating finish keeps it strong against the changing weather conditions. The HighRoad uses a mounting clamp to attach to the carry, and the pivoting wheel hoops easily grip your bikes from the front tires. Furthermore, it comes with a built-in TorqueRight knob that keeps you from over-tightening the rack in place.

The best part about this Yakima bike rack for a minivan is that is compatible with crossbars that are round, square, aero, or even elliptical. The only downside of this rack is that it can only hold up to 1 bike at a time. But that said, the rear-wheel cradle fixed on the rack can be adjusted to accommodate different sized bikes without a problem.

Moreover, the inclusion of TailWhip cable works as an integrated security system, thus ensuring the bike is tightly fixed in place. And yes, Yakima now offers a limited lifetime warranty with this rack, making usage hassle-free and fun!

Pros:

• Heavy-duty steel frame with chip-resistant coating for rust-free performance
• Easy to install
• Is compatible with most crossbars
• Limited lifetime warranty
• TailWhip cable for added security
• Built-in ToruqeRight knob for avoiding over-tightening of the rack while fixing it

Cons:

• Can accommodate only 1 bike at a time
• The locking kit is sold separately and is expensive

Vacuum-mounted Bike Rack for Minivan

Ever heard of a vacuum-mounted bike rack? No? It maybe not one of the most commonly used racks but surely is the easiest one to install. This type of rack does not use any crossbars or hitch receivers to be fixed in place. All you need to do is stick the vacuum cups to the rear of your vehicle and you are good to go!

Pros:

• Super easy, tool-free installation
• Need no hitch receivers or crossbars for fixation
• Easy to de-install
• Gives you flexible mounting options to try out
• Compatible with most vehicles

Cons: 

• May limit the access to the rear
• The vacuum cups may need lubrication from time to time

5. SeaSucker Talon Roof Bike Rack

One of the best vacuum-mounted bike racks for minivan available today is the Seasucker Talon!

It is easy to use and quick to install. The Talon comes along with 1 spare vacuum cup and 1 crank arm strap for stability. And the fun part is that this rack attaches to the rooftop, trunk, and even the back glass of your car without a problem.

SeaSucker’s Talon is manufactured with high-density polyethylene thermoplastic, which means even after years of using it; the rack will stay as good as new. The installation is absolutely effortless and you even get a lubrication tube with it, making maintenance low cost and super convenient.

It uses vacuum cups to attach the car, thus, your vehicle will remain safe from scratches and damages both installation and transit. But how do you install it? The process is super quick! Just unbox the bike rack for the minivan, clean your car and mount the rack. Just make sure you press the pump continuously until the orange band is gone.

The only downside of this fabulous equipment by SeaSucker is that it can accommodate only 1 bike in a single go, that too not weighing more than 45 pounds.

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Made of high-density polyethylene thermoplastic
• Comes with all the accessories necessary for installation
• Offers 1-year lifetime warranty
• Portable and lightweight

Cons:

• Can only carry one bike
• No in-built safety mechanism
• Limits the access to the rear

Things to look for when buying a bike rack for minivan

Finding the right type of bike rack for a minivan can be one difficult task. From unique designs to prices, from performance to mechanisms, each rack works to fulfill a different purpose. Are you planning to buy a bike rack for your minivan anytime soon? Here are a few things that will come in handy:

1. The Number of Bikes

One of the biggest reasons for you getting a bike rack is to make hauling of your bikes quick and easy. Also, helping you carry more than one bike in a single go. Which type of rack you wish to buy depends on how many bikes do you need to carry. The higher the number, the higher the quality rack you’ll have to find. Remember, you cannot use a single-bike carrier to transport two bikes at one time!

2. Budget

Before you put a hand on your favorite bike rack, make sure you know the amount your willing to spend on something like this. If you’re on a low budget, you can now easily find bike racks for minivan offering great quality at a decent price.

3. How often do you travel

If you’re an avid biker, a bike rack that is permanently installed at the back or top of your minivan would be a great idea. But for people who plan occasional bicycling trips, you need a lighter rack that is easy to install and un-install. Why? Because keeping it attached for a long time without using it will only causing wearing and tearing, making it not worthy of use after some time.

The Final Words

A minivan itself has ample space to accommodate a huge family along with their cargo. But when you own expensive bicycles, you wish to transport them without any damages. Hence, there is no better way to do so than buying a bike rack for a minivan. The type you plan to purchase will surely be influenced by many factors. But still, get one right away and make your life easier!