Best Bike Racks for Truck Bed

While maintaining an energetic and communal lifestyle and going for a road trip with your family or friends with equipment packed in the bed of the truck like a tent or BBQ grill, one of the best approaches to revel in nature is ‘Cycling’.

Unluckily, most of the best trails involve a drive to get there. But, fortunately for you, you have invested in a truck with a bed impeccable for carrying your bikes and whatever else you could imagine, but what is the safest method to carry your bikes on your truck bed? A truck bed bike rack, of course!

For apprentices, bike racks for truck bed can be cataloged into 3 groups as follows:

1. Truck Bed Mounted Bike Racks
2. Fork Mounted Bike Racks
3. Rear Fender Side Rail Grip Bike Racks
4. Standalone Bike Racks
5. Uni-Grip Truck Bed Bike Racks

Here are the top 10 picks for a truck bed bike rack that are a must-have:

Truck Bed Mounted Bike Racks

Bed mounted bike racks for simple pick-up trucks come in various forms and dimensions. If you are looking for an effortless equipped transporter that involves very little energy to load and unload a bike, this one is just flawless for you!

For carrying things, truck beds are an exceptional means, and exceptionally so for bikes. Its innate potency is its capability and its range of mounting positions. The bike rack easily slithers in the bed of the truck, therefore all-ready to be utilized.

As with all purchases, there are some crucial tips to ponder before investing in a truck bed bike rack.

Pros:

• Simple to connect
• Accessible in a range of dimensions
• Durable built quality
• Effortless to uninstall and stock
• Can hold at least 4 bikes at a time

Cons:

• Does not fit on trucks with a compact bed size
• Does not fit truck beds with over the rail bed liners
• Less room for other stuff to be stored in the bed
• Might prevent the driver to see through the rear window
• You may require supplementary connectors to carry multiple bikes in place

1. Thule Insta-Gater Bike Carrier

Thule’s’ 501 Insta-Gater Truck Bed Bike Racks are very durable and high-quality products, and with value to fit. However, in the long run, the bike rack surely can reimburse for itself. To lessen the expensive maintenance and damage restoration fees, it proposes a wonderful pact of safety.

Any bike, weighing up to 50 pounds and wearing rims from 20 to 29 inches in diameter, can be effortlessly mounted in this single-bike carrier. You do not have to eliminate the front wheel, provided it is a wheel mount brand, you just have to make sure the tire on it is not wider than 3 inches and guarantee it using the Thule proprietary Quick-Load structure.

When using this bike carrier there is no drilling or bolting mandatory to install it on your truck bed. All you ought to do is fix the carrier on your truck bed. Also, double-check the rubber tabs are in the middle of the tailgate and the bed itself and close together the tailgate. And that is pretty much it. Still, you may perhaps want to invest in a lockable tailgate if you want to prevent the five-finger-discount folks.

There is a padlock to safeguard the bike to the carrier, as for anti-theft elements on the rack itself, so you are safe and sound on that side.

Also, it is terrific to know that you can fit up to three Insta-Gaters on tailgates with at least 51 inches in width if you require to carry more than one bike. But, if you have over the rail bed liners, you must take note that this bike rack will not fit on your truck’s bed. This type of rack is not appropriate if you have a horizontal or a tandem.

However, you can nonetheless make use of this rack, if you have a roll n lock bed cover that permits the Thule rack to be placed on the bed lip without intrusion.

2. Pipeline Racks Truck Bed Bike Rack – Holds 4 Bikes

An incredibly concisely named Pipeline Racks, due to the aspects of the bike rack itself, these truck bed bike racks are an outstanding preference for any pickup truck owner with the truck bed of at least 58.4 inches wide at the cab. The rack more than renders up for it with the degree of steadiness it offers, which might feel a little bit limiting to some potential purchasers.

There is not one drilling or locking implicated in locking it to the vehicle as with most truck bed bike racks. It contemplates a fair 37 pounds which the weight of the heavy-duty frame without help will take care of that.

Utilize the buckles and make sure they are clipped tight, like really tight, to lock it to the bed. Before installation, there are a few assemblies needed, but the complete procedure should take you well under an hour.

It is not constructed with children’s bikes in mind and it is worth mentioning that this rack cannot adjust a bike with full fenders. But it can surely adjust nearly all children’s bikes and will be useful as they swap up for larger bikes.

If we talk about this specific version, there is sufficient place for two bikes. You can anticipate whatsoever from exceptional to satisfactory performance, varying on how and where you drive. It must be no trouble for most of the roads, but you can be expecting some vibrating on bumpy or twisting roads. As long as the tire width does not go under .75 or over 2.8 inches, it must contain any type of wheels. Also, if you have 5 members in your family then you must know that there is a mode similar to this which can carry up to five bicycles.

3. Saris Kool 2-Bike Truck Bed Mount Rack

This bike rack is mainly constructed to hold just one bike in the rear of your truck and comes with an extremely stylish look. Though, adding additional bikes is also possible and is very effortless. As a matter of fact, the only limit to the number of truck bed bike racks and bikes you can carry depends on the width of your truck. The more the width the more bikes you can carry!

This bike rack is designed in such a way that it holds the fork of your bike. When the car moves it can also turn the bike and can damage the bed of your truck, so to avoid the bike from being capable to bend while traveling, it firmly grabs the fork of your bike, making it safer and less possible to be harmed.

This straightforward bike stand is constructed to fit securely and tightly around the girth of the bed of your pickup truck. Pickup trucks with different widths sizes, from 50 inches to a remarkable 74 inches, can easily be able to fit this rack inside their bed.

Also, for your convenience, this rack comes with rotating rubbed padding that can almost fit any surface without any hassle! So, you can now relax as it can be surely used with a load liner or without, and more importantly, it will not harm or dent your truck!

If you are into bikes and technology, then this is the perfect product for you. This bike rack for your truck comes with an advanced technology which is the inbuilt hydraulic pump. Easily turn on the pump while holding the bar in the position which suits you the best. Doing so will make sure that the bar is tightly attached to the appropriate quantity of tension on it.

When you want to take it out simply press the release switch which comes built-in with the product, what it does is lowers the burden permitting the bar to be removed easily. This truck bed bike rack is my first preference of these top ten because it fits in seconds with no tools and no fuss. There is not any necessity to eliminate the wheel.

You can pick up your bicycles into the bed of your truck once it is padlocked into your desired spot. Use the quick-release rods, which is another unique feature of this bike rack, to push the fork blocks into place and subsequently fasten your bike forks. Two fork sections also come with the bike rack letting you take up 2 bikes.

However, you can purchase additional fork blocks to increase this number. Even more impressive is that the Saris Kool bike rack is made from recyclable materials and it will not rust! It is incredibly durable and environmentally friendly.

When buying this bike rack, you must keep in mind that you will get rid of the front wheel from your bike before sticking it to the rack. Though, this bike rack appears to be advanced and modern and is extremely flexible. This is simple if you have a quick-release wheel, but you do not want it to be sliding around the bed of your trick. You will want to store the wheel someplace safe and secure.

This bike rack is more adaptable than several other racks, an exceptionally huge advantage that is frequently neglected. You may utilize it to ensure other loads in your truck are safe and sound. Certainly, you will want to think about how safe it is if you decide to accomplish this and maintain the bike rack in your truck. At this time, there is no tightening system on the Saris Kool.

4. Rage Powersports Apex TBBC-4 4-Bike Pickup Truck Bed Bicycle Rack

This ‘Rage Powersports Apex TBBC-4 4-Bike Pickup Truck Bed Bicycle Rack’, regardless of its complicated title, is worthwhile to think about for your pickup truck. It is a perfect choice for a big family as it has the capability of adjusting bikes between 1 and 4.

It is essential to keep in mind when purchasing this bike rack that, if your truck bed is between 52.75 inches and 73 inches wide, then this is one of the truck bed bike racks that can be utilized. This bike rack can be used in almost all the trucks but do make a sure and double-check before you buy! This bike rack will work well in any situation, it does not make a difference if your truck bed has a liner or not.

Also, when installing this rack, there is absolutely no requirement to drill a hole in the bed of your truck. The rack weighs 31 pounds, one of the heaviest on this list, and also very durable as its built quality is very impressive.

It is constructed exclusively with picturing your truck in mind and measures just 15 x 15 x 25 inches. In fact, good news for you, as this product comes with a special offer which is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you do not like it, which is a rare case as whoever buys this bike rack also endorses their family and friends to get a hold of this product for themselves. This is on top of the benchmark 1-year warranty from Apex. This bike rack is built from a steel tube that has been painted black. This makes it even more stable and at the same time gives it a high-quality wrap-up.

The truck bed bike rack is stocked with flexible bolts and stoppers from the factory, so you will realize that it is unusually straightforward to mount. The bike rack rests on the bed of your truck and giving you plenty of space for your other stuff to be stored at the same time. All you want to work out is to loosen the lids until they relax alongside the edge of your truck. And whilst you are working this out, it is a great suggestion to maintain the bike rack centrally.

The bike rack comes with four stoppers overall. Two on each side of the truck. The outward force they exert will hold your rack in place once you tighten them in their desired spot. The Apex is created to adapt around 4 bikes. There are four sections in this bike rack where the front tire slides into. To guarantee the wheel is kept tightly in its spot and is not broken while in the rack, each of these four sections comes with a foam padding.

To avoid it shifting while traveling, a clamp, shaped like a V bracket, fits across the top of the tire. The bike racks for your tires are intended to adjust bikes with up to 26-inch wheels, so something bigger than that may not suit. Before you purchase the Apex rack, you must validate your bike.

Although not essential it is worth considering securing the back of your bike separately. A tie-down strap is the easiest answer and will secure the rear of all the bikes, preventing them from moving while in transit. It is important to note that this rack does not have a locking system.

You will also need to ensure that the stoppers are tightened firmly against the sides of your truck. If you do not the rack is likely to move while you are driving which could be dangerous and will damage your bikes.

Fork Mounted Bike Racks

If you are looking for one of the easiest solutions to your bike carrying problem, then the fork mount trunk bike racks are the best option you can possibly choose from. These are super easy to install and you can also detach it effortlessly whenever you feel like and it will not cause any harm to your vehicle.

The most amazing fact about this type of bike rack is that it does not take much space in your truck’s bed. It is very compact and you can also store other things as per your requirement in the bed of your truck and you will not require to detach this bike rack.

Before investing in a bike rack for your truck, there are some crucial tips you must keep in mind which are both the positive and negative sides of the product:

Pros:

• Secure and strong grip
• Fairly priced and inexpensive
• Premium built quality
• No rattling noises when in transit
• Better aerodynamics

Cons:

• Front-wheel has to come off
• Not suitable if you want to carry more than 1 bike
• Does not fit truck beds with over the rail bed liners
• Might prevent the driver to see through the rear window
• You might need extra connectors to carry multiple bikes in place

1. Hollywood Racks T970 Fork Block 1 Bicycle Fork Mount

Credits to its design which is pretty much straightforward and realistic, the Hollywood Racks T970 Fork Block is the wizard of flexibility. It can be operated as an interior car rack, wall mount, floor mount, truck bed bike racks mount, etc. It is extremely effortless to mount in your truck bed, and much simpler to adjust.

Also, all you want to do is install it to no matter what surface you enjoy because it comes pre-assembled. While talking about fixing the carrier you should know that the complete setup is slightly heavy-duty; from the spear, through the framework, and to the bolts used to hold it down to whatever flat surface you have accessible.

It weighs just 12 ounces and measures 7.3 x 3.2 x 3.6 inches, regardless of its toughness and flexibility. Which is quite astonishing! Due to the actuality that it is made from aluminum, not steel, the parts are extra light-weighted.

When it comes to capacity, it is relatively small. One-piece merely occupies a single bike, but then again, it is low-priced as dust, so you can have almost four times as many T970s for the price of a single high-end rack.

The T970 grasps your bike by the fork using a 9mm stick, as far as mount style works. Front-wheel will require to be detached for this type of bike carrier. Avoiding movement even on the harshest of streets, it does propose a shockingly good quality grasp on your forks.

2. Thule Bed-Rider XTR

In the truck bed bike racks slot, Thule is one of the foremost competitors, and the Bed-Rider XTR is unquestionably up to the competition. With a telescopic bar at its foundation, the stow is produced out of aluminum. With this bar, it showcases soft rubber bottoms, which removes the need for penetrating holes in your truck bed, as it holds onto the side railings of your pickup truck.

The weight or load limit of this carrier is two bikes or around 70 pounds. If you get the Thule locking bed-rider add-on block which is offered individually, you can carry an additional load on this bike carrier.

In the tail end of your truck, it is intended to go from bed rail to bed rail. The rack is not compatible with over-the-rail bed liners, which you must consider before buying such a product. Furthermore, with your acquisition, you also get 3 Thule One-key lock cylinders, so that you can effortlessly secure the bike to the carrier, and then the carrier itself to the truck.

The dimensions of this bike rack are 53.2 inches wide by 7.8 x 2.8 inches. This implies that, when not in usage, it is remarkably straightforward to store. Undeniably, the actuality that it bolts in the posture may be adequate to convince you that it not at all wants to be separated! Making it effortless to maneuver around, it weighs just 9.6 pounds and it will not alter your gasoline budget if left in the bed of your truck.

Whilst we are on the topic of bicycles, it is crucial to mention that this is a fork mount carrier. You will want to take off the front wheel. If you have a big hub, such as a 135mm then this rack will not be capable to adjust your bicycle.

Another important thing to note is that the rack is not compatible with either tandem bikes or recumbent bikes, but it will fit most bike types. Granted, you will still need a thru-axle adapter, which is sold separately.

3. Swagman PICKUP Fork Mount Bike Rack

Surrounded by the bike rack and accessory business, you will be pleased to know that ‘Swagman’ is an unshakable and distinguished name. If you are looking for a bike rack that is durable and also costs cheap then ought to know that Swagman is known to be durable and offer value for money. These flexible truck bed bike racks are no different!

The fantastic factor about these bike racks for your truck’s bed is that it does not look like one. It is essentially a durable and flexible rod that is, no matter how big or small it is, intended to fit the width of your truck bed. You will surely be capable to fit this rack in just 2 minutes!

Also, for your convenience, this product comes with rubber-mounted ends from the supplier. When you place the bike rack into place, these rubber mounted ends are there to safeguard the paint on your truck from any damages.

To fit the bike rack, all you need to do is just simply alter the width of the bar to the size of your truck’s bed. To get this modification simple and effortless, there is a quick-release handle pre-installed in the rack. The ends of the bike rack then grip over your truck’s bed rail. To guarantee they are not confiscated by a third party, these clunk into place and can be locked! Making you feel safe and secure!

As this bike rack adjusts to any available size of the bed of the pickup truck, this bar should fit almost all of them. You will need an Allen key, to secure them, that is supplied with your purchase. You will also require the Swagman tool. The two fork locks positioned on the bar can be easily adjusted when using this tool provided by the supplier. There is one fork lock per bike and a maximum of two bikes can be lodged on this stand.

You can very easily slide your bike into the bed of your truck and use the quick-release skewers to attach it to the fork blocks once you have found the fork blocks in the right position. The reason Swagman opted for this type of fork style mount is to make sure your bike is as balanced and stable as much as possible while in transportation.

For a little bit extra safety of your investment, Swagman offers a lifetime warranty in their products and the rack is made from high-quality steel. Of course, you ought to look after the bar because in any case, you damage the paint coat on it then you will reveal the metal from beneath, and this will rust over time which devalues the car.

Rear fender side rail grip Bike Rack 

If you like simplicity and want to load and unload your bike from your pickup truck without touching any fancy lock and strap, then this type of bike rack is just the right option for you.

It snugly fits into the bed of your truck without damaging any paint or causing any scratches on the surface, making it an ideal choice for the buyers.

As with all purchases, there are some crucial tips to ponder before investing in a truck bed bike rack.

Pros:

• Reasonably rated
• Super durable built quality
• Rubber padded helps prevent paint damage
• Supports any type of bike
• Front wheel does not need to come off

Cons:

• Does not work on plastic bed liners
• Might prevent the driver to see through the rear window
• Bed must be wide enough

1. INNO RT201 Truck Bed Bike Rack – Bike Mount for Standard Pickup Truck

The Inno Velo Gripper truck bed bike racks are an ideal alternative for those considering obtaining something that will assist them in carrying their bikes using a pickup, even without losing cargo room. As it escalates to your truck’s bedside railing without any instruments or holes engaged, this carrier is extremely cost-effective space-wise.

When you invest in this bike carrier for your truck’s bed, you are provided with two mounts for sticking to the truck with heightening holders and a couple of D-rings on each mount if you opt to make use of the mounts for connecting tie-down buckles.

This signifies that to ensure your bike and still retain the important cargo space in your truck, you can clearly keep these equipped all the time. If being honest with you, this is not actually a full rack as it is a couple of grippers. There is certainly no necessity to get within the truck to mount either them or the bike. You can simply as well install them once and not remember them. As they may possibly come loose due to vibrations, so just make sure you tighten up the top bolt from time to time.

It is worth stating that these are extremely handy. Also, this product proposes a reliable mount for your bike they can be managed to safeguard heavy loads and avoid them from sliding around in the bed of your truck.

Standalone Bike Rack

This type of bike racks for your truck comes in numerous sizes. If you want to carry 3 to 4 bikes in the bed of your truck and also considering an easy operational carrier that requires less energy to load and unload a bike, then this product will surely not disappoint you!

The bed of the trucks is an exceptional means for carrying various different things, and remarkably so for bikes. Its characteristic strength is its ability and its variety of mounting spots for your bike racks. The bike rack easily slips in the bed of the truck, therefore all-ready to be utilized.

There are some crucial tips, to ponder before investing in a truck bed bike rack, that comes with all the purchases:

Pros:

• Can hold up to 4 bikes
• Quick assembly
• Premium built quality
• System will not scratch truck paint; soft padding included to protect bike finish
• Can be used outside the truck bed as well

Cons:

• Heavily weighted structure
• Would not allow a seal for your bed cover
• Might prevent the driver to see through the rear window

1. Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage Sports Rack Bed Rack, Black

Due to its vast capacity, the Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage Sports Rack Truck Bed Bike Rack is a fantastic option for families or medium groupings. It can definitely hold up to four bikes, which is a very ample number.

More notably, the frame is a wheel mount. the front wheel does not need to come off for this type of bike rack. To place your bike securely, all you have to do is alter the spacers which adapt any wheel up to 28 inches. Using the complimentary 72-inch cable you can further support it and by securing the rear tire using the aptly named securing bar, you can easily finish it off. You are good to go if you have tracked these plain directions to the message.

To guarantee no harm is done to the paintwork on your truck when you fit it, it is worth noticing that the insulation is extremely soft. You can swiftly establish or delete the rack with the fittings provided by this rack. Contemplating the magnitude of the rack it is essential to be capable to eliminate it immediately when you require your truck.

Everything you need, from different fitting alterations to buckles, it all comes with the acquisition. Additionally, the frame falls with a spacer that permits it to be friendly with a great collection of vehicles, as it can widen from 54.5″ to 66.5″ (without the spacer) and/or 60.5″ to 72.5″ (with the spacer). It is important to note before you buy this product that the rack is not well-suited with step-side pickup trucks.

You might be fascinated to notice that this bike rack can hold by itself. This suggests that you can place it in your garage and fit the bikes back into it. All you need is ample room!

Uni-grip Truck Bed Bike Rack

If you prefer the loading and unloading of bikes with complete effortlessness, then this type of bike rack is just the right option for you. As it does not require to be clamped or mounted to the bed of your pickup truck.

This type of bike rack for your truck’s bed does not require any drilling or removing any front wheel of your bike. It is simply a plug and play product!

But again, when you invest in something you must do your homework and look into both the negative and positive features of the product. So, for this kind of bike rack:

Pros:

• Comes with a lightweight locking cable
• Rubber padded helps prevent paint damage
• Supports any type of bike
• Front-wheel does not need to come off

Cons:

• Rattling noises can be heard with windows down
• Will not mount to a pickup with a track system in it
• Need to buy additional bars to hold more than 2 bikes
• Rearview is blocked

1. Top Line UG2500-2 Uni-Grip Truck Bed Bike Rack for 2 Bike Carrier

Making it flawless for the last-minute journey, this type of bike install is intended to be fitted within just 2 minutes. The point that it can be used with or without bed liners gets it much nicer and easier for an old person. This implies you can manage it in practically almost any truck! You will have to strive to suit the Top Line in a truck with a track system, which is worth noting. You will almost certainly not be capable to operate this bike rack if you can move the tie bars.

Though devised to hold up to 2 bikes, it weighs only 4 pounds and sizes 11.5 x 21.8 x 2.8 inches. Also, you should find there is sufficient space to fit two of the truck bed bike racks. This will help you to fit around 4 bikes in the bed of your truck!

You will not require to eliminate the wheel before you position it into a spot because this bike rack is created to hold any size and type of wheel.

Giving you a great deal of movement, the bike rail structure can be arranged wherever you desire in your truck bed. Using a solid bar, the 2nd bike is locked to the first one. To secure a third and fourth in position, you can even buy a supplementary bar.

Understanding, that this bike rack does not want you to drill your truck bed, is undoubtedly a reprieve. All you require is access to the top and the bottom of the bed rail and that is enough for this rack to be installed.

You will also be provided with a handy link to a pdf for instructions regarding the bike rack from the supplier. There is a simple clamp that comes with this mount that secures over the bed rail on one side of your truck. Before installing the lock, you must keep in mind to use up the gasket supplied, as this will guarantee your bed rail is safe from any scratches or damages.

After this, you need to fasten a short bar that rotates, which helps you to get hold of it to the frame or seat post of your bike. Gaze at the secured mount permits you to run a security lock over the bike or bikes and fasten it to the rack mount. The cable to lock is also included with the purchase.

You might also want to see that when installing the padlock some vehicles need a spacer. This is provided by the supplier along with a list of the trucks that need it. A nice little extra is the nylon strap, the comes with this bike frame. This ensures the front wheel of your bike is locked, avoiding it from shifting whilst in transportation.

This is adaptable and a great bike rack, but sadly, it does not padlock to the bed of your truck. You will require to keep an eye on your bikes because they are bolted to the frame, but the frame is not confined to anything within your truck!

Before you devote to buy this bike rack, a foremost and final point that you must verify, is that in a few models of a truck the lock will not fit over the bed rail. You will want to bore a hole in the bed rail of your truck, to make the bike rack fit. To hide the hole when not in use, a plastic cap is provided with the bike rack.

A Comprehensive Guide to Purchasing the Right Truck Bed Bike Rack

As with little knowledge, finding the best truck bed bike for your pickup can be a great hassle and confusing. A little guidance might help the buyer to obtain the best possible product for themselves. So, the real question is ‘What exactly should you be looking for?’

Below are some of the few answers to your questions which might help you in buying the best bike rack for your pickup truck:

•         Frequency of Trunk Usage

How often do you need to you the trunk of your car? Do you place your shopping bags, from your grocery shopping, in the trunk? Or want the trunk to fit your baby’s pushchair every now and then?

This question holds a significant value it helps you determine because of how frequently you need to access the trunk. For a pickup truck, you can easily find a bed bike rack. If the bed is frequently utilized, then a rack that is easy to de-install is ideal for you.

•         How Frequently Do You utilize The Rack?

Leaving a rack always static on the truck bed is not a practical decision if you are not a devoted cycler. The reason you cannot leave the rack placed in the trunk of your truck is that it can lessen the life duration of the product if left vacant for long.

•         Budget

How much money are you left with? Another most important factor when it comes to buying a rack. You will find both expensive and cheap bike racks. Therefore, it differs on your budget on what type of rack you want to buy.

If you do not need to use the rack regularly, buying one of with average quality at affordable prices will work just fine for you and vice versa. But remember, the attest label of a product does not always signify its quality. Many companies sell their good built quality products at cheap prices.

•         Compatibility

Though many bike frames are well-suited with a variety of vehicles, make sure the rack fits your truck seamlessly even before purchasing one for yourself. Or else you might end up buying expensive fittings to fix it in its position!

•         Ease of Installation

Most modern bike racks with a quick installation option, where all you want to do is unbox it, position it correctly and just twitch the handles or straps to fasten it. Save time and effort with racks that are a quick install!

•         Padded or Non-padded Bike Rack

You will obviously need to guard your truck against any damage, go for a bike rack that comes with a completely padded frame. The rubber padding saves the car from scratching and defends the bike from hitting one another while in transit.

Conclusion

Once you check the market you will find so many options being offered for bike racks. But of course, your closing choice will be an outcome of many features containing your budget, the bike holding capacity of the rack, and how often you need to use it.

Be thoughtful of what purpose will the rack aids you, when determining which one to buy for your truck. Do keep in mind all of the above answers to your questions. Do your research carefully and make a smart decision!