How to build your Hitch Rack SystemUpdated 14 days ago

Choosing the right bike rack can feel overwhelming, but it can be made simple by starting with a few key questions:

1. What is your vehicle’s hitch size?

2. How many bikes do you need to carry?

3. What is the heaviest bike you plan to transport?

4. Will you be driving off-road while using the rack?

Once you have these answers, use the step-by-step directions below to build your perfect rack system.

Step 1: Start on the Hitch Bike Racks Page

• Go to our Hitch Bike Racks category page to begin.
• On this page, you’ll see a filter panel on the left-hand side that helps you narrow down rack options based on key criteria like number of bikes.

Step 2: Set Your Filters

Use the 'Hitch Size' filter: 

• This shows compatible racks that will fit your vehicle hitch size.

Use the 'Max Number of Bikes' filter:

• Pick how many bikes you plan to carry so you’re looking at options that match your lifestyle.

Use the 'Max Weight Capacity Per Tray' filter:

• This helps you select a rack that can safely support your heaviest bike(s). 

Use the 'Road or Vehicle Rating' filters:

• Use these so you can make sure your rack choice is off-road or RV rated.

This will display rack models that fall under your chosen filters.

Step 3: Choose Your Base Rack

Next, choose the base rack model that fits your needs:

• Single Base Rack:
  • Carries 1 bike out of the box
  • Expandable up to 3 bikes with Add-Ons
• Double Base Rack:
  • Carries 2 bikes out of the box (cannot be separated)
  • Expandable up to 4 bikes with Add-Ons

Your choice depends on how many bikes you ultimately want to carry.

Step 4: Check Add-On Compatibility

Once you’ve selected your base rack:

1. Scroll to the “Specs > Add-On Compatibility” section on the product page.
2. Confirm which Add-Ons are compatible with your chosen rack.
3. Click the linked Add-On products and add (1 or 2, depending on your setup) to your cart.

Building a 3-Bike System

You have two options:

• Single Base Rack + 2 Add-Ons
  • Start with a Single (1 bike)
  • Add 2 compatible Add-Ons
  • Final capacity: 3 bikes
• Double Base Rack + 1 Add-On
  • Start with a Double (2 bikes)
  • Add 1 compatible Add-On
  • Final capacity: 3 bikes

Both options get you to 3 bikes — choose based on your long-term needs and flexibility.

Building a 4-Bike System

To carry 4 bikes:

• Double Base Rack + 2 Add-Ons
  • Start with a Double (2 bikes)
  • Add 2 compatible Add-Ons
  • Final capacity: 4 bikes

A Single base rack cannot expand to 4 bikes, so you’ll need to start with a Double.

Need Help Choosing?

If you’re unsure which base rack or Add-Ons are right for your vehicle or riding style, feel free to contact us. Our team of experts are here to make sure you get exactly what you need.