Best Trunk

Convenient trunk racks that can carry your bikes and save space on your vehicle at the same time

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Finding the right way to transport your bike on a vehicle can be difficult. With so many options, it can be easy to get overwhelmed, particularly if your vehicle lacks the necessary components like a hitch receiver or adequate roof space. That is why a trunk-mounted bike rack can be a good option. Instead of taking up dedicated roof space or requiring a hitch receiver, all you need is a rear-end on your car. Regardless of whether you have a hatchback, minivan, SUV or anything in between, a trunk-mounted rack could work for you. To learn more about this often-forgotten bike rack option, read on for our guide.

Saris Bones Trunk Bike Rack Carrier

Hollywood Racks Baja Trunk Mounted Bike Rack

Allen Sports Premier Trunk Mounted Bike Rack

This is the most basic type of trunk-mounted bike rack. The frame is a fixed design that uses several pieces of metal either welded or bolted together. The design typically comes in several bike capacities (usually from two to four bikes) and is relatively easy to set up since there aren't too many adjustments you can make. At the same time, the simple design also leaves some limitations if you want to increase the bike capacity or make it work for awkward vehicle designs.

Opposite to fixed bike racks are adjustable frames that include arms you can extend or add on to increase the bike capacity or alter the position of the best support. An adjustable bike rack is perfect if you need a more custom fit for your particular vehicle and can't find the right fixed design on the market. Some adjustable frames, however, can be trickier to set up and may sacrifice some weight capacity.

A few, often higher-end, bike racks feature folding arms you can maneuver out of the way when you don't have bikes loaded onto the rack. This can help save some space on the rear end, make it easier to park the vehicle, and reduce the amount of air-induced noise when driving on the road at highway speeds. The design tends to be the weakest of the three types because of the pivot points involved to allow the arms to fold. Bike capacity also tends to be smaller than fixed and adjustable trunk-mounted bike racks so the arms don't take up too much room when folded.

If there is one company that has really made its mark on trunk-mounted bike racks, it is Saris. Sporting a unique, curvy look that is instantly recognizable, the rack options in its lineup aren't like any others around. Thankfully, the overall quality and durability of the racks tend to match the unique design as well. If you want a taste of what to expect in terms of looks and performance from one of its trunk racks, consider the Bones 801 rack.

Started in 2008, Kuat has a tendency to over-engineer many of its designs for the benefit of you and your bike when it comes to racks. Despite the rather beefy look many of its racks have, the company manages to produce a lot of lightweight designs as well. As a result, options like the Highline Trunk Carrier offer a happy marriage between convenience and security within the frame.

This company got its start making trunk-mounted bike racks back in 1973. Since that time, Hollywood Racks has expanded into other frame designs but maintains a healthy selection of straightforward and competitively priced trunk racks. Nearly all of the racks, except for maybe the Over-The-Top trunk rack, maintain a simple and easy-to-install set up for anyone looking for a good way to carry and protect their bikes on a small vehicle.

The one part of a trunk-mounted bike rack that takes the brunt of the weight of the bikes is the pair of support arms that stick out from the vehicle. As a result, the support arms need to be durable enough to take the weight in addition to any extra forces the vehicle produces while traveling. Adjustable and folding arms are also added perks if you are looking for something that can fit different bike sizes and numbers or that can be made smaller when not in use.

Trunk-mounted bike racks work by creating tension against the surface of the vehicle. To hold itself in place, it needs a number of support straps anchored down on different points of the vehicle. Most straps are made of flexible materials; some may even stretch or ratchet down, to create the necessary tension. Typically, you will find bike racks with four to six straps. The more straps you have, the more secure the hold will be, but fewer straps make installation quicker and easier.

The point of contact between the bike rack and the bike frame is important since it influences how much potential damage the rack can do to the frame. In other words, if you don't have the right cradle supporting the bike frame, you may find more scratches or cracks in the frame then you initially wanted. Good cradles are padded and large enough to support the bike along the tube. Higher-end cradles also include anti-sway designs that keep the bike frame from swinging back and forth on the rack when the car is in motion, accelerating, or de-accelerating. Most connect to either the rear or front wheel.

Best Overall

The Saris Bones Trunk Bike Rack Carrier is designed to be highly adaptable and flexible when it comes to compatibility with different vehicles. For example, the padded frames can fit over several different areas of the vehicle, including around the rear windshield and license plate. Suspended by five straps, the combination of frame supports and tension straps provides a stable foundation to carry the weight of two to four bikes.

The support arms come in at 12 inches and create a flexible area to mount clips for bike frames that support the bike without interfering with the wheels, handlebars, seat, or other delicate parts. In total, the rack can support up to 70 pounds. Installation is relatively straightforward, but you must rely on the instructions since some steps aren't intuitive.

Like many trunk-mounted racks, the stability is heavily dependent on proper placement of the straps. The ends of the straps are exposed metal, which can lead to scratches on the surface of the vehicle as well. As a result, you may find it necessary to use some electrical tape or other supports like bungee cords to secure everything together without damaging the vehicle.

Best Value

Depending on which model you purchase, the Hollywood Racks Baja Trunk Mounted Bike Rack can hold either two or three bikes. It features rubber anti-sway cradles and EPDM rubber straps. The rack has a maximum capacity of 35 pounds per bicycle.

The rack is pre-assembled and folds flat, so it's simple to store in your trunk or garage when you're not using it. It's very sturdy, and as long as it's properly secured, neither the bike nor the mount moves very much when you drive in normal conditions. The rack is also very easy to put on and remove, and it protects both your bike and your vehicle.

One problem with this rack is that you may need a special adapter to hold children's and women's bikes. Also, it may rub the paint off your vehicle's spoiler if you have one, and the mount doesn't have any protective foam in that area. In addition, the bikes may stick out over the sides of your vehicle, so you need to be careful not to hit mailboxes, etc.

Most User-Friendly

This Allen Sports trunk-mounted bike rack can accommodate two or three bikes, depending on the model. It's compatible with hatchbacks, minivans, sedans, and SUVs. The rack is designed so you can quickly set it up. The two-bike model has 12-inch carry arms with a 70-pound weight capacity.

The rack has a very solid construction, and it's easy to set up right out of the box. One person can install this unit without too much trouble, and taking the bikes off the rack is simple.The tie-down cradles securely protect your bikes, and the rack features extra large padding to protect your vehicle's paint. There is also minimal swinging or creaking when you're driving. Another benefit is that you can use this on a variety of different vehicles, so it's very versatile.

One problem with this rack is that if you use it on an SUV, it can be challenging to install and remove the bikes if you're not too tall. You may also need a tube adapter bar for ladies’ bikes, and you shouldn't use it on an SUV with a spoiler above the rear window because it may damage the spoiler.

Most Compact

This ultra-compact bike carrier can accommodate either one or two bikes, depending on which model you purchase. It's so small that you can carry it in a backpack. The one-bike version has three padded legs and three adjustable security straps. It's designed for use on hatchbacks, minivans, sedans, and SUVs.

The steel rack comes fully assembled and has a nylon storage bag for convenience. The tie downs rotate to accommodate a variety of bicycle frame sizes and styles. The top and bottom straps anchor the rack, and the side straps prevent any side-to-side wobble. It's easy to adjust, extremely portable, and overall it's well made, very sturdy, and well designed.

However, the instructions are not that great, so you may need to go online for a video tutorial. Also, if your bike's top tube is oval and not round, it may not work. In addition, if you have a beach-comber style bike with wide handlebars, it may swing too closely to the vehicle.

Honorable Mention

This rack has three models to accommodate one, two, or three bikes. The one-bike model is 100-percent preassembled and is designed for use on sedans, hatchbacks, minivans, and SUVs. It features a safety strap and a padded lower frame to keep bikes from coming into contact with your vehicle.

The rack has soft cradles to protect the bike frame and ratchet buckles for added security. It has a rust-resistant coating, and you can fold the arms up when it's not in use. It is easy to mount on your car and doesn't slip or loosen. It also has a tight hold, so your bikes won't bounce or jiggle around. If you have a fairly heavy bike, the rack does a good job of keeping it in place. The manufacturer also provides a limited lifetime warranty.

However, this rack is not intended for vehicles with rear spoilers. Also, depending on what type of vehicle you have, it may come into contact with the license plate. There have been some complaints that the instructions are confusing, and if the metal clips that hold the straps fail, that could cause the rack to fall off your vehicle.

Honorable Mention

The SportRack Pursuit rack can accommodate two or three bikes. It has soft rubber cradles and straps that secure the bikes and are designed so they don't damage your vehicle's finish or the bike's top tube. The anti-sway cradles prevent the bikes from contacting each other or the vehicle.

This rack is very sturdy, fully adjustable, and folds flat when you're not using it. It's stable, very easy to install, and has a solid grip. It fits on a variety of different vehicles and is very supportive even if you hit a bump on the road. It also doesn't sway very easily, even at highway speeds.

On a long trip, however, you may want to add bungee cords for reinforcement. Also, you need to knot the straps very securely to make sure they don't loosen. Another issue is that depending on the style of your bike frame, a wheel may extend off the side of the vehicle, so you have to be cautious when you’re driving.

Honorable Mention

The Thule Raceway Pro rack can accommodate either two or three bikes. It has locks, so you can lock the bikes to the rack and the rack to the vehicle. It features ratcheting locking cables, molded rubber pads to prevent scratches, road dampening technology to absorb impact, and NoSway cages so there's no bike-to-bike contact.

The rack has a FitDial to ensure a perfect fit on your particular vehicle. It holds several types of bike frames, including children's bikes. It's very simple to install and easy to use. It's also very sturdy and holds bikes securely. The arms fold down, it folds flat for storage,and the anti-rub pieces that clamp onto the down tube do a good job of preventing the bikes from rubbing against each other. Overall, the device and bikes are very stable when you're driving at high speeds.

The biggest complaint about this rack is that it's a little heavy. Also, it's not compatible with all types of bikes or all vehicles, and it can be difficult to determine this before making a purchase. In addition, the anti-sway component is made of plastic and may crack prematurely.

Honorable Mention

This bike rack supports two or three bikes and can be installed on sedans, hatchbacks, and passenger vans. You can mount it over most spoilers and lighting systems. The rack has wrap-around hold downs and adjustable arms. The hooks are coated in neoprene, and it also features a foam trunk pad to protect your vehicle's paint.

The rack is fully assembled and folds down flat for storage, so you can easily fit it in your trunk. It is very easy to install and remove when you're not using it. The rack is also sturdy with solid hinges that tightly lock into place.

Unfortunately, the straps tend to loosen while you're driving, so you need to tighten them frequently. Also, if you only strap on two bikes, they may slide back towards the rear of the rack at highway speeds. Another issue is the rubber fasteners have a tendency to stiffen in cold weather, making them hard to connect.

A. This depends on the design of a particular rack, but in general, they can be easier to mount than some roof-mounted designs. Fewer straps make it quicker and easier to get the rack positioned at the potential cost of some stability.

A. This all depends on the weight capacity of the bike rack. Since mountain bikes can weigh as much as 50 pounds, the weight of the frame can quickly push the limit of the rack or limit the number of bikes you can carry at once. E-bikes, on the other hand, tend to be ill-suited for trunk-mounted bike racks because of the weight. A hitch rack is the best way to go for this type of bike.

A. Cables and straps are your friends when it comes to protecting both the rack itself and the bikes on it. Simple bike locks and cables can offer some resistance to would-be thieves if they tried to steal a bike off of your rack. Similarly, heavy-duty straps that lock into place make it more difficult to get the rack off of the vehicle.

We chose the Saris Bones 801 3-Bike Trunk Mount Rack as the best trunk bike rack because of its unique, beefy frame design and larger bike capacity it can offer for nearly any vehicle.

If you fancy a more affordable option, consider the Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack instead.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, "wisdom of the crowd" assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.