Are you searching for the best 4 bike platform hitch racks? We have done the hard work and long hours of research for you and short listed the best 3 options to choose from.
Are you someone who thoroughly enjoys riding bikes with your family and friends and need an platform bike rack that carries up to 4 bikes to safely transport your bikes, we have you covered.
If you’re new to bike racks, don’t worry!
We’ve got you covered. In this article, we will cover all our favorite platform hitch racks and answer a few popular questions in the F.A.Q. Section.
Let’s dive in!
Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission.
Table of Contents
Best 4 Bike Platform Hitch Racks
Listed below is our selection of the top 5 platform hitch racks for four bikes out there:
1. Best Overall: Trimax Road-MAX Hitch Mount Tray
- Arm can fold when not in use for gate access
- Compact and light weight design allows user to easily store product in the car trunk
- Adjustable padded arm to support the bikes vertically
- Strong, easy to use locking attachment system to fit any 2" receiver
Last update on 2023-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Trimax Road-MAX is the best 4 bike platform hitch rack.
It’s stylishly designed to help carry up to four bikes in one go and best suited to regular passenger cars.
It has a remarkably user-friendly, compact, and lightweight design that allows the user to easily store it in their car’s trunk when it is not in use.
It has the following dimensions: 42 x 14.5 x 9 inches (LxWxH) and comes in a classic black color laced with red highlights.
The entire tray weighs 41 pounds, making it easy to handle and install whenever needed.
Despite being so lightweight, this hitch mount tray is extremely robust and strong enough to support all 4 bikes at once.
It also has a fantastic locking system that will fit any 2-inch receiver.
Furthermore, this product includes high resistance wheel straps with zamack buckles and soft pads that can fit any rim and tire size without trouble.
The Trimax Road-MAX hitch mount tray also comes with adjustable padded arms to help support the bikes vertically.
It has individual spaces to cater to each bike, preventing them from banging against one another or colliding with the vehicle itself.
This is hands-down an excellent device that’s definitely worth considering.
Why This Is Our Number 1 Recommendation
Not every product qualifies as Number 1.
Only the very best of the best are awarded this title.
So, why did we choose the Trimax Road-MAX hitch mount tray as our number 1 product? Here are the reasons:
- This product is lightweight (just 41 pounds!) yet remarkably strong
- Thanks to its smart design and classic color scheme, it only adds to your transport vehicle’s beauty and never takes away from it.
- This rack has a handy supporting arm that can be folded away when not needed (for gate access), as well as zamack bundles and high-resistance wheel straps for extra safety
2. Second Best: Hollywood Racks HR1400 4-Bike Platform Rack
- 4 BIKE RACK - Heavy-duty platform-style hitch rack holds up to 4 bikes, 50 lbs each, and fits 2-inch hitch receivers only
Last update on 2023-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Perhaps the previous option wasn’t what you had in mind. If so, don’t worry, there are many more excellent options available to choose from!
The HR1400 Sports Rider bike rider is one of the best 4 bike platform hitch racks for 4 bikes.
It weighs 85 pounds and can carry 4 bikes at a time, each weighing up to 50 pounds.
It can accommodate tires that are up to 3 inches wide.
This bike rack also includes a keyed-alike locking hitch pink with an 8-foot long security cable to prevent the rack from swaying.
Moreover, to ensure maximum safety, the HR1400 Sports Rider bike rack has special locking frame hooks to prevent unwarranted theft.
This device also has the company’s signature, patented “No-Wobble, No Tools” hitch tightening system to ensure your bikes do not gain any damage during the trip.
When bikes are not properly fastened to the rack, they end up severely shaking and wobbling throughout the trip, which can loosen their chains and ruin their functionality and grip.
However, this device was designed with all this in mind and helped reduce wobbling, so you don’t have to worry about your bikes getting damaged during transportation.
3. Best Option for Cars: CURT 18087 Hitch Bike Rack Mount
- EASY TO LOAD. This tray-style hitch bike rack is designed for ergonomic loading and unloading of the bikes. The arms fold down as needed, and the cradles are set low for less effort when lifting bikes into place
- ENHANCED SECURITY. This hitch mount bike rack keeps your bikes fully secure during travel, featuring lockable, ratcheting arms. The bike carrier holds the bikes at 3 points of contact, and the integrated locks help deter theft when left unattended
- HIGHLY ADJUSTALE. This trailer hitch bike rack is accommodating to most bike sizes and styles. The cradles and arms are both fully adjustable to fit virtually any bike frame
- STANDARD FIT. This bike carrier hitch is made for convenient transportation of your bikes, featuring a shank to fit virtually any 2-inch x 2-inch trailer hitch receiver. It holds up to 4 bikes and 180 lbs
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. To resist the outdoor elements and keep rust away, this hitch bike rack is shielded in a durable black powder coat finish
Last update on 2023-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The CURT 18087 hitch bike rack mount was designed to make loading and unloading easy and convenient for the user.
This bike rack’s arms fold down as needed and can be tucked away when not in use.
Additionally, this device provides remarkable security thanks to its lockable, ratcheting arms. It also has high-quality integrated locks to help protect your bikes from theft.
This product is fashioned from high-grade corrosion-resistant metal to help keep rust at bay.
Oftentimes bike carriers will rust and rot away to a point where they can no longer carry your bikes.
Luckily, you won’t have to worry about rust with this product, thanks to its reliable manufacturing and rust-resistant metal base.
This bike carrier hitch can carry up to 4 bikes at a time and is perfect for cars.
It weighs 86 pounds on its own and has the following product dimensions: 39 x 23.5 x 12.5 inches (LxWxH).
It can cater to virtually any bike, from large mountain bikes to smaller kids bikes, making it one of the best hitch rack options out there!
FAQ
What Is A Platform Bike Rack?
A platform bike rack is a special device employed to help carry bikes from one place to another.
These bike racks are installed onto large vehicles that can help transport bikes or bicycles.
There are many different types of platform bike racks.
For example, a rack designed for a small car may differ slightly from one built for S.U.V.s.
However, the fundamental mechanics are the same.
Most platform bike racks can carry multiple bikes at the same time.
These devices are usually attached to the front or back of the transport vehicle.
Some models can even be installed at the side of a larger vehicle, like an SUV’s, or on the roof.
Are Platform Bike Racks Better?
There are two main types of bike racks: the hanging rack and the platform rack.
While some people choose hanging racks, the majority opt for platform racks.
This is because:
- Platform bike racks are easier to use as compared to hanging racks
- It takes less time to install and remove bikes from platform racks
- Users note that that platform racks offer more security than their hanging counterparts
- If you’re storing multiple bikes together, they won’t bang against one another when attached to a platform bike rack.
Are Hitch Bike Racks Safe?
Platform bike racks are also known as “hitch bike racks.”
Many people wonder whether or not they’re safe for bike storage.
All high-quality hitch bike racks come with a foolproof locking system that will help keep your bikes locked in place.
If you’re still skeptical about the safety or would like to double-lock your cycles, you can always throw in a cable lock to further secure your bikes in place.
These bike racks have designated spots reserved for each bike.
There is ample space present to accommodate multiple bikes, so you don’t have to worry about all your cycles, not fitting or hanging off and falling from the platform.
Conclusion
As you can see, the market is full of excellent bike rack options.
If you’re having trouble choosing one, just refer to the list above; all the products we’ve listed are reliable, top-notch devices that will surely meet all your demands with ease!
- Arm can fold when not in use for gate access
- Compact and light weight design allows user to easily store product in the car trunk
- Adjustable padded arm to support the bikes vertically
- Strong, easy to use locking attachment system to fit any 2" receiver
Last update on 2023-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Disclaimer
Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission.
Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases.
The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
