Best Bike Rack for Jeep Wrangler in 2022

A jeep holding some bike with a Allen sports bike rack

If you are an outdoor enthusiast there is a good chance that you would like to be able to carry your bike with you when you go on adventures. To properly carry your bike, you need a way to secure it to the vehicle. My Jeep did not have a bike rack and when I went to buy one, I was overwhelmed by the different types available.

I decided to ask a group of my friends who ride bikes to help me to find the top-rated Jeep Wrangler bike racks on the market. I explained that I wanted my readers to know which racks were best for Jeeps, and what made one rack more suitable than another.

Quick Comparison Table For Jeep Wrangler Bike Racks

IMAGEPRODUCTDETAILS
  • Material: Rubber
  • Weight:10 Pounds
  • Dimensions: 13 x 12 x 7 Inches
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  • Material: ‎Alloy Steel
  • Dimensions: ‎‎4.33 x 28.74 x 13.39 Inches
  • Foldable: No
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  • Material: ‎Alloy Steel
  • Weight: 54 Pounds
  • Type: Straps,Hitch
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  • Type: ‎‎Tire
  • Dimensions: 43 x 14.5 x 6 Inches
  • Made In: USA
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  • Foldable: ‎No
  • Type: ‎Straps,Hitch
  • Made In: ‎Taiwan
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Top 8 Jeep Wrangler Bike Racks Review

1. Kuat Transfer 2 Jeep Bicycle Rack Black

kuat transfer 2 bike bicycle rack black

Connects to the vehicle via the receiver on the trailer hitch. It is a perfect fitment for any Jeep Wrangler or vehicle that has a 1.25” or 2” receiver hitch. 

Multiple bike capabilities of one, two, or three bikes makes this a versatile item. Protection for your bicycle is great because the bike frame will not make contact with the transportation rack. That means no possible chipped paint, bent frames, or damage will occur to your two-wheel vehicle.

Made of heavy-duty materials that can withstand the loading and unloading of bikes and the rough driving that off-road excursions create.

No lock cables are needed on this rack. It has a pin that goes through the trailer hitch that secures it in position. If you want to buy a separate locking mechanism for extra security you can. It can be used on a vehicle that has a spare tire mounted on the back.

When you are putting the bikes on the rack the outer layer of the unit rotates so you can line the outer section and inner section holes up.

2. Hollywood SR1 Spare Tire Rack for the Budget

hollywood SR1 spare tire rack for the budget

Mountable over the spare tire on the back of your Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee, or other vehicle with a spare tire mounted on the tailgate. This unit fits over the majority of spare tires and is easy to install because it is pre-assembled. If by chance your spare is too wide for the rack to encompass the manufacturer does offer a larger tire kit you can order. 

There is no reason to remove the backup camera from your Jeep Wrangler because this unit is designed to work in conjunction with the spare and the backup camera.  Your back hatch will still be fully functional so it does not limit your ability to reach the things in the back of the vehicle.

Designed to hold bicycles that weigh up to 35 pounds. It does not come with a locking kit but you can secure your bike using a locking cable if you want to do so.

The rack is weather-resistant but the bolts that hold the product in place may rust over time. You can eliminate that problem by coating the exposed portion of the bolt with grease to protect it.

3. Allen Sports 2 Bike Spare Tire Rack

allen sports bike spare tire rack

Mounts over the spare tire on the back of your Jeep Wrangler JK manufactured between 1994 and 2018. Is not compatible with the Jeep Wrangler JL manufactured in 2018. Is a perfect fitment for the Jeep Liberty manufactured between 2002 and 2009. The design even allows it to be used on vehicles that have the third brake lights mounted above the spare tire. It is built to hold a maximum of two bikes that have a combined weight of 70 pounds. 

There is an individual tie down system for each bike to secure the bikes on the rack so they are protected from damages. The rack does not come with a security lock that deters theft. You may want to get a locking cable or other lock system if you need to protect your bike from theft. Loading the bikes on this unit is made easier by the narrow carry arms that support them.

The unique bottom design of the rack allows it to fit over wider tires than similar racks can. You should check the width of your tire and tire height prior to purchase to make sure this will be a good fit.

4. Saris Freedom Bike and Spare Tire Rack

saris freedom bike and spare tire rack

The numerous methods of mounting this bike rack make it more versatile and capable of being used on more of the Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee, Sahara, Rubicon, and other makes and models. This unit can be mounted over the spare tire at the back of the vehicle or it can be mounted to the receiver hitch for vehicles with trailer hitches. It fits on jeep wrangler bike rack hitches that measure 11/4” up to 2”.

Sturdy and durable are two of the best descriptions of this spare tire bike rack. It is strong enough to carry two bikes that weigh as much as 60 pounds each. It is also offered in a version that can accommodate 4 bicycles that weigh up to 60 pounds each. It is even capable of supporting the Fat Tire bikes.

This unit fits any bike with a wheelbase of up to 48” with no adjustments needed. If your wheelbase is more than 48” you will need to buy the optional longer wheelbase bar.

5. Surco Spare Tire Bike Rack- Perfect for Freeing up Your Hitch

surco spare tire rack

Durability is assured with this bike rack because of the strength of the heavy-duty steel materials used in the manufacture. It is black powder coated so that it is weather resistant and will not have issues with rust or corrosion. 

This unit mounts on the spare tire rack. It is compatible with Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee vehicles that were manufactured prior to 2006. The bicycles fit onto the rack in channels that are padded to prevent the bike from being scratched or damaged during transport.

This unit is fantastic for people who want to transport their bikes while they are also towing things like campers behind their vehicles. It has a heavy-duty mounting plate that secures it to the vehicle through the spare tire.

The bikes are secured to the rack and will be safe during transport. If you drive up steep inclines or if you are worried about the possibility of theft additional security locks and cables may give you more peace of mind.

6. Tyger Auto 4 Bicycle Carrier Rack – Perfect for a 2 inch Hitch Receiver

tyger auto 4 bicycle carrier rack

The receiver hitch connection of this bike rack allows it to be a great fitment on all Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee and other models of vehicles that have a receiver hitch in place. It is designed to be compatible with the 1.25” or 2” receiver so it is very versatile.

Safety and security of your bikes is provided via the safety straps. You have to connect both safety straps so the unit is balanced and stabilized properly. There are easy to use ratchet buckles that will protect up to four bicycles at one time.

The bike rack will tilt far enough that you can access the interior of the vehicle through the back hatch when the bikes are in place. It is a solid built unit that provides you the ability to transport your bike safely and conveniently.

The ability to fold the handles in when the rack is not in use makes the unit more beneficial. You can easily install or uninstall the device in just a few minutes, or you can fold it and leave it in place.

7. YAKIMA Away Hitch Bike Rack- Well Constructed

Yakima away hitch bike rack

This is an excellent receiver hitch bike rack is perfect for all Jeep products that have hitches in place. It can be connected to a 1.25” or 2” receiver hitch so it is easy to install on most vehicles.

Another tremendous feature is the tilt down. This rack will tilt far enough down to allow you to access the back section of your vehicle completely. You can easily retrieve items stored in the back of the vehicle without having to remove the rack first. It also folds totally flat when it is not in use so it is not in the way or causing you any inconveniences.

This rack easily transports more than one bike. The size of the bikes will determine the exact number of bikes that can be transported at one time.

The support arms are positioned 13” apart. It fits on the hitch of the vehicle and can be used on a vehicle that has a spare tire on the tailgate section of the vehicle.

8. KAC Overdrive Sports Hitch Mounted Bike Rack

kac overdrive sports hitch mounted bike rack

Hitch mounted bike racks like this one are the perfect choice for any Jeep no matter what make or model you drive. All you need to connect the bike rack perfectly to your vehicle is a receiver hitch that accepts 2” balls. The hitch pin that connects to your vehicle locks in place so there is less chance that the rack could become detached.

The patented anti-wobble system designed into this rack will provide greater protection for your bike. This unit actually can transport two bikes that each weigh as much as 60 pounds.

The rack installs quickly and easily with no adaptions to your vehicle. The majority of the rack comes pre-assembled, and it can be adjusted to hold regular and E-bikes, fat-tire bikes, and mountain bikes. The safety straps will hold your bike securely no matter how fast you drive, or what the road conditions are like.

This unit is weather-resistant and can be used in any climate or area around the country.

How to Choose The Right Jeep Wrangler Bike Rack – Beginner Guide

hollywood racks SR1 spare tire rack holding some bike

Buying bike racks for the jeep will give you the means of transporting your bikes to remote locations you plan to visit. Before you buy one of these units it will behoove you to consider how you will use the device, and what features of bike racks will benefit you the most.

I suggest making a list of your needs and wants then comparing the benefits of each bike rack to see which one will meet the most of your needs.

Size of a Rack

The size of the bike rack is going to determine the type of bikes and the number of bikes that it will transport. There are a lot of people who only transport one bike most of the time. I suggest you never buy a single bike rack because you never know when you are going to meet a bike-riding friend and want to transport two bikes.

Weight

The weight of the unit that you buy can affect how your vehicle drives. You are adding the weight of the rack plus the weight of the bikes to the rear of your vehicle and extra weight on the vehicle can affect how it handles and drives.

You also have to pay attention to the amount of weight the rack can support. The rack you choose must be able to support the weight of the bike that you normally transport.

Security (Most Important for Bike Rack)

There is more than one security feature you should consider when you transport bikes.

Damage and Theft Security

The security of your bike from damages during travel is addressed by padding on the rack and through the use of cables and locks. Theft of your bike is addressed through locking cables that are opened with a key or with a combination of numbers or letters.

Placement security

Placement security is accomplished with locking mechanisms that lock the rack into place. This type of locking is not meant to deter theft as much as it is meant to keep the rack securely attached to your vehicle so it stays in position.

Style 

Where the jeep wrangler hitch mount bike rack makes a big difference. You may not have a receiver hitch or a spare tire on your tailgate to connect the rack to.

Roof Mounted Rack

These racks can typically be installed on any vehicle. The problem with these racks is getting the bike on top of your car and into the rack can be problematic.

Spare-Tire Mounts

The racks that mount over a spare tire that is positioned on your tailgate allow you easy access to your bike. The problem that most people encounter is when the bike is in place the ability to open the back hatch of the vehicle is limited or stopped.

The width and size of the tire that you have will determine whether the jeep spare tire bike rack will fit properly on your vehicle.

Receiver Hitch Mount

These jeep racks are very easy to install. They allow easy access to your bike.

Tips for Avoiding Bike Rack Theft 

saris freedom bike spare tire bike rack mount on beautiful road

To avoid the theft of your bike rack you need to invest in locking cables and pins. The locking cables and pins secure the bike rack to your vehicle and require a key or combination before they will release.

You will probably want to use a series of pins and cables that lock. You want to lock the device in place, and then when you add bikes to the unit you want to lock each bike into place so they cannot be easily removed when you are not with the vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Put a Bike Rack on a Jeep?

You can put a bike rack on a Jeep. You must check the mounting style of the rack and make sure that it is compatible with your vehicle style and the accessories in place on your vehicle.

What Kind of Jeep Bike Rack is Best?

The receiver hitch bike racks are compatible with a greater number of vehicles and allow the bikes to be put in place and removed with ease. The most secure bike rack is the roof mount rack but they are also the hardest racks to use.

What is The Easiest Bike Rack to Use?

The receiver hitch racks are the easiest to use. They hold the bike at a lower position so you do not have to lift the weight of the bike as high.

Final Words

Choosing the best bike rack for Jeep Wrangler is largely dependent on the vehicle you own and the mounting considerations of the rack.

If you are looking for a receiver hitch bike rack, I suggest you look closely at the KAC Bike Rack that can carry multiple bikes in a safe and secure manner.

If you are looking for a bike rack that is supported by the spare tire of your vehicle, I recommend further evaluation of the 2 Bike Rack by Allen Sports. This rack fits a wide range of tire sizes and allows limited access to the back hatch.

Related Article
Best Roof Racks Option for Jeep Wrangler
Best Bumpers For Jeep Wrangler Review

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