Using a bike rack is the best and safest way to carry around your bikes alongside you wherever you go. And there are different types of racks for cars and SUVs are available to be used according to your preferences.
A spare tire bike rack is one of those racks that can be used mostly on an SUV with a spare tire fitted to the back trunk door. Using the best spare tire bike rack is the right way to carry bikes if you have a vehicle with a spare tire area.
There are many advantages to using a spare tire rack. First, it means you will never have to worry about many of the problems that occurred while using other racks. Besides, some spare tire mounts provide more stability and security to the rack and the bikes than any other rack mount.
It is easy to get a rack from the market, but getting the right one for you might be tricky in many ways. So, here are some of the best spare tire racks that you can check and decide on your own.
Table of Contents
Best Spare Tire Bike Racks
1. Allen Sports Premier S302 Spare Tire Rack
- Sport type: Cycling
- Material: Steel
- Rugged black powder coating
- Quick secure dual compound tie-down cradles secure and protect bicycles
Last update on 2021-10-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here is a premium spare tire rack that you can get hands-on for a long ride on the road with your SUV. It is considered the best spare tire bike rack available because of its design and built quality.
The material used for the manufacturing of this rack is steel. Steel can hold more weight than any of the materials used for racks. So, you don’t have to worry about the safety of your bikes on this rack.
It is a 2-bike rack with all the straps and safety features for making both rack and bikes secure. The rack has a base stand on the spare tire and a grabbing hand on the tire’s back.
Together with straps to the bottom side, these hands give enough strength and grip to the rack. Besides, it has a compact look when folded and not in use so that you can keep it anywhere inside the SUV.
- The rack is made of steel that is the strongest material used for racks.
- Multiple arms and base stand available alongside straps to hold the rack secure.
- It has a compact look when not in use.
- It comes with grippy straps that can grab up to two bikes comfortably.
- The bottom hooks of the straps are a little difficult to attach on vehicles with a hitch receiver.
2. Allen Sports Deluxe 2 Bike Rack for Spare Tires
- Patented design carries bikes up high, away from the road and hot exhaust.
- 15 inches long carry arms easily accommodate 2 bicycles (up to 70 pounds).
- Fits nearly all externally mounted spare tires, including those with over-the-tire third brake lights.
- Patented individual tie-down cradles secure and protect bicycles.
- Extra-wide bottom foot supports weight on the rear tire, not on the rim.
Last update on 2021-10-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is another spare tire bike rack from the same Allen Sports brand. First of all, this model is available in two different versions: a normal Tire Rack and a Tire Rack - JL Fit.
However, the most advanced and pricier one is the normal one. Like the other racks from the brand, this one is also made with steel and can hold up to two bikes. Moreover, the design is very reliable that will keep your bikes with enough height from the ground.
So that the bikes will be safe in any road condition. Moreover, the rack is perfect for almost every size and shape of spare tires and mounts available in cars and SUVs.
Two individual tie-down straps are equipped on the rack that provides stability and grip to the rack. All kinds of bikes can be loaded on this rack other than those with curvy high bars.
- More affordable model rack.
- Base stands and grabbing arms are available that assures stability.
- It has enough ground clearance for your bikes.
- Installation is effortless.
- The trunk cannot be used while the rack is loaded and strapped.
3. Thule 963PRO Spare Me Bike Rack for Spare Tires
- Stay-Put Cradles with anti-sway cages hold bikes in place for frame protection and stability.
- Attaches to spare tire and fits both regular and oversized tires.
- Integrated locking cable and locking knob secure bikes to carrier and carrier to the vehicle.
- Max number of bikes 2, Load capacity 75 pounds.
- Folded dimensions - 4 x 18.5 x 38.5 inches.
Last update on 2021-10-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Thule is one of the well-known brands for different kinds of bike racks in the market. And this spare tire bike rack from them is considered the best spare tire bike rack you can get your hands on.
It is equipped with stay-put cradles that are placed in enough space with a special design. The design is anti-sway cages that will hold the bikes without struggling to get a grip on the rack.
Besides, the special high-quality material offers more protection to the frame of the bikes. Furthermore, you can use all sizes of frames because of the resizeable straps, and you also can carry all kinds of tire sizes on this rack.
The rack can hold up to two bikes at a time without opening any chances of contact between the two bikes. Moreover, the rack has a very compact design that you can keep on the spare tire even while not in use.
- It has a very affordable price.
- The rack can be left on the rack folded even while not in use.
- It can be securely locked onto the tire mount.
- It offers more than enough ground clearance.
- The whole rack is dependent on the center mount of the spare tire.
4. Yakima 2 Bike Spare Tire Rack
- Easily attaches to your rear mount spare and turns it into a bike rack.
- ZipStrips secure bikes to the rack and are fully removable.
- Steel construction is strong and durable.
- Bikes over 35 lbs should not be carried.
- Basic assembly required.
Last update on 2021-10-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are a bike enthusiast or just another rider, you might have heard of the Yakima brand in many places. The brand is known for different kinds of the bike and other sports-related products.
Here it is one of the many different bike racks they manufacture at a very affordable range. The rack is to be mounted on a single base metal pole capable of holding up to two bikes.
The specially designed ZipStrips secure strap locks will hold the bikes with great grip. Besides, it will not provide any space for the bikes to get in contact with each other. The contacts like that can scratch and damage the bike frames.
You don't have to worry about those issues with this rack, and the steel construction is very durable for long-term use. Beyond all, the ground clearance offered by the rack is also remarkable. So, you don't have to worry about the bikes under any road circumstances.
- The steel used for the making is durable.
- The cradle system is powerful and can hold some weight.
- It is straightforward to install and detach from the spare tire mount.
- Any frame size can be fitted on this rack.
- The whole weight is concentrated on one base pole.
- A little expensive when compared to some of the similar products.
5. Swagman RV Approved Deluxe Spare Tire Rack
- Carries up to 2 bikes
- Mounts around most spare tires
- Anti-sway cradles prevent bike-to-bike contact.
- Attaches to a 4" - 4-1/2" continuously welded steel bumper.
- All hardware is included for attachment to the bumper and carrying the bike.
Last update on 2021-10-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here is a unique model spare tire rack that can be used on RVs. First of all, it is designed to hold a tire inside the rack, and the outer post area of the rack has locks to hold bikes on it. The rack can be bolted to any straight bars available on the vehicle.
The rack can carry up to two bikes at a time, along with the tire. The point is highlighted because the rack is carrying the weight of both the tire and the bikes. After all, this is a perfect rack for you with an RV because it will save more space and effort.
Most of the RVs come with spare tires hidden beneath the vehicle or inside somewhere. Both are difficult to access in many circumstances, so keeping the tire secured and accessible in any condition is always the better.
Besides, the rack is equipped with all the features that you can find on a normal rack. For example, it has high-quality straps to hold the bikes secured and without wobbling around. Although, installation and detaching of the rack might take a little time with all the bolts and parts.
- The rack can carry both a tire and a rack.
- It frees up space inside and outside of the RV.
- Made of strong alloy steel that can hold more weight than a usual metal.
- The straps will hold bikes securely.
- It has a very affordable price tag.
- The ground clearance of this rack will be according to where you install it.
6. Fieryred 2 Bike Spare Tire Rack
- This tire rack is engineered to accommodate 2 bikes at a time.
- This tire rack is engineered to accommodate most spare tires and bikes, including oversized or undersized ones.
- Your bikes will be kept safe, secure, and scratch-free and there is no wobbling.
- Anti-Theft Protection: Features ultra touch construction, which can effectively prevent your tire rack from being stolen when you are away from the car.
- This spare tire rack is constructed with premium heavy-duty iron with powder coating and ultra-durable rubber straps to withstand the wear and tear of daily use.
Last update on 2021-10-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a premium model spare tire rack that is stylishly designed and organized. First of all, this rack is made of heavy-duty iron that is durable and can handle more weight than any other rack material.
It is done with powder coating, and the rubberized grips on the product give more stability to the tire. Besides, all these together offer a rugged look and use to the rack. So, it is apt for any kind of climatic conditions.
You can fold the rack and can get a compact look when not in use. That means you don't have to remove the rack while not in use. No wobbling or swaying around of the bikes will occur while you are on the drive.
This rack leads with a built-in lock system when it comes to the lock system and anti-theft protection. This will prevent all kinds of attempts to steal the bikes or rack from the vehicle.
- The rack has a unique and stylish design.
- It offers great ground clearance.
- In-built lock systems and cradle systems prevent scratches and stealing attempts.
- It is made of heavy-duty iron and has a rugged look.
- The cost of the rack is a little more than many other products.
Things to Consider for Best Spare Tire Bike Racks
There are things that you need to consider before buying a spare tire rack for carrying your bikes. A list of the best spare tire bike racks is mentioned above, but finding the right product for your needs is difficult for the whole purchasing procedure.
So, to help you out, here are some of the aspects and sides that you have to consider before making up your mind about a specific rack.
The ability of the spare tire to mount the rack
Before installing a bike rack and loading multiple bikes onto it, you must consider whether the carrier can handle the weight. Because if you are looking forward to loading a single bike on a rack, that might work well.
However, if you are going on a trip with more bikes or need space and strength availability. Then you have to make sure about the mount's holding capacity and the tire that is being loaded on it.
The number of bikes you have to carry
This is an important thing to notice with the spare tire rack and all kinds of racks. There are chances of people tagging along with you on your trip, and you may have to carry their bikes too in your car.
At that time, if you have more space for bikes is a relief factor for everyone. Besides, the more a rack can hold the bikes, the more strength is. Although, when it comes to trips alone, you can have more compact-looking racks that will help you save space and from other kinds of risks.
Consider the material used for the rack
Like any other thing, a rack also needs to be bought after considering the material. Because that plays the biggest role in making the whole rack strong and durable for long-term use.
If you are more likely to go on a road trip with bikes, it is always better to go with materials that will not get rusty easily. The climatic conditions can easily destroy the rack and make it dangerous for the bikes.
Consider the easiness of usage
Always make sure that you can install or remove the rack easily from the carrier vehicle. That means you have to go with a compact-looking rack that can hold more weight but without more weight itself.
If the rack is large or heavy, that will make the usage of the rack difficult. Moreover, the mount's capacity will also decrease by taking the strength more for the rack itself.
FAQs About Best Spare Tire Bike Racks
If you cater to all the doubts you have about the spare tire bike racks, go through the following questions. These are frequently asked questions about the spare tire bike racks from bike rack customers and other enthusiasts.
Is it better to use a spare tire bike rack instead of a trunk door rack?
Yes, it is always better to use a spare tire rack instead of a trunk door rack. Because the chances of damages on the paint job or the car's glass regions are more possible with trunk door racks. But with spare tire racks, the probability of any kind of contact between the bikes and the car is tiny.
Can I use a spare tire bike rack on a normal car without any spare tire on the back?
These are made to be attached to the holes and the spare tire hooks and bolts' metals. The rack might damage many parts of the car when it is used without enough features to lock it perfectly down to the car.
Does the spare tire bike rack make it difficult to access the trunk?
No, the spare tire racks have most of their weight and strength bolted or carried by the spare tire or the metal base that holds the tire. So, you can access the trunk easily without removing the rack every time you need it.
Conclusion
Having a spare tire rack to carry around your bikes with you is always helpful for most SUV designs today. However, because most SUVs are made as 4 x 4, they mostly carry the spare tire on the trunk area's back.
This will take away a lot of space between the hitch receiver, if there is any, and a trunk door rack might be tough to install. So, in that case, you can use one of the best spare tire bike racks on the spare tire's back.
It is secure because of the base of gets from the firmly bolted spare tires and the holders that carry them. Besides, most of the spare tires are installed on the center area of the trunk to perfect the weight distribution. That means the weight differences will not make any dents or damages on any parts in long-term use.
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