Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast or love to experience Mother Nature, bike riding is one kind of passion for you. But, unluckily, most trail trips require a truck driving to taste of it. Some individuals may think throwing the bikes in the back of a truck bed is fine.
But truck bed without rack is nothing but total damage to your bikes. While you’re driving on rugged roads, there is a massive probability of jingling your bikes with one another. Most probably, this makes a disturbing sound that will be more uncomfortable and even unbearable. Also, you might end up getting scratch on your bikes or pilling of your truck’s paint. Fortunately, truck bed bike racks come in handy to provide us a proper solution to this problem.
Thankfully, several popular brands offer multiple bike racks designed to haul bikes on the surface of a bed truck. In this article I have selected 5 Best Truck Bed Bike Racks that can satisfy you. Since I have made it through in-depth research, these top products can fulfill your demands. Additionally, I have mentioned three types of mounts to expand your choice list. Without further ado, let’s move on to our review portion and find the best bike rack for the truck bed!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you.
Contents
- Best 5 Truck Bed Bike Rack Reviews
- Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage SportsRack BedRack (Wheel Mount)
- Thule 822XTR Bed-Rider Truck Mount (Fork Mount)
- INNO RT201 Truck Bed Bike Rack (Side Mount)
- Thule Insta-Gater Bike Rack (Wheel Mount)
- Saris Kool Truck Bed Mount Rack (Fork Mount)
- Essential Factors to Consider Before Buying (Buying Guide)
- 3 Mount Types
- Number of Bikes
- Permanent or Temporary Installation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
If you frequently plan to go on trailing trips with a couple of friends or solo, you should choose a high-quality bike rack to take an incredible feeling of your adventures. The best truck rack comes with some excellent features, though they differ from one another. Buy an overall good product is a great move to transport your bike on the truck bed. Since you’re using it to load your expensive bikes, it’s a better idea to invest in buying the best product.
Otherwise, it can hamper your cycles and cause a significant loss. A bike mount helps you take your bike anywhere but also protects your bike and truck. It’s a great way to haul one or more bikes without any damage. You don’t have to worry about sudden stops or force since this bike rack firmly grips your bikes.
In other words, the most secure way to hold bikes on the tailgate trucks. It provides the facility to store additional equipment like RV, camper, or small trailer when you’re not using it or keeping it in the garage to hold other gears. A must-have accessory if you are an outdoor enthusiast.
In this section, let’s discuss the top 5 best truck bed bike racks I have selected for you.
Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage SportsRack BedRack (Wheel Mount)
If you’re looking for a strong and quickly assemble truck bed bike rack, you can go for the Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage SportsRack. This bike can hold up to four bikes in your tailgate truck without detaching your bike’s front wheel. So, you don’t have to face extra hassle. Moreover, it doesn’t require any tools to assemble it and a lockable cable comes with the product.
This bike load saver is suitable for 54.5 to 66.5 inches wide beds and you can prolong it from 60.5 to 72.5 inches by using a full-size spacer. In an overall view, if you want an excellent combination of natural scenery and exercise, this bed rack can be perfect for you.
Design and Quality
This truck bed bike rack is made of steel material and offers anti-scratch truck paint. A soft-padding layer is attached to protect the bike finish. This truck bed rack provides additional advantages to use away from the truck as a standalone bike rack.
If you plan to go on a trip with multiple bikes and want to keep them secure, Heininger Automotive can provide you all facilities. This bed bike will attach tires up to 27 inches and appropriate for 2.5 inches in width. The added advantage is its adjustable spacers that haul up many bikes in one place without removing wheels.
Features:
- The weight is approximately 8 ounces
- Fits with most truck beds
- Measures 31 x 27 x 6 inches
- Includes 72 inches locking mechanism·
- Compact in size
Pros:
- Convenient and quick installation
- Ensures stability
- Durable and sturdy
- Customizable securing bar
- Lightweight item
Cons:
- Not ideal for some of the bed liners
- Bike Rack needs straps
Thule 822XTR Bed-Rider Truck Mount (Fork Mount)
Thule 822XTR Bed Rider is one of the top products among its market competitors. This fork mount rack comes with quick release skewers, which you have to adjust on the single-side. This adjustment ensures stable and secure bicycle transport.
This bike bed rider includes 3 Thule One-key lock cylinders to fit the bikes to the carrier and the carrier itself to the truck. If you want to mount many bikes, you can purchase Thule locking bed-rider add-on block separately.
Design and Quality
Thule Bed Rider comes in aluminum telescoping bar and rubber feet, which holds the carrier on the side rails of the tailgate pad pickup truck without drilling holes. Since it’s a fork mount bed rider, you will need to remove the front wheel.
This fork mount Thule bed rider doesn’t appropriate for a 135mm large hub. It can haul up two bikes in its 9mm swift-release style fork mount. Moreover, this rack features a One-Key lock system. So, it perfectly secures your 2 bikes when hanging your dual crown fork over the tailgate pad.
Features:
- The measurements are 50.3 x 4 x 4 inches
- Available in silver color
- It weighs 9.25 Pounds
- Strong and Light
Pros:
- Straightforward installation
- Affordable price
- Compact size allows storing easily
- Overall good quality
- Offers convenient usage
Cons:
- Not compatible with rail type bed liners
INNO RT201 Truck Bed Bike Rack (Side Mount)
If you’re looking for a space-saving truck bed bike rack, you can explore this bed rail rack. INNO brand comes with an RT201 bike rack that will help you transport your bikes using a pickup vehicle. The economic design accommodates you to mount the bike to your truck’s bedside rail without any drilling or bolting.
The package includes two mounts, a couple of D-rings, and ratcheting holders. You can quickly secure your bike by maintaining enough cargo space in your truck’s flat surface with all these things. INNO manufacturers offer another model, the </p><p>This model is a lightweight rack that comes with a space-saving design, freeing up 90% of your tailgate truck bed to carry other arsenals.</p><h4>Design and Quality</h4><p>The blend material makes the rack durable to hold your bikes in the bed tightly. Additionally, this truck bike rack is manufactured to carry any bike in the bed of most tailgate pickup truck—the adjustable rods aid in storing the bike securely by its front fork.<span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-114" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"></span><span class="ezoic-ad ezoic-at-0 leader-4 leader-4114 adtester-container adtester-container-114" data-ez-name="statecyclist_com-leader-4"><span id="div-gpt-ad-statecyclist_com-leader-4-0" ezaw="300" ezah="250" style="position:relative;z-index:0;display:inline-block;padding:0;min-height:250px;min-width:300px" class="ezoic-ad"><script data-ezscrex="false" data-cfasync="false" style="display:none">if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'statecyclist_com-leader-4','ezslot_11',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-statecyclist_com-leader-4-0');
The convenient part is that you don’t have to eliminate the front wheel. The INNO truck is extremely versatile, offering a secure mount for heavy-duty applications. This side clamped bed rail rack protect your bikes from sliding when you’re riding on bumpy roads. Moreover, you can install it quickly and easily than other similar bike racks.
Features:
- The weight is about 4 pounds
- Includes all essential components
- Measures 12.5 x 10.3 x 2.7 inches
- Hassle-free operation
- Offers bike mounting in both inside and outside of a tailgate truck
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Well-built and lightweight
- Holds the bike firmly, with no movement
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- There is a possibility that clamps can scratch your bikes
Thule Insta-Gater Bike Rack (Wheel Mount)
If you need a solution to prevent your bikes from the paint pilling off while loading them in the pickup truck, Thule Insta-Gater Carrier can give you a stable solution. This truck bed bike mount offers complete security as it holds the bike by grabbing the front wheel.
The product is made for 20 to 29 inches wheel diameter and fits in most cases up to 3 inches wide tires. You can conveniently load and unload the bike by rising and lowering the ratcheting arm above the wheel. If your bike’s tailgate pad is 51 inches or greater than that, you can utilize it for up to 3 instigators. On the other hand, up to 2 instigators can be used with tailgates 34 inches or more than that.
Design and Quality
This rack Thule is made of steel with a vinyl-coated finish makes it enough sturdy and durable. Thule One-Key lock cylinder is available for grappling the bike to the tailgate truck rack. It offers the easiest and quick installation in your pickup. You don’t have to drill or bolt to assemble it means hassle-free operation.
The Thule rack comes with one 501 Insta-Gater racks, two-arm bearing halves, one hook for a short ratchet arm, a locking ratchet arm, one bearing clamp, 10 Philips screws, and two molded straps. All you get in one package, so you don’t need to buy anything separately. A guide manual is attached to assemble it correctly.
Features:
- One-bicycle holding capacity
- The rack dimensions are 30 x 17.8 x 9 inches
- Suitable for head tubes of bikes of 68-degree or more
- Wheel-mounted fitting type
- The weight is about 9.9 pounds
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Frame-welded innovative design
- Offers lockable safety
- Lifetime warranty
- High-standard built
Cons:
- Can’t lock on the truck bed until the tailgate pad lifts
- A little bit pricey
Saris Kool Truck Bed Mount Rack (Fork Mount)
Saris Kool comes with two-bike carrier racks with swift release skewer levers on fork blocks. This truck bed bike rack can be mounted forward or backward a little to keep each bike’s handlebars from jingling into one another. Whatever you’re hauling, you can use it to secure them.
This fork mounted bike rack fits truck bed sizes from 50 to 74 inches perfectly. It has a built-in adjustable hydraulic pump with a pressure-release valve. You have to push the release button simply to free the bike rack. While the valve extents protect your truck bed walls, the pressure pump holds the bike rack in one place.
The significant difference between fork-mounted and other frames is that fork mounted rack doesn’t require to sit on the top of the truck bed rails. This feature makes fork rack a versatile load stopper.
Design and Quality
This full-size truck mount bike is built with 100% recyclable and non-rusting materials, so wholly environmentally friendly. It includes pivoting rubber pads that will adhere to most surfaces or bed-liners. Moreover, the feet region axel to contour to truck bed walls.
Though this rack comes with two fork mounts, you can attach additional mounts, sold separately. These truck beds can also be used to secure your pickup from sliding around the tailgate truck bed. The installation process is quite simple. Just use your bike’s quick-release to strip off your onward tire, put the forks in the blocks, strengthen them down, and it’s done.
Features:
- Holds two bikes of any size
- The measurements are 47 x 5 x 3 inches
- The weight is nearly 7.15 pounds
- Features friction seated feet
- Scratch-proof
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Great multi-purpose item
- Excellent adjustable bike rack
- Can be placed anywhere in the truck bed box
- High-quality built
Cons:
- Difficult to fit with through axel quick-release bikes
Essential Factors to Consider Before Buying (Buying Guide)
While choosing a truck bed rack, you need to appraise some essential features and make sure that the must-have qualities do not compromise in any way. You should pay attention to the product quality rather than the cost. Because an inferior product not only a huge loss, but it’s also an extra nuisance. Here we are mentioning some crucial factors that you should think about before purchasing a mounted bike.
3 Mount Types
To find the best bike rack for truck bed for your needs, you should consider its mount type. Most importantly, you have to focus on which kind of truck bed you have and what kind of mounting fits your bike. In our article, we have reviewed three different types of truck bed bike racks:
- wheel mounted
- fork mounted
- side clamped
These three come with various amenities. Try to pick one that flawlessly meets your needs.
Wheel Mount
This kind of mounting doesn’t require drilling or bolting. All you have to do is attach the front wheel of your bike to the bed rack. Suitable for holding heavy-loads and offers three to four bikes holding capacity. If you just want to stow two or three bikes into the back of your bed and promptly cross the trails, this one can be a perfect option for you.
Fork Mount
The fork mount probably requires drilling into the truck’s bed to secure rack to your truck. Most remarkably, you have to remove the front wheel of your bike to fit with the bike rack. Though this fork rack offers a hassle-free operation, it needs a little bit of time for installation rather than a wheel mount. These types of bike racks secure your bike with a thru axel and keep your bikes tightly while bouncing on bumpy roads.
Side Clamped
Another available option is side clamped. You can install the carrier at any side of your truck bed without sacrificing precious cargo space. It can fit with any size of the bike as it comes in an adjustable feature. Moreover, it has built-in D-rings that offer tie-down points. A simple and hassle-free installation and doesn’t need any drilling.
Number of Bikes
The number of bikes is another vital point that can’t be avoided. In other words, this feature depends on your requirements, how many bicycles you want to haul into your truck bed rack. Some offer four bikes holding capability, while a few bike carriers are compatible with two bikes.
It is important to remember that the width of your truck bed is an important factor that will limit the number of bicycles you will be able to transport in your truck.
Besides, a wide range of bike racks come with a one bike mounting capacity. Suppose you often love to ride with your friends or family members; you have to consider a mounted bike that can easily attach multiple cycles or even come with the facility for integrating additional holders. Choose a suitable tailgate rack that can provide enough space for maximum storage.
Permanent or Temporary Installation
A bike rack can be installed permanently or temporarily. If you want to store your bikes more securely, you can accommodate the permanent installation. For this set-up, you have to place your bike in the exact spot and measure it correctly. Then remove the cycle from the installation spot and drill holes according to your bike’s specifications.
Since you’re installing the rack permanently, you don’t have to face extra hassle while going on a trip. If we talk about temporary installation, this one is the easiest and convenient operation for your transporting. The quick installation offers you to utilize your truck bedside for multiple purposes.
Whenever you want to haul a bike on trucks bed, you can install it. After that, when you don’t need it, you can remove it quickly. Since trucks are designed for heavy-duty applications, it’s not better to use it only for carrying bikes.
Bike Protection
Some load carriers can damage your bike while riding on bumpy roads. It would be best to pick one that comes with straps and cable-lock to grip your bikes firmly. Moreover, your tailgate rack should be adjustable and have a proper distance between each mounting to prevent scratching.
To avoid this problem, you can place your bikes in a convenient place where they aren’t clinging to each other. Using paint protection film can be another good move for bike protection.
Bike Security
If you have to leave bikes in your absence, bike security is an essential factor. Tighten your cycles with carriers by using a strong cable lock so that any potential someone can’t steal your bike and rack.
Some truck bed bike racks come with useful locking features that help protect your bikes from unpredictable conditions. Make sure to lock your bikes properly if you need to leave that place for any critical reasons.
Additional Functions
Though it generally holds bikes, it can be used for other functions. You can utilize this tailgate rack to secure your truck bed linings by giving it sufficient force. In other words, we can say it a support bar.
Not just during the transport, you can utilize it to hold your bikes while keeping in the garage. Since you can secure your bikes from scratching or jingling, bike rack can be a suitable carrier for other considerable gears.
Ease of Storage
Choose a lightweight and compact size yet strong that you can stow easily while you’re not using it. Most popular models come in space-saving design and provide you with complete freedom when installing the rack into the truck bed. It’s not a good idea to keep it on the truck all the time, so pick one that serves you the ease of storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you transport a bike in a truck bed?
Trucks are generally designed to haul heavy loads. If you plan for trail riding and want to carry a bike in your vehicles’ bed, you need an effective solution to avoid damaging your bicycle scratches. You should check out my guide to transporting bikes in the pickup truck.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that many bike racks are now readily available in the current marketplace. Finding the right rack among them is a challenging task. Moreover, they provide different excellent features. As everyone has individual requirements, it’s natural that their needs can vary.
By reviewing multiple bike carriers’ models, I have come up with the five best truck bed bike racks for your convenience. I have also included some essential features that you should give into account before purchasing. I am sure you will find a suitable truck rack for your upcoming trail riding!
Related Articles:
- Best Tailgate Pads
- Bell Bike Rack Reviews
- Bike Rack Guide
- Best Bike Racks For Car With Spoilers
- Best Spare Tire Bike Rack Reviews
- Best RV Bike Rack Reviews
- Best Bike Rack for Subaru Outback