Best Truck Bed Bike Racks

	Thule Insta Gater Truck Mount	Yakima Truck Bed Bike Rack	Advantage Sports BedRack Elite
Type	Rack	Crossbar	Rack
Bike Mount	Front Wheel	Axle	Wheel
Bike Capacity	1 Bike	2 Bikes	4 Bikes
Customer Ratings	N/A	4.3 / 5.0 Stars	3.8 / 5.0 Stars

Also see: Best Truck Bed Bike Racks Comparison Table

Quick Answer: The 7 Best-Rated Truck Bed Bike Racks

1. Thule Insta Gater Truck Mount
2. Yakima Truck Bed Bike Rack
3. Advantage Sports BedRack Elite
4. Swagman Pickup Truck Bike Rack
5. INNO RT201 Truck Bike Rack
6. Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage SportsRack
7. RockyMounts LoBall Track Locking Truck Mount with Quick Release

Truck Bed Bike Racks Reviews

#1- Thule Insta Gater Truck Mount

The Thule Insta Gator rack is probably my favorite rack on our list because it checks all of the boxes of what you want in a rack.

Installation to your truck bed is simple, slide two tabs into the space between the tailgate and the base of the bed (up to ½ inches wide), and use ratchet straps to tighten it down.

Roll the front tire into the base or pull the padded bar over the top of the tire, and click it in place with the ratchet system. It fits 20″ to 29″ inch diameter tires up to 3″ wide.

Heavy duty plastic and coated steel protect the rack from the elements, and the weight and feel of the rack speaks its quality. It is compact and can be stowed in the cab of your truck when not in use without being totally in the way.

With this Thule product you can swap locks out to use a Thule one-key lock cylinder. In addition to that, there is space for you to run your own cable lock to a tie-down in your truck to prevent theft.

Each Insta-Gater system holds one bike, so it is an awesome choice for someone who transports their much-loved ride frequently. Although, you can fit up to 4 racks into the tailgates of some trucks, allowing you to add or take away bikes when needed.

#2- Yakima Truck Bed Bike Rack

Yakima is a well-known company in the world of rack systems for canoes, kayaks, skis and everything in between.

Applying that experience to the Thule Truck Bed Bike Rack, Yakima offers the best durable, dependable cross-bar style rack on our list.

Coming in two different sizes, medium and large, the round cross bar accommodates truck beds that are 66″ to 78″ wide respectively. Rubber-coated clamps slide to the correct size and secure with clamps to the side of the truck.

The rack includes two mounts which fit around the bar and slide to give you the control over where you want the bikes to be in the bed.

Yakima sells additional mounts to transport more bikes, fitting up to 4 on the bar. If your bike is outside the standard 9mm axle size, you can purchase adapters to fit different sized bikes.

Both the cross bar and bikes have their own locking system. If you are already a fan of Yakima, this rack is compatible with their universal locking system. No one really wants to keep track of another key anyway.

Installation will involve a bit of time, a little measuring, and an Alan wrench. The installation is easy, but not quite as pop-it-in-and-go as some of our other choices. That being said, it is the best crossbar-style rack on our list as it is very well made and durable.

#3- Advantage Sports BedRack Elite

The Advantage Sport Bed Rack Elite by Heininger, is large, secure, and in charge. What I like best is the universal design which makes it easy to transport several models of bikes without having to make adjustments to the rack or switch out mounts.

All it takes is about 10-15 minutes of installation from pulling the parts out of the box to loading up to 4 bikes into the bed of your truck.

It is a full rack style system and the body slides to adjust from 52″ to 68″ to accommodate several sized truck beds.

Four wing-nut tightening clamps attach to the walls of the truck bed. Up to 29″ bike tires can slide into the rack and secure with plastic ratchet straps. The plastic components are gentle and will not harm your bike.

One of the unique features of the rack is that it works as a standalone rack when not installed into the bed of the track.

If you travel with a bunch of bikes you can take the whole rack out of the bed and set it up at camp or the cottage. If you are looking for a solution to use the same system for transportation and storage.

Although the Advantage Sports Bed Rack Elite sits at a higher price point, it is well built and is the best high capacity rack on our list.

If your bed is wide enough, or your bikes are trim enough, it is possible to squeeze in additional equipment for more bikes.

#4- Swagman Pickup Truck Bike Rack

Swagman’s Pick up Bike Rack is a solid budget-friendly crossbar option for the back of your truck. Its price point and ease of use make it a winner in my book.

A relatively substantial telescoping bar bends and then wretches into place which simplifies sizing the bar to your truck bed as long as it is between 52″ and 69″ wide.

The clamps are coated in rubber to add an extra layer of security between the rack and your truck. With no assembly required, taking it in and out is a straightforward all-in-one system

The mounts slide along the bar to let you customize where you put the bikes, and there is room to add mounts if you want.

Swagman provides skewers for two 9mm front axle forks, however they sell additional and different sized skewers to fit any bike you may want to take with you on your adventures.

Swagman includes a special locking key that secures everything to your truck and gives you peace of mind while you’re away.

That being said, it is so easy to install and uninstall this rack that it is no bother to bring it inside while it is not in use.

#5- INNO RT201 Truck Bike Rack

If you need a truck bed rack system that mounts to one side of your truck bed, Inno has you covered. Inn’s RT201 system is compact, and moves your bike out of the way to give you more room in the bed of your truck at a reasonable price tag.

Inno has universality and space-saving in mind with the Rt201 system.

The straps mount to the frame of the bike in two places keeping it safe and secure, without having to remove or fit to tires. Plastic ratcheting straps attach to the front axle and by the seat.

All of the mounting can be done outside the truck bed, which is good if you hitched a trailer to your truck since you do not need to drop the tailgate. The clamps tighten with a screw-style system.

Unlike other mounts of this style, it clamps to the side of the bed instead of installing with bolts or other tools initial installation means taking care and attention to place the two clamps so the straps align correctly to the bike’s frame.

Although installation is easy, if you use a few different size bikes you would need to adjust the clamps every time, which could become tedious if you frequently travel with different sized bikes.

It also does not have a locking system, but because each clamp comes with D-rings a cable lock quickly fixes that problem.

#6- Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage SportsRack

If you liked the idea of the Elite Advantage rack, but are not the biggest fan of the Elite’s price tag, the Advantage 2025 is a great choice.

Also created by Heininger, the 2025 Advantage Sports rack is the most rack for the lowest price point.

The rack sits right behind the cab in the back of the bed and holds up to 4 bikes by up to 27″ in diameter and 2.5″ wide tires. It extends from 54″ to 72″ wide, making it ideal to fit a wide range of vehicles.

After the front tire fits into the slot a cross piece slides down to push the front tire in place. It comes with foam for added padding to protect the bikes from damage.

Like the Elite, the rack can also stand alone, make it a versatile storage solution for at home or on-the-go.

In addition to the rack, Heininger includes a 72″ cable which can wrap around the rack and the bikes to lock the whole operation to your truck to keep everything where you want it to be.

At around 31 pounds and made out of coated steel, the Advantage 2025 is a formidable choice if you have several bikes to need to tote around town and you are looking for a simple, affordable, high-capacity bike rack for your truck bed.

#7- RockyMounts LoBall Track Locking Truck Mount with Quick Release

The RockyMounts LoBall mount may be little, but it still does a great job of securing your bike during transportation.

The quick release system can be permanently mounted to your truck so you can say goodbye to installing and uninstalling your bike rack.

The only system on our list that can slide into the tracks on your truck, or can be fixed directly to multiple places in the bed.

If you are not feeling drilling irreversible holes to your truck bed, you can opt for a less permeate piece of wood the length of your bed for the mount. Two bolts holds the system securely in place.

Just like a lot of our other choices, the LoBall accommodates the axle of 9mm bikes. The end of the skewer locks to prevent theft, as well as a wide hole to run a cable lock through if you are looking for extra security.

Weather resistant and small, so it can be left in your truck when not in use without a second thought. I am most excited about this mount’s compatibility to slide into the tracks of truck bed sides because it is the easiest to install and maintain.

Truck Bed Bike Racks Comparison Table

How to Choose the Best Pickup Truck Bed Bike Rack

A do-it-yourself truck bed bicycle rack works alright in a pinch. However, bike rack manufacturers bring expertise to crafting awesome racks that keep you, your bike, and your truck safe and secure on the way to your destination.

Investing in a quality bike rack saves you time and hassle getting you on the road more efficiently.

A truck bed protects your bike from the elements of the road and leaves your hitch available for the rest of your adventuring gear. Let’s take a look at which of our choices is a great fit for you, your truck, and your bike.

All of the pickup truck bike racks on our list will securely hold on to your bike as you drive to and from your epic destinations.

Any system will be safer and more secure than just throwing the bike in the bed of your truck and heading out into the great wide world exposing it to damage from rocks, dirt, and whatever else is in the bed of your truck.

There are two main limiting factors for choosing the best bicycle rack for your truck: the size of your truck and the size and number of bikes you need to transport.

Truck Bed Factors and Size

The first specifications you should look at is if it fits into your truck. Start by measuring the length and width of your truck bed and have the measurements available when shopping for a rack. Most of the truck bed rack systems are adjustable, but only to a degree.

Other accessories, like bed covers and liners, might impact how well the truck bed rack system works, if at all. Once you have collected your truck information it is time to decide how you want to mount the rack to your truck bed.

Rack Mounting Preference

All of the racks on our list do not require you to drill, or use any specialized tools on your track. The three styles of racks, full racks, cross bars and individual mounts all of which have their own benefits and drawbacks.

Full racks

Full racks look a lot like a bike rack you find sitting in your favorite park, or maybe your garage. They are larger, heavier, take some assembly and have more contact points connecting it to the truck.

Full rack style racks are the best choice for children’s bikes, as cross bar and mount style racks usually require an adult sized bike.

Cross bars

Cross bars stretch across the width of the truck bed, and stay secure though outward pressure on the sides of your truck like a curtain rod.

Some clamps are protected with rubber pads, which lessen the potential danger to your truck’s paint job. Cross bars are lightweight, and can accommodate a wide number of bikes.

If you have a truck bed cover, you might not be able to use a crossbar due to length issues. Always keep your truck in mind when searching for a rack.

Individual mounts

Individual mounts are the most flexible kind of system to transport your bike. Usually it is one mount per bike, so the cost of systems can stack up over time if you need to transport.

However, the individual mounts take up the least amount of space, contact with the bike and have flexible installation locations.

Bike Size

Know what you need to factor in to accommodate your truck? Great, now you can start to think about your bike.

What you cannot change, really, is the length of your bike or the size of its axles. If your bike can fit in the bed of your truck standing up with a little wiggle room, then it can probably fit the rack as well.

Measure the length of your bike, with and without the front tire, and keep it on hand with your truck bed measurements.

You only need to worry about a rack not working for you if you have an over or undersized bike like a fat tire or children’s bikes, and they will work with the right mount style.

Bike Mounts

How your bike attaches to the rack can be a matter of preference, or necessity, and there are three places the bike can attach to the rack: the axel, the frame, and the tire.

Since tires are designed to move and turn, it is sometimes not the most secure fit, however a tire mount compensates for this with plastic ratchet straps (think snowshoes or rollerblade straps) and two points of contact on the tire.

There is the benefit of convenience, as you do not need to mess with the tires while loading or unloading. Some bikes, like bikes with oversized wheels, disc brakes or fenders might not work with tire racks without accommodation

An Axle mount require you to knock off the front tire, which is easy on a lot of road bikes. The axle fork is a solid, durable part of the bike that successfully secures the entire bicycle with one point of contact.

The fork of the axel hooks onto a pin or skewer and turns to tighten, just like how the bike tire fits on the axel.

Removing the tire shortens the length of the bike giving you more space in the bed. After mounting the bike, however, you are left with the tire which you can throw in the cab, or secure it elsewhere.

A frame mount will hold onto the frame either through clamps or ratchet straps to the frame of the bike. The frame, being the body of the bike, is a bomb and a very secure point of contact.

Just be aware of how many contacts points the rack has with the bike, and if the clamps are prone to scratch or otherwise cause damage.

Intended Use

Consider your intended use. For example, if you find yourself loading up and hauling several bikes around frequently, you probably will not want to take the extra time to disassemble a bulky, complicated system.

Although, if you only need to move bikes one or two times a year, the extra installation effort might be worth it for a lower price point.

Racks not designed to withstand the elements should not be left exposed to the outside world when not in use, so if you are intending to set the rack up and just leave it factor in the higher need for durability.

FAQs About Truck Bike Racks

Q: What style of rack is best?

A: The best truck bed rack for you is one that safely secures your bike damage free in the back of your truck. Any of the racks on our list that are suited to your truck and your bike will do exactly that. Truck bed racks have the advantage over tailgate racks of extra protection from gravel and bumps in the road as frees your hitch for trailers. Also, the best style of rack will fit your lifestyle so always consider how often you plan on using it and its ease of use.

Q: Do I still need to strap down the bike with bungies or ratchet straps, even in a rack?

A: None of the racks on our list include or mandate extra tie downs. Although if you are taking a long trip, expecting bumpy terrain, or are worried about other items in the bed, it might not hurt to add an extra strap here or there. Just make sure it is not going to cause damage to your truck or bike.

Q: Should I take my bike rack out when I’m not using it?

A: If it is not explicitly designed to withstand the elements, then yes. Sun, salt, and water will wear down even a great rack overtime. Stowing it in the cab of your truck or storage space ensures you can use it rust and damage free for years to come.

Also, most of the racks on our list lock to your truck. If someone decides they want to nick you rack those locks will help deter them. However, if theft is a major concern you should lock it in your truck or at home when not in use.

Q: How can I protect my truck bed from my bike and vice versa?

A: A well-fitting rack should not damage your bike or truck, however there are some circumstances that might require a little extra care. Even with a great rack, if you are hauling multiple bikes you are multiplying the chance for something to take damage. A dollar-store pool noodle, Alan wrench and a bungee cord or two are good to have around in case you start to notice an issue, or need some extra padding.

How We Researched

To come up with the top truck bed bike racks, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as 4×4 Magazine and Outside Online Magazine along with our own personal experience.

We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as we could. To help weed out fake reviews we used Fakespot.com to make sure we only looked at genuine reviews.

With so much quality gear available, we had to narrow it down based on what we felt were the best options were for the price. The staff authors have a wide and varied background in offroading, motorcycling, and auto mechanics. They are eager to share their knowledge with readers.

To help narrow down the selection we used personal experiences along with recommendations from fellow auto-enthusiasts and industry experts.

After extensive research, we came up with our list to help you choose the right one for you.

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