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Are you looking for a truck bed bike rack? We’ve dug through reviews to find the best options on the market.
When transporting your bikes, it’s important to protect them and your truck. So keep reading to learn how to secure your bike in the bed of a truck. And find the best one for your setup on our reviewer-approved list of bike racks.
Let’s get started!
How Do You Secure a Bike in the Bed of a Truck?
The best way to secure a bike in the bed of a truck is with a truck bed bike rack.
A rack coupled with straps will keep your bikes snug and safe going down the road.
And the rack can protect your truck from getting scratched from the bikes moving or shifting during transport.
Using bungee cords or soft straps to keep the bike stationary provides extra security.
In addition, straps with locks are a beneficial anti-theft feature.
What Is a Truck Bed Bike Rack?
A truck bed bike rack is typically mounted to the tailgate or in the truck’s bed.
Either system allows most of the bike or at least one wheel to stand in the truck’s bed.
This is a secure way to transport bikes without having a hitch rack.
Pros of a Truck Bed Bike Rack
One of the benefits of a truck bed bike rack is the ability to transport your bikes and tow a trailer at the same time without a hitch rack.
The bikes fit securely in the bed of your truck, and you can leave them there when towing a trailer or not.
It gives added flexibility to camping or other types of travel.
Other benefits include stability and easy installation. Truck bed bike racks provide more stability than a hitch rack.
And they’re extremely easy to install and take out when not in use.
Bike racks that keep bikes fully inside the truck’s bed are also beneficial in that they don’t extend the overall length of your truck.
Pro Tip: Want to carry bikes from your RV’s bumpers? Check out the best RV Bumper Bike Racks.
Cons of a Truck Bed Bike Rack
The biggest drawback of a truck bed bike rack is the space it takes up.
It limits the amount of additional cargo you can carry in your truck bed when hauling bikes.
Depending on the placement of the rack, it may also block your truck’s rearview mirror or backup camera.
In addition, truck bed bike racks tend to take more time to assemble than hitch racks.
Reviewer Approved Truck Bed Bike Racks
We love truck bed bike racks, so we found reviewer-approved models on Amazon that are standouts on the market.
Each is here for its best overall features, including ease of use, price point, and design. Let’s take a look at the five bike racks.
Easy to Use: Sklon Tailgate Bike Pad with Built in Anti-Theft Locking System
Product Weight: 10.03 pounds
The Sklon Tailgate Bike Pad with a built-in anti-theft locking system is nylon. It has a user-friendly combination latch with a backup key.
It can mount up to six bikes, as it’s 59 inches wide and 19 inches high.
The carrier offers cushioned support that cradles the tailgate with secure frame straps to hold your bikes in place.
In addition, it has a one-year warranty.
What Reviewers Are Saying: “I am happy with this tailgate pad. The flap for the tailgate handle was plenty big enough for me to reach my tailgate handle. Even though you can use the attached strap to hold the flap up, I would not count on using the backup camera unless you only have two bikes on and they are on the outside edge.”
“Perfect fit and stable bikes! Easy to put on and take off. Didn’t use the locking mechanism yet but is simple to use. Bikes didn’t move at all. I’m so extremely happy with this product. Protected bikes and truck. We were so happy to be able to finally bring our bikes to the campground while pulling our travel trailer!”
Budget Option: SPORTOURO Tailgate Bike Pads for Truck
- 🚲 Easy Bike Transport – Load up your SPORTOURO truck bike tailgate pad and head to the trail. Enjoy unbeatable...
- 🌋 Rough-Road Ready – Keep your bikes standing tall and steady. This tailgate bike rack has heavy-duty hook and loop...
Product Weight: 5 pounds
The SPORTOURO Tailgate Bike Pad is easy to mount and use.
It has heavy-duty hook and loop fasteners with thickly padded guide bumpers to hold your bikes securely in place.
It also has a combination lock to keep the pad safely on the tailgate.
The pad has a tough PVC top and soft, paint-friendly flannel bottom.
In addition, it’s waterproof and has double-closure pockets.
What Reviewers Are Saying: “Would highly recommend! I’m really happy I bought this tailgate bike pad. It’s very well made and came in great packaging. It was very easy to install on my truck and it has stayed snug and in place the last few days driving around. A few things I love: that I can still use my backup camera, really high quality materials that won’t scratch my bike, and the pockets are great. I appreciate it came with a lock for the pockets.”
“The product fits perfectly on my Chevy Colorado and provides the required protection to the bed, the gate, and to the bike. It holds the bike in place and keeps it secured even on tough roads. It is very easy to install and remove and there is an opening for the backup camera and the gate handle.”
Keep in Mind: Getting ready for a long road trip? This is the Perfect Road Trip Music Service you need to be using (Hint: It’s NOT Spotify)
C-Channel Design: INNO RT202 Truck Bed Bike Rack
- SPACE-SAVING - Mount your bike in the upright position on the inside of your truck bed, freeing up 90% of your truck bed...
- ALL TYPES - This carrier is adjustable and can hold a bike of any shape or size. Works with–Standard Bike Cable Locks...
Product Weight: 1 pound
The INNO RT202 Truck Bed Bike Rack allows you to mount your bike upright in your truck bed.
With one bike in the bed, approximately 90% is for other cargo. The bike rack is adjustable and can hold any size bike.
Each clamp has D-rings for tie-down points and a cable lock.
It’s easy to install with no drilling required and includes hardware.
What Reviewers Are Saying: “Very sturdy bike rack alternative. Fits my 29″ wheeled mountain bike, my 2021 Jeep Gladiator with the Mopar C-channels, without having to remove any parts from my bike. The factory tonneau cover closes fine over the brackets (you need to remove the cap and rod that hold the bikes in place), too (they poke through the tonneau cover).”
“I highly recommend this Inno system! I’ve a 2020 Toyota Tacoma and was contemplating purchasing the tailgate cover however, I decided to give this a shot and I absolutely love it! I mainly ride within a 50 to 75 mile radius (local trails) so it’s perfect for what I do. I’ve transported my bike around 75 MPH and no issues very sturdy. Please take time setting it up for your particular bike. Read the instructions carefully it might not seem like it fits but it does.”
Holds One Bike: Thule Insta-Gater Pro Truck Bed Bike Rack
- Fully-adjustable, upright bike carrier for the inside of a truck bed
- Holds 1 bike up to 50 pounds
Product Weight: 11 pounds
Thule’s Insta-Gater Pro Truck Bed Bike Rack can hold up to 50 pounds on one bike.
It’s a fully-adjustable, upright bike carrier and attaches easily to the bike with a ratcheting arm.
The bike stays in place without any frame contact and it fits 20-inch to 29-inch wheels and up to 5-inch wide tires.
You can lock the bike to the rack with the included Thule’s One-Key System lock.
What Reviewers Are Saying: “There are not many bike racks that work in a truck. This is the second set of Thule racks that we have bought. We are quite happy with the way they hold the bikes, their durability and ease of use. We have had a number of truck owning bicyclists approach us to find out where we got the racks. I suspect they are the best truck bed racks on the market.”
“Its nice to have the bike in the bed of the truck if you are backing into a garage that won’t allow you to fit a truck with bikes hanging off the tailgate. Install was easy, but if you have a 29″ wheel, you’ll need to adjust the wheel chock so the front/rear tire fits flush with the tailgate. Not worried that this won’t hold my bike, but if you are, put a strap through the front wheel and hitch it to the rear bed corners.”
Holds Four Bikes: Pipeline Racks Truck Bed 4 Bike Rack Full Size Trucks
- Reliable Truck Bed Mount - Our Bike Rack for Truck features a sturdy design that secures up to four bikes. It's crafted...
- For All Bike Types - Whether you own a BMX, a road bike, or a Bike Rack for Truck Bed has you covered. It works well...
Product Weight: 28 pounds
The Pipeline Racks Truck Bed 4 Bike Rack for full-size trucks fits a minimum bed width of 58.5 inches.
It’s rust-proof aluminum.
The rack works with nearly any bike, from mountain to e-bikes, with adjustments for 20-inch to 29-inch wheel diameters and 3-inch to 5-inch tire width.
It’s so that you don’t need to remove any bike tires or drill holes into your truck.
What Reviewers Are Saying: “Works great. This bike rack makes it easy to pack up the bikes and go biking. The Velcro straps are not quality and broke quickly but are easily replaced and it is still a great bike rack.”
“The bike rack arrived on time with no complaints on the packaging. I just used the rack for the first time on Friday and it seemed to work well. My only gripe would be the little plastic washer/clips that hold the wheelie bars to the adjuster arms, the rods keep popping out. I’m going to try and find some metal c-clips to replace them. Other than that, I’m pretty satisfied with the rack.”
Keep in Mind: If you’re not bringing the truck on your road trip but still want to bring your bikes these are some of our favorite RV Bike Racks for Your Motorhome!
Don’t Damage Your Toys With a Truck Bed Bike Rack
A truck bed bike rack is nice to have, but be sure to get the right one. Some can hurt your toys or truck.
The racks on our list are reviewer approved and get the job done safely and securely.
Protecting your truck, bikes, and other cargo in the truck bed is critical.
Which truck bed bike rack will work for you? If you purchase one on our list, we would love to hear how you like it. Share your feedback in the comments below.
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
