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Best Hitch Bicke Rack For Toyota Camry
- Authors
- Name
- Alex Walker
Adventurous cyclists have this urge to search for new, better trails. No matter how far they are willing to hit the road in search of better trails.
Unless you’re just riding around town roads, your car needs a rack to carry your bikes with you. While roof racks are common, hitch mounts have grown into popularity for convenience reasons. In this guide, we are talking about hitch racks and the most suitable options for Toyota Camry.
For starters, a hitch-mount rack system is an easier and convenient way to haul bicycles. The loading process is easier without lifting the bike too much. Unlike rooftop alternatives, a hitch mount won’t raise your car’s height clearance or cause wind resistance.
Before we review the top-rated bike rack for Toyota Camry 2021, let’s discuss a few things you should keep in mind.
Table of Content
- Things to consider for best hitch bike rack for Toyota Camry
- Best bike hitch mount for Toyota Camry
- Which is the best hitch bike rack for Toyota Camry?
Things to consider for best hitch bike rack for Toyota Camry
Type of Hitch-Mounted Bike Racks – Platform or Hanging
Platform racks are designed with wheel cradles where you secure your bike tires and the top frame, preventing abrasion on the bike’s finish. These are best suited for heavy bikes like e-bikes, bikes with step-through frames, and full suspension bikes.
Hanging racks, on the other hand, are designed to suspend bikes by their frames. This increases the capacity when you want to carry many bikes. Hanging racks are easier to mount and more affordable compared to platform racks. On the flip side, hanging racks can’t accommodate heavy bikes.
Compatibility
You need a hitch mount that’s compatible with your Toyota Camry. Essentially, if your receiver is 2-inch, it means you can carry multiple bikes, while a 1.25-inch receiver is ideal for one or two bikes.
Ease of Installation
Well, most models in our list of top hitch bike mounts come assembled and would take minutes to install on your vehicle and mount attached. If a mount requires tools to install, be sure there’s a manual to take you through.
Construction
You don’t want a mount that can drop your bikes on the highway or bumpy roads. Be sure to know the materials used to make the design and the material used on the straps.
Security
Many hitch mounts come with security devices to secure the bike in place. Avoid buying a rack without locking cables to keep your bike safe. Besides, check whether the securing points are strong enough to accommodate the weight of the bikes.
Number of Bikes You Will Be Carrying
Bike racks are available in different capacities. They can carry from two to five bikes. If you intend to carry more than one bike, make sure to select the best hitch bike rack with a higher capacity. If it’s just for you and your friend, a two- or three-bike rack will be enough. However, it is important to just think ahead. Will friends be joining your ride in future?
Budget. Bike racks come in different prices, which is why you should find the best hitch bike rack for Toyota Camry in your budget range. However, you should not go for the cheapest as it might not be durable enough. Do your research and compare your options, then invest wisely with a long-term vision.
With these factors in mind, you are now in a better position to choose the best bike rack for Camry 2021
Best bike hitch mount for Toyota Camry
Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack
Thule is a reputable brand that’s known for a couple of good things. Firstly, they make quality products with quality construction and the user in mind. Although you may have to spend a bit more on Thule products, you can rest assured of excellent services.
The Thule Camber hitch rack is among the best options for Toyota Camry, featuring a sturdy build and flexible design for ease of use. The rack can work with both 1 ¼” and 2” receivers with foldable arms for convenience. Better yet, the rack can be rotated back when you want to access your car’s trunk. Thule Camber designed the rack for different bike sizes, featuring 7” spaces between each bike. This means it’s suitable for heavy bikes with large tires without the bikes touching.
Most users appreciate the anti-sway cradle extension for its impressive stability even when driving on bumpy areas. The bikes are held together by sturdy horizontals arms that secure the tube while the ratcheting straps tie the frame to prevent the back and forth movement.
What’s more, the Thule Camber 4-bike bike rack weighs just 34 pounds with a load capacity of 150 pounds. This means it’s suitable for transporting e-bikes and full-suspension mountain bikes. The hitch bike rack is easy to use because it comes with a permanent fixture where you attach the rack when you need it.
Pros
- It offers a sturdy core and frame
- Easy to use
- It can easily hold the weight of 4 bikes
- It’s suitable for most bikes
Cons
- The plastic straps are not sturdy enough
- Some assembly required
STROMBERG Platform Style 4 Bike Carrier
Also worth considering is the Stromberg Carlson Platform mount for families who plan to ride together. The BC-204 platform is designed to fit a 2-inch receiver on your motorhome, travel trailer, SUV, or fifth wheel. The bike carrier can carry up to 4 bikes with a tilt-down hitch for easy access to the trunk.
A nice feature of this platform bike rack is that you can mount it on the top or bottom of your bumper. This allows you to be flexible with how you organize your things. The maximum distance between cradles is 9 inches, so there won’t be any contact between bikes.
A few users said that the assembly and installation could be somehow confusing at first, but it isn’t something you won’t figure out because it comes with everything you need for installation. The bike carrier is also collapsible for storage when not in use.
Customers loved that it’s strong and sturdy, although the price tag can be a deal-breaker if you’re on a tight budget. If you need a heavy-duty rack that can weather different conditions, the Stromberg Carlson BC-204 platform back rack is the best choice for you. Even if you exposed it to elements, the seals and rubber remain intact.
Pros
- Made from heavy metal for durability
- Can support 160 lbs.
- Tilts down for access to the rear
- Collapsible when not in use
Cons
- Requires tools for installation
- It’s heavy at 85 pounds
KAC Overdrive Sport Platform Style Hitch Mounted Rack
Next is this hitch mount that comes with an innovative quick-release design that enables you to tilt it up when it’s not in use to provide easier access to the rear cargo. The feature also lets you adjust your secured bikes effortlessly to eliminate the need to unloading everything when you need to access the trunk.
Kac designed this rack with a patented anti-wobble system that removes slack between the rack and receiver, ensuring that you maintain safety throughout your journey. Installing the Overdrive Sport takes minutes as most parts are already pre-assembled. The racks only work with a 2” receiver.
The steel tubing with powder coating offers is heavy-duty and durable and will offer excellent service for years. The design features a padded frame hook that protects the carbon fiber paint from scratches and scuffs. Kac included a bike frame adapter to provide better support for bikes with low Y-frames.
The K2 is exceptionally sturdy with the capacity to support standard, large-tire, and e-bikes up to 60 pounds. It features a locking key to keep the rack in place and your bicycles with a hitch pin. Better yet, the K2 hitch rack comes with an anti-sway cradle to prevent wobble when driving.
Unfortunately, a few customers say that the locks used to secure the bike can become loose when driving for long distances. The manufacturer offers a limited lifetime warranty to cover a wide variety of mishaps. There’s a reflector included to enhance visibility when riding in low light conditions.
Pros
- Sturdy steel frames
- Offers wobble-free movement even on bumpy roads
- It has a protective padded frame to prevent scratches
- Has a locking pin hitch included
Cons
- Plastic ratchets may not be long lasting
Yakima Ridgeback Tilt-Away Hanging Bike Rack
If you’re looking for a premium bike rack that’s easy to install and uninstall, this is it. The Yakima Ridgeback hanging rack makes it possible just to get up and go. The versatile bike rack makes it easy to go for rides with its unique toe-down system requiring minutes to install.
The tool-free SpeedKnob is easy to install by tightening the locks to your car. It’s convenient enough for everyday rides to local biking areas and heavy-duty enough for securing your bike for long distances to major biking destinations.
The bikes glide over the arms, and then you secure them with the Zip Strips, which is a much easier way to load the bikes compared to traditional threaded-buckle tie-downs. However, expensive bikes prone to damage or bikes with smaller frames, this might not be your best option. It’s ideal for anyone with standard, road, and hybrid adult bikes and kids bikes over 20”.
Many users like the Yakima Ridgeback because it’s lightweight, making it easy to take on or off the car without asking for help. The Yakima Ridgeback is about 33 pounds, which is not heavy at all. In fact, it’s light enough to take off and put on your Toyota Camry every day, if necessary. The small hitch rack can fold flat for easy storage.
On the flip side, the cradles are close together, so the bikes might get into contact. While this is expected of hanging bike racks, the spacing is a bit congested. Luckily, you will appreciate the anti-sway cradles that reduce movements in bumpy roads. Remember to tie the tires to the bike to keep the wheel from spinning and turning.
Pros
- It’s straightforward to install
- It’s lightweight and compact
- It’s long-lasting
- Offers simple storage
Cons
- Bikes may come into contact
Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Mount Rack
For well over half a century, the Allen Sports brand has been at the heart of the bike rack industry. It is committed to manufacturing modern bike racks that last long. Regardless of which car you drive, Allen sports has a bike rack for your model.
The Allen Sports Deluxe 4-bike rack is designed for sedans, SUVs, minivans, and hatchbacks. It’s designed with a hassle-free carrying system with a single configuration, which makes the setup process effortless. What’s more, the rack comes already assembled, so you just need to attach it to your car.
It is suitable for families looking for a suitable hanging mount rack that’s simple to install. All you need is to secure the bolts in place, hang the bikes, and secure them with straps. The arms feature four sets of cradles that can rotate when you want to haul various bikes. It also offers a pin lock that allows the carry arms to swing down, which provides access to the rear.
Many customers love this mounting rack due to its affordable price tag considering the combination and security it provides. The rack utilizes a patented tie-down system, which is among the best in terms of security. Besides, the design would give a petty thief a lot of hassle to cut through the straps and steal the bikes. If you want a simple, affordable option that’s sturdy, this is a great pick.
Pros
- Great price tag
- The folding carry arms are convenient
- Easy to mount it to your car
- Offers excellent security
Cons
- Minimal space between bikes may cause contact
Which is the best hitch bike rack for Toyota Camry?
If you plan on taking a trip with your Toyota Camry, bringing your bike with you is a good idea. There’s nothing quite satisfying like breathing in fresh air far away as you pedal around. Wherever you will be going, cycling is a great way to enjoy the scenery.
When choosing the hitch-mount rack, you want to ensure you have the receiver on your vehicle. A 2” hitch is suitable for hauling multiple bikes, while a 1.25” is adequate for 2 bikes. Before we wrap up, keep in mind that a hitch-mount rack will add to your car’s length, so you might as well consider this when parking.