In this article, we take a closer look at the best bike racks for fat tire bikes.
We tested over two dozen different bike racks, made specifically for bikes with fat tires. We considered features like the build quality, load capacity, and just how secure the bike mount actually is.
Keeping all of these features in mind, we think that Vibrelli’s Electric Bike hitch rack is your best bet for transporting fat tire bikes safely and securely. It has a premium build, impressive load capacity, and a special anti-wobble design that keeps your cargo firmly mounted.
We have been reviewing vehicle accessories for about a decade. We know all there is to know about fat tire bikes and the racks you need to transport them so we can help you make the best buying decision.
Keep reading for a more in-depth look at the best fat tire bike racks.
Vibrelli Electric Bike Hitch Rack - 2 Ebike Rack Fits Fat Tir
Overall Best
Vibrelli’s fat tire bike rack features an all metal build, one of the highest load capacities we’ve seen in this category, and a convenient set of features that makes your life a lot easier.
We were surprised by the robust build quality of this Vibrelli fat tire bike rack. Most of the construction consists of high-quality alloy steel, but there is a bit of aluminium used here and there.
The special black powder coating protects the rack from corrosion and rusting over time. Overall, the design is also a little bit more compact and lightweight than its rivals, making it easier to install and live with.
It is rated to carry just over 130 lbs of bikes. That is more than enough for even the heaviest of road bikes, but also larger electric bikes, and mountain bikes.
Security seems to be one of the main features of this fat tire bike rack. It comes with three locking mechanisms, making your bikes virtually theft proof. You also get a product warranty that stretches to over 10 years and covers any manufacturing defects.
It is a platform style bike rack. You can load two large fat tire bikes and each bike has its own dedicated cradle. There are carrying arms on the main mast that secure the bikes at the frame, while both front and rear wheels are held in place by the cradle.
It was nice to see the rubber padding on the carrying arms, which saves your fat tire bikes from getting scratched. Moving on to the compatibility, this bike rack can hold up to a 5” wide tire. That is more than enough for even the widest of fat tires, and the adjustable ratcheting straps used keep the wheels firmly in place.
It is already a pretty small bike rack, but it can also be folded up when not in use for a more compact footprint. This also makes storing and transporting the rack a breeze.
The tilting mechanism is nice and sturdy, inspiring a lot of confidence. Even fully loaded up, the rack can be tilted forward, allowing for easier cargo access.
The 2” hitch combined with the anti-wobble stabiliser mechanism makes this one of the most stable and firm hitch connections we’ve seen on any bike rack. Installation is straightforward and we did not need more than 15 minutes to have it fully set up.
Pros
- Alloy steel construction
- Lightweight and compact
- Perfectly stable at highway speed
- Bike trays are secure
- Triple locking mechanism for theft proofing
- Adjustable wheel straps
- Carrying arms have soft padding
- 130 lbs load capacity
- Carries 2 fat tire bikes
- Can hold upto a 5” wide fat tire
- Folds up when not carrying bikes
Cons
- No safety reflectors
Thule EasyFold XT 2 Hitch Bike Rack
Premium option
Thule’s EasyFold is another premium bike rack for fat tire bikes. The solid build quality and awesome feature set combine with a higher load capacity to give you one of the best bike racks for fat tire bikes.
The first thing you will notice with the fat tire bike rack, is the top notch build quality. It foregoes the usual alloy steel or high quality synthetic materials, for an all aluminium build that makes this rack lighter but also more rigid and structurally sound then its competitors.
Load capacity is in line with other racks of this category, coming in at just over 130 lbs. It is ideal for heavy e-bikes and mountain bike enthusiasts.
Carrying capacity is two large sized fat tire bikes. We can report that the rack stays perfectly stable and jiggle free, even at highway speed.
The design of this rack is more minimalist than others, giving it a more aesthetic look than run of the mill fat tire bike racks.
Ease of installation is another plus for fat tire bike rack. You won’t require any extra tools, and all of the mounting equipment is provided in the package. The inclusion of torque limiting knobs makes it easier to mount your fat tire bikes precisely.
This rack gets a tilting mechanism that makes it easier to grab something from your car’s trunk or liftgate. But the real star of the show is the easy to use foot pedal that automatically tilts the rack downward.
Another feature of the Thule EasyFold fat tire bike rack that we wish other bike racks would take inspiration from is the folding bike ramp that makes loading and unloading your two wheelers a piece of cake. You also have the option of buying an additional fat tire bike strap, just in case your tires don’t fit on the regular cradle.
Lastly, we have to mention the secure locking mechanism of this bike rack. Not only does it lock the bikes to the hitch, but also the hitch to the rack so that there is no chance of your fat tire bikes being stolen. The integrated wheels and grab handle make transporting this bike rack a lot simpler.
Pros
- Aluminium construction
- Simpler design
- Designed with mountain bikes and electric bikes in mind
- 130 lbs carrying capacity
- Foot pedal tilts bike rack forward
- Convenient cargo access
- Locking mechanism for both bikes and hitch
- Folding bike ramp
- Torque limiting knobs and adjustable bike straps
- Precise and secure fit
- Convenient handle and wheels for transport
Cons
- Most expensive option
Hitch Mounted Rack 2-Bike Platform Style Carrier
Worthy consideration
KAC’s K2 is yet another platform style fat tire bike rack. The hitch mounted design is sturdy and stable, while the awesome design facilitates a higher load capacity and more room for larger bikes.
Durability is a salient feature of this bike rack. It uses a higher grade of alloy steel than most other racks on this list. We can confirm that it is quite rigid and flex free. In fact, we stress tested this bike rack beyond its maximum load capacity, and it did not so much as bend or flex.
The durability is further enhanced thanks to the unique abrasion resistant powder coating that prevents premature rusting and corrosion.
Moving on to load capacity, this fat tire bike rack is capable of transporting up to 120 of two wheelers. We had no problem carrying larger electric bikes, and mountain bikes on this fat tire bike rack.
The locking pin on the 2” hitch makes it a lot more secure and wobble free, even at higher speeds. We did not have to put up with shifting of the rack on the road. It also features KAC’s stabiliser piece which removes any space between the hitch and the receiver.
The bike cradles themselves fit up to a 5” wide fat tire, so you should be able to load most any fat tire bike on this rack. High quality ratcheting straps hold the wheels in place, and are seen on both the front and rear cradles.
The bike frames are supported by ratcheting hooks situated on the central mast. The carrying arms are fully adjustable via knobs on the mast and we were unable to find a fat tire bike that wouldn’t fit on this rack.
When you only need to carry one fat tire bike on the rack, one of the cradles can be detached so you don’t have a half empty bike rack on the back of your vehicle.
It can be folded up into a smaller footprint when it isn’t carrying any bikes, and that too with an easy to use button. And even when it’s carrying two bikes, it can still tilt forward a little bit to allow for easier cargo access.
Pros
- Alloy steel build
- 120 lbs carrying capacity
- Best for heavy e-bikes and mountain bikes
- Wider wheel trays
- Ideal for fat tire bikes
- Adjustable straps for both front and rear wheels
- Straps are lined with rubber so that they don’t scratch the wheels
- Padded carrying arms hold bike frames
- Carrying arms can be adjusted via knobs
- 2” hitch plus stabiliser is perfectly stable
- Can carry 2 bikes
Cons
- A bit heavy
HYPERAX Volt 2 -E Bike Hitch Mounted Bike Rack Carrier
The Hyperax Volt bike rack for fat tire bikes is designed to carry the heaviest, and largest bikes you can find. The fact that it is also perfectly stable and holds your bikes securely is just a bonus.
This bike rack uses high grade alloy steel for the build. When loaded to its maximum capacity and beyond, the rack did not so much as flex or creak. The surface of the alloy steel is finished in a rust resistant coating that soaks up scratches and prevents corrosion.
Here we see one of the highest load capacities of any fat tire bike rack. It can hold up to a maximum of 140 lbs, which allows you to carry fat tire bikes up to 70 lbs each. The high load capacity makes this the ideal bike rack if your fat tire bike is also a heavy mountain bike or electric bike.
Bike compatibility is this rack’s forte. It can hold up to a 5” wide tire, and wheelbases as long as 58”. In practice, we did not find a single bike that wouldn’t fit on this rack.
Moving on to the actual bike mount, it uses trays for both wheels of your fat tire bike. The frame of the bike is also kept in place with adjustable carrying arms. These arms are covered in soft rubber to avoid scratching or otherwise damaging your fat tire bike’s frame.
It is an exceptionally stable bike rack, even at highway speeds. This is thanks to the Velcro straps which keep the wheels secure. The dual key lock feature of this bike rack prevents it from being tampered with or your bikes being stolen.
The sturdy 2” hitch is further stabilised by a ½” anti-wobble pin and key locks. This combination of features is not seen on any other bike ride, and results in probably the most firm bike mount we have ever seen.
As expected, this bike rack can be tilted forward, even when it is fully loaded up so that accessing your car’s trunk area is easier. The integrated carrying handle allows for easier transport and storage.
Pros
- High grade alloy steel build
- Finished with a thick powder coat
- Corrosion resistant
- Does not flex or bend under heavier loads
- 140 lbs load capacity
- Designed to hold 2 large, fat tire bikes
- Both wheels are secured using tray style loops
- Velcro straps for more security
- Carrying arms and padded hooks hold bikes at the frame
- 2” hitch and ½” anti wobble pin add to the stability
Cons
- Professional install recommended
Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack
Thule’s Camber Hitch bike rack for fat tire bikes features an all metal design, reasonable load capacity, and a secure place to mount your bikes.
We stress tested this fat tire bike rack to hell and back. But it did not strain or flex at all. All of the metal surfaces are treated with a powder coating to help prevent corrosion and rust over time.
Speaking of higher load capacity, the Thule Camber hitch bike rack usurps the top spot on our list with its 150 lbs load capacity. That makes it ideal for 4 adult sized fat tire bikes. The higher load capacity and space for 4 bikes also gives you the option to mess around with some heavier fat tire and e-bike/mountain bike combos.
As for keeping those bikes secure, this fat tire bike rack uses heavy duty ratcheting straps to hold your two wheeler’s frames. The straps themselves are pretty high quality and do not warp or deform when left out in the elements.
We tested a number of different fat tire bike frame shapes and sizes, and are happy to report that all of them fit perfectly thanks to the adjustable design of these straps. We did hit a bit of a snag with low-Y frame bikes which require a frame adapter.
This fat tire bike rack can be fitted to both 1 ¼ “ and 2” hitch receivers. We tested both configurations and found them to be quite stable and steady.
This hanging style fat tire bike rack has long carrying arms that enable you to mount each of the four bikes 7” apart from the next. This is great for longer journeys, where the bikes could potentially interact with one another or the back of your car, causing damage.
But don’t worry about those long caring arms getting in the way when you aren’t using the rack. They can be folded up and out of the way when you aren’t carrying any bikes. Besides that, the rack can be tilted downwards slightly to allow for easier trunk access.
Another plus point of this rack is the quick and easy installation process. You get all of the mounting hardware in the box, and the instruction video is one of the most easy to follow we have seen.
Pros
- All metal design
- Can carry 4 fat tire bikes
- Does not bend or flex
- 150 lbs carrying capacity
- Heavy duty tie-down straps
- Can hold many different types of bike frame
- Can carry heavier e-bikes, mountain bikes, fat tire bikes
- Fits 1 ¼” and 2” hitch receivers
- Does not wobble or shake at speed
- Can be tilted forward, even when fully loaded
Cons
- Frame adapter needed for some low-Y frame bikes
Swagman CURRENT eBike Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack
Swagman’s Current is an e-bike rack that is perfect for your fat tire bikes. It features a sturdy bike mount system and stable hitch connection that does not let the rack wobble on the highway.
The high-grade alloy steel used for the construction of this bike rack makes it a lot more rigid and firm. Our stress testing of the rack showed that it does not strain or bend under heavier loads.
It features a unique powder coating on the surface that helps keep it free of rust and scratches from day-to-day use.
It can be used with either a 1 ¼” or 2” hitch receiver. We tried both configurations, and can report that they do not wobble or shake on the road. We did not notice any annoying sounds inside our car either.
This 2-bike platform style bike rack has individual cradles for both of your fat tire bikes. Both the front and rear wheels are secured for a more stable and secure fitment. Heavy duty ratcheting straps are used for the cradles, and they’re adjustable to fit a wide variety of fat tire bikes.
We are also huge fans of the neon green accents seen on the ratcheting straps and on other parts of this fat tire bike rack.
The bikes are further held in place using heavy duty carrying arms on the main mast. These arms are fully adjustable and we did not encounter any issues fitting different shaped bike frames. They are also padded to avoid scratching or denting your bike frames.
As for compatibility, you’ll be able to mount up to a 5” wide fat tire bike on this rack.
Moving on to load capacity, we measured it around 120 lbs. That isn’t the highest we’ve seen, but still ample for even the heaviest of e-bikes and mountain bikes.
You might baulk at the larger size of this fat tire bike rack, but the cradles can be folded so that the rack sits flush against the back of your car, allowing you to park in tighter spaces and garages.
The whole rack can be tilted forward, even with two heavy fat tire bikes loaded up, allowing you to access the cargo area of your car. The locking hitch pin also ensures that your bikes or the rack are not tampered with.
Pros
- Aluminium design
- Wheel cradles keep bikes secure
- Rear wheels are secured using ratcheting straps
- 120 lbs max load capacity
- Ideal for e-bikes, mountain bikes, etc
- Compatible with fat tires up to 5” wide
- Does not wobble at speed
- Foldable design
Includes a tilting mechanism
Cons
- Load capacity could have been even higher
Leader Accessories Tire Clamping 2-Bike Platform Style Hitch Mount Bike Rack
Leader Accessories 2-bike platform style bike rack features an all metal build, impressive load capacity, and best in class compatibility with various different bike shapes and sizes.
Starting off with the build quality, we have a sturdy metal design that is coated in a special material to help it stay free of scratches and rust.
Load capacity is rated for just over 120 lbs. We loaded up a little bit more than this, and found that the rack still stays perfectly stable and flex free, inspiring a lot of confidence.
The tire cradle system used can support up to a 4.8” wide fat tire bike. That isn’t the highest we have seen, and you might have trouble fitting the widest of fat tires, but most should fit no problem. That said, it can hold up to a 48” wheelbase bike, with up to a 29” wheel. That is pretty good compatibility for any bike rack.
The hitch connection is perfectly stable and worry free, even at higher speeds. It features a no wobble bolt that eliminates any slack between the hitch and the rack (hey that rhymes!). It’s also compatible with either a ⅝” normal pin or a locking hitch pin, so you have different options to choose from.
As for mounting your bikes, the rack uses a carrying arm that holds each bike’s front wheel. In our experience, this is one of the more secure ways of carrying bags. The wheel hook on the carrying arm is fully padded to avoid damaging your wheels.
We are huge fans of the quick release handle that allows you to tilt the rack forward when you need to access your cargo area. It is really convenient and the motion is smooth so that you don’t end up dropping the heavy fat tire bikes on your toes!
It even comes with an anti theft cable that secures your bikes so that they don’t get stolen. Features like this help this fat tire bike rack stand out from the crowd.
Pros
- 120 lbs load capacity
- Can hold 2 large fat tire bikes
- Heavy duty ratcheting straps hold wheels in place
- Can be folded up when not in use
- Tilts forward for easier trunk access
- Can be tilted using a quick release handle
- Padded wheel hook on the carrying arm keeps front wheel secure
- Comes with a ⅝” normal pin or locking hitch pin
- Holds up to a 48” wheelbase bike
Cons
- Only holds up to a 4.8” wide tire
If you are in the market for a fat tire bike rack, you might find that the options aren’t as plentiful as with regular road bikes or even e-bikes and mountain bikes. That is because fat tire bikes aren’t as common as those bikes, and so many manufacturers don’t even make bike racks for them.
So what are we fat tire bike enthusiasts like us to do?
While there aren’t that many bike racks made specifically for fat tire bikes, there are some workarounds that you can use to carry your bikes on regular bike racks.
Below, we outline some common issues riders face when it comes to transporting fat tire bikes and also offer some solutions.
I have a bike rack already and don’t want to get a new one?
With the increasing popularity of fat tire bikes, rack manufacturers have started offering accessories known as fat tire kits. These are usually made to fit platform style bike racks and make the actual bike cradle a little bit wider.
If you have a bike rack already, check to see if the manufacturer makes a fat tire kit for it that you can install.
Is my fat tire bike is too fat for regular bike racks?
Fat tire bikes are typically a little bit, well, fatter than regular road bikes. Besides the girthy wheels, that means you also have to deal with more weight. In fact, some fat tire bikes could be too heavy to fit on regular, road bike racks.
Thankfully, there is an entire sub-genre of bike racks dedicated to accommodating heavy bicycles: e-bike racks!
These racks will often have the highest load capacities of any rack; certainly enough for even the most rotund of fat tire bikes. As for compatibility, a lot of platform style e-bike racks have adjustable wheel cradles and ratcheting straps.
Ideally, you want one that has wider wheel cradles that can fit your fat tire bike perfectly. However, if that isn’t in the cards, find one that you can slap a fat tire kit on and you’ll be hitting the road with your fat tire bike loaded up in no time!
Platform style bike racks are too heavy, large, expensive, etc
First off, if you are that worried about weight, size, and cost, maybe fat tire bikes aren’t for you. Just saying.
However, you would be correct in disliking platform style racks for their heft and often exorbitant price. Hanging style racks on the other hand, are lighter, more affordable, and more compact.
Furthermore, these racks don’t discriminate against fat tires, because they hold your bike at the frame, where even fattest tire bikes are relatively trim. And if the frame frame is a bit larger, the adjustable straps of hanging style racks should still be able to accommodate them.
And with that, we hope we have answered some of the burning questions you had about fat tire bikes and the racks that hold them. If you need any more info, drop us a line, and we’ll get back to you.
