In this review, we take a look at the best bike racks for SUVs that don’t have a hitch receiver.
We’ve been testing and reviewing bike racks for over ten years and seen every rack with no hitch. If you’re looking for someone to help you make the best buying decision, you came to the right place.
We tried a number of different bike racks made for SUVs without a hitch receiver. We tested each option in the real world to see just how well it performs and considered factors such as the build quality, loading capacity, and how secure the bike mount actually is.
Keeping all of that in view, we think the Ultra Compact Trunk Mounted Bike Rack is the best of the bunch. It has robust construction, good load capacity, and is stable even at highway speeds.
Keep reading for more information on the ‘Ultra Compact’ and other top bike racks for SUVs without a hitch.
Ultra Compact Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
Overall Best
The ultra compact trunk mounted bike rack for SUVs no hitch is one of the smallest and most sleek racks we’ve seen. That said, it still has a robust build and enough carrying capacity for two large sized road bikes.
The construction features mostly high-quality steel alloy steel. That makes it more durable and firm even at highway speed. One of the biggest advantages of this bike rack is its small size. It is surprisingly lightweight and easy to mount on your SUV, no hitch required. There are also two thick nylon straps which hold the rack in place.
It may be lightweight, but it doesn’t sacrifice carrying capacity. In fact it can carry two large sized road bikes, for a total of 70 lbs, without breaking a sweat. To secure the bikes, it uses special bike cradles that have some tight tie-down straps and sturdy carrying arms.
These carrying arms and tie-down straps are lined in soft material to prevent scratching your bike frames. If you’re worried about the handlebars banging against the rear glass of your SUV, fret not. The carrying arms keep the bikes away from the rear of your car.
We would have liked to see some bungee cords included with the rack to secure the front wheel, but we had to get our own.
Installing this rack is pretty straightforward. You won’t need more than 15 minutes to have it fully set up and ready to go. The strap design is firm and ergonomic. Furthermore, any parts of the rack that come into contact with your SUV are padded to avoid tarnishing the paint.
Our testing of this bike rack took us from pavement to bumpy trails and rocky terrain. We can report that the rack stays stable, even on rough terrain. The bikes do not shift or jiggle around and we did not have to readjust them at all.
If you’re worried about compatibility, put your fears to rest. The carrying arms are spaced further apart so as to accommodate even longer wheelbase bikes.
Pros
- Alloy steel build
- Most compact design of any rack
- Side straps keep rack very stable
- Ideal for drivers who only occasionally need the rack
- Easy to install
- Holds 1 bike
- Straps secure bike at the frame
- No rattling or creaking noises
- Wide design can hold larger bikes
- Padded lower frame protects car bodywork
- Limited lifetime warranty provided
- Affordable bike rack
Cons
- Not ideal for electric bikes or mountain bikes
Saris Bones Car Bike Rack
Premium Option
The Saris Bones trunk mounted carrier is a fantastic bike rack with a heavy duty build, great load capacity, and a confidence inspiring bike mount system.
The frame is injection moulded and the carrying arms are made from a composite material. This is a far cry from the metal builds of other bike racks, but it is much lighter and easier to handle. Moreover, it is much more resistant to rusting and corrosion.
The Saris Bones is a heavy duty bike rack that can support up to 100 lbs of load. That means you can carry the largest adult sized road bikes, and even some mountain bikes or electric bikes on the back of your SUV.
Moving onto the actual bike mount, the Saris Bones uses a ratcheting strap method for securing your bikes. The ratcheting straps hold your bike at the frame and do so firmly. They are adjustable to accommodate a number of different frame shapes and sizes.
The whole rock has a non-conventional curved design. This has the benefit of keeping your bikes further away from your SUV’s bodywork so that they don’t scratch or dent the car in transit.
Rounding up the feature list, we have soft rubber padding on all of the parts of the rack that come into contact with your SUV, preventing any scratching or denting. The whole rack is supported by heavy duty nylon straps, which make it very stable and secure at speed
We tested the Saris bones in a number of different road conditions and found it to be one of the most firm and reliable racks we’ve ever tested. Your bikes will not wobble and you can rest assured that the rack will keep them in place.
Finally, if your SUV has a spoiler on it, this rack will still fit without any issues. This is one of the few trunk mounted racks for SUVs no hitch we’ve seen with support for spoilers. It is also made entirely from 100% recycled materials, and the integrated strap management prevents them from flapping around.
Pros
- High quality composite construction
- Holds 3 bikes
100 lbs load capacity - Lightweight and compact design
- Injection moulded arms
- Resists corrosion and rusting
- Arc shaped bike rack keeps bikes away from your liftgate
Integrated strap management - Easy to install
- Rubber feet at all contact points prevent scratching
2 ratchet straps keep bikes secure - Stable at speed
Cons
- Curved arms may not fit some low-Y frame bikes
DELUXE TRUNK MOUNTED BIKE RACK
Worthy consideration
Here, we have another trunk mounted bike rack from Allen Sports that provides tons of utility with a durable and sturdy construction, decent load capacity, and unique tie-down method for keeping your bikes secure at speed.
Build quality is one area where this bike rack excels. It is made entirely of high-quality alloy steel with a couple bits of plastic here and there. The alloy steel is finished in a premium powder coating, which keeps it free of rust. Overall, it is quite rigid and we did not notice any flexing or bending of the rack under load.
Carrying capacity is also worthy of praise. It can carry up to 70 lbs. That means you can mount larger road bikes, and also some mountain bikes on the back of your SUV no hitch. However, we would not recommend this rack for holding more than one electric bike at a time, as electric bikes tend to be heavier than other models.
It uses Allen Sports’ proprietary tiedown system to keep your bikes in place. The carrying arms are a bit longer than most bike racks, which allows them to keep the bikes further away from the car. That means you don’t have to worry about the bikes banging up against the back of your SUV.
We tested a wide variety of bikes with this rack and are pleased to report that all of them fit perfectly. The wider carrying arms are perfect for carrying longer wheelbase models. We would recommend getting an adapter for certain low-Y frame bikes, but that’s pretty much par for course.
Installation is also pretty easy and did not take us more than 15 minutes to get it fully set up. That is thanks to the convenient nylon straps which keep the bike rack stable at highway speed.
The lower frame of the bike rests on your SUV’s bodywork. However it is padded with soft material, so as to prevent it from scratching or damaging your paint. The rubberized material also allows the rack to grip the car more tightly.
All said and done, this is one of our favourite bike racks, and we definitely recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a bike rack for SUV no hitch that performs!
Pros
- Alloy steel build
- Most compact design of any rack
- Side straps keep rack stable
- Ideal for drivers who only occasionally need the rack
- Easy to install
- Holds 2 bikes
- 70 lbs load capacity
- Straps secure bike at the frame and handlebars
- No rattling or creaking noises
- 115 inch width can hold larger bikes
- Padded lower frame protects car bodywork
- Limited lifetime warranty provided
- Most affordable bike rack
Cons
- Not ideal for carrying heavier electric bikes
In this article, we will be recommending the best headache racks for your truck.
We have been testing and reviewing vehicle accessories for over a decade, so we know what makes an accessory great. Allow us to help you make a better purchase decision.
Our review encompasses things like the build quality, utility, and the value each headache rack provides. We also consider the design and look of each option before recommending it to you.
With that in mind, our top pick has to be the Backrack Truck Bed Headache Rack. This alloy steel headache rack combines durable construction with a sleek design that looks great and performs outstandingly. It is also universally compatible with most late model trucks.
Keep reading for more information on the Backrack and other top headache racks for trucks.
Deluxe Black 1-Bike Trunk Mount Bicycle Carrier Rack
Tyger Auto’s trunk mounted bike rack has all the makings of an awesome bike rack for your SUV no hitch. It is lightweight, compact, but still retains great load capacity and a secure place to mount your bikes.
Tyger Auto has opted for a high-quality alloy steel construction for this rack. This gives it more rigidity and prevents it from straining under the weight of your bicycles. The powder coating on the steel gives you better resistance to rust and corrosion.
We liked how secure and stable this rack is at speed. That is thanks to the sturdy nylon straps which hold the bike rack on all four sides. Furthermore, the parts of the rack that come into contact with your SUV are covered in rubberised material to avoid scratching the paintwork. They also give the rack a firm grip on the SUV.
This trunk mounted bike rack for SUVs no hitch can carry one large sized bike. The load capacity of 55 lbs is one of the highest we’ve seen for a one-bike trunk mounted rack. It allows you to carry heavier electric bikes or mountain bikes as well.
As for the bike mount, this rack is outfitted with high-quality ratcheting straps. The ratcheting straps are endlessly adjustable and can accommodate a wide variety of bike frame shapes and sizes. They are made of UV resistant rubber that is less prone to cracking and loosening over time.
Thankfully, this bike rack does not add to that SUV’s length, thanks to its folding design which allows the carrying arms to rest flush against the back of your SUV when you aren’t carrying a bike.
The rack comes with an included safety strap that you can use to further secure your bikes, or just tie down the front wheel and handlebars so that they don’t bang against the back of your SUV.
Installation is quick and easy, thanks to the handy knobs that you can use to tighten the rack in place. Two sturdy handles on either side offer easier mounting of the rack. You also get a limited lifetime warranty that covers any manufacturing defects. Ease of installation is another huge benefit of bike racks for SUV no hitch.
This rack does not fit SUVs with a spoiler, which is a bit of a disappointment.
Pros
- Alloy steel build
- Sturdy and firm design
- Nylon straps on top, bottom, and sides of the rack for more stability
- Rack does not wobble or bounce
- Ratcheting straps hold your bike frames in place
- Straps are adjustable
- Will fit most different bike shapes
- Rack is padded to prevent scratching the SUV’s paint
- 55 lbs load capacity
Carries 1 large bike - Can carry electric bikes
Cons
- Not suitable for SUVs with spoilers
Heavy Duty 4-Bike Trunk Mount Rack
Hollywood Racks’ F4 is a well built bike rack that features lightweight yet sturdy construction, extra space for longer, heavier bicycles, and a unique bike mounting system that is simple yet effective.
This is one of the few trunk mounted bike racks for SUVs no hitch that uses both alloy steel and aluminium in its construction. That makes it lighter and more rigid than the other options on this list, while still having comparable load capacity. The alloy steel bits are treated with a thick powder coating to prevent rust.
Load capacity is also in line with other four bike trunk mounted bike racks. It can carry up to 140 lbs without breaking a sweat. That makes it ideal for the mountain bike enthusiast who wants to mount heavier mountain bikes or e-bikes on the back of their SUV no hitch.
This bike rack uses a unique tiedown method to secure your bikes. All of the bikes are held on the carrying arms and stay in place thanks to the special design of the carrying arms that discourages movement of the bikes while driving.
Then they are all secured at the frame using a heavy duty nylon strap that is adjustable to fit all four bicycles. We were sceptical about this bike mount system at first, but it is actually quite effective and secure.
The carrying arms are longer, so that there is enough space for the longer wheelbase bikes. The tiedown buckles used here were originally meant for heavy duty motorcycle carriers, which inspires a lot of confidence.
Installing this rack is even simpler than other trunk mounted bike racks for SUVs no hitch. All of the safety straps come with a tightening mechanism that is convenient and quick. Hollywood Racks also include a safety flag in the package so that drivers behind you can see the rack more easily.
All of the parts of the rack that come into contact with the back of your SUV are padded to avoid damaging or tarnishing the paint work. We would have liked to see similar padding on the carrying arms to avoid damaging the bike frames. This was a bit of a missed opportunity, Hollywood Racks’ part.
Pros
- Alloy steel is treated with powder coating
- Lightweight and compact design
- Carrying arms can be folded
- 140 lbs load capacity
- Holds 4 bikes
- Can carry larger, heavier mountain bikes and e-bikes
- Unique tie down method for bikes
- Heavy duty nylon strap keeps bikes secure
- Security strap and mounting straps are adjustable
- Intuitive installation video
Cons
- Carrying arms are not padded, could potentially damage bike frames
DELUXE TRUNK MOUNTED BIKE RACK
This Deluxe Trunk mounted bike rack from Allen Sports delivers a solid build, high load capacity, and Allen Sports’ patented tiedown system for securing your bikes.
We were surprised to find that this rack features one of the most durable builds of any trunk mounted bike rack for SUV no hitch. High grade alloy steel dominates the build, with only a few plastic parts where they were absolutely necessary.
It is, of course, treated with a powder coating which prevents corrosion. The alloy steel is firm and sturdy, and does not flex under the weight of your bikes.
Carrying capacity is one of this bike rack’s standout features. It can hold up to 140 lbs, which is a first for any trunk mounted bike rack.
We highly recommend this rack for the SUV no hitch owner who wants to carry larger mountain bikes, e-bikes and other heavy bicycles. It can hold up to 4 bicycles and does so securely thanks to Allen Sports proprietary bike cradles.
Speaking of those cradles, they use long carrying arms to allow for more space between individual bikes. This prevents the bikes from interacting with one another or the back of your SUV while you’re on the road.
The actual tie downs are made of all-weather rubber. They use adjustable ratcheting straps so you can mount various different bike frame shapes and sizes.
You’ll be happy to know that thanks to the wider carrying arms, this bike rack can hold even longer wheelbase bikes.
Installing the Deluxe Trunk mounted bike rack on our SUV no hitch was a breeze. It takes less than 15 minutes, and the nylon straps are really convenient for taking the bike rack on and off when you’re on the road.
The parts of the bike rack that sit on your SUV are lined in rubber to avoid scratching or tarnishing the paint work. This also has the benefit of giving the rack a more stable and firm grip on your SUV.
With all those features in mind, we think the Deluxe Trunk mounted bike rack should definitely be on the shortlist of bike racks for SUVs no hitch.
Pros
- Most compact design of any rack
- Side straps keep rack stable
- Best choice for occasional use
- Easy to install
- Holds 4 bikes
- 140 lbs load capacity
- Straps secure bike at the frame and handlebars
- No rattling or creaking noises
- 115 inch width can hold larger bikes
- Padded lower frame protects car paintwork
Cons
- Some low-Y frame bikes will require an adapter
This soft roof rack is easy to install, can be folded away for easy storage, offers protection to your roof so you don’t cause marks, and is overall a great alternative to your typical crossbar designed roof racks.
This style of roof rack is not something you see every day, as the market is dominated and favored by your typical crossbar design but this soft roof rack impressed us quite a lot.
Made from EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate), the MeeFar has a built-in non-slip mat that prevents scratching or scuffing the top of your car when attached tightly to reduce wind noise.
These materials will also prevent vibrations when driving at high speeds – which if you’ve ever been subject to due to using other roof racks, you’ll know can be very annoying on long-haul journeys.
Installing this roof rack is an absolute breeze, no tools are required! It comes with 2 tie-down straps, 2 quick loop straps, and 2 tie-down ropes to attach the pads to the roof of your car and hold the load in place.
And due to its universal compatibility, you can fit the soft rack to most cars or SUVs with or without gutters.
The MeeFar is on the low end in terms of the weight you can carry. But if you’ve got a kayak you need to transport, a longboard, or even a couple of shortboards, then this is going to be the perfect and most convenient roof rack for you.
The best part about this particular roof rack; when it’s not in use, you can simply fold it away.
No need to risk leaving it on your unattended car, you can simply take it off the vehicle and fold it away in your backpack or put it in your garage for the next time you need it.
MeeFar provides a lot of utility and high-quality construction without being too expensive, and whilst it’s not going to allow you to transport a lot of goods, the combination of value and performance is exactly why I feel you’ll like this roof rack quite a bit.
So that’s the best bike racks for SUV no hitch
But is this the best alternative to hitch mounted bike racks? After all, there are roof mounted bike racks, suction cup bike racks, and a plethora of other bike racks to choose from.
Below, we have outlined the reasons you should consider trunk mounted bike racks when you’re looking for a bike rack for SUV no hitch.
Size. One of the major considerations when adding any vehicle accessory is the size. Hitch mounted bike racks, roof mounted bike racks and others tend to be large and heavy.
Trunk mounted bike racks for SUV no hitch, on the other hand, are smaller, more compact, and lightweight compared to these options. This makes them easier to install, and certainly easier to live with.
Cost. Trunk mounted bike racks for SUVs no hitch generally cost less than other types. Moreover, they do so without compromising the quality or performance of the bike rack. This makes them a great option for the SUV no hitch owner who needs something a little bit more budget friendly.
One survey suggests that trunk mounted bike racks for SUVs no hitch cost as little as 2 thirds the cost of hitch mounted bike racks with similar load capacities. With savings like that, you can’t afford NOT to opt for trunk mounted bike racks for SUV no hitch!
Load capacity. With modern designs and technology to back them up, trunk mounted bike racks for SUVs no hitch have all but caught up to hitch mounted bike racks in terms of load capacity.
In fact, we see more and more trunk mounted bike racks for SUVs no hitch that can carry just as many if not more bicycles than some hitch mounted bike racks. Load capacity for these bike racks has also gotten well into the 130-150 lbs range, which is plenty for even the most hard-core cyclists.
Security. This is one area where you might expect hitch mounted bike racks to have the advantage over trunk mounted bike racks for SUVs no hitch.
However, trunk mounted bike racks for SUVs no hitch use sturdy straps and rubber padding on the feet for a more firm and secure grip. We tested a wide variety of bike racks, both hitch mounted and trunk mounted for SUVs no hitch. We can attest to the security of trunk mounted bike racks for SUVs no hitch.
Not to mention, these trunk mounted bike racks often use the same bike cradles as hitch mounted bike racks. That means you get largely the same level of security of bike mount in both of them.
