Let’s take a closer look at the best Jeep Wrangler bike racks.
We tested a variety of bike racks for the Jeep Wrangler and filtered out the best of the bunch. Our testing process considers the fit and finish, strength, and security of mounting each rack provides.
With all of these factors in mind, we had no choice but to award Ikuram’s 4-bike rack the top spot. This is one of the best-built bike racks we’ve tested, and it suits the Jeep Wrangler’s robust design.
Plus it has a load capacity high enough to hold your bike, your kid’s bikes, the neighbours bikes…you see where we’re headed with this.
If you’re having trouble choosing a bike rack for your Jeep Wrangler, allow us to help. We’ve been testing and reviewing automotive accessories for more than ten years now, so we know a thing or two about bike racks.
Read on to discover the best bike racks for the Jeep Wrangler.
IKURAM 4 Bike Rack - Bicycle Carrier
Overall Best
The Ikuram 4-bike rack for the Jeep Wrangler is the definitive bike rack. It is compact, but well built. Moreover, it has a secure bike carrying mechanism and offers a lot of utility.
The alloy steel used in this rack’s build is some of the highest quality we’ve seen. The fact that it is treated with a black powder coating for more corrosion resistance just puts it over the top.
Ease of installation is another plus point of the Ikuram. We were able to bolt this hunk o’ metal onto our Jeep Wrangler in under 20 minutes. It uses a 2” hitch, which is very secure and inspires a lot of confidence while carrying 4 bikes on the rack.
Speaking of carrying bikes, let’s talk about the load capacity. We measured maximum load capacity for this bike rack at just over 140 lbs. That is more than enough for 4 large sized road bikes, and can even carry heavy mountain bikes and e-bikes, if that’s more your speed.
There is a special stabiliser component integrated into the hitch. This reduces movement of the rack at highway speed, making it surprisingly stable for a bike rack with so much weight on it.
We were keen to see just how well this bad boy performs, which is why we took the Jeep Wrangler on some rockier terrain and put the Ikuram rack to the test. We are happy to report that it kept our prized bike collection safe and secure, even on some off road bits that required technical driving.
That exceptional stability is thanks in part to the stabiliser, but also the actual bike cradles. These are the tight straps which hold the bike frames in place at speed. They fit most adult sized road bikes easily, with only a few models requiring an adapter for a more snug fit.
Moving on to some other convenient features of this rack, we have a folding design that makes the rack easier to store or just drive around with no bikes on the back of your Jeep Wrangler.
It will also tilt down a bit to allow for easier liftgate access. This feature is really useful for grabbing something out of the Jeep Wrangler’s cargo area without taking all of the bikes off. A set of rear safety reflectors make it easier for other drivers to spot your rack at night. And finally, a limited lifetime warranty is always nice to see.
Pros
- Alloy steel build
- Powder coating for better rust and corrosion resistance
- Heavy duty 2” hitch
- Easy to install
- All mounting hardware is provided
- Wobble-free stabiliser
- Rack does not shake around on bumpy terrain
- Folds away when not being used
- Tilts forward to allow for tailgate access
- 140 lbs load capacity
- Holds 4 bikes
- Heavy duty straps keep bikes in place
- Straps are lined in soft material to avoid scratching the bikes
- Safety reflector makes the rack more visible at night
- Holds most different shaped bikes
Cons
- May need frame adapter for some bikes
Ultra Compact Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
Best Budget
If the Ikuram’s compact size is still a tad too large for you, meet the Ultra Compact trunk mounted rack. This rack from Allen Sports is one of the most compact options for the Jeep Wrangler. It is still a sturdy and heavy duty rack though, and holds your bikes in place really well.
Steel is used for the build of this rack. It also uses two heavy duty straps on either side, which makes the trunk mount design a lot more secure and firm.
And it’s compact. No, seriously. It’s so compact that when we first opened the box, we mistook it for a roof rack we were supposed to review. But the compact size does not come at the cost of carrying capacity.
In fact, this bike rack has a decent load capacity that easily holds a large, adult sized road bike. It uses a special tie down system that is very tight. The tie-downs are lined in soft rubber to avoid denting or otherwise damaging your bike’s frame.
Furthermore, it mounts the bike far enough away from your Jeep Wrangler’s rear glass so as not to come into contact with it and cause damage.
Installation is also easy and shouldn’t take any more than 15 minutes. We do highly recommend getting some bungee cords to secure your bike’s handlebars.
As with any rack, we tested it with a number of different bike sizes and were impressed by the almost universal support for frame sizes and shapes. Moreover, we took the Jeep Wrangler onto some of our favourite off road trails to see just how secure the rack is. It really impressed us with the stability and security, especially on rocky terrain.
Finally, we think you will appreciate that the lower part of the rack, the one that comes into contact with your Jeep Wrangler’s paintwork, is covered in soft material to prevent scratches and paint wear. The carrying arms are also spaced wide apart, so longer wheelbase bikes will fit no problem.
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
- Very 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
- Most affordable bike rack
Cons
- Only holds one bike
Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks
Best Premium
Allen Sports’ 4-bike rack is a premium rack that carries twice as many bikes as its competitors. It also offers a number of useful features that make it easier to transport bikes safely.
This four-bike alloy steel bike rack is designed to carry four bikes at once. To accomplish this, it is designed like a tank and utilises the best hardware available. It includes 22-inch long arms that use Allen Sports’ unique tie-down mechanism to individually fasten each bike. We had no problems attaching it onto our car since it uses a 2 inch trailer hitch.
When you’re not carrying anything, the carrying arms can be folded up and out of the way. This bike rack also has a no-wobble bolt that prevents the bicycles from swaying while driving at high speeds. This is a typical issue with bike racks, but Allen Sports has created a bike rack that is virtually wobble-free.
Installation is a little more difficult than with the other bike racks on this list. To use this bike rack, your vehicle must have a professionally installed Class III or IV 2 inch hitch. It is, however, strong and durable once fitted, with no creaking or bouncing.
Individual tie down cradles are used to secure the bicycles, and hold them firmly in position. Even without taking off the bikes, the tilt-away main mast enables for simpler access to the lift gate.
We put this rack through its paces with a variety of bicycles of all shapes and sizes. We were able to install mini children’s bicycles just as easily as large adult bicycles.
We fully anticipated this four-bike rack to produce squeaking noises or collide with the car while en route. But the truth is that even at highway speeds, this rack did not make a peep. The bikes were securely fastened and did not collide with the bodywork of our car.
But by far our favourite feature of this bike rack is the locking hitch mechanism. It makes sure that the rack is more secure and firmly installed. Two keys are included to operate the locks. The whole rack is also compatible with your Jeep Wrangler’s spare tire so you don’t have to take it off to install the rack.
So that’s the Allen Sports 4-bike rack. It is a durable bike rack that has a ton of features to help you transport your bikes more easily.
Pros
- Alloy steel build
- Holds 4 bikes
- Individual tie down system keeps bikes secure
- Tilting main mast
- Easier lift gate access
- No wobbling at speed
- Does not let the bikes bang up against the vehicle
- Does not make too much noise in transit
- Can easily secure wide variety of bike shapes and sizes
- Compatible with spare tire
Cons
- Professional hitch installation required
