In this review, we will be discussing the three best hitch bike racks.
When we test any vehicle accessories, we consider things like the build quality, the utility offered, and whether or not the features are worth the price.
With all of those factors in mind, we have to give Bell’s Right Up 3 bicycle hitch rack the top spot on our list. This is one of the sturdiest 3 bike hitch racks we’ve seen. It also has a pretty high load capacity, and the fitment is very secure.
We’ve been testing and recommending automotive accessories for over a decade. If you are not sure which 3 bike hitch rack to get, you came to the right place. Allow us to help you make the best decision on where to spend your hard earned money.
Keep reading for more information on the bell right up and other awesome three my contracts.
BELL Right Up 3-Bicycle Hitch Rack
Overall Best
The Bell Right Up 3 bicycle hitch rack sports a rigid and firm platform style bike rack. It has excellent load capacity and the bike mounting system is secure.
We found the build quality of this platform style bike rack to be absolutely phenomenal. The entire rack is made of high-quality metal. It has a unique black powder coat on the metal, which wards off rust and also prevents scratching.
The load capacity of this platform style bike rack is on the high end of the spectrum. It is rated at 105 lbs, which is enough for three large sized road bikes.
This bike rack uses three individual cradles and tie down straps to keep your bikes in place. Each bike is secured at both wheels by trays. There are adjustable Velcro straps which fasten at the wheels to keep your bike from moving around.
Besides that, there are also two central masts which have carrying arms on them. Our testing found that this bike mount system keeps the bikes virtually wobble free at speed. Even on bumpy and uneven terrain, we did not notice the bikes shift or shake.
The robust hitch comes in both 1 ¼” and 2” configurations. There is little to no slack between the rack and hitch, making the rack a lot more stable.
This rack folds up neatly when it isn’t carrying any bikes. In fact, it sits almost flush with the back of your car. This is great for manoeuvring in tight spaces or just driving around.
Finally, we like the fact that all of the tie downs and contact points for the bike and the rack are lined in soft material so as not to scratch anything. The trays are only 3 inches wide, so you won’t be able to fit fatter bikes, which comes as a disappointment.
There is a stepped tongue with the hitch which provides a lot more ground clearance. Installation is pretty straightforward and you shouldn’t have any issues getting the rack ‘right up and running’ (see what we did there?) within 15 minutes.
Pros
- All metal build
- 105 lbs load capacity
- Powder coated finish
- Can hold 3 large sized bikes
- Both wheels of the bikes are held in place by trays and velcro
- Carrying arms keep bike frames secure
- Very stable at speed
- Two hitch sizes available
- All contact points are lined in soft material to prevent scratches
- Easy install
Cons
- Can’t hold fat tire bikes
Allen Sports 3-Bike Hitch Rack
Best Budget
Allen Sports’ 3-bike hitch rack is the perfect budget rack. It features a sturdy construction, one of the most secure hitch designs of any bike rack we’ve tested, and surprisingly high load capacity.
We did not expect the Allen Sports budget rack to be as well built as it is. Alloy steel is used throughout the build, and the attention to detail really shines through. There are no gaps, or low quality components used in this otherwise affordable rack.
The 16 inch long carry arms are designed to hold a number of different sized bikes. We tested various frame sizes and shapes. All of them fit perfectly and without the need of any adapters.
Each bike is individually secured at the frame using Allen Sports’ proprietary tiedown system. There are straps which hold the bike frames firmly and without scratching or denting them.
Allen Sports don’t rate this rack for an exact load capacity. But we found that it can hold a good 110 lbs, or three large sized road bikes, before it starts to show signs of strain.
As for the hitch, it is a sturdy 1.25” or 2” hitch. We did not notice any shaking or rattling at high speed, thanks to the no wobble bolt which makes for a very tight and precise fit.
The arms can be folded down when they’re not in use so that the rack becomes a little bit more compact. It also tilts away the main mast so that you can access your cargo area without unloading the bikes.
Installation isn’t as quick as we would like. The included instructions are a bit hard to follow, and it took us a good 30 minutes to get the rack fully installed. That’s why we would recommend getting it professionally installed.
In summation, this 3-bike hitch rack features a durable build and high carrying capacity. The bike mount is among the most stable and secure we’ve seen, and the less-than-ideal installation process is not a dealbreaker.
Pros
- Alloy steel construction
- 16 inch long carry arms
- Can hold many different bike frame shapes and sizes
- Straps secure the bike at the frame
- Soft lining in the straps prevents scratches
- 1.25” and 2” hitch options available
- Wobble-free at highway speed
- 110 lbs load capacity
- Holds 3 bikes
- Can be folded for easier storage or transport
- Tilts forward even when loaded with bikes
- Easy cargo access
Cons
- Professional installation recommended
Kuat Transfer V2 3-Bike Hitch Rack
Premium Choice
Kuat’s Transfer 3-bike hitch rack is a heavy duty bike rack for heavy duty bikes. The entire rack is designed to carry the heaviest, and largest bikes. In doing so, it does not sacrifice stability or security either.
If you need a bike rack that can hold your largest mountain bike, your electric bike, and your road bike all at the same time this rack rises to the challenge. It has an industry leading load capacity of 180 lbs and is compatible with upto a 50” wheelbase and 5” fat tire.
All of that load capacity is backed up by an equally impressive build. It’s an alloy steel design with a unique, automotive grade 750 hour salt spray coating on it. That is the most durable coating we’ve ever seen on a bike rack, allowing this rack to hold up against rust and corrosion.
Each bike is kept in place by a tray at either wheel. It also uses a ‘contact-less’ bike securing method. There is a sturdy carry arm that uses a hook to secure the front wheel. Soft padding on the hook prevents any damage to the wheel.
It uses Kuat’s proprietary Flatlock hitch design. We can tell you from experience that this is one of the most stable hitches of any bike rack on the market. At highway speed, the rack does not so much as jiggle. This same design also prevents anyone from tampering with the hitch or your bikes.
This rack is packed to the gills with useful features. One of our favourites is the semi-integrated cable lock which prevents bike theft. Another is the folding feature which is great for storing the rack or just driving around town without any bikes loaded up.
We also appreciate the attention to detail that went into this rack’s design. Kuat has provided a convenient foot pedal that releases the bike and lowers it in one motion to make mounting your bikes easier.
The unique shape of this rack also allows you to step ‘into’ the rack when loading bikes to make the job easier. Installation is similarly easy and streamlined. You get all of the mounting hardware in the box and it shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to have the rack fully installed.
We’ve raved enough about this rack, but the features keep on coming with this rack’s modular design which supports a number of accessories such as wider trays, an extra bike carrier, etc.
All said and done, we don’t think we’ve seen a more complete package in any other 3-bike hitch rack, or indeed any bike hitch rack. And if you can justify the price, there isn’t a better bike rack out there.
Pros
- 180 lbs load capacity
- Carries up to 50” wheelbase bike
- Upto 5” fat tire compatible
- Alloy steel
- Automotive grade 750 hour salt spray coating
- Better rust resistance
- Contact-less bike mount
- Wheel trays and front wheel securing hook design
- Proprietary Flatlock hitch design
- Most stable hitch
- Theft proof/tamper proof
- Integrated cable lock for bike security
- Folds into a smaller footprint to save space
- All mounting hardware provided in the box
- Foot pedal lowers rack for easier loading of bikes
- You can ‘step into’ the rack for easier loading
- Modular design allows for additional accessories
Cons
- Most expensive 3-bike hitch bike rack
