In this review, we’ll be talking about the best trunk mounted bike racks for minivans.
We tested over a dozen different trunk mounted bike racks for minivans. Our evaluation takes various features of the bike rack into account: the build quality, load capacity, and the value each bike rack offers.
Tyger Auto’s trunk mounted bike rack for minivans is the clear winner. It has a robust build, secure fit, and one of the highest load capacities of any trunk mounted bike rack for minivans. Add a manufacturer warranty to the mix and this ‘Tyger’ has earned its stripes!
If you aren’t sure about which trunk mounted bike rack for minivans deserves your hard earned money, you came to the right place. We have been testing and reviewing vehicle accessories for over a decade, so we know a thing or two about no hitch bike racks.
Find our top picks for best trunk mounted minivan bike racks below!
Deluxe Black 1-Bike Trunk Mount Bicycle Carrier
Overall Best
Tyger Auto’s Trunk Mounted Bike rack roars onto the scene with its compact design, high load capacity, and the most secure bike cradles of any trunk mounted bike rack we’ve seen.
The alloy steel build of this bike rack is quite rigid and firm. it does not flex or bend under load, and it also comes with a special black powder coating to prevent it from rusting prematurely.
It mounts onto your minivan using high-quality straps at all four corners.. It also rests firmly on your trunk using grippy, soft padded legs. This prevents the bike rack from damaging your paintwork, while also facilitating a more secure fit.
Load capacity is in line with other bike racks of this category. It can hold 3 large road bikes, for a total of just under 100 lbs of load. We did not have any issues loading larger, heavier road bikes on this bike rack. However, we would only recommend carrying one electric bike at a time at the most.
It uses adjustable ratcheting straps to hold your bike frames in place. These ratcheting straps are made from durable, UV-resistant rubber to avoid deforming over time. You won’t have to worry about the straps cracking or loosening over time if they are left in the rain or sun for too long.
It is already a pretty small rack to begin with, however, it can fold the carrying arms down to become even smaller. This is the ideal rack for the minivan owner who needs to park in a tight space or a garage but still needs to carry 3 bikes.
We appreciate the inclusion of a safety strap which you can use to secure the handlebars and front wheels of your bikes. This prevents them from banging into one another or the back of your minivan, which could potentially cause a lot of damage.
Installing this rack is dead simple. All you need to do is position the rack on your trunk and mount it in place with the heavy duty straps. Tyger Auto does offer a limited lifetime warranty with this rack, however it is only available for customers in the US.
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 minivan’s paint
- 100 lbs load capacity
- Carries 3 large bikes
- Easy to install
- Can fold down into a more compact size
- Safety strap prevents bikes from banging against the rear glass
- Limited lifetime warranty available
Cons
- Warranty is only offered for customers in the US
Ultra Compact Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
Premium option
If you looked at the last two bike racks and thought ‘Those are still too large‘, we have, quite literally, an Ultra Compact Trunk mounted bike rack for you.
This is another Allen Sports Bike Rack that takes ‘compact’ to the next level. It is made from alloy steel, and is rigid enough to hold two large sized bicycles without any complaints. A special black powder coating keeps rust and corrosion at bay.
It features a more minimalist design than any other trunk mounted bike rack. We think this one is perfect for the minivan owner who wants to be able to store their bike rack in the tiniest nook or cranny.
It is so small in fact, that it will fit inside a carrier bag or backpack when it’s not being used. And to drive the point home, Allen Sports include a carrier bag that you can use to transport the bike rack when it isn’t being used.
Despite its lean design, it does not sacrifice any load capacity. It is rated for 70 lbs and can hold 2 large, adult sized bicycles easily. Furthermore, it doesn’t shake or wobble itself to death either.
In fact, we were absolutely stunned by how stable and robust this bike rack is for real-world usage. It did not so much as make a peep, even when the minivan was moving at highway speeds.
There are 3 rubberised feet that rest against your minivan, offering a firm grip. It also features 3 adjustable security straps that keep the rack positioned in place.
As for the bike mount, it is a tiedown system, similar to the other racks. The straps are lined in rubber to prevent them from scratching your bike frames. The carrying arms are also still wide enough that they can hold longer wheelbase bikes.
There is enough space between the bike cradles for the bikes to stay far apart in transit. The spine of the rack is padded with soft rubber so that the innermost bike does not get scratched or damaged. Pro tip: get some extra nylon straps to secure the bike’s handlebars and front wheels and prevent them from damaging your minivan’s rear glass.
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
Allen Sports Premier 2-Bike Trunk Rack
Worthy Consideration
Surprise, surprise! Allen Sports make yet another one of our favourite bike racks for minivans. This one is a trunk mounted rack that forgoes compact styling in favour of a more stable fit. We recommend this for the minivan owner who wants a trunk mounted rack with the stability of a hitch rack!
Part of why this rack is so stable is the premium build quality. It uses a higher grade of alloy steel than other Allen Sports racks. That means it is more rigid and firm compared to those racks, while also being more lightweight.
Its powder coating is also quite a bit thicker than on other models, giving it even better rust resistance and protection from deep scratches.
You also have sturdy nylon straps to thank for this rack’s firmness at speed. They attach at the most crucial points on the rack and keep it perfectly centred on the back of your minivan.
Load capacity is rated for around 70 lbs, but we found that we could get away with loading 80 lbs for shorter journeys. That is plenty for 2 of even the heaviest of road bikes and you can even load up a single electric bike or mountain bike at a time.
This rack uses Allen Sports’ proprietary bike tie down system. There are 2 long carrying arms that keep the bikes further away from each other so that they don’t rattle or break your minivan’s rear glass.
Your bikes are kept in place using heavy duty rubber straps. These straps are fully adjustable and will hold a number of different bike frame shapes and sizes. We did need a frame adapter for low-Y frame bikes, but that is to be expected.
As for the straps, they are lined in soft material to avoid scratching or denting your bike frames. Furthermore, there is soft padding on the parts of this rack that come in contact with your minivan. This gives the rack better grip but also saves your minivan’s paintwork from damage.
The carrying arms can be folded when they aren’t being used, and the whole rack is pretty compact to begin with. Granted, it won’t fit in a bag, but it’s still petite enough to fit in the trunk of your minivan or in your garage.
Installing the rack is as easy as breathing or sitting down. No extra tools, no cutting or drilling, just quick and easy bolt-on installation.
Pros
- Alloy steel construction
- Black powder coating
- No rusting, scratches, denting, etc
- Compact design
- 16 inch long carrying arms secure bikes at the frame
- Patented tie down system
- Prevents bike’s front wheel from banging up against the minivan
- Very stable at speed
75 lbs load capacity - Holds 2 large, adult sized bikes
- Easy install
- No drilling or cutting
- Foldable design
Cons
- Frame adapter needed for some low-Y frame bikes
Why should you get a trunk mounted bike rack for your minivan?
It can be a hassle to find the right bike rack for your minivan, especially when the minivan doesn’t have a hitch receiver. And aftermarket hitches can be expensive. Not to mention, you have to make major modifications to your minivan to make them fit.
Trunk mounted bike racks are the perfect solution for minivans with no hitch. They are usually more compact and easier to mount than hitch racks. And the latest trunk mounted bike racks for minivans feature load capacities just as high or higher than their hitch mounted counterparts.
But how do you spot a high quality trunk mounted bike rack when there are so many options to choose from? Below, we have drawn up a ‘cheat sheet’ that outlines the most useful features of a trunk mounted bike rack. Refer to it whenever you need to gauge the quality of a trunk mounted rack.
The perfect trunk mounted bike rack for minivans
Construction. Trunk mounted racks should be lightweight and compact. However, they should still use sturdy materials to avoid flexing or bending under load. Alloy steel and high grade aluminium are usually your best bet for a trunk mounted bike rack worth its salt. Some high quality composite materials are also worth a second look.
Load capacity. Gone are the days when trunk mounted bike racks for minivans lagged behind the competition in terms of load capacity. Nowadays, you can find trunk mounted racks that meet or exceed the load capacity of other hitch mounted offerings. Aim for around 35-40 lbs load capacity per bike.
If you plan on carrying heavier mountain bikes or e-bikes, we recommend getting the highest load capacity rated trunk rack and carrying one or at the most two heavy bicycles at a time.
Stability. Hitch mounted racks are inherently more stable and firm on the road. However, trunk mounted racks for minivans have some neat tricks up their sleeve as well. Look for trunk mounted bike racks that have grippy rubber feet for a firm and secure fit. Additionally, heavy duty nylon straps add a ton of stability. A lot of the nicer options offer integrated strap management which prevents the straps from flapping in the wind or getting caught on something.
Security. This is one area where trunk mounted bike racks and hitch racks are pretty similar. The best trunk mounted racks use sturdy ratcheting straps to hold your bikes. These straps should be adjustable so that you can carry different shapes and sizes of bike frames. Look for a soft inner lining that prevents any damage to the paintwork of your bike.
With all of these features in mind, you are well on your way to finding the perfect trunk mounted bike rack for your minivan.
