Are you looking to transport your prized bikes using your truck without a scratch or a wobble?
Truck bed bike racks provide safety and convenience for transporting bikes on your truck. Based on my cross-country experiences and insights from fellow road trippers, this guide explores the best truck bed bike racks available.
Whether you’re focused on easy installation, robust security, or the flexibility to carry multiple bikes, a solution is just a page away.
 Keep reading to learn more!
In A Rush? Here Are The Best Pickup Truck Bike Racks
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- Holds up to four bikes without removing any wheels
- Easy to install and use
- Works as a standalone bike rack
- Soft padding to prevent scratching
- Tool-free installation
- No wheel removal or frame contact
- Lockable security
- You can install several racks side by side
- Retching arm that is easy to use
- Carries up to five bikes
- Fast and easy installation
- Soft pad prevents scratches
- Fits on any mid-sized truck
Reviews of the Best Truck Bed Bike Racks On The Market
Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage SportsRack BedRack
- Holds up to four bikes without removing any wheels
- Easy to install and use
- Works as a standalone bike rack
- Soft padding to prevent scratching
- May not fit some truck beds
- May damage the disc brakes of some bikes
The Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage SportsRack is an easy to install, versatile truck bed bike rack.
No tools or drilling are necessary for installation. The rack is set up between the truck bed’s inner walls using adjustable rubber stabilizers with finger-tightened wingnuts.
There is room for four bikes with wheel sizes up to 27 inches. Plus, you don’t have to remove any wheels! This rack comfortably fits 54.5 to 66.5-inch truck beds, and with the included spacer, it can extend from 60.5 to 72.5 inches.
An additional 72-inch lockable cable is included, which provides extra security to deter thieves. The rack can also serve as a standalone bike rack for storage; therefore, you can use it to secure bikes in the garage during the off-season.
Another noteworthy feature is the soft rubber padding, preventing bike and truck paint damage.
Lastly, you have a lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects. You should know that it only applies to the first owner of the bike rack.
However, you should be aware of some drawbacks of this rack before buying it.
One of them is that it may not fit some truck beds with bed liners, tonneau covers, or other accessories that reduce the width of the bed. You may need to modify the rack or your truck bed to make it fit properly.
Another issue is that the rack may damage the disc brakes of some bikes, as the foam wheel stabilizers may press against them and cause them to bend or warp. You may need to adjust the stabilizers or use extra padding to protect your brakes.
Overall, the Heininger Bed Rack is an excellent option for truck owners who want to transport up to four bikes without removing any wheels or using any tools.
It’s easy to install and use and has a lockable cable for extra security. It also has soft padding to protect your bike and truck from scratches and dents. Just double the sizing of your truck bed and bikes.
Thule Insta-Gater Pro Truck Bed Bike Rack
- Tool-free installation
- No wheel removal or frame contact
- Lockable security
- You can install several racks side by side
- Retching arm that is easy to use
- Costly
- Fits only one bike per rack
The Thule Insta-Gater Truck Mount is a single bike truck bed rack. This rack is designed to fit most standard pickup tailgates and can carry one bike up to 50 lbs.
It features a ratcheting arm that secures the bike by the front wheel, avoiding frame contact or damage. It also has a lockable cable that secures the bike and the rack to the truck.
It’s easy to install and use, considering you don’t have to drill holes in the truck.
The Thule Bike Rack is ideal for carbon frames, mountain, downhill, e-bikes, and fat bikes. It can accommodate wheel sizes from 20 to 29 inches and up to 5 inches wide tires.
It also has a tailgate handle access flap that allows you to open and close the tailgate while the rack is on.
The best thing? The rack is compatible with Thule’s One-Key system, which lets you use the same key for all your Thule products.
So, what’s the downside of all these features?
Well, it’s literally the price. It is relatively expensive and can only carry one bike per rack. If you want to carry more bikes, you must buy additional racks, which can add up to the cost and take up more space in your truck bed.
Overall, the Thule Insta-Gater Truck Pro Truck Bed Bike Rack is an excellent option for anyone who wants a simple and reliable way to transport their bike in their truck bed without removing the front wheel or touching the frame.
Demon Tailgate Pad for Bikes
- Carries up to five bikes
- Fast and easy installation
- Soft pad prevents scratches
- Fits on any mid-sized truck
- No individual slots or dividers
- There is no lock system
- Can block the rear camera on the truck
If you’re looking for a simple and convenient way to transport your bikes on your truck, consider getting the Demon Tailgate Pad.
This is the only non-metal bed bike rack on the list. It boasts of carrying the highest number of bikes at once (a maximum of five). It has a 54-inch wide frame can that fits well on any mid-sized track.
The installation of the rack can be done without any technical expertise. Just throw it on top of your locked tailgate and fasten the web cinch straps. On top of the pad are the velcro bike frame holders for securing the bikes.
The ¾-inch foam pad has a strong, heavy-duty vinyl outward cover and an ultra-soft inside cover. Both of them cushion the truck and the bike from abrasion.
The only thing we don’t like about this product is that it doesn’t have individual slots or dividers for each bike.
This means you must be careful not to overlap your bikes or let them touch each other, especially if they have different wheel sizes or handlebar widths. Otherwise, you may be scratching or denting your bikes.
Other issues with this rack include the lack of a locking system and blocking your truck’s rear camera.
INNO RT201 Truck Bed Bike Rack
- Fast to install and remove
- Versatile and adjustable
- Space-saving and compatible with most trucks
- Can only accommodate two bikes
- Not very stable or secure
This truck bed bike rack carries the day when it comes to versatility. It comprises lightweight clamps with rubber inserts. The best place to attach it is on the side of your truck bed. You don’t need any tools for the mounting.
You can only carry two bikes with two viable sides on a truck to install the clamps. Fortunately, due to their small size and mounting location, you can leave or take them off whenever they’re not in use.
This means you can use the truck bed to carry other things without inconvenience.Â
Even though one clamp is enough to hold the bike securely, using both clamps for firm anchoring is better.
To secure the clamp on the truck bed edge, twist the easy-grip handle until the D-ring clamps are tightly in place. Next, get the attachment and thread it through the clamp before securing the loop on the bike’s frame.
The 5-inch length of the attachment’s thread provides enough room for the bike to stay in place without bumping the side of the truck.
However, it is essential to note that the bike can still move, especially when driving on rough roads or at high speeds. Therefore, find some soft padding and cushion the space between the side of the truck and your bike.
Additionally, it could be more secure against theft. The D-ring clamps can be easily unscrewed, and the ratcheting straps can be cut. You should use a more robust lock or cable to deter thieves.
Swagman Pickup Fork Mount Bike Rack
- Simple and easy to install
- Adequate spacing for your bikes
- Adjustable size to fit different truck bed sizes
- Requires removal of the front wheel
- No locking mechanism
Last but not least is the Swagman bike rack.
This high-quality, 13.5-pound stainless steel truck bed bike rack is another model that’s easy to assemble and install. You don’t need any tools or drilling to install the rack, and you can remove it in seconds when not in use.
Thanks to its adjustable telescoping bar, it can fit almost all truck bed sizes. Rubber pads on either end of the bar enhance the rack’s grip on the bed rails and prevent scratches.
Your bike attaches to fork mount blocks that have 9mm quick-release skewers. However, you must remove the bike’s front wheel first, then slide the forks into the skewer. Rotate the skewer into place to anchor and secure your bike to the rack.
You can carry a maximum of two bikes weighing 35 pounds each. Feel free to adjust the distance between the two bikes as far apart as you’d like by moving the fork brackets along the telescoping bar. With this bike rack, you are sure your bike will be secure.
We don’t like that the rack has no security lock or cable to prevent theft of your bikes or the bar. You must purchase these separately if you want to secure your bikes.
Things To Consider When Shopping For Truck Bed Bike Racks
So you’ve decided to transport and store your bike using your truck bed. Great choice!
A truck bed bike rack is a wonderful way to securely transport your bike(s) without needing a trailer or the risk of damaging your bike or truck.
However, there are many options, and the right one for you depends on your specific needs. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision:
Type of Mount
Truck bed bike racks have different mounting options:
- Tailgate bike pads: These pads are strapped to the tailgate where the front fork and tire are draped over the top. They can accommodate as many as six bicycles. The padding cushions prevent your bike from rubbing against the tailgate metal.
- Fork-mounted bike rack: This rack needs to remove the bike’s front wheel before mounting and locking.
- Wheel-mounted bike rack: A wheel mount will secure one of your bike tires to the truck. You don’t have to remove any of the tires.
Bike Capacity
Determine how many bikes you’ll be transporting. Some racks can carry one bike, while others can handle four or more.
You’ll also need to consider the size of your truck bed and the recommended weight it can carry.
Type of Bicycle
Your bike influences your choice of rack in two ways.
First, the frame design must fit the rack’s style for easy and secure mounting.
Secondly, the tire size should be compatible with the cradle space if you get a wheel-mounted bike rack.
Ease of Installation
Easy installation of the truck bed bike rack saves you time and unnecessary frustration. Especially if you only install the rack when you want to use it.
You only want to spend a few minutes to set up, mount your bike, and be on your way to a riding spot.
Complex bike racks will take time to install; still, there is a chance of doing it wrong. You may end up outsourcing technical help, which costs more time and money!
Ease of Use
The ease with which you can mount or retrieve your bike is crucial when selecting a truck bed bike rack.
You want to spend as little time as possible to get the bike down once you arrive at your destination and are all psyched to start riding.
After your ride, when you’re tired and ready to leave, the last thing you need is a challenging time re-attaching the bike!
Security
If you are likely to leave your truck unattended, then it’s only fitting that you get a locking bike rack.
The locking mechanism should attach the rack firmly to the truck and the bike to the rack so that nobody can carry away either of the two. You must drill into the truck for some racks, while others need fastening.
Check out this truck bed bike rack setup video:
Additional Functions
What else can you do with the truck bed bike rack? It’s more viable to go for a rack that offers diverse functionality.
For instance, there are those that you can also use to hold surfboards and tents in place while in transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there specific truck bed bike racks suitable for mountain or road bikes?
Most truck bed bike racks are versatile and accommodate mountain and road bikes.
However, for heavier mountain bikes or fat-tire bikes, look for racks with a higher weight capacity and adjustable width settings.
Can I use a truck bed bike rack for SUVs or vans?
Truck bed bike racks are specifically designed for pickup trucks. If you have an SUV or van, you’d likely need a roof-mounted, hitch-mounted, or trunk-mounted rack.
Ensure you choose a design compatible with your vehicle type for safe and secure transport.
How do I ensure the security of my bike when using a truck bed bike rack?
While many truck bed bike racks offer locking mechanisms, it’s also advisable to use additional bike locks or cable locks to deter theft. This provides an extra layer of security when leaving your bike unattended.
Final Thoughts
The Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage SportsRack BedRack is our favorite from the reviewed racks because it ticks all the right boxes.Â
From its easy installation to accommodating a maximum of four bikes and having a lockable cable for security, Heininger keeps bikes safe and secure while in transit. Not to mention the lifetime warranty.
Ride on!