The biggest turn-off for most bike racks is that they don’t load and unload bikes easily. However, that is not the case with towbars. Their main concern is their safety. So, are tow bar bike carriers safe?
Tow bar bike racks hold bikes securely, some can be locked and others have anti-wobble features, so they’re safer. In addition, they do not rest on the body of the car, which means that the paintwork is less likely to be damaged.
However, keep in mind that these racks are safer, despite hindering the rear access of the vehicle and making it longer.
But before I can continue, what are tow bar bike carriers?
Towbar bicycle carriers are vehicle-transportable bicycle carriers that you attach to the towbar receiver of the vehicle.
In that case, you don’t need any crossbars to install them, just the trailer hitch, which you can fit if it doesn’t exist.
Tow bar carriers are attached to the vehicle’s tow bar using a sturdy post and bolts. They generally make loading and unloading bicycles easy.
In general, there are two options for tow bar bike carriers; platform and suspension, we’ll talk about that later in this post.
In a hurry? Check out my most recommended towbar bike carriers on the hotlist below.
4 safest bike carriers for tow bars
1. Thule EasyFold XT 2: Best Folding Platform Lift
2. KAC Overdrive Sports K2: Best Tilting Platform Lift
3. Allen Sports 4 Bike Rack: The best one-arm hanging trailer hitch rack
4. IKURAM R 4 Bike Rack: The Best Double Arm Hanging Tow Bar Rack
Are Hitch Bike Racks Safe?
Let’s talk about the good and the bad side of using trailer hitch mounted bike carriers.
Unlike most bike racks, tow bars keep the bike (or bikes) securely on the car. You don’t have to worry about the bikes coming loose and hitting the ground.
Likewise, you don’t have to worry about the rack rubbing against your vehicle as it doesn’t rest on the vehicle’s bodywork. That is in contrast to luggage racks.
The chance that the rack will damage the paint of the car is therefore smaller.
Most tow bars also allow you to lock or attach them to the vehicle to keep thieves away. You can even lock your bike there, so it’s safer.
That is the case of the Thule EasyFold XT 2which comes with locks for securing to the vehicle receiver and for securing the bike to the rack.
The other thing you notice about tow bar bike carriers is that they have anti-wobble systems, which keep your bike stable during transport. Such is the case with the KAC Overdrive Sports K2.
The bike carrier promises to prevent the bike from wobbling. The bike carrier also features padded clamps, which are becoming increasingly popular with modern hitches to protect your bike from aggressive clamping.
So that’s another safety feature that modern towbar bike carriers promise.
While my argument is that trailer hitch bike carriers are generally safer, there are a few safety issues to be aware of.
First, since the bike carrier is mounted on the vehicle’s tow bar (at the rear), it hinders access to the car from the rear.
In that case, it can block your view, making it difficult to judge how you are turning or reversing.
In addition, the rack extends your vehicle, making it more difficult to turn in tight spaces. You can hit other cars when you try to turn.
Last but not least, someone could unlock a trailer hitch if left unattended for hours on end. This usually happens when the bike carrier is not locked to the vehicle.
However, keep in mind that such cases are quite rare.
So are Hitch Bike Racks better?
Towbar carriers have more to offer than just safety. Although they are better than other bicycles in their safety, tow bar bike carriers also have enormous capacities.
The Allen Sports 4 bike rackfor example, can carry up to four bikes, but other options can hold up to five bikes.
With a tow bar carrier you can also quickly load and unload bicycles. unlike roof rackshitch carriers are aerodynamically stable so you can maintain drive momentum when going upwind.
Other benefits of lifting devices include:
- They are easy to fold
- Most are lightweight
- They fit on different bikes
- Are compatible with most bikes
Types of tow bar bike carriers
As I mentioned, there are tow bar bike carriers in hanging and platform style.
a) Bicycle racks for pendant/arm mounting
In this style, the bicycles are hung on a strong arm, which is mainly foldable.
These racks are the cheaper and the lighter of the two. Because they suspend the bike, they encourage better ground clearance.
In addition, they are easy to store because they fold together almost seamlessly.
Their disadvantage is that they are not the strongest. If your bikes are not properly secured, they can swing and rub against each other.
In such a case, some of the bicycle paints may rub off. Other than that, there is no serious concern.
In terms of budget, these racks are cheaper than their platform siblings.
They usually come in two styles depending on the wishbone; one-armed and two-armed.
One-arm suspension racks support each bike on one cradle, and the best choice is the Allen Sports 4 bike rack. The bicycle carrier individually secures four bicycles.
Two-arm hanging racks, on the other hand, come with two long arms for extra stability, and a top pick is the IKURAM R 4-Bike Rack.
It also accommodates up to four bikes with different frame sizes and fits a wide range of vehicles.
b) Bike carriers for platform/box coupling
Unlike hanging bike racks, platform lifts support the bikes from their base, mainly the wheels.
So they are the most stable option, making them best for e-bikes, fat tire bikes and other heavy bikes.
The carriers do not wobble, so your bike does not wobble and rub against each other. These racks can also carry more bicycles and generally make loading and unloading bicycles easy.
However, they are more expensive and slightly heavier than platform options.
Two of the best platform lifters are:
- KAC Overdrive Sports K2 – A tilting option that can carry up to 60 pounds
- Thule EasyFold XT 2 – A universal folding option with a capacity of 130 pounds
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best tow bar bike carriers?
Based on build quality, safety, and ease of use, here are the best tow bar bike carriers:
1. Thule EasyFold XT 2: Best Folding Platform Lift
2. KAC Overdrive Sports K2: Best Tilting Platform Lift
3. Allen Sports 4 bike rack: Best One Arm Hanging Tow Bar Rack
4. IKURAM R 4-Bike Rack: Best Double Arm Hanging Hitch Rack
2. Do bike racks damage your car?
Bike racks are more likely to rub against your car and damage the paintwork if they are not properly secured. In general, trunk bike carriers have the most potential to damage the car’s paintwork, as they rest on the bodywork and often sway.
3. Are car bike racks safe?
The safety of car bike carriers depends on their build quality, how securely they sit on the car and where they are installed. Well-assembled, high-quality bike racks are generally safer.
They only become unsafe if they rub against the body of the car or if they are loose.
4. How fast can you drive with a tow bar bike carrier?
Tow bar carriers slow you down considerably. So even if you want to go faster, it’s almost impossible to do it. In general, it is advisable to drive under 80 mph on the highway.
5. How do tow bar bike carriers work?
Towbar bike carriers are attached to the receiver of the vehicle with a sturdy post and bolts. You need to slide and screw the rack onto the hitch receiver.
If your vehicle does not have a hitch receiver, you can install one.
6. Are the bike carriers for the towbar removable?
Tow bar bike racks can be removed by quickly unscrewing them and sliding them off the tow bar receiver.
7. How much does it cost to install a trailer hitch?
If you install the hitch receiver yourself, the cost to get one can be between $50 and $200, depending on the type and where you buy it. Expect to spend more if you hire an installer.
8. Do all bike racks need a tow bar?
All bike carriers do not require a tow bar. It is only those that are mounted on the tow bar, bike carriers on the tow bar.
While most vehicles have a trailer hitch receiver, some don’t, meaning you’ll have to fit it yourself.
9. Which is better; Hanging or platform bike carrier?
A hanging bike carrier is better if you want a lighter and foldable bike carrier for on the go. However, it is not the best for heavy bikes.
If you are going to transport heavy bikes, opt for platform style as they are more robust and sturdy.
10. How many loads can a tow bar bike carrier carry?
The load capacity of a tow bar carrier depends on the style, size and build quality. However, most single bike options carry 35-60 pounds, while 4-bike and 5-bike options can carry 132-143 pounds.
11. What happens if a towbar is too high?
A towbar that is too high will probably give your car a sloping profile, making it less aerodynamic and therefore slower. The profile can also unbalance the weight of the rack on the vehicle.
Final Thought: Are Hitch Bike Racks Safe?
Hitch bike racks have their fair share of safety issues; that is irrefutable. Nevertheless, there is no question that they are sturdier than most and will not damage your car. So they are generally safer than most.
