Best list of bike racks for trailer hitches
If you want to transport e-bikes in your car, you will hardly be able to avoid using a bike rack for the trailer hitch. Velomotion has tried out seven models and provides information on what you should generally consider when buying one.
E-bike and car? There aren't too many options if you want to transport one with the other. Only those who own a bus (just load it up) or drive a pickup truck (put it on the loading area and let the fork hang casually over the back) don't have to worry about carrier systems. For everyone else, it's a question of roof rack, tailgate carrier or hitch carrier?
The first two options are not really an option for e-bikers. With a roof rack, there is simply the problem of getting the e-bike up there - even if the roof load of the vehicle used is large enough (usually 75 to 100 kilos), the whole thing will fail due to loading. With e-bikes, you also have to take into account the dynamic load caused by the high weight; increased fuel consumption, susceptibility to crosswinds and moisture damage to the bike are also arguments against roof transport.
The situation is no better with the tailgate. Carriers that are tailored to this position must be installed very carefully so that the vehicle is not damaged. The maximum load is usually limited to 45 kilos; consumption can increase dramatically, especially at higher speeds. In order to open the tailgate, the bicycles or e-bikes must first be removed.
Prerequisite: the trailer coupling
So that leaves the hitch carrier. The prerequisite for using it is of course a trailer hitch, the retrofitting of which can cost up to 1.000 euros. Once that is done, a carrier must be purchased for a few hundred euros; then everything is very simple. Most carriers can now be easily and safely mounted on the ball head of the hitch; thanks to the low loading height, even putting an e-bike on is no problem - and if it is too heavy, there are rails to lift it up.
However, there are a few things to consider: One important factor is the support load of the coupling, which can be as much as 60 kilos for smaller vehicles, and is usually between 75 and 100 kilos for larger vehicles. The weight of the carrier and load must of course not be higher than the support load. The weight of the coupling carrier is also relevant for installation - there are models that are so heavy that you cannot get them onto the coupling on your own.
What is the maximum load capacity of bike racks?
In our test series of bike racks for the trailer hitch, all models designed for two (e-)bikes had a maximum load of 60kg.
How small can a bike rack be folded up?
When it comes to handling, other properties are also relevant. One important factor is the folding size, which should of course be as small as possible if the carrier is stored in the basement or garage. The smallest folding size in our test was the Bad i21 with dimensions 20 x 60 x 70 cm.
The design and quality of the clamps and straps are also important - you don't want to clamp carbon frames too tightly, and you don't want to scratch the paint on the bike. Mountain bikers in particular should also make sure that the rails are wide and long enough; these must be designed for wide tires and a long wheelbase.
This is how we tested the bike rear carriers
We knew from the start that it would not be easy to adequately test seven rear bike carriers. After all, as an editor, we want to meet the expectations of our readers with a practical test. In addition, the combination of different bike types - from gravel bikes to low-step e-bikes - behaves differently on each rear carrier and the variance seems almost limitless.
For this reason, we decided to go with a team effort. All of the editors involved have already gained experience with various rear carriers - privately or "professionally" - and therefore have different expectations when testing. Each carrier was evaluated by several editors, from unpacking to pre-assembly to mounting on the vehicle and loading with (e-)bikes. In order to keep the general conditions the same, we always mounted the seven carriers on the same vehicle.
For the test vehicle, we deliberately chose a Kia EV6 decided. It was not just the sporty, modern design or the technical data that were decisive, but rather the fact that e-bikes, for example, can be charged on the electric KIA EV6 using an adapter on the charging socket. Sounds simple and logical, after all, you always have a 77,4 kWh battery in the vehicle. But this useful application is not quite so common, as the surprise on the faces of many editors proves.
The technical data of the KIA EV6 test car:
- Engine type: Purely electric, all-wheel drive
- Power: 325 PS (239 kW)
- Battery capacity: 77,4 kWh, 800 V technology
- Fast charging: From 10 to 80% in about 18 minutes
- Maximum towing capacity: 1.600 kg
Thule, Uebler or Westfalia – which bike rack for the tow bar is the best?
Whether price, weight, handling or design: Velomotion has compiled all the relevant facts for seven different towbar carriers. Of course, we also assembled them to give a realistic impression of the functionality of each carrier. Here is our list of the best bike carriers for towbars:
