Toyota RAV4 is a spitting image of reliability and practicality. Its roomy interior is filled with high-end materials and countless standard features. The cargo space is more than enough for storing the usual stuff. We recommend bike racks for Toyota RAV4.
However, there’s a ‘but.’ That is people who tend to do cycling often, have plenty of gear to transport. The gears won’t fit into the trunk of a RAV4. In this case, you have to rely on aftermarket bike racks. These bike racks are diverse and flexible in nature. They’re quite capable and they safely transport your bikes wherever you want to go.
With the right accessory, you can turn this compact SUV into an adventurous beast and say goodbye to all the hassles of transportation of your bikes. On top of that, the best bike rack for rav4 will provide you extra space on the interior for all the other supplies that you’ll need to explore.
Best Bike Racks for Toyota RAV4 – Quick Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | KEY FEATURES | price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Allen Sports Deluxe |
| |
 | Allen Sports Premier |
| |
 | IKURAM Hitch Rack |
| |
 | Hollywood Racks |
| |
 | Tyger Auto Bike Rack |
| |
 | KAC S4 Bike Rack |
| |
 | Thule Passage Rack |
| |
 | CyclingDeal Roof Rack |
|
Where to Start Looking to Buy a Toyota RAV4 Bike Rack?
Let’s assume you want to buy a bike rack that will fit perfectly with your Toyota RAV4. So, where do you start looking? More importantly, what should you look for? There’s no shortage of options when it comes to bike accessories. This works both as a blessing and a headache.
Since there’s a wide range of options available you can choose whichever product fits your RAV4 best. On the other hand, anomalies can cause a lot of confusion and discomfort. To save you from that trouble, I will review 5 awesome bike racks for your RAV4. These will make all of your bike tours memorable.
Before we start, I want to mention a couple of things first. It’s a fact that bike racks are designed in a subtle way to fit with almost any kind of vehicle let alone this RAV4.
The cars, however, don’t go by these rules… I mean they don’t have to. That’s why in some cases, the customers suddenly find out that their cars are not compatible with certain types of bike racks.
For example, the Honda Prius Prime is not compatible with trunk rack bike racks due to the unique design of the back. In the same way, you also can’t use all types rear door-fitting bike carrier with this Toyota RAV4. The reason is that the tailgate of the RAV4 isn’t something what would you call a strong one.
A Small Overview of My Best Picks
To give your SUV that extra bit of versatility, I have hand-picked top bike racks from three different categories that are more than capable of transporting your bikes safely.
The first one is the Hollywood Racks Destination Platform Style Bike Rack. It can carry up to 4 bikes and has a very good ground clearance. On a vehicle like RAV4, ground clearance is crucial. This SUV has a very low suspension.
Then we have Tyger Auto TG-RK4B848B, a robust hitch platform-style rack capable of carrying 4 bikes as well. It’s well-built and fairly easy to assemble. Packed with useful features it is also compatible with a wide range of bikes.
After that, we’ll talk about a hanging hitch rack, the KAC S4. It has a solid build and high quality. Goes perfectly with an SUV it features 2 arms with 8 rubber straps to securely carry a wide range of bicycles including road bikes, mountain bikes, and gravel bikes.
Next, we’ll take a look at Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier. It’s a very convenient and easy-to-use. It’s compact, versatile, and does a wonderful job when it comes to keeping the bikes safe and secure.
The last one is a rooftop rack from CyclingDeal. This one is reliable and excels in the area of compatibility and versatility. Build wise, it’s solid and robust. Designed to carry two bikes at a time, it can carry a maximum of 66 pounds of weight.
With that being said, let’s drive straight into the first product on the list and find out all the details.
Getting into Detailed Top 5 Toyota RAV4 Bike Racks!
50 – 60 words on a bike rack hardly tell you anything, I know. That’s why I want to take things further. I’ll be getting into detailed bike rack reviews just to help you guys make an informed decision. Let’s get into things.
1. Hollywood Racks Destination 4 Bikes Platform Hitch Rack for RAV4
- Material: Alloy Steel, Plastic
- Hitch Receiver: 2″
- Item Weight: 42 lbs
- Bike Capacity: 4
- Load Capacity: 140 lbs
- Brand: Hollywood Racks
If you want to take your whole family with you on your next adventure, this is the one. It rocks when it comes to carrying more than two bikes at a time. This makes this a perfect bike rack for the whole family. Capable of carrying 4 bikes to be exact, this is one rugged rack that is durable and versatile as well.
Hollywood Racks Destination has no shortage of features…useful-pragmatic features I should say. You’ll find no problem maneuvering it and it surprisingly weighs less than a normal platform bike rack. It has padded frame holders (love it), and ratcheting wheel straps as well.
But that’s not it. The rack has an effective locking mechanism and anti-rattle hitch pin. This feature keeps the rack from rattling around inside the receiver.
Now, let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?
Starting with the padded rotating holders, their only job is to keep your bikes safe and secure no matter what. Besides, they can rotate all around their axis and also up and down the center mast independently. This cool feature provides the rack a certain amount of much-needed flexibility.
How so? Well, by moving independently they can house a wide range of bikes having different shapes and sizes. The manufacturers have also added padded ratcheting straps to these frame holders. They firmly hold your bikes and keep them safe.
Compatibility is certainly not an issue with Hollywood Racks Destination. Are you a proud owner of those bikes with massive tires? Your days of worrying will soon be over if you install this rack. The wheel holders of this platform bike rack can accommodate bikes with a wheelbase up to 48”.
In addition, the ratcheting wheel straps secure the wheels to the bike trays. Yes, these traps are also padded if you’re wondering and you can adjust them easily along with the tray to your liking.
Wobbling is thought to be inevitable when it comes to transporting bikes. Well, now you can say goodbye to that with this rack. The ratchet wheel holders reduce the slipping and movement of your bikes by a huge margin when you’re on the road.
Does it fold? Absolutely. Simply fold it up against the back of your vehicle when you’re not using it. Just unscrew the knob and pull it out to lift the whole structure. Once you’ve lifted it, re-insert the knob and tighten it to the rack. You’re done.
But what about installing the rack? Is it difficult? The answer is, not at all. For your convenience, they have added an anti-rattle hitch pin that comes with the package. You’ll need this to install the rack. First, slide the shank into the receiver and then insert the hitch pin.
After that, tighten it down with the included tool. That’s basically it! The pin has a very important purpose here. It works as an anti-wobble device that minimizes sway and any sort of rattle in the receiver. The rack also comes with a hitch lock. Use this to secure the hitch to your SUV and prevent theft.
Hollywood Racks Destination is simply an awesome bike rack for Toyota RAV4
I had to try very hard to find an issue with it and I couldn’t. It can carry weights, supports a wide range of bikes, keeps the bikes secure and safe, and doesn’t affect the driving experience. Without a doubt, this has got to be one of the best bike racks out there for RAV4
2. Tyger Auto TG-RK4B848B 4-Bike Platform Rack for Toyota RAV4
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Hitch Receiver: 2″
- Item Weight: 49.9 lbs
- Bike Capacity: 4
- Load Capacity: 132 lbs
- Brand: Tyger Auto
This one is also a platform-style rack that can carry 4 bikes at a time. A bike tour with everyone in the family is not a thing of wonder anymore. Despite a slight wobble on the hitch which you solve with a second pin, there’s really nothing wrong with this rack as you shall see.
Escape somewhere far with your loved ones with the Tyger Auto TG-RK4B848B and Toyota RAV4. Compatible with a wide range of dual-arm bikes, it is very capable I must say. It doesn’t take much time to install just like the Hollywood Racks Destination and is quite flexible too.
Right off the bat, this is a trusty bike carrier. As long as your RAV4 is equipped with either a 1.25″ or 2″ hitch receiver you can use this with no problem. It’s made from a heavy-duty 2.5-inch marine-grade stainless steel tubing frame. Sounds badass, right?
To make the rack more durable, the manufacturer used a mirror-polished finish for rust resistance. If you examine the structure closely you would automatically admire the welding job. It seems totally seamless.
Let’s talk about its weight capacity. The Tyger Auto Deluxe can haul 4 bikes up to 33 pounds each. This is the standard for most of the top-tier racks. With this weight capacity, you should be able to carry all 4 of your bikes safely. But do look out for those electronic bikes. They can weigh up to 50 pounds each.
Moving on to security, this rack comes with a free hitch keylock. It is designed to stop thieves from stealing your bikes. Lock it properly and it’ll keep your hitch and the receiver together. Unless the lock is off nobody will be able to un-hitch the rack.
To keep your bikes in place, there are 3 strap-down points per bike. They’ll keep your bikes safely in place. Besides, there’s a long belt strap that securely holds the entire payload and protects your bikes from any kind of scratches.
For increased accessibility, Tyger Auto has made the rack tiltable. You can adjust it too if you please. In times of emergency, you can simply tilt the rack downwards and access your trunk and bikes. If you just need to access the trunk, you don’t have to unmount your bikes. That’s very convenient and useful as well.
But what about the folding feature? Don’t worry, the rack is also collapsible and foldable. When you’re not transporting your bikes and you don’t want to detach them right away, simply fold the vertical bar against your car. It’s compact and saves storage space a lot.
Tyger Auto normally doesn’t disappoint when it comes to producing good-quality bike racks. The TG-RK4B848B is no exception either. It’s a rugged platform-style rack that is made to last if taken care of properly. Most importantly, it keeps the bikes safe and secures all the way to your destination.
3. KAC S4 2” Hitch Mounted Rack for Toyota RAV4
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Hitch Receiver: 2″
- Item Weight: 35.65 lbs
- Bike Capacity: 4
- Load Capacity: 132 lbs
- Brand: KAC
Let’s talk about a hanging hitch rack. KAC S4 is an awesome bike rack for RAV4 that is capable of pulling 4 bikes at a time. Another great option for the family plan, this one has all the cool features that a premium bike rack should have.
Based in the heart of Ozark mountains, they are surrounded by a number of pristine mountain biking ranges in the USA. Naturally, they are fueled by their passion for biking. That passion is molded into making quality bike racks since they understand the customers and their needs more clearly.
KAC S4 hitch mounted rack can compete for almost neck in neck with any top-tier bike rack out there. It’s extremely durable, widely compatible, and packed with several cool features like an anti-wobble system, locking hitch pin, and rear reflectors.
Let’s start with the build as usual. Made from durable powder-coated steel, the KAC S4 is built to last. The structure felt strong and rugged. What impressed me the most is the built-in anti-wobble technology. It keeps the rack superbly steady while driving.
In other words, it eliminates any kind of movement between the receiver and the rack. Hence, you won’t feel any sway at all.
The testament of its ruggedness becomes visible when you look at its weight capacity. The KAC S4 Hitch Mounted Rack can carry a maximum of 132 pounds of weight. That’s 33 pounds for each bike.
It falls somehow short after Hollywood Racks Destination and Tyger Auto TG-RK4B848b in terms of weight capacity. But still, that number is good enough for most customers.
Installing this rack is easy. Just follow the instruction that comes with the product and you can’t go wrong. Designed to fit all 2” hitch receivers, KAC S4’s dual arms can accommodate a wide range of bikes and vehicles.
There’s a tiny issue though and that is, you might need to purchase a bike frame adapter separately for suspension, women’s, or kid’s bikes.
Moving on to the safety features, this bike rack has plenty. There are rear reflectors that add enhanced visibility at night. It’s always nice to have this kind of feature. Besides that, to keep your bikes’ integrity intact use the safety strap during transit. It will keep your bikes safe and secure.
KAC S4 also comes with a quick-release Smart Tilt feature. It allows the whole structure to be dropped away from the SUV. Therefore, you can get hassle-free trunk and rear cargo access in times of need. Thanks to the dual lever, you can tilt the rack either with arms extended or folded flat.
In addition, the rack can be folded flat behind the vehicle. If you’re not using it to transport your vehicles, simply fold it up and save space. This compact design comes in handy for garage parking. Also, if you don’t feel like removing the rack right after you return from a trip, this feature is always there.
In simple words, KAC S4 is incredible. The manufacturers somehow managed to imprint the spirit of biking into their products. That’s exactly why their racks are so good at taking care of your bikes when you’re on the road with Toyota RAV4.
4. Thule Passage Trunk Mount Bike Carrier For RAV4
- Material: Steel, Vinyl-coated
- Dimensions: 22″ x 17″ x 34″
- Item Weight: 9.7 lbs
- Bike Capacity: 2
- Load Capacity: 70 lbs
- Brand: Thule
So far we’ve encountered two platform-style racks and one hanging rack. Here, we’ll take a look at a trunk mount carrier from Thule Passage. You already have a pretty clear idea of how hitch-mounted platform and hanging racks work. Since, this is different in kind, I’ll briefly discuss about how it works.
How Does Trunk Mount Carrier Work?
Trunk mounted carrier follows a simple principle. It works by creating tension against the surface of the vehicle. To hold the rack in place, it needs support straps. These support straps are anchored down on different points of the vehicle.
The strength of the hold will increase if there are more straps. But to some people, it can cause irritation for the installation will take more time. Of course, fewer straps will reduce the installation time by a huge margin but you shouldn’t take that risk.
Yes, they work on many different kinds of vehicles. Most of the trunk mount racks can adjust so they can adapt to fit a wide range of vehicles. With that said, let’s move on to finding the details of the Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier.
Back to the Product
What separates the Thule Passage from other trunk mount bike racks is its dedicated built-in anti-sway system and padded arms. These two features alone keep your bikes safe and secure from any damage if your journeys take you down on rough terrains.
There are two available models of the Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier. One can carry two and the other three bikes at a time on the trunk of your RAV4. The build is solid and made from high-quality vinyl-coated steel. Thanks to the patented FitDial Hub adjustment system, it can fit perfectly into your RAV4’s exterior.
The maximum weight capacity per bike is 35 pounds. This is more than what KAC S4 2” Hitch Mounted Rack can carry (30 pounds).The 911XT model, however, can haul 3 bikes. So, if you want to carry heavier bikes along with standard ones, it can do the job just fine.
Thule Passage is compatible with a wide range of bikes due to its narrow cradle arms. These brilliantly designed arms can also hold smaller child bikes. Most of the hanging hitch bike racks suffer in this area. Although the problem can be solved by purchasing a bike frame adapter.
Installing it is also very simple. Once the optimal fit position is confirmed, the rack will be locked in place. To do this, simply turn the wing adjustment knobs. Carrier arms can also be installed instantly using the one-button connection feature.
This feature also makes the removal of the rack quite fast. To park the SUV with the rack is attached, first move the arms to the side and then down.
As I mentioned earlier, this bike has a pretty impressive no-sway cage feature. It prevents bike-to-bike contact during transit. It extends below each of the rubberized cradles and supports your bike frame and attaches to the carrier arms.
Is it safe? Absolutely. The six-strap system firmly holds the rack to your vehicle. But what about the bikes’ safety? Well, the soft rubber cradles protect bike frames while holding them securely in place.
Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier is simply amazing. It is designed to perform no matter what the condition is. If the road gets rough, it still protects your bikes with all its might. With a solid build and numerous ingenious features, this is certainly a bike rack that you can trust for your Toyota RAV4.
5. CyclingDeal Alloy Toyota RAV4 Roof Bike Rack
- Material: Aluminum, Metal
- Dimensions: 50.79″ x 7.09″ x 13.39″
- Item Weight: 12.3 lbs
- Bike Capacity: 2
- Load Capacity: 66 lbs
- Brand: CyclingDeal
We will end this best bike racks for RAV4 article with a rooftop rack. For that, I’ve picked CyclingDeal Alloy Roof Bike Rack. If you’re thinking of trying something new or don’t want to install a hitch on the back of your car, you can definitely check this out.
For someone who’s looking to purchase a roof-based bike carrying system, CyclingDeal Bike Rack can be a nice option. Installing it is easy which literally requires no tool. It’s widely compatible and pretty robust too.
To make the lives of cyclists and bikers better, the manufacturers have brought some changes to this new upgraded model. It comes with a foldable arm design, adjustable down tube clamps, 2 x brake tire straps, and quality wheel tie-down straps for secure mounting.
They’ve built it with the finest 6063 Aluminum with 12.3 pounds’ light product weight. In that way, the rack stays both strong and lightweight at the same time. This basic material composition adds up to its flexibility and ease of use. The rack also has a quality finish that will keep it rust-free for a long time.
CyclingDeal Roof Bike Rack proudly fits most of the bikes. It can carry two bikes up to 66 pounds. Planning to carry your kid’s bike? No problem at all. You won’t even need any frame adapter to fit them. This bike carrier can fit from 20” kids bikes to 29” adult ones that including 700C bikes.
But that’s not the end of the story. The frame down tube clamps strap is highly adjustable. You can rotate this clamp strap 360 degrees and the maximum down-tube diameter is 10cm/4”. All of these, make it even more compatible with a wide range of bikes.
I wasn’t bluffing when I said you don’t need any tools to install this on your car. The genuine tool-free universal mounting makes it super easy to install on the car roof crossbars. To install it, all you have to do is clamp the metal brackets on the crossbars. And you’re done.
Mounting the bikes is also pretty easy. There’s this adjustable one-hand operation wheel strap that enables you to load the bike on your own. You won’t need any help. Just follow the instruction manual carefully and you’ll be totally fine.
These wheel straps also play an important role in protecting your bikes. So, use them properly to get the best out of this bike carrier.
Long story short, this is a robust-capable bike rack for Toyota RAV4. Its compatibility and versatility are unquestionable. Built to withstand tough weather conditions, this has a lot of fight in it. If you keep your driving speed in check, you shouldn’t have any problem with this one.
Is Rooftop Bike Rack Safe? How Fast Can You Go with One Installed?
For starters, a rooftop bike rack is extremely easy to install and fits most aero and square crossbars. They’re surprisingly lightweight even though most of the time they are made of strong aluminum. And yes, they’re safer than you think.
As for the speed limit, you shouldn’t drive faster than 75 miles per hour with bikes attached to your roof rack. They cause a significant amount of air resistance if you drive faster than you should. Also, if there’s strong wind or rain you could experience a slightly unstable driving experience.
Wrapping it Up
Toyota RAV4 has no shortage of storage capacity. However, people who lead a more active lifestyle will find it hard to store all of their sporting gears in this SUV. I mean, it’s totally understandable but that shouldn’t diminish your spirit of outdoor adventure.
For cyclists, this problem can be solved with a good bike rack. Always remember, a good bike rack can become more than just an accessory. It can become a trusted companion of yours which takes care of your precious bikes.
I get it that finding the best bike rack for RAV4 can become a bit of a chore since there’s no shortage of options. They can confuse you, they can exhaust you but don’t let the anomalies get to you. Choose only the one that goes perfectly with your RAV4 and bikes. Don’t make any compromises.
Top-pick bike rack according to car model:
