The slightly modulated box design of the Jeep Wrangler makes it easy to mount and secure bike racks for Jeep Wrangler; this means you can mount Jeep bike racks such as hitch Jeep bike racks, Jeep roof bike racks, and Jeep Wrangler spare tire Bike Racks/ Jeep Tailgate bike pads.
One of the best bike racks for Jeep Wrangler that we recommend is the MaxxHaul Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack the best two bike rack for Jeep Wrangler, as long as your Jeep Wrangler has a fitted Jeep hitch receiver, which is held on your Jeep Frame or bumper as is the most solid mounting points compared to the roof, truck, and tailgate mounting options. If you have an e-bike, the best mounting points are still the hitch receivers. We would recommend trying out the Thule EasyFold XT 2 as it is one of the best Jeep e-bike racks because it has a higher loading capacity than the MaxxHaul Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack and features a foldable loading ramp to load your e-bikes.
A wide range of the best Jeep bike racks are available in the market, so we took it our mission to test more than 65 bike carriers for Jeep Wrangler. However, we found the MaxxHaul Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack to be the best two bike rack for Jeep Wrangler, and the Thule EasyFold XT 2 as it is one of the best Jeep e-bike racks; there are other designs of bike carriers for Jeep Wrangler that you can choose from depending on your bike weight and design, Jeep Wrangler customization and also you might choose a different design of a bike rack to make way for your Overlanding and Jeep off-roading recovery gears mounted on your Jeep Wrangler.
Summary of the Best Jeep Bike Racks For Jeep Wrangler
Best Budget Hitch bike rack for Jeep Wrangler
Best Heavy-Duty hitch bike carrier for Jeep Wrangler
Best Versatile Jeep Wrangler Bike Rack
Best Jeep Wrangler Rooftop Bike Rack
Best Jeep Wrangler Rooftop Bike Rack For Heavy Bikes.
Best Jeep Wrangler Spare Tire Bike Rack
What Kind of Bike Rack for a Jeep Wrangler?
As we said, factors such as your bike weight and design, Jeep Wrangler customization, Overlanding, and recovery gear mounted on your Jeep Wrangler will determine which bicycle rack design for your Jeep is right for you.
Hitch Bike Rack for Jeep Wrangler
Some Jeep Wrangler models have a 2-inch class 2 receiver hitch, while some Jeep Wrangler models don’t come standard with hitches. Still, you can always purchase a Jeep hitch to be mounted on the Jeep frame of your YJ & TJ or the rearmost crossbar under the bumper of your Jeep Wrangler JK, which are one of the solid bike rack mounting points that you can use to mount your hitch bike racks for Jeep Wrangler.
We inquired how much it would cost to install the most common tow classes of Jeep hitches, and the costs start around $300, the highest reaching $800; if you own a heavy bike such as an e-bike, Mountain or full-suspension bike, we would highly recommend purchasing a Hitch bike rack for Jeep Wrangler since the hitch racks can often carry as heavy as 60 pounds. In contrast, truck and tailgate bike racks are only built to hold bikes weighing up to 35 pounds.
With a Jeep hitch installed, you can consider the MaxxHaul Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack the best 2-bike rack for Jeep Wrangler. We found them to be easy to load and unload compared to other forms of Jeep Wrangler bike racks, such as roof-mounted bike racks, trunk bike racks, tailgate bike racks and trunk bike racks; they are inexpensive to install.
Best Budget Hitch bike rack for Jeep Wrangler
We recommend the MaxxHaul Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack to Jeepers looking for a budget-friendly bike carrier for Jeep Wrangler that is sturdy and will fit in your Jeep Wrangler 2-inch receiver or -1/4-inch receiver.
Being a budget-friendly Hitch bike rack for Jeep Wrangler, the MaxxHaul Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack includes straps that you can use to lock and secure your bikes to protect them from unnecessary movement when transporting bikes mounted on your Jeep Wrangler while driving offroad.
For Jeepers with heavy bikes such as e-bikes, we recommend the Thule EasyFold XT 2 Jeep Wrangler bike rack that can protect your e-bikes from the vibration of rough roads and also be able to support two bikes, each weighing up to 65 pounds, making the Thule EasyFold XT 2 one of the heavy-duty bike carriers for Jeep Wrangler.
Best Heavy-Duty hitch bike carrier for Jeep Wrangler
When mounting a heavy bike on your lifted Jeep Wrangler, a hitch bike rack with a foldable ramp and a higher load capacity is a bonus accessory, and this is why we had to include the Thule EasyFold XT 2 as one of the best heavy-duty Jeep Wrangler bike racks as it includes a foldable ramp that comes in handy when mounting heavy bikes of up to 130lb Load Capacity on your high ground clearance lifted Jeep Wrangler 2″ and 1, 1/4″ receivers.
One of the significant downsides that we found with most Hitch bike racks for Jeep Wranglers, including the Thule EasyFold XT 2 and the MaxxHaul Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack, is that when installed, they block access to the trunk of your Jeep Wrangler by blocking the tailgate of your Jeep, we found this to be very annoying especially if you have other Jeep accessories that you would like to store on your Jeep Wrangler trunk.
However, we found out modern Jeep itch racks such as the Yakima FullSwing Swing-Away Hitch mounted bike rack allow you to access the trunk of your Jeep by enabling you to open the tailgate of your Jeep Wrangler by swinging aside the hitch rack even when loaded for easier access of the Jeep trunk.
Best Versatile Jeep Wrangler Bike Rack
We highly recommend the Yakima FullSwing Swing-Away Hitch-mounted bike rack to Jeepers who own an off-roading Jeep Wrangler or an Overlanding Jeep Wrangler who would need access to the gears they have stored on their Jeep Wrangler trunk.
What we loved about the Yakima FullSwing Swing-Away Hitch mounted bike rack is the fact that the Jeep bike rack doesn’t have any contact with your Jeep frame, rear bumper, and body, meaning that you will not risk damaging the body of your Jeep or paint when off-roading in your favorite offroad roads.
The Yakima FullSwing Swing-Away Hitch mounted bike rack is an upgrade to the Swing Daddy rack. This model features improved designs and installation processes, and the bike rack can carry up to four bikes. Ladies due to the design of women’s cycles. You will have to purchase a top tube adapter to mount women’s bikes with step-thru frames; we used the Retrospec Bike Rack Cross-Bar Top Tube Adjustable Adapter, which we loved due to the ability to scale different women bike sizes with frame openings of 18” to 28” on the Yakima FullSwing Swing-Away Hitch mounted bike rack.
Best Bike Rack Cross-Bar Top Tube Adjustable Adapter
Overall, we recommend a Hitch bike rack for Jeep Wrangler if you own a heavy bike such as an e-bike, or you would like bike carriers for Jeeps that can hold multiple bikes and bike rack accessories such as loading ramps and security accessories that will add up to the weight of the bike rack load.
Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler Bike Carriers
If you have a hardtop Jeep Wrangler with no roof rack or a rooftop camper, you can consider purchasing Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike carriers. Most Jeepers prefer hauling equipment such as boats, trailers, and campers on their Jeeps; while the hitch is occupied and you still have bikes, you can consider Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike carriers.
Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike carriers are built to be sturdy and can endure high wind speeds; they are also more secure than hitch-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike racks because of the height of access required to access the bikes mounted on a Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike carriers.
To mount Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike carriers, we have first to install a crossbar mount that will allow us to install Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike carriers; we used the Snailfly Max 330lbs Load Capacity Crossbars that is sturdy enough to hold bigger bikes and multiple bikes bike racks on the rood of our Jeep Wrangler without having to worry about the load capacity of the Snailfly Max 330lbs Load Capacity Crossbars.
Best Jeep Wrangler Bike Rack Crossbars
After installing the Snailfly Max 330lbs Load Capacity Crossbars, we started installing them. Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike carriers: One of the roof-mounted bike racks for Jeeps that stood out was the YAKIMA HighRoad Rooftop Racks. that is easy to install on your Jeep cross bars, adjustable, allowing easy access and also prevent scratching on your bikes because the YAKIMA HighRoad Rooftop Racks is a no frame contact Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike carrier.
Best Jeep Wrangler Rooftop Bike Rack
We recommend the YAKIMA HighRoad Rooftop rack if you have a single bike that you need mounted on your Jeep Wrangler because they are sturdy and able to endure high winds when transporting bikes with our Jeep Wrangler; when it comes to the medium security locking cable, we can’t complain the height of the lifted Jeep Wrangler and the height of the YAKIMA HighRoad Rooftop rack helps deter thieves from accessing your bike.
We also installed and tested the Thule ProRide XT Rooftop Bike Rack on the roof of our Jeep Wrangler that was fitted with Snailfly Max 330lbs Load Capacity Crossbars.
Best Jeep Wrangler Rooftop Bike Rack For Heavy Bikes.
We recommend the Thule ProRide XT Rooftop Bike Rack because of its easy installation processes and unique design with a no-tool interface. If you have a heavy bike, the Thule ProRide XT Rooftop Bike Rack comes with soft claw feet that distribute the bike’s weight on your Jeep roof to make your Jeep roof bike mount even more stable.
When we installed the two Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike carriers (YAKIMA HighRoad Rooftop Racks and the Thule ProRide XT Rooftop Bike Rack)on a hardtop Jeep Wrangler, they shared two issues that popped up immediately during the installation, loading process, and transportation process,
The first one is that the height of a lifted Jeep Wrangler makes it tricky to load and unload your bikes on a Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike carrier and can cause scratches and dents. Also, the Roof-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike carrier position will affect your Jeep handling, especially at high speeds.
Jeep Wrangler Spare Tire Bike Rack
For Jeep Wrangler owners who would like to mount their bikes on the rear of their Jeep Wranglers, they cannot use trunk bike racks because of the presence of the spare tire on the majority of Jeep Wranglers; instead, they can opt for a Jeep Wrangler Spare Tire Bike Racks also known as tailgate bike racks that can be mounted to the spare tire mounting bracket.
We installed the BUNKER INDUST 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack, and to be honest, we love this type of mounting option compared to the hitch rack if you are mounting lighter bikes (such as kids bikes) because it allows you to open your Jeep Wrangler tailgate, unlike fixed Jeep Wrangler bike racks.
Best Jeep Wrangler Spare Tire Bike Rack
If you would like to store Overlanding, off-roading, and recovery gear on the trunk of your Jeep and have lighter bikes of up to 75lbs, we would recommend considering the BUNKER INDUST 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack that doesn’t cost as much as the Thule EasyFold XT 2 which is a hitch mounted Jeep Wrangler bike rack, the benefit of the BUNKER INDUST 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack is that it allows you to have access to your Overlanding, off-roading, and recovery gear stored in the truck of your Jeep even with bikes mounted on the BUNKER INDUST 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack.
The BUNKER INDUST 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack latches on the spare tire of your Jeep Wrangler and can be secured using a ratchet if you are experiencing rattling sounds that can cause damage to your bike rack and your Jeep spare tire or spare tire mounting brackets.
We only recommend mounting a maximum of two light bikes on the spare tire of your Jeep spare tire mounting brackets; the spare tire mounting brackets are made to hold your spare tire, and adding other accessories, such as a Jeep Wrangler Spare Tire Bike Rack can cause stress and even damage the spare tire mounting brackets and the tailgate of your Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Wrangler spare tire mounting brackets are designed to carry a maximum of 50lbs.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Can I put a bike rack on a Jeep Wrangler?
Yes, you can install bike racks on your Jeep Wrangler; we highly recommend hitch-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike racks that offer maximum stability and hold much heavier bikes than roof-mounted and tailgate bike racks.
How do you carry a bike on a Jeep Wrangler?
You can carry a bike on your Jeep Wrangler by purchasing a bike rack; one of the safest ways to mount your bike on a Jeep Wrangler is by using a hitch-mounted Jeep Wrangler bike rack.
Can Jeep Wrangler Bike Racks get Stolen?
Yes, Jeep Wrangler bike racks can be stolen; we highly recommend investing in a bike rack locking mechanism that will prevent your Jeep Wrangler bike rack and bikes mounted on the racks from being stolen. Some Jeep Wrangler bike racks include a lock, and most Jeep Wrangler racks we tested require a locking mechanism separately.
Final Thoughts.
There are so many types of Jeep Wrangler bike racks available in the market today; some of the popular Jeep Wrangler bike racks include hitch racks, roof racks, and Jeep Wrangler Spare Tire Bike Racks, also known as tailgate racks. Finding the right one for you depends on the type of bike you will need to transport with your Jeep, accessibility, accessories availability, budget, and if you have other Overlanding, Camping, off-roading, and recovery equipment mounted on your Jeep Wrangler that might influence you bike mounting options.
If you want a budget-friendly Jeep Wrangler bike mount, we recommend the MaxxHaul Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack, a hitch-mounted Jeep bike rack. The disadvantage of the MaxxHaul Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack is the inability to access the trunk of your Jeep; however, other options, such as the Yakima FullSwing Swing-Away Hitch-mounted bike rack, offer more accessible access to your Jeep Wrangler trunk, the most expensive Jeep Wrangler bike racks on our list.
We highly recommend securing your bikes with a locking mechanism that will prevent theft of your bikes mounted on your Jeeps, so we highly recommend investing in a quality lock for whatever Jeep Wrangler bike rack you purchase.
About the Author: James Ndungu
James Ndungu is a seasoned automotive professional with a deep passion for Jeeps. With 40 years of experience in owning, testing, and reviewing various Jeep models, James has gained extensive first-hand knowledge and expertise. He shares his insights, tips, and advice through his engaging writing, helping fellow Jeep enthusiasts navigate the exciting world of Jeeps.
Last update on 2024-11-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
