You’ve spent a lot of time and money to find the right gear for your outdoor excursions. You’ll want to ensure that equipment gets where it needs to go so you can spend less time worrying about gear and more time having fun. Car racks let you haul outdoor toys while freeing up room inside your vehicle. In this article, we’ll cover tips to narrow your choices when picking a car rack for your next big adventure.

Here are some things to be sure you know before choosing a car rack:

What do you need to carry? Do you need to carry bikes, stand up paddle boards and/or skis—and how many? Don’t forget to consider all the activities you’ll do throughout the year and plan accordingly. You could save money by choosing a more versatile system, especially if you add new gear over time.

What year, make and model of vehicle are you fitting? You’ll need to get a car rack that fits your specific vehicle, whether you have a sedan, SUV or pickup truck. The major car rack manufacturers have vehicle fit guides that will help you determine which racks will work for your specific situation.

How are your vehicles outfitted? Does your vehicle already come with roof crossbars or a receiver trailer hitch (if so, what size?) or will you need to get those installed as well?

Types of Car Racks

Below is a quick overview of your gear-hauling choices, followed by a more detailed look at car rack options based on the activity or activities you’re doing.

Hitch racks: Hitch-mounted bike racks slide into the receiver of a trailer hitch. A hitch receiver usually can be installed on a vehicle not originally equipped with one, but it’s an additional expense to consider.

Roof racks: These are the most versatile because you can customize accessories to transport just about any outdoor toy, including kayaks, surfboards, snowboards, bikes and cargo boxes. Roof racks are stable, keep gear out of the way and don’t block access to vehicle doors. But they're expensive and require lifting gear overhead, which may be difficult for some.

Cargo boxes, baskets, bags: Cargo boxes are hard-sided containers that mount to a roof rack and keep gear out of sight. They’re ideal for skis, snowboards and large amounts of gear (excluding bikes or boats). They hold loose, odd-size gear in an enclosed system, but they generate wind resistance and noise during travel.

Trunk racks: These racks fasten to trunks or hatches with a system of straps and hooks. They carry one to three bikes that rest on support arms. They’re easy to use, economical and lightweight. On the downside, they only transport bikes and limit access to the trunk. Also, bikes may sway or bump into each other during transport.

Truck racks: Truck racks involve internal rails or support bars that can be temporarily installed in a truck bed to anchor bikes in place. Racks are available to haul boats and cargo boxes.

Spare tire racks: These racks are lightweight, affordable options for vehicles with exterior spare tire racks.

Rack Style

Accommodates

Pros

Cons

Hitch Racks

($$-$$$$)

Bikes

Can be adapted to carry skis, snowboards, cargo holders

Simple installation

Easy to load and access bikes

Some models allow clear access to rear door

Good for frequent use

Advanced models can be expensive

Basic models interfere with access to trunk or rear cargo area

Bikes may sway

Roof Racks

($$-$$$$)

Bikes

Boats

Skis

Snowboards

Paddle boards

Surfboards

Cargo boxes

Most versatile system

More secure and stable

Unimpeded access to car doors, rear hatch or trunk

Some hoisting and reaching required

Wind resistance

May not fit in low-clearance spaces

Cargo Boxes

($$$-$$$$)

Skis

Snowboards

Loose gear

Enclosed

Lockable gear storage

Can hold wet or dirty items outside of vehicle interior

Keeps gear out of sight

Cost

Wind resistance

May not fit under low-clearance spaces

Trunk Racks

($-$$)

Bikes

Less expensive

Portable

Easy to load and access bikes

Can be used on multiple vehicles

Good for occasional use

Interferes with access to trunk or hatch

Bikes may sway and contact one another

Truck Racks

($$)

Bikes

Boats

Cargo boxes

Easy to load and access bikes

Can handle heavier loads

Can be attached to toolboxes

Bikes dominate storage capacity within truck bed

Spare-Tire Racks

($$)

Bikes

Can be adapted to carry skis, snowboards

Easy to load and access bikes

Provide clear access to trunk/rear door

Dependent on tire size

Can carry 2 bikes max

Bikes may sway

$ = Up to $120 $$ = $120-$200 $$$ = $200-$400 $$$$ = $400+

Car Racks for Bikes

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How to Choose Car Racks