How to Put a Bike Rack on a Car

Beginner 5 min 17 steps 7145 views Rating: 4.5/5 Published: 2026-03-23

Choose a standard trunk-mounted rack to save space on top of your car.. Get a removable, compact trunk rack if you need to park in tight spaces.. Search the manufacturer's website to see if a certain brand will fit your vehicle.

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Steps

1

Choose a standard trunk-mounted rack to save space on top of your car.

Step 1

Choose a standard trunk-mounted rack to save space on top of your car.

2

Get a removable, compact trunk rack if you need to park in tight spaces.

Step 2

Get a removable, compact trunk rack if you need to park in tight spaces.

3

Search the manufacturer's website to see if a certain brand will fit your vehicl

Step 3

Search the manufacturer's website to see if a certain brand will fit your vehicle.

4

Unpack your rack and read the instructions.

Step 4

Unpack your rack and read the instructions.

5

Wrap the straps on your rack around the sides of your trunk.

Step 5

Wrap the straps on your rack around the sides of your trunk.

6

Lift your bike frame over the 2 hooks that stick out at an angle.

Step 6

Lift your bike frame over the 2 hooks that stick out at an angle.

7

Get a roof rack if you have cross bars on the top of your vehicle.

Step 7

Get a roof rack if you have cross bars on the top of your vehicle.

8

Measure the distance between cross bars to size your rack.

Step 8

Measure the distance between cross bars to size your rack.

9

Check a manufacturer's website to see if a roof rack fits your vehicle.

Step 9

Check a manufacturer's website to see if a roof rack fits your vehicle.

10

Read your rack's instructions to determine how it is assembled.

Step 10

Read your rack's instructions to determine how it is assembled.

11

Hook a roof-mounted rack across each of your cross bars.

Step 11

Hook a roof-mounted rack across each of your cross bars.

12

Mount a bike by lifting it and locking the wheels in place.

Step 12

Mount a bike by lifting it and locking the wheels in place.

13

Get a hitch-mounted rack if you drive a vehicle with a hitch.

Step 13

Get a hitch-mounted rack if you drive a vehicle with a hitch.

14

Determine whether a rack will fit your vehicle by checking with a manufacturer.

Step 14

Determine whether a rack will fit your vehicle by checking with a manufacturer.

15

Read the instruction manual to see if you need to assemble anything.

Step 15

Read the instruction manual to see if you need to assemble anything.

16

Screw a hitch-mounted rack on the bottom of your vehicle.

Step 16

Screw a hitch-mounted rack on the bottom of your vehicle.

17

Fold the rack down and place the bike in the wheel cradles.

Step 17

Fold the rack down and place the bike in the wheel cradles.

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