Best Bike Racks For Toyota RAV4

You have bicycles and a Toyota RAV4 in the garage, but you don’t know you can carry your bikes on the RAV4 with bike racks on a road trip and enjoy cycling time while driving out across the country. Consequently, we recommend some compatible bike racks for your Toyota RAV4.

As we know, car bike racks are not universal, so you better consult the local auto dealer or the rack manufacturer to check compatibility before putting one in the shopping cart. We have done the work for you, and you can find compatible bike carriers for your RAV4 without further research and learning.

You can find three styles of bike racks: roof-mounted, hitch-mounted, and trunk-mounted. If you want to know their differences, advantages, and drawbacks, you can follow this article to find more information about the detail of the three types of bike carriers.

If you consider using rooftop bike racks to carry bicycles on your RAV4, you should know that roof-mounted bike racks mount on roof racks; thus, you must have compatible roof bars for using roof-mounted bike carriers.

Start From Roof-Mounted Bike Racks:

When you decide to use roof-mounted bike racks, you should first check what type of roof your RAV4 has and choose compatible rooftop crossbars; thus, we choose three sets of items to fit three types of car roofs you may see on your Toyota RAV4.

Roofs with factory roof rails:

If you find a pair of factory-installed roof rails that run from front to back on your Toyota RAV4, you can consider using the crossbars below to create a platform for roof-mounted cargo carriers, including rooftop bike racks.

Malone AirFlow2 Universal Cross Rail Roof Rack (50 inches)

It is a pair of aluminum roof bars that can hold up to 165 lbs of items, but you should always follow the RAV4’s roof loading limit. If you are new to this topic, you can follow another article to learn How Much Weight You Can Load On A Car Roof.

You can use 4 mounting towers to attach the bars on the roof rails and use integrated locks on the towers to lock the bars in position and prevent thefts when you are away from the car. It is super easy to use and install for most people, and its aerodynamic design cuts the airflow in motion to reduce wind noise and decrease waste of gas consumption.

It is suitable for Toyota RAV4 with factory-installed roof rails.

Roofs with Flush Rails

If your RAV4 has flush roof rails, you can use the roof racks below to build a platform for supporting roof-mounted cargo carriers like cargo boxes, baskets, bags, and bike racks.

Thule Wingbar EVO 53 inches is a perfect solution for Toyota RAV4 with flush roof rails, but you need to get two more accessories to connect the Thule roof bars to the roof rails.

Before adding a set of Thule Wingbar EVO crossbars to your Toyota RAV4, you should get the Thule Rapid Podium Foot Pack and the Thule Roof Rack System Fit Kit 3177 because these three items work together to hold up the entire cargo on your RAV4.

It is a combination of three different items, and you must get all these things to build a complete roof rack system for Toyota RAV4 with flush rails and fixed mounting points. As a result, if you don’t like any of these things, you should not take only one because they won’t work separately.

Toyota RAV4 with Naked Roofs or Bare Roofs

If you cannot find anything on your RAV4’s roof, it has a bare roof that requires a different rack system than the above examples. Thus, we recommend a set of items that can create a sturdy, waterproof, aerodynamic, and durable rack system for Toyota RAV4 with bare roofs.

You can use Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero 49-inch crossbars to hold cargo or support all the weight on the car roof. Rhino-Rack Vortex crossbars are aluminum-made roof bars that can hold up to 165 pounds of luggage, and their rounded shape makes them better aerodynamic roof racks that create less wind noise. You can find black and silver options to match the style of your RAV4.

You must add Rhino-Rack Legs and a set of Clamp Kits to the Vortex Aero 49-inch crossbars to make it possible to stand and lock on your RAV4’s roof frames. When choosing the Clamp Kits, you should consult the manufacturer about the compatibility and find the most suitable model for your vehicle.

After getting all these things for your Toyota RAV4, you can build a roof-mounted cargo system and carry bikes or other outdoor-needed luggage. If you want to carry luggage for a road trip, you should consider using hardshell cargo boxes because they are waterproof, durable, and easy to use.

These roof racks are for roof-mounted bike racks, so if you decide to use trunk-mounted or hitch-mounted bike carriers, you can ignore the above section and jump to the below section to pick one that fits your situation.

Quick-Pick List of 5 bike racks for your Toyota RAV4

Image	Product	Weight	Capacity	Mounting	Dimensions	Link
	Yakima FullBack Premium Bike Rack	22 Pounds	2 to 3 bikes	Trunk-mounted	3.94 x 0.79 x 3.94 inches	Check Price
	Thule 963PRO Spare Tire Bike Carrier	18 pounds	2 bikes up to 75 lbs of weight	Spare tire mounted	38.5 x 18.5 x 16 inches	Check Price
	Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Bike Rack	56 pounds	2 bikes up to 160 pounds	hitch-mounted	37 x 22 x 8 inches	Check Price
	CURT 18064 Trailer Hitch Bike Carrier	41 pounds	4 bikes up to 180 pounds	hitch-mounted	40 x 9 x 18 inches	Check Price
	Yakima FrontLoader Rooftop Bike Rack	18 pounds	1 bike up to 40 pounds	roof-mounted	56.5 x 8.5 x 10 inches	Check Price

Detail of 5 Bike Racks For Toyota RAV4

Yakima FullBack Premium Trunk Strap Bike Rack

It is a trunk-mounted bike carrier that you can use without roof racks or a hitch receiver, so it is a perfect solution for people who do not have enough money for expensive options. The Yakima FullBack Premium bike carrier can hold 2 or 3 bikes, and it has a folding design that allows you to fold it up when it is not on duty; additionally, you can store it in the trunk and use it when the time calls.

It weighs 23 pounds, so you can easily lift it for installation. A set of SKS locking systems protects your bikes from being stolen, and it is always a good idea to add extra locks on bike carriers. It has SuperCrush ZipStrip cradles on its two supporting arms, and you can use these cradles to lock bicycles and keep them in position. You can utilize more straps on most bike racks to enhance security and prevent bike swinging problems.

Okay, let’s ditch the robotic manual talk and chat about this bike rack like real people. You know how much it sucks trying to cram bikes onto your SUV without scratching the paint or wrestling with a million tools? What if you could just get going? Totally get it.

So, the Yakima FullBack 3 Premium holds 3 bikes, legit. Its bomber frame and cushy padding wrap around your rides and your SUV’s body, protecting them from those annoying scrapes and dings we all dread. Loading bikes? No big deal. Their special SuperCush ZipStrips cradle your wheels super gently, and the straps are fully removable so you can dial in the perfect, snug fit for whatever you’re hauling. Plus, you want security, right? It comes with a full SKS locking system. That means locking the rack to your vehicle and your bikes to the rack, giving thieves a serious grunt. Fits way more than just SUVs too – sedans, hatchbacks, minivans? Fair enough.

Okay, but what about when you aren’t hauling bikes? Ever had a rack take up your whole garage? This one folds down its arms and packs up surprisingly small, even though the frame itself only weighs 22 pounds. Pretty chill for storing in the corner or the back. It measures roughly 30 x 25 x 22 inches when set up, giving it space to handle a nice range of bike sizes without fuss. And hey, Yakima’s been doing this since 1979 – that’s seriously old school! They build stuff focusing on safety and making sense for your life on the road, not just specs. How’s that for peace of mind next time you hit the trails?

Thule Spare Me 2 Bike Spare Tire Bike Rack

It is an option that mounts on the spare tire and holds two bikes at the rear of your RAV4. It is an aluminum-made bike carrier, only 18 pounds, and its dimensions are 38.5 x 18.5 x 16 inches or 97.79 x 46.99 x 40.64 cm. You can use the measurement to know if you can store it in the trunk when it is not in use.

It has cradles and cages to secure bikes on the rack and prevent bike swaying problems, and it comes with two supporting arms, which are foldable; thus, when you don’t load bikes, you can fold the arms down to save space at the back of your RAV4.

Alright, let’s chat about this Thule rack without the boring manual talk. Totally get it – hauling bikes on your car can feel like a grunt, especially worrying about them wobbling or scratching. What if you could just hook ’em up solid and roll out? Sweet setup, right?

So, this Thule Spare Me 2 Carrier is built tough from aluminum and cleverly latches right onto your spare tire, whether it’s regular or oversized. No fancy mounting hardware needed! Its Stay-Put Cradles have these anti-sway cages – legit, they hug your bikes tight, stopping that annoying wobble dead in its tracks and protecting your frame from getting beat up. It holds two bikes no sweat, with a total load capacity of 75 pounds. That means your heavy downhill rigs or cruisers are totally fine. Pretty sweet, huh?

Now, security and storage? Big wins here. It comes with an integrated locking cable and a locking knob. So you can lock your precious bikes to the rack, and lock the whole rack securely onto your car – giving thieves a serious headache and giving you peace of mind when you pop into the cafe. And when you’re done riding? No problem, the arms fold down flat. Super easy to keep things tidy in the garage or trunk. Heads up though: if you’ve got a super funky frame shape (like step-throughs or full-suspension), you might need a Thule Frame Adapter to get the most secure fit. But honestly, for most bikes, it’s good to go straight out of the box. Ready to hit the road?

Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Hitch Bike Rack

It is a hitch-mounted bike rack that requires a 2-inch hitch receiver at the back of your RAV4. Hitch-mounted bike racks are perfect for loading heavy bikes like electric or fat bikes.

If your Toyota RAV4 has a 2-inch hitch receiver, you can consider using Hollywood Sport Rider to transport bikes on the roads. According to the manufacturer, you can put up to 160 lbs of weight on the rack, and each bicycle can be up to 80 lbs. However, if your bikes have wheels wider than 5 inches, you cannot load them on the Hollywood Sport Rider bike racks. (Find it on Hollywood Racks)

After a successful installation, you can fold the rack up to save space at the rear of your RAV4 when the bike carrier is not in use. If you have bikes on the loading trays, you can tilt the entire rack away to create easy access to the trunk. These convenient features make the Hollywood Sport Rider bike racks popular among outdoor enthusiasts.

Totally get why you’d want a hitch rack that doesn’t suck, especially if you’re hauling heavy ebikes or fat tires. What a grunt wrestling with flimsy racks, right? Well, check out the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider 2 – this beast is built like a tank from alloy steel and plastic, tipping the scales at a solid 56 pounds itself. It’s legit designed to handle two bikes, each weighing up to a whopping 80 pounds. Yeah, you heard that right – even your burliest electric bike or fat-tire cruiser is no problem. Forget stressing about weight limits; this rack laughs at heavy loads with its 160-pound total capacity. Pretty sweet, huh?

Now, keeping your precious bikes secure and stable? That’s where this rack shines. Imagine locking frame clamps holding your bikes tight, plus a clever wobble-free hitch-tightening system – goodbye, annoying rattling and swaying! For real peace of mind, it includes a locking hitch pin and a security cable, so you can lock both the rack to your vehicle and your bikes to the rack. No big deal popping into the store; you know your gear’s safe. Plus, those universal wheel holders? They fit tires up to 5 inches wide, so whether you’ve got a sleek road bike or a monster fat tire, it’s got you covered. How awesome is that?

Okay, but what about when you aren’t hauling bikes? Give me a break if you’ve struggled with racks blocking your trunk! This guy folds up neatly, tucking flat against your car or truck (it measures 37 x 22 x 8 inches when folded, by the way). And get this – even with bikes loaded, the smart tilt mechanism lets you easily access your trunk or rear hatch. No more awkwardly squeezing past or unloading everything just to grab your groceries. Just tilt it down – easy-peasy trunk access! Plus, folding it for storage is a breeze. Heads up, though: skip the bike covers, front hitches, most adapters, long extensions, and trailers. Stick to the rear hitch on your car, truck, or SUV, and you’re golden. Ready to hit the road without the hassle?

CURT Premium Trailer Hitch Bike Rack

It is another option that we choose for your Toyota RAV4, but you must have a 2-inch hitch receiver to use it at the back of your SUV. It fits not only on your RAV4 but also on other vehicles with 2-inch hitch receivers. It is a perfect option for a family with multiple adult bikes and kits bikes, but you may need to change your driving habits after attaching it to your SUV.

You can use the CURT Premium Hitch-mounted bike rack to carry up to 180 lbs of weight or up to 4 bikes. When bikes are on the CURT bike carrier, you can use adjustable rubber cradles and extra straps to tighten bikes on supporting arms.

You can fold the holding arms down to save space at the rear of your Toyota RAV4 when the bike rack is not in use. Additionally, you should never exceed the loading limit of your existing hitch receiver, and you better find the accurate loading limit before adding hitch-mounted carriers to the receiver head. Overloading a trailer hitch receiver can cause significant damage to your properties, so you better keep in mind that don’t overload for any reason.

If your RAV4 doesn’t have a hitch receiver, you can use the CURT Class 3 Trailer Hitch 2-inch Receiver to connect with hitch-mounted carriers or a trailer. This hitch receiver offers 600 lbs of tongue weight loading limit, and it is enough for use on most bike racks, even carrying up to 5 bikes.

Totally get why you’re eyeing this CURT rack – hauling the whole family’s bikes without turning it into a massive grunt is legit impossible with most racks, right? What if you could just pop this thing on your 2-inch hitch receiver whenever adventure calls and stash it easily when you’re done? No big deal. This workhorse holds a whopping 4 bikes (that’s right, four!) with a total load capacity of 180 pounds, so even heavier mountain bikes or cruisers are totally fine. And get this – the tapered arms are genius. They effortlessly fit your big adult bikes and the kids’ smaller ones without any fuss. Family ride day just got way easier, huh?

You’ll love how quick and painless this setup is. Seriously, it slides into virtually any standard 2-inch hitch receiver in seconds, and that anti-rattle hitch pin? It actually works, stopping that annoying wobble noise dead in its tracks. Loading up is a breeze too. The adjustable rubber cradles? They hug your bike frames securely without scratching them, fitting all kinds of sizes. Plus, you get extra peace of mind driving knowing the integrated reflectors make you more visible, especially at dusk. Just snap on the included support strap (super easy, and yeah, you gotta use it) for rock-solid stability. How’s that for feeling secure on the road?

Here’s the kicker: it weighs a mere 5 pounds! That’s crazy light for something hauling 180 pounds of bikes. When you’re not using it, the whole rack folds down nice and compact, so it doesn’t hog your garage space. And that tough black powder coat finish? It’s not just for looks – it’s armor against rain, road salt, dirt, whatever the road throws at it, keeping rust at bay for years. This is the “grab it when you need it” rack, perfect for spontaneous trips or planned adventures. Forget complicated mounts; this CURT rack makes hauling bikes almost… chill. Ready to load up and roll out without the usual hassle?

Yakima FrontLoader Wheel-On Roof-mounted Bike Rack

If you have roof racks or crossbars on your RAV4, you can use the Yakima FrontLoader rooftop bike rack to hold bikes on your car’s roof. However, you can only load one bike on each FrontLoader bike carrier, and if you require to transport multiple bikes, you must install more than one Yakima FrontLoader bike rack on the roof racks.

The Yakima FrontLoader bike carrier is a versatile device that can work with bikes that have 20 inches to 27.5 inches wheels and are up to 3 inches wide. You must confirm that the bar spread (the distance between front and back crossbars) is between 16 inches and 48 inches before choosing the Yakima FrontLoader as your bike carrier.

It works with most roof racks: round, square, factory, and aerodynamic crossbars. You better consult the manufacturer about the compatibility if you already have roof racks on your RAV4.

You can find 2 SKS locks on the Yakima FrontLoader. These locks can keep your bikes safe when you are away from the vehicle. Additionally, you can add extra chain locks on the bike racks to enhance security and prevent theft.

Totally get why roof racks might seem like a hassle – who wants to wrestle heavy bikes overhead or deal with hitch installations? But what if you could just snap this Yakima FrontLoader onto your car’s roof rails in seconds? Seriously, no tools needed with its Easy Snap mounting system, and it folds down flat when you’re done. Weighing just 18 pounds, it’s crazy manageable, yet it hauls up to 40 pounds per bike. Even your burly mountain bike or fat tire rig fits securely. Pretty slick for sedans and SUVs without hitches, right?

You’ll dig how tough yet low-key this carrier is. Crafted from carbon fiber, it’s stupidly strong without weighing you down, keeping your bikes locked in tight even on bumpy roads or windy highways. The clamping system grips your bike’s frame, not the wheels, so it stays put – no sketchy swaying or rattling. Plus, it’s all tucked up and out of the way, giving you full trunk access and keeping your garage clutter-free when folded. How’s that for peace of mind knowing your ride won’t budge?

Storage headaches? Give me a break. When collapsed, it’s super compact at roughly 56.5 x 8.5 x 10 inches, so it won’t hog space in your garage or trunk. Yakima’s been nailing this adventure gear thing since 1979, so you know they’ve thought it through – safety and smarts built-in. It’s legit the go-to if you want bikes up top without the usual grunt work. Ready to ditch the hitch and get your bikes up there the easy way?

Compare in Detail:

Key Takeaways:

• Hauling heavy ebikes? Hollywood Racks holds 80 lbs per bike – beast mode!
• Got a big crew? CURT’s your jam for 4 bikes without the grunt work.
• No hitch? Yakima’s trunk (FullBack 3) or roof (FrontLoader) save the day.
• Spare tire gang: Thule’s 15.7-lb rack is stupid easy to slap on.
• Security nuts: All include locks, but Yakima’s SKS system (trunk) and Hollywood’s wobble-free clamps stand out.

No fluff, just the deets you need. Which one’s calling your name?

Here’s a detailed, casual breakdown comparing all five racks across 10 key areas – no fluff, just straight talk to help you choose:

1. The Heavyweight Champ (Ebikes/Fat Tires):
   Hands down, the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider 2 dominates for heavy loads. It laughs at 80 lb ebikes or fat tire monsters (up to 5 inches wide!). Its 56 lb frame is built like a tank with locking frame clamps and a wobble-free hitch system. Need trunk access? It tilts with bikes loaded. Best for: Trucks, SUVs, anyone hauling serious bikes. Skip if: You drive a small car or hate heavy lifting.
2. The Family Hauler (4 Bikes, No Sweat):
   Packing the whole crew? The CURT 18064 is your MVP. It carries 4 bikes totaling a massive 180 lbs – yet the rack itself weighs a crazy-light 5 lbs! Tapered arms fit kid bikes and adult rides side-by-side. Super quick snap-in for 2-inch hitches, includes an anti-rattle pin & support strap. Best for: Minivans, SUVs, big families. Skip if: You only haul 1-2 bikes (it’s overkill) or lack a 2-inch hitch.
3. Trunk-Mount Hero (No Hitch Needed):
   No hitch? No problem. The Yakima FullBack 3 straps securely to trunks/hatches on sedans & SUVs. It holds 3 standard bikes, features cushy SuperCush ZipStrips to protect paint, and includes a full SKS locking system (rack + bikes). Arms fold, and hey – bottle opener! Best for: Sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs without hitches. Skip if: You have a hitch, drive a tiny car, or haul heavy ebikes.
4. Spare-Tire Specialist (Jeeps & Off-Roaders):
   Got a spare tire? The Thule Spare Me 2 is stupid simple. Clamp it on any spare (regular or oversized) in seconds. Holds 2 bikes (up to 75 lbs total), folds flat, and includes a locking cable + knob. Weighs just 15.7 lbs. Best for: Jeeps, 4x4s, any vehicle with an external spare tire. Skip if: Your spare is under the vehicle or inside (most sedans/SUVs).
5. Roof-Top Ace (Cars, No Hitch, Max Space):
   Want bikes off the back? The Yakima FrontLoader snaps onto roof rails. Its carbon fiber build keeps weight down (18 lbs) while hauling bikes up to 40 lbs (even mountain/fat tires). Grips the frame securely, folds flat, and gives full trunk access. Best for: Sedans, wagons, SUVs with roof rails but no hitch. Skip if: You hate lifting bikes overhead or lack roof rails.
6. Installation Face-Off:
   Easiest: Thule Spare Me 2 (slap on spare) & CURT 18064 (snap into hitch). Trickiest: Yakima FullBack 3 (straps require careful positioning) & Yakima FrontLoader (needs roof rails + lifting bikes). Hollywood Racks is straightforward for hitches but heavy.
7. Car Compatibility Deep Dive:
   • Sedans/Hatchbacks: Yakima FullBack 3 (trunk) or Yakima FrontLoader (roof). Avoid hitches/spare tire mounts usually.
   • SUVs/Minivans w/ Hitch: Hollywood Racks, CURT, or Yakima FrontLoader. Pick based on bike weight/count.
   • SUVs/Minivans NO Hitch: Yakima FullBack 3 (trunk) or Yakima FrontLoader (roof).
   • Jeeps/Trucks w/ External Spare: Thule Spare Me 2 is gold.
   • Trucks w/ Hitch: Hollywood Racks or CURT dominate.
8. Security & Stability Smackdown:
   All offer decent security, but Hollywood Racks wins for heavy bikes (locking frame clamps + cable + wobble-free hitch). Yakima FullBack 3 has great SKS locks for trunk racks. CURT relies on cradles + pin. Thule and Yakima FrontLoader use solid frame grips. For highway stability, hitch mounts (Hollywood, CURT) and roof racks (Yakima) generally beat trunk/spare tire mounts.
9. Storage & Daily Life Reality:
   CURT (5 lbs!) and Thule (15.7 lbs) fold easily and stow tiny. Yakima FullBack 3 folds arms but is bulkier (22 lbs). Hollywood Racks folds but is heavy (56 lbs). Yakima FrontLoader folds flat but needs roof/garge space. Trunk racks (Yakima FullBack) block trunk access; hitch racks (Hollywood) tilt; roof racks (FrontLoader) don’t block anything.
10. The “Which One Should YOU Get?” Verdict:
    • “I haul beastly ebikes/fat tires on my truck/SUV.” → Hollywood Racks Sport Rider 2.
    • “I need to fit 4 bikes for family trips.” → CURT 18064.
    • “My sedan has no hitch, and I need 3 bikes secured.” → Yakima FullBack 3.
    • “I drive a Jeep/Wrangler with a spare tire.” → Thule Spare Me 2.
    • “I want bikes off the ground, have roof rails, and don’t mind lifting.” → Yakima FrontLoader.

No single “best” rack exists – it’s all about your car, your bikes, and your needs. Match the rack to your real-life scenario, and you’ll avoid buyer’s remorse!

Conclusion

In this article, you can find compatible roof racks for Toyota RAV4 in the first section. When choosing roof racks, you better select high-quality ones because they are responsible for holding all the cargo weight. Then, you can find 5 compatible bike racks that you can use on your Toyota RAV4. These bike carriers are in different types, so you should consider your situation and pick the most suitable option for future bike hiking events. If you want to carry more luggage on a road trip with roof racks or a hitch receiver, you can utilize a roof-mounted cargo box or a hitch-mounted cargo carrier.

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