The 10 Best Hitch Ski Rack, Tested And Researched

Katie Finn By, Katie Finn
Updated
Best Hitch Ski Rack
Best Hitch Ski Rack

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack

Make your life easier with the Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack. These folding carry arms quickly drop out of the way when the rack is not in use and can be set up and installed in less than 5 minutes. Read Review

2. Runner Up: Thule Apex XT Hitch Rack

Bring your passion for the great outdoors to the next level with the Thule Apex XT Hitch Rack. This premium hanging hitch bike rack offers superior bike stability and fit, while anti-sway cradles prevent contact between bikes. Read Review

3. Best Convenient: Rhino-Rack Multi-Purpose Carrier for Skis

Get ready to hit the slopes with Rhino-Rack's Multi-Purpose Carrier for Skis. This heavy-duty carrier is designed with a large capacity and universal mounting, so you can bring up to four sets of skis or two snowboards. Read Review

4. Best Portable: YAKIMA, FullSwing Swing-Away Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack

Get the convenience you need with YAKIMA's FullSwing bike rack. This swing-away hitch-mounted bike rack makes it easy to access gear, and its fully padded arms provide added protection for your bikes. Read Review

5. Best Compact: Rhino-Rack 27" Multi-Purpose Carrier for Skis

With a large capacity, universal mounting, easy release and locking system, heavy duty aluminum construction and easy installation, this carrier is an ideal choice for transporting your skis with ease. Read Review

Are you an avid skier? Are you looking for the best way to transport your skis and other winter sports equipment? Look no further because the best hitch ski rack is here. This incredible piece of equipment provides a secure and reliable way to transport your skis and other winter sports equipment while allowing you to enjoy your skiing experience without any worries. The hitch ski rack is easy to install and can be used on almost any vehicle.

It is also incredibly secure, so you don’t have to worry about your skis or other winter sports equipment falling out. Furthermore, it is lightweight and compact, allowing you to take it with you wherever you go. So, if you’re looking for the best hitch ski rack, look no further.

You can count on our team of experts who have spent over 16 hours conducting results through 31,171 real customer reviews. Because of this, We came to the conclusion that the best hitch ski rack is Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack. This product will make it easy to carry your skateboard on any trip with its sturdy design. And Thule Apex XT Hitch Rack is another choice for you while keeping the product's quality and functionality.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack
Our Score:
9.8
Allen

Rack sets up and installs in less than 5 minutes; Included no wobble bolt secures rack inside of receiver hitch with a movement free installation

22 inch long carry arms individually secure bicycles with Allen's patented tie down system

Allen's warranty does not cover items purchased through third-party sellers

Folding carry arms quickly drop out of the way when rack is not in use. Minor assembly required.

Hitch insert fits either 1 1/4 inch or 2 inch receiver hitches (2 and 3 bike models) or 2 inch receiver hitches (4 and 5 bike models). Important installation note: never use on trailers

TOP Choice #2 Thule Apex XT Hitch Rack
Our Score:
9.6
Thule

Premium hanging hitch bike rack for 4 bikes

Quickly attach and secure bikes with ratcheting cradle strap

Please check the Compatibility Guide (under Product Details) to confirm the fit with your vehicle's receiver hitch.

Bike arms fold down when not in use

Superior bike stability and fit

Rack tilts down for rear of vehicle access

Anti-sway cradles prevent bike contact

Designed to fit 1.25" or 2" hitch receivers

Ideal for a wide variety of bike sizes/frame styles. Please note some frame styles may requrie a Thule Frame Adapter to securely attach to hanging bike racks.

Quick, tool-free installation | Load capacity: 150 lbs

TOP Choice #3 Rhino-Rack Multi-Purpose Carrier for Skis
Our Score:
9.5
Rhino Rack

SIMPLICITY - Keep your Vehicle's Interior Dry and Clean by Putting Your Gear on the Roof. The Simplicity of Rhino-Rack Engineering means that you can Easily get on with your Adventure All Year Round.

HEAVY DUTY - Heavy Duty Aluminum Construction, Rust & Corrosion Resistant. Dimensions: 20" Internal / 25" External.

EASY INSTALLATION - Simple Installation with Universal Mounting Brackets Included.

LARGE CAPACITY - Hold up to 4 Pairs of Skis or 2 Snowboards, and in the summer is a Fishing Rod Holder, Wake Board Holder, or Longboard Holder. Comes with 1 Set of 2 Lockable Arms with Mounting Hardware and 4 Keys.

MULTI PURPOSE - In the Spring and Summer - Easily Carry 4 Longboard Skateboards or a Dozen or More Fishing Rods. In the Winter it can Hold up to 4 Pairs of Skis or up to 2 Snowboards.

TAKE THAT TRIP - The Large Capacity Makes it Perfect for a Trip with Family or Friends.

EASY RELEASE HARDWARE - Easy Release and Easy Locking for Gloved Hands. Rubber Grip Profile to Protect Skis, Snowboards & Fishing Rods. Master Key Compatible.

GLOVE FRIENDLY - The Release Mechanism Allows you to Open and Close the Carrier with Gloved Hands in the Winter, which is a Huge Benefit after a day on the Slopes. All you do is Snap it Shut, Lock it for Protection and you're on the Road.

ADVENTURE - At Rhino-Rack, we believe there’s an adventurer in all of us. It’s what drives us to create world-ready outdoor gear, born and proven in Australia. We believe life is better when we Make Space for Adventure.

UNIVERSAL MOUNTING - Universal Mounting to Most Roof Racks with Easy Installation. Suitable for All Vehicles.

Protect your bikes from dings and scratches with the fully padded arms; The arms also fold down when not in use for a lower profile

Quick and easy assembly and installation with tool-free locking SpeedKnob; The AutoPin automatically positions and secures the rack to the hitch and receiver

Includes SKS (Same Key System) locks to keep your bikes and racks protected from theft so you can adventure without worry

Easily access gear in your vehicle’s trunk or hatch with the swing-away design (even with bikes loaded); Zero-hassle ZipStrips secure the bikes to the rack

Carry up to 4 bikes to your next adventure; Fits traditional frame geometry bikes (slanted top tube bikes require the TubeTop adapter, sold separately); 40 lbs. maximum weight per bike

LARGE CAPACITY - Hold up to 6 Pairs of Skiis or 4 Snowboards, and in the summer is a Fishing Rod Holder, Wake Board Holder, or Longboard Holder. Comes with 1 Set of 2 Lockable Arms with Mounting Hardware and 4 Keys.

EASY INSTALLATION - Simple Installation with Universal Mounting Brackets Included.

GLOVE FRIENDLY - The Release Mechanism Allows you to Open and Close the Carrier with Gloved Hands in the Winter, which is a Huge Benefit after a day on the Slopes. All you do is Snap it Shut, Lock it for Protection and you're on the Road.

EASY RELEASE HARDWARE - Easy Release and Easy Locking for Gloved Hands. Rubber Grip Profile to Protect Skis, Snowboards & Fishing Rods. Master Key Compatible.

TAKE THAT TRIP - The Large Capacity Makes it Perfect for a Trip with Family or Friends.

HEAVY DUTY - Heavy Duty Aluminum Construction, Rust & Corrosion Resistant. Dimensions: 27" Internal / 31" External.

SIMPLICITY - Keep your Vehicle's Interior Dry and Clean by Putting Your Gear on the Roof. The Simplicity of Rhino-Rack Engineering means that you can Easily get on with your Adventure All Year Round.

MULTI PURPOSE - In the Spring and Summer - Easily Carry 4 Longboard Skateboards or a Dozen or More Fishing Rods. In the Winter it can Hold up to 6 Pairs of Skis or up to 4 Snowboards.

ADVENTURE - At Rhino-Rack, we believe there’s an adventurer in all of us. It’s what drives us to create world-ready outdoor gear, born and proven in Australia. We believe life is better when we Make Space for Adventure.

UNIVERSAL MOUNTING - Universal Mounting to Most Roof Racks with Easy Installation. Suitable for All Vehicles.

FITMENT - This fits most vehicles with either 1.25" or 2" hitch receivers. Tyger Hitch Lock is included.

DOUBLING DOWN ON SECURITY - Dual anti-theft key-locks for top rack and hitch receiver provide maximum security; we do not keep any spare keys for the same reason. Ski rack also comes with 3 safety straps to secure your gear during transit.

FULLY ADJUSTABLE - Rack plates are height adjustable to accommodate skis/snowboards of various lengths; and foldable while not being used. Main pole can be tilted 120° to provide trunk clearance and easy access to your gear.

FAMILY FRIENDLY - This rack fits up to 4 snowboards or 6 pairs of skis - or a combination of 2 boards and 3 pairs of skis.

THE ALTERNATIVE - Tired of reaching the roof rack for your gear? This unique hitch mounted dedicated ski & snowboard rack combines the best of all worlds in terms of accessibility, capacity, security, and quality. This rack is built from sturdy steel construction with black powder E-Coating for rust resistance. Tyger offers 5 years limited no-hassle warranty against factory defect.

7 Rhino-Rack Multi-Purpose Carrier
Our Score:
8.9
Rhino Rack

HEAVY DUTY - Heavy Duty Aluminum Construction, Rust & Corrosion Resistant. Dimensions: 13" Internal / 18" External.

IDEAL CAPACITY - Hold up to 3 Pairs of Skis or 2 Snowboards, and in the Summer is a Fishing Rod Holder, Wake Board Holder, or Longboard Holder. Comes with 1 Set of 2 Lockable Arms with Mounting Hardware and 4 Keys.

EASY INSTALLATION - Simple Installation with Universal Mounting Brackets Included.

GLOVE FRIENDLY - The Release Mechanism Allows you to Open and Close the Carrier with Gloved Hands in the Winter, which is a Huge Benefit after a day on the Slopes. All you do is Snap it Shut, Lock it for Protection and you're on the Road.

At Rhino-Rack, we believe there’s an adventurer in all of us. It’s what drives us to create world-ready outdoor gear, born and proven in Australia. We believe life is better when we Make Space for Adventure.

SIMPLICITY - Keep your Vehicle's Interior Dry and Clean by Putting Your Gear on the Roof. The Simplicity of Rhino-Rack Engineering means that you can Easily get on with your Adventure All Year Round.

EASY RELEASE HARDWARE - Easy Release and Easy Locking for Gloved Hands. Rubber Grip Profile to Protect Skis, Snowboards & Fishing Rods. Master Key Compatible.

TAKE THAT TRIP - The Large Capacity Makes it Perfect for a Trip with Family or Friends.

MULTI PURPOSE - In the Spring and Summer - Easily Carry Longboard Skateboards or a Dozen or More Fishing Rods. In the Winter it can Hold up to 3 Pairs of Skis or up to 2 Snowboards.

UNIVERSAL MOUNTING - Universal Mounting to Most Roof Racks with Easy Installation. Suitable for All Vehicles.

Adjustable in height to fit skis/snowboards in different sizes|Fits Alpine skis only

Locking skis/snowboards to the rack|Hitch Pin Lock included|Item weight :34.6 lb|Steel construction|Do not install on Trailers, Motor Homes, RVs, Caravans, Campers

The support trays fold vertical when not in use

Fits 1-1/4" and 2'' receiver hitches and carries up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards or 2 boards and 3 pairs of skis|Load capacity 99.2 lb

Tilts away with skis/snowboards for tailgate access

9 Thule Tram Hitch Ski Carrier
Our Score:
8.6
Thule

Requires Thule hanging hitch bike rack for use (not compatible with Thule Helium or Thule Helium Aero).

Easy to open and close while wearing gloves, thanks to an oversized push button

2 One-key locks included to lock the skis and snowboards to the rack

Maximize carrying capacity by transporting skis and snowboards upright

Dimensions: 27.5 x 26 x 9.4 in

Holds skis and snowboards securely with ultra-soft rubber arms that grip without scratching the surfaces

Loading width: 29 inches

Holds up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards on 2" class two receiver racks. Holds up to 4 pairs of skis or 2 snowboards on 1 1/4" receivers and Thule Spare Tire carrier

Tool-free install: Easy install with basic assembly required; Frees up space in your car and makes the drive to the slopes smoother

Bike in summer, ski in winter: Convert your mast-style hitch rack into a ski rack and snowboard carrier with ease; Carries up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards

Protects your gear: The soft, flexible rubber padding will cradle and protect your skis and boards for many winters to come; Optional ArmLock or DeadLock secures the entire rig to your car

Anti-theft: Integrated SKS (Same Key System) locks included for added security and stress-free pit stops and apres activities

Easy-to-use: Features 2-position upper arms and adjustable lower arms to accommodate various skis and boards; Fits most 4 and 5-bike mast-style hitch racks; Not compatible with the RidgeBack 5

What to Look For in a best hitch ski rack?

Mounting Systems

Two ways can you lock your bike on a mounting system are available. First and foremost is the strap system. The strap system is usually composed of an elastic or ratcheting strap that covers a portion of your bicycle. It's usually the frame in hanging racks, but it can also be used for platform racks to hold the wheels.
This is most commonly used in platform racks. It is an arm that extends from the platform to ratchet down on your bike's tires. They secure the bike to the platform. They are often reinforced with straps that run around the wheel's bottom to increase security.
The strap system is used in every hanging rack that we have seen. It's strong and reliable, but it can be damaged or broken by users. Many straps secure bikes with at least two straps at every attachment point. Your bike could fall off if the shepherd's hook is broken (which happens very rarely).

Tilting Feature

A tilt-feature hitch rack is a good choice if you are like many cyclists and plan on keeping your rack attached to your car for extended time periods or want access to your rear cargo space. With the exception of a few very inexpensive options, almost all bike racks with a hitch mount have this feature. Tilting racks are able to be tilted over using a lever. This allows you to lift the rear hatch of the vehicle or open its tailgate. Tilting is possible on platform and hanging racks. However, platform racks can be tilted with bikes loaded. Hanging racks must first unload bikes. It's another reason why we like the platform rack design.

Bike Weight

Maximum bike capacity
Maximum weight capacity for a bike
If you plan on transporting heavy downhill mountain bikes or e-bikes, fat, and/or cruiser bikes, make sure to check the rack's weight limit. Each design listing will indicate the bike's maximum weight. This amount may vary greatly. For comparison, standard road and mountain bikes weigh less than 35 pounds. E-bikes, however, can be up to 50 pounds. We recommend that you upgrade to a more robust model if your weight is close to or above the max. It's worth it to avoid breaking the rack or invalidating your warranty.

Bike Capacity

Generally speaking, platform racks are capable of holding anywhere between one and four bikes (if an extension is purchased), while hanging racks hold up to five bikes. The 1UP Recon Rack 6 can hold six bikes vertically and is a notable exception. Most riders prefer the 2-bike model, however families and those who plan to take their bikes on group rides may want to consider a hanging model with a larger capacity or one of these platform add-ons.

Ease Of Use

You've likely had to lift a mountain bike with full suspension onto a hanger rack. Or, if you have tried to Tetris on four bikes from a rack that was poorly made, then you understand the importance of ease-of-use.
Hanging racks are a great option for a common bicycle, the diamond-frame. You can lift the bike and slide it on the rack. Once it is secured, you can bungee it to the front wheel. It also gives you the opportunity to do some bicep curls before going on your ride.
A platform rack is a better choice for bikes with heavier frames or unique designs. It is easier to transport the bike because it has a lower frame. Once you get it on you won't need to move it around to make adjustments. It can be difficult to hang a bike on a rack.
The ramp is often the most cost-effective option, but it's also the most convenient. You can simply place your bike on the platform rack using this feature. This feature is great for riders with heavy bikes such as e-bikes and cruisers.

Security

Two main vulnerabilities of bike racks are theft. The bikes can be taken off the rack and the rack can be taken down. It doesn't matter if the bikes are there; racks can also be valuable items to potential thieves.
It only takes seconds for someone to steal your bicycle from the rack, whether you are going to a shop or just to get you home at night.
Your entire rack can be taken if someone is equipped with the right tools. If you don’t own a garage, this can pose a problem.

FAQs

What type of vehicles can I use a hitch ski rack with?

Hitch ski racks are designed to work with vehicles that have a trailer hitch receiver. This includes many cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. Please refer to the product specifications to determine if your vehicle is compatible.

How many pairs of skis can I fit on a hitch ski rack?

The number of skis a hitch ski rack can hold depends on the model. Generally, hitch ski racks can hold up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards.

Are hitch ski racks secure and lockable?

Yes, most hitch ski racks come with built-in locks to secure the rack to your vehicle’s trailer hitch. Additionally, many models also include locks to secure your skis or snowboards to the rack itself.

What types of skis can I fit on a hitch ski rack?

Most hitch ski racks are designed to accommodate all types of skis, from alpine skis to cross-country skis. However, please refer to the product specifications to make sure your skis will fit.

It's time to start buying when you've determined the best types of best hitch ski rack and the characteristics you want. It's important to remember that you needn't rush out to a certain store or browse internet discounts just soon. You may quickly discover your pal thanks technological advancements, particularly the proliferation of selling sites.

Try to keep an eye on our site's regular to guarantee the latest deals best hitch ski rack passes our standards. As a result, you'll be able to close the gap with them. Could you kindly provide us with feedback so that we can satisfy you guys, our customers? Wish you a great shopping experience!


0 ratings

About Katie Finn

Katie Finn

Katie Finn is a freelance writer who loves to explore the world and go camping. She's also an editor for CampfireHQ, where she enjoys writing about wildlife and camping tips. She also has a passion for reading and learning new things, which she often incorporates into her writing.

Read Katie's full bio