A trunk-mount bike rack straps or cables onto the back of a sedan, hatchback or SUV, so it needs no hitch and no roof rack. All five picks here carry two bikes, and their makers cap each bike at 33 or 35 lb. The differences are in how they attach, whether locks are included and how they handle spoilers. Thule Gateway Pro 2 keeps the bikes apart, Saris Bones EX 2-Bike clears most plastic spoilers, Thule OutWay Hanging 2 includes locks for the bikes and the rack, Thule OutWay Platform 2 raises the bikes above your lights and plate, and Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike arrives fully assembled.
Every maker here sends buyers to a fit guide, so the first step is checking your exact vehicle. If you have a hitch, compare our hitch bike carrier shortlist . With crossbars, compare our roof bike racks .
All specs come from Thule, Saris and Allen Sports product pages, checked on October 5, 2026. Nobody mounted these racks or carried bikes on them for this page.
Quick picks
| Pick | Best for |
|---|---|
| Thule Gateway Pro 2 | keeping two bikes from touching each other |
| Saris Bones EX 2-Bike | clearing rear spoilers in a light, 11 lb rack |
| Thule OutWay Hanging 2 | a hanging rack with bike and rack locks included |
| Thule OutWay Platform 2 | keeping rear lights and the license plate visible |
| Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike (102DN-R) | a rack that arrives fully assembled and folds flat |
Compare the specs
| Pick | Style | Max per bike (maker) | Rack weight | Locks (maker) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Gateway Pro 2 | Hanging, strap-on | 35 lb (70 lb total) | 13.7 lb | Cable lock for bikes; rack lock strap extra |
| Saris Bones EX 2-Bike | Hanging, arched legs | 35 lb | 11 lb | Confirm with Saris |
| Thule OutWay Hanging 2 | Hanging, steel cables | 33 lb (66 lb total) | 18.3 lb | Bikes to rack and rack to car, included |
| Thule OutWay Platform 2 | Raised platform, steel cables | 33 lb (66 lb total) | 27.6 lb | Bikes to rack and rack to car, included |
| Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike | Hanging, strap-on | 35 lb | Not published | None mentioned |
1. Thule Gateway Pro 2
Best for: keeping two bikes from touching each other
Gateway Pro 2 (model 900600) spaces the bikes 7 inches apart and holds them in integrated anti-sway cradles that prevent bike-to-bike contact. Ratcheting cradle straps secure each bike, and the arms adjust independently to fit a wide variety of bikes, then fold down when not in use. An integrated cable lock secures the bikes to the rack.
Thule rates it at 35 lb per bike and 70 lb in total. The rack weighs 13.7 lb, measures 23.5 x 18 x 33 in, folds flat for storage, and its access straps tuck away to protect the vehicle finish.
The trade-off: locking the rack itself to the car needs the optional Thule lock strap, sold separately
Before ordering, check your vehicle in Thule’s fit guide and decide whether you need the rack lock
2. Saris Bones EX 2-Bike
Best for: clearing rear spoilers in a light, 11 lb rack
Bones EX uses an arched leg that, Saris says, avoids contact with most plastic spoilers on many sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs. Its arc-based design holds the two bikes on different levels, ratchet straps fasten them, and strap-management caps hide the excess strap so it doesn’t flap. The arms and legs are rust-free injection-molded plastic, and the rubber feet articulate to protect paint.
Saris rates it at 35 lb per bike, and at 11 lb it is the lightest of the four racks here with a published weight (Allen does not list one). It is made in Madison, Wisconsin, from 100% recyclable materials. Saris says it has the largest vehicle compatibility of any trunk rack and points buyers to its fit guide for approved fits.
The trade-off: frames without a horizontal top tube need a Bike Beam adapter
Before ordering, look up your vehicle in the Saris Fit Guide, check your bikes’ top tubes and confirm lock options with Saris
3. Thule OutWay Hanging 2
Best for: a hanging rack with bike and rack locks included
OutWay Hanging 2 (model 994005) attaches with twin hooks, rubber protection pads and steel cables, tightened through a torque-limiting system. Locks are included for both the bikes and the rack. Soft cradles absorb road shock, an anti-sway system keeps bikes off each other and off the vehicle, and the adjustable arms take a variety of frames, including smaller kids’ bikes.
Thule rates it at 33 lb per bike and 66 lb in total, and the rack weighs 18.3 lb. It is adjustable for sedans, station wagons, CUVs and SUVs, including those with a spoiler, and the trunk can open when no bikes are mounted.
The trade-off: its 33 lb per-bike limit is the lowest here, tied with the OutWay Platform
Before ordering, use Thule’s fit guide, since Thule says the rack does not have a universal fit
4. Thule OutWay Platform 2
Best for: keeping rear lights and the license plate visible
OutWay Platform 2 (model 993005) raises the bikes on a platform, which Thule says improves visibility of the rear lights and license plate. Bikes are held by adjustable, removable arms with AcuTight torque-limiter knobs that click at the right torque, plus long wheel straps. It takes tires up to 3 inches wide and wheelbases up to 50 inches.
Like the hanging OutWay, it fastens with twin hooks and steel cables, includes locks for the bikes and the rack, suits vehicles with spoilers, and lets the trunk open with no bikes mounted. Thule rates it at 33 lb per bike and 66 lb in total, and it needs no assembly.
The trade-off: at 27.6 lb it is the heaviest of the published rack weights here, so it takes more effort to lift on and off
Before ordering, check your vehicle in Thule’s fit guide and your bikes’ wheelbase and tire width
5. Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike (102DN-R)
Best for: a rack that arrives fully assembled and folds flat
Allen’s Deluxe trunk rack arrives fully assembled and, Allen says, installs in seconds. A single-configuration design removes setup steps, a patented individual tie-down system secures each bike, and a padded lower frame plus left and right side straps protect the vehicle and add lateral stability. It folds fully flat for storage.
Allen rates it at 35 lb per bike and says the design fits most sedans, hatchbacks, minivans and SUVs, with its Rack Finder for specific vehicles.
The trade-off: Allen’s page mentions no rack weight and no locks
Before ordering, look up your vehicle in Allen’s Rack Finder
How to choose a trunk-mount bike rack
Check vehicle fit first. Thule says the OutWay racks do not have a universal fit, Saris points buyers to its Fit Guide for approved fits, and Allen to its Rack Finder. Look up your exact year, make and model before anything else.
Spoilers. If your car has a rear spoiler, choose a rack the maker says works with one. Saris designed the Bones EX’s arched leg to avoid most plastic spoilers, and Thule lists both OutWay racks for vehicles with spoilers.
Bike weight and frame. The per-bike limits here are 33 or 35 lb, so weigh your bikes. For frames without a horizontal top tube, Saris requires a Bike Beam on the Bones EX; Thule says the OutWay Hanging’s adjustable arms fit a variety of frames, including kids’ bikes.
Security. Only the two OutWay racks include locks for both the bikes and the rack. Gateway Pro 2 has a cable lock for the bikes and an optional strap to lock the rack. Allen’s page mentions no locks, and for the Bones EX, confirm lock options with Saris.
Lights and plate. Bikes hanging on the back can sit in front of your lights or plate. Thule designed the OutWay Platform’s raised platform to improve their visibility; with the others, check what the loaded rack covers.
Paint protection. Every pick lists some protection: rubber pads on the OutWays, articulating rubber feet on the Bones EX, a padded lower frame on the Allen, and tuck-away straps on the Gateway Pro.
FAQ
Can I put a bike rack on a car with no hitch or roof rack?
Yes. That is what trunk-mount racks are for. Thule describes them as attaching to the trunk of a sedan, hatchback or SUV with adjustable straps and hooks. Confirm your vehicle in the maker’s fit guide.
Can a trunk rack carry an e-bike?
Check the bike’s weight against the per-bike limit. The racks here are rated at 33 or 35 lb per bike, so a heavier bike needs a rack rated for its weight.
Can I open the trunk with the rack on?
Thule says both OutWay racks let you open the trunk when no bikes are mounted. Check the maker’s instructions for any other rack.
Sources
See Also
If you want to pressure-test this shortlist, read Best Drop-In Bed Liners and DIY Roll-On Bedliner Kits, Best Tailgate Bed Extenders for Keeping Cargo Inside the Truck Bed, and Best Tonneau Covers for First-Time Truck Owners: Roll-Up, Tri-Fold, Hard Folding and Retractable next.
For more context beyond the main ranking, Yakima FullSwing Review: Rear Access Wins, Bike Fit Decides and Extang Trifecta 2.0 Tonneau Cover Review: Fit, Features, and Trade-Offs add useful comparison detail.