Bicycle carrier for towbar for four bikes

Advisor - comparison, differences, bestsellers

If you plan to take bicycles for the whole family on trips, then you need a sturdy bike rack. A trailer hitch bike rack is a great choice for transporting four bikes safely and conveniently.

In this article we answer most frequently asked questions about bicycle carrier for towbar for four bikes, for example:

• What is the best way to transport 4 bikes?
• How many bikes are allowed on the towbar?
• Why remove the battery when transporting eBikes?
• What to look for when buying a bike carrier for towbar?

In the end, we introduce some of the most popular bike racks for towbar for four bikes, compare the functions, prices and other features.

What is the best way to transport four bikes?

There are several ways to transport four bikes safely and comfortably. One common method is to mount a bike rack on the vehicle's towbar. There are bike racks specifically designed to carry four bikes, and these can be a good option because they provide a more stable attachment for the bikes and a higher weight capacity.

Another option is to use a roof or rear rack. However, these racks are usually only designed to carry up to three bikes and can be physically demanding to load and unload due to the extra height.

How many bikes are allowed on the towbar?

The maximum number of bicycles that can be loaded onto a trailer hitch depends on several factors, such as the maximum drawbar load of the trailer hitch, the weight of the bicycles, and the type of bike rack.

Pay attention to the drawbar load of the towbar

In towbars usually have a maximum tow load of 50 to 100 kilograms for cars and up to 150 kilograms for motor homes, which means that the weight of the bicycles plus the bicycle carrier must not exceed this load. There are bike carriers for two bikes and those for up to four bikes.

Why remove the battery when transporting the eBike?

Removing the battery when transporting an eBike has several reasons:

• Safety: the battery contains electrical components and is a potential fire and explosion hazard. Removing the battery reduces the risk of damage to the battery and thus the risk of undesirable events during transport.
• Weight: Removing the battery reduces the overall weight of the bike, making it easier to transport and reducing the risk of damage to the trailer hitch or bike rack.
• Theft protection: Removing the battery can reduce the risk of theft, as the battery can be stored separately and taken with you.
• Extending battery life: removing the battery during transport can help extend battery life by reducing the risk of damage from shock or vibration during transport.

What to look for when buying a bike rack for towbar?

When buying a towbar bike rack, there are several important factors to consider to ensure you choose a safe and practical product. Here are some important points:

• Load capacity: check the maximum load capacity of the bike rack. It should be sufficient to support the weight of the bikes being transported. Most trailer hitch bike racks have a maximum load capacity of 60-80 kg.
  • Important parameters: Dead weight, payload.
• Number of bikes: think about how many bikes you want to transport and choose the bike rack accordingly. There are bike racks for one to five bikes on the trailer hitch.
  • Important parameters: suitable for children's bike, road bike, ladies bike, men's bike, Y-frame bike, mountain bike (MTB), FATBike, eBike.
• Safety: check the safety features of the bike carrier. The carrier should have straps or locking devices to keep the bikes secure and prevent theft.
  • Important parameters: Anti-theft of the bikes, anti-theft of the carrier.
• Ease of installation: check how easy it is to install the bike carrier on the trailer hitch. It is better to choose a bike carrier that is easy to install and remove.
  • Important parameters: Quick release with lever
• Ease of use: check if the bike rack is easy to load and unload. It should also be easy to maneuver and store when not in use.
  • Important parameters: Quick release, Folding mechanism, Adjustable wheel holders, Pre-assembled, Foldable.

Comparison of rear carriers for towbar for four bikes.

It is impossible to compare all models of four-towbar carriers that you can find online, because the offer is so large. For this reason, we have selected some best sellers that can be found on eBay, Amazon, Otto, Kaufland, Lidl, online stores or Google Shopping in general. These include ALCOR 4 from Menabo, AMBER 4 and LUKE from EUFAB, SR6 from Bullwing, ATLAS Active 4 from HAPRO, Ventus 4 from XIMPLIO and AHTYT4 from AHAKA.

(*) - Folding bracket

(**) - bracket on trailer hitch lockable with padlock

(***) - partially pre-assembled

In addition to the above criteria, the price and value for money were also taken into account when awarding the overall score.

Certainly, each of the mentioned bike carriers has its advantages, which are of different importance for each cyclist, but in our ranking the placement of the first three places looks like this:

1. VENTUS 4 by XIMPLIO

The VENTUS 4 from XIMPLIO is an absolute price-performance winner. It is a lightweight bike carrier with quick coupling, aluminum rails and anti-theft device for the carrier as well as the bikes, which is also partially pre-assembled.

2. AHTYT 4 from AHAKA

The AHTYT4 from AHAKA is a product for those who only occasionally use a bike carrier and want to purchase a carrier at a reasonable price. The AHTYT4 is one of the most affordable towbar bike racks for four bikes on the market.

3. ALCOR 4 by MENABO

A lightweight bike carrier that is equipped with many useful extras, and is the only rear carrier in the test that is completely pre-assembled.