Best E-Bike Racks 2026: Heavy-Duty Hitch Racks Teton-Tested

E-bikes have fundamentally changed how we access the mountains, but they have also exposed a massive weakness in traditional gear: weight. In the Teton backcountry—where a “quick ride” often involves miles of washboard dirt roads and high-speed mountain passes—a standard bike rack simply won’t cut it. We’ve seen too many $5,000 electric bikes bouncing precariously off the back of trucks because the rack wasn’t engineered to handle the 60-to-100lb reality of modern e-mobility.

At Mountain Weekly News, we’ve spent the last several seasons putting 14 of the industry’s leading heavy-duty racks through a literal “Teton shakedown.” From our home base in Jackson Hole, we’ve loaded up everything from lightweight carbon commuters to 100lb “e-mote” beasts to find the breaking point. This isn’t a list generated by an office-bound algorithm; this is a professional, gear-tester guide curated from years of dirt-road testing to ensure your investment stays secured to your hitch, no matter how rowdy the road gets.

Best E-Bike Racks Tested by The Mountain Weekly News

Thule Epos 2

(Best Lightweight Champion)

If you are tired of wrestling a 70lb rack onto your hitch, the Thule Epos 2 is a game-changer. At only 38.1 lbs, it is a featherweight champion that still manages a stout 75 lb. per bike capacity. Thule has essentially solved the “storage and mounting” headache; it folds down into a compact footprint and features integrated wheels on the bottom, allowing you to roll it across your garage like a piece of luggage.

The Epos 2 uses individual telescoping bike arms that can grab any part of the bike—frame or wheel—making it incredibly versatile for mountain bikes, road bikes, and mid-weight e-bikes. While there is a fair amount of plastic to save weight, the engineering is unmistakably Thule. It’s the perfect blend of high-end design and user-friendly convenience for the daily rider.

Check out our Full Thule Epos 2 Review to see how this lightweight champion makes transport effortless.

Hollywood Racks CrossTrack 2

(Best Brawn Meets Style)

The CrossTrack 2 is where Southern California style meets Teton-tested strength. It’s a sharp-looking rack that looks at home on a high-end vehicle, but don’t let the aesthetics fool you—it’s built to handle 66 lbs. per tray and features Hollywood’s “No-Wobble” hitch system. The frameless capture mechanism grabs only the tires, ensuring your expensive paint and carbon frame stay untouched during transit.

Our testing team found the tilt-handle system to be one of the easiest to operate, even when loaded with bikes. It tilts back for easy trunk access and folds flat against the bumper when not in use. Note for e-bikers: The compression arms are not compatible with bikes that have full fenders, but for standard and fat-tire e-bikes without fenders, this is a premium, overbuilt solution that delivers incredible stability at a fair price.

Read our Full Hollywood Racks CrossTrack Review to see why this stylish rack is the perfect fit for high-end vehicles.

Kuat Piston ION 2

(Best for 100lb Payload & Off-Road)

Kuat is a major player in the rack world, but the Piston ION 2 is a dedicated beast built specifically for the heaviest e-bikes on the market. With a massive 100 lb. per tray capacity, this rack is off-road and RV-rated, meaning it’s designed to handle the bone-jarring vibrations of dirt roads and mountain passes that would snap a standard rack. The 2-inch chassis-mounted design is robust, and the slideable wheel chocks clamp onto tires securely without touching your bike’s frame.

One standout feature we loved during Teton testing is the included aluminum ramp. Since many e-bikes now tip the scales at 80+ lbs, the ability to power-roll the bike onto the tray is a back-saver. While it sits at a premium price point, the ION is the “peace of mind” choice for riders heading off-grid with bulky fat-tire e-bikes.

Read our Full Kuat Piston ION 2 Review to see why this is our top pick for off-road and RV adventures.

Hollywood Racks Destination E

(Overall Winner)

The Hollywood Racks Destination E is perhaps our favorite of this elite list, and it got an upgrade for 2024. It’s a dedicated e-bike rack for 2 e-bikes weighing up to 140 lbs. combined. The Destination E will fit hitches of either 1.25 or 2 inches, and its simple design makes attaching the rack to your trailer hitch an easy and low-stress step before your drive to the trailhead.

The Destination E-bike Rack can also fold flat against the car when not in use, and it includes a wide, sturdy aluminum ramp so the user can power-roll the bikes up onto the trays – a very useful feature whose necessity becomes apparent after a long day in the saddle. The last thing a tired rider wants to do is dead-lift 70 lbs. of e-bike up onto the rack, potentially twice. Hollywood Racks makes some of the best bike racks for electric bikes we have tested making this roundup for a second year in a row with both their racks.

Check out our Full Hollywood Racks Destination E Review to see why it’s our top pick for heavy fat-tire e-bikes.

Kuat Piston Pro X E-Bike Rack

(Best Premium)

The Kuat Piston Pro X is a purpose-built tool for the considerable job of securly transporting larger and heavier e-bikes. The hitch-mounted rack features pneumatic arms that easily open and close, a heavy steel hitch for the connection to your vehicle, but a lighter aluminum main frame and wheel trays, integrated lights that can plug into your vehicle’s wiring harness, and the ability to haul e-bikes weighing up to 67 pounds and with fat tires as wide as 5 inches. Carrying bikes with different wheel sizes isn’t a stumbling block for the Piston Pro X either – it will accommodate wheel sizes from 18 to 29-inch diameters.

The heft of the Kuat Piston Pro X Rack is matched by its price, but considering the heavier weights and increased value of e-bikes, it’s a price worth paying for such a well-designed and manufactured rack.

Read our Full Kuat Piston Pro X Review to see the ultimate in luxury and LED safety features.

Hollywood Racks Sport Rider

(Best Value)

With a brand-name like Hollywood, you might expect the Sport Rider to be an example of style over function, but the truth is far different. The Sport Rider is among the most versatile and adjustable racks we’ve seen, and it’s paired with a price tag that is more Main Street USA than Beverly Hills.

The Sport Rider accommodates two standard or e-bikes of up to 80 lbs. each and with tires up to 5 inches wide. In addition to the category standard ratcheting adjustable arms and wheel hoops, the Sport Rider has a couple of distinguishing features that set it apart from the crowd: the arms lock for protection against theft, and an anti-wobble system keeps your pricey steeds from swaying around at the back of the vehicle. These two bonuses mean that the Sport Rider is a particularly good choice for longer trips in an RV with stops in unfamiliar settings.

Check out our Full Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Review to see why this versatile workhorse is more “Main Street USA” than Beverly Hills.

RadGnaRack (High Modular Double)

(Best Made in USA Modular System)

Based right in Utah, the RadGnaRack is a heavy-duty solution for riders who hate the traditional “deadlift” into a rack. Instead of grabbing the wheels or frame, this rack uses a patented crank-holder mechanism. You simply roll your bike up the integrated ramp and slide one of the crank arms into the holder. Because the bottom bracket is the strongest part of a bike, it provides an incredibly stable, wobble-free connection that is rated for a massive 240 lbs total (120 lbs per bike).

We dig the “Made in the USA” ethos here—Don and Tyson handle the design, fabrication, and assembly domestically. It’s a modular system, meaning you can customize the clearance and attachment bar lengths to fit your specific truck or SUV setup. If your bike is pushing the 100lb mark, this is the muscle you need to keep it secure on the highway.

Read our Full RadGnaRack Review for a deep dive into this heavy-duty, Utah-made modular system.

1Up 2″ Heavy Duty Double

(Made in USA)

You might not have heard of 1 Up racks, and there’s a reason for that. Although the Wisconsin-based company has been around since 2001, over the past 21 years they’ve been steadily improving their product through research, design and testing instead of aggressively marketing the many virtues of their racks. But based on their sales numbers and popularity with cyclists of all stripes, the secret has gotten out.

The Heavy Duty Double reflects 1Up’s singular focus of function. The base model holds two bikes and can be upgraded to a 4-bike carrier with an additional kit. With its sturdy materials and construction, the Heavy Duty Double can also haul motorcycles or mountain bikes. It holds the bikes by the wheels and not by the frame tubes, and it comes in silver as well as black, which may provide a measure of extra visibility for the empty rack that protrudes behind the trailer hitch reciever. Best of all, 1Up racks are all designed, tested and built right in Wisconsin, USA.

Read our Full 1UP USA Super Duty Review to see why “Made in the USA” aluminum is the only choice for washboard roads.

Saris Door County 2

(Best for Heavy Lifting)

Saris makes perhaps the ultimate rack for e-bikes with its Door County 2 motorized rack. Named after a scenic outdoor paradise on the northern shores of Lake Michigan in Saris’ home state of Wisconsin, the Door County 2 connects to your vehicle’s 7-pin rear connection (the hook-up you would use for a trailer), and has the power to effortlessly pick up and lift 2 full-size e-bikes onto its stable platform – and off again when you’re at the trailhead. And also like a trailer, the Door County 2 has integrated tail, brake and running lights to keep you and your gear safe on the roadways.

The Saris Door County can transport two bikes of up to 60 lb. each, and it includes integrated

locks for each bike carrier. The strong lobster claw design bike holds will keep your bikes secure without scratching the paint, and they are one of the only bike rack for ebike with fenders, additional accessories include lights and bags. Such a dedicated product comes at a hefty price, but when you consider the many thousands invested in your e-bikes, its $1299.99 MSRP is well-worth it for the peace of mind it provides.

Yakima StageTwo

(Best Off-Road Tray)

Ease of use and versatility are the hallmarks of the Yakima StageTwo. It can fit regular bikes with any wheel size, tire width, or wheelbase length. The optional loading ramp is designed specifically for ebikes, and it will accommodate bikes up to 70 lbs. each. The rack also features a locking receiver knob, integrated cable locks, and an additional lock loop, for added security while escaping the big city or stopping for a post-ride meal.

The rack is easy to install, but its heavy duty pedigree means that it can be a hassle and a heft to take it off the car and store it in the garage. Still, it ranks as one of the best choices in the marketplace, and the Yakima name means both quality and ease of finding add-ons or replacement parts through their extensive dealer network.

Check out our Full Yakima StageTwo Review to see why it’s a top choice for off-road stability and heavy hauls.

Black Widow Dirt Bike Hitch Carrier

(The Heavyweight Alternative)

As its name implies, the Black Widow accommodates those other kinds of dirt bikes with gas-powered engines, so it’s going to be plenty stout for any e-bike out there. Black Widow racks easily fit to your vehicle hitch, and they each include a loading ramp.

Their lineup includes hitch mounted platform carriers for either one or two bikes, each with a weight load capacity that e-bikes won’t come close to exceeding:

• AMC-400: 1 bike up to 400 lbs., 4′ ramp
• AMC-400L: 1 bike up to 400 lbs., extra-long 6′ ramp
• AMC-400-F: 1 bike up to 400 lbs., 4′ ramp, folds up when not in use
• AMC-600-2: 2 bikes up to 600 lbs. combined, 4′ ramp

Check out our Full Black Widow Hitch Carrier Review to see why we recommend a motorcycle-grade rack for 100lb+ e-motos.

RadGnaRack

(Best Innovative Modular)

The RadGnaRack (Rad-Naar-Rack) is a modular hitch mounted bike rack designed specifically for heavy eBikes, with its powered ramp loading system, but it can also be used for mountain or road bikes. The RadGnaRack was designed, fabricated, and assembled in their facility in Utah. Their handbuilt construction ensures the highest level of quality and durability, and the folks at RadGnar really stand behind their products.

They are our neighbors here in the western U.S., folks you might meet out on your favorite trails. This gives them a huge hometown advantage – a significant factor given lingering Asian supply chain issues for replacement parts. With its modular design, future modules are in the works that will allow for transportation of other large pieces of outdoor adventure equipment.

Check out our Full RadGnaRack Review for a deep dive into this innovative, easy-loading American-made beas

How We Test E-Bike Racks in Jackson Hole

To separate the true heavy-duty contenders from the “garage queens,” we put 14 different racks through a brutal Teton shakedown. Our testing process goes far beyond a simple highway cruise; we subject these racks to the high-torque stresses of highway speeds over Teton Pass, where 10% grades and sharp switchbacks test every ounce of a rack’s structural integrity against swaying “dynamic loads.”

When we aren’t on the pavement, we’re hammering these racks down washboard dirt roads and gravel tracks riddled with deep potholes in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. To ensure these racks can actually handle the “100lb challenge,” we loaded them with the heaviest bikes in our fleet, including fat-tire e-bikes like the 103lb Ariel Rider Grizzly. By the time a rack earns a spot on this list, it has survived hundreds of miles of bone-jarring vibration and mountain-pass torque, proving it can keep your investment secure no matter how rough the road gets.

The 100lb Challenge: Can E-Bike Racks Handle Heavyweight Mopeds?

Most premium e-bike racks on the market, like those from Thule, Kuat, and Hollywood Racks, are engineered to cap out at 60 to 75 lbs per tray. This creates a significant problem for riders like Robert, who reached out to us about transporting a 103lb Ariel Rider Grizzly—a bike that officially exceeds the safety rating of almost every standard bicycle rack in existence.

When you start pushing into the 80lb to 100lb+ range, you aren’t just looking for a “beefy” bike rack; you are entering the territory of dynamic loads that can snap standard aluminum trays on a bumpy dirt road. For these heavyweight “e-motos,” we stop recommending bicycle-specific gear and suggest moving to a motorcycle-grade hitch carrier (like the Ultra-Fab Dirt Bike Carrier).[1] These are rated for 400–600 lbs and utilize a 2-inch steel receiver, providing the only truly safe way to transport a 100lb beast without risking a catastrophic failure on the highway.

Yakima OnRamp E-Bike Rack

(Best Ramp System)

As its model name indicates, the OnRamp from industry stalwart Yakima allows the user to roll their e-bikes up onto the bike trays through the use of integrated aluminum ramps. The Yakima OnRamp Rack features a deceptively simple design that actually provides amazing versatility: the adjustable bike trays allow you to carry 2 e-bikes of up to 66 lbs. each, as well as standard mountain, road, gravel, hybrid, women’s specific, kids and BMX bikes. These easily adjustable trays also minimize the bike-to-bike contact that other all-encompassing racks can sometimes allow.

Yakima’s Integrated SKS (Same Key System) locks are included with the OnRamp, and they allow the user to lock the bikes to the rack, and also to secure the rack to the vehicle’s trailer hitch, an important security measure that is sometimes overlooked by rack manufacturers.

Read our Full Yakima OnRamp Review for the most adjustable and ramp-accessible rack in the fleet.

Thule Easy Fold E-Bike Rack

(Best for Storage)

The Swedes have a design ethic of functional, no-nonsense technology, and the Thule Easy Fold exemplifies the engineering of its home nation. As its name implies, the Easy Fold’s main advantage is its ability to be folded away and stowed out of the way of the vehicle’s other intended uses outside of hauling bicycles. But at a moment’s notice, this Clark Kent of bicycle racks can be easily deployed into a “Superrack” of sturdy steel construction (with some aluminum and vinyl plastic bits for weight savings).

A couple of unique and thoughtful touches that the Thule Easy Fold Rack has are roller wheels on the rack itself, to help with storing it after it’s taken off the trailer hitch, and a license plate mount on the rack itself to comply with any local laws regarding license plate obstruction. After all, a Superrack like the Easy Fold must always do the right thing.

Check out our Full Thule Easy Fold Review to see how the integrated ramp and folding design make transport easier.

Inno Racks Tire Hold 2 E-Bike Rack

(Best Frame-Free Option)

The Innoracks Tire Hold 2 looks solid standing still, and the two stout wheel hoops on both ends of the bike trays hold your bikes securely to the rack, without the annoying and sometimes disconcerting wheel rattles and movements of frame-secured bikes at higher speeds. Since the frame is the heart of the bike, it won’t be scratched or dented by the Tire Hold 2’s wheel mounts.

The Tire Hold 2 will accommodate 2 e-bikes of up to 60 lbs. each, and for those who use the rack for both standard and e-bikes, the lack of frame mounts means that the Inno Racks Tire Hold 2 Rack can accommodate carbon-framed road bikes as well as bikes with oversized forks. It’s heavier than some of the other racks on this list, but it’s also safe to say that its price is light for this crowd.

Read our Full Inno Racks Tire Hold 2 Review for a secure, frame-free option that excels with heavy bikes.

Saris MHS 2 E-Bike Rack

(Most Customizable)

The Saris MHS 2 encompasses a smart modular design that allows the user to add on kits to the base to carry up to four bikes. But the base modules and extra bike trays are sold individually, and so the buyer who needs the rack for only two bikes won’t be paying as much as someone who needs it for the maximum four bikes.

The easily upgradable design of the Saris MHS 2 Rack paired with the ability to tip the loaded rack down to allow the user to open a rear hatch, and the MHS 2 has a relatively light weight depending on the base module and number of bike trays needed. The only limiting factor of this rack is the per-bike limit of 60 lbs., which may be approached or exceeded with a backcountry e-bike decked out with bags and other accessories.

Check out our Full Saris MHS Review to see how this modular hitch system adapts to any e-bike setup.

Additional E-Bike Racks to Consider

Rambo Fat Tire Bike Hitch Hauler

(Best for Hunting)

Rambo is a manufacturer of e-bikes, so it makes sense that its own trailer hitch-mounted rack would be specifically tailored for e-bikes. The Fat Tire Bike Hauler has universal top clamps and an adjustable base for the full range of tire widths and wheel sizes from 16” to 29”. It has a two bike capacity and holds up to 145 lbs. combined weight.

The hauler trailer hitch bike rack for ebikes is made from steel and powder-coated in a durable black finish. It also has a pivoting feature that allows the user to access the vehicle’s rear tailgate or hatch while the hauler is still attached to the trailer hitch receiver, which is extremely convenient for long journeys when other luggage besides bike gear is stored in the back of the vehicle.

Himiway E-bike Hitch Rack

(Best Branded Value)

Himiway is another e-bike manufacturer who makes a dedicated rack to carry any of the e-bikes in its product line-up. Himiway sells its trailer hitch bike rack for ebikes rack direct to consumers at a very affordable price, the only drawback being that the user must assemble it herself. That task is greatly aided by the helpful installation video and instruction manual available at Himiway’s website.

The Himiway E-bike Hitch Rack mounts to a 2-inch trailer hitch, and it will accommodate up to 165 lbs. of combined bike weight. The durable steel rack folds up when not in use, and it will pivot down so the vehicle’s hatch can be accessed. The rack also includes a key locking hook pin, safety cable and locking frame hooks for added security.

MotoTote Mini Dual E-Bike Rack

(Crossover Heavyweight)

Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the cryptically-named Mini Dual E-Bike rack from MotoTote, which is headquartered in the Dallas suburb of Coppell and has its production facility in the Lone Star state as well. Nothing is small about the Mini, including its stout 63 lbs. weight. Its weight capacity is similarly impressive: the Mini Dual can haul two heavy e-bikes with a combined weight of 350 lbs.

Perhaps it’s the fact that MotoTote makes carriers for motorcycles and dirt bikes, but with its integrated tire tracks and wheel chocks and low loading height, the Mini Dual is, if anything, a bit overbuilt (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). The ZeroWobble+ hitch mount reflects the overall ethic of strength and stability, and it installs easily with fewer specialized tools required.

Swagman Current E-Bike Rack

(Best Entry-Level E-Bike)

As its model name indicates, the Swagman Current is purpose-built for e-bikes. While that doesn’t mean that the Current won’t haul standard bikes, it does mean that it has a 120 lb. weight capacity (2 bikes of up to 60 lbs. each), and the ability to secure fat bikes with tires of 5 inch width.

While the Swagman Current Rack uses a frame mount system, the ratcheted hooks are strategically padded to avoid marring or scratching your bikes. The rack also tilts down when fully loaded to allow access to your vehicle’s rear hatch, and both the hitch pin and bike mounting hooks lock for added security.

Buzz Rack E-Scorpion 2 E-Bike Rack

(Sturdy & Versatile)

The E-Scorpion 2 from British company Buzz Rack has a reputation for being one of the most solid and sturdy e-bike compatible racks on the market. At 18.1 kg (39.82 lbs), it’s not the heaviest of the racks we’ve looked it, but it is among the most versatile.

The Buzz Rack E-Scorpion 2 uses a secure mounting system with ratcheted straps for the wheels that fit tires up to 4in wide, and the lockable frame arms can be attached to any part of the frame or even to the seatpost. The E-Scorpion 2 Rack is a particularly good choice for the big and tall cyclist, with wheel holders that will accommodate larger wheelbases;up to 129.5cm, and the upright can be raised, making it suitable for bikes with very large frames.