A pickup truck is a type of vehicle that is always good for transportation where there is a truck bed for loading important things and accessories. Judging by their weights, payload capacities, and maximum towing capabilities; they are overall the perfect vehicles when you want to take any kind of adventurous tours. There are four kinds of different categories for pickup trucks in the American market. They are – compact size (also refer to mini or small), mid-size, full-size and heavy-duty. The compact size pickup trucks are considered as small size trucks whereas the full-size and the heavy-duty are deemed as standard size trucks.
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No matter what kind of truck you drive, there will be someplace for mounting any type of bicycle rack on your truck’s bed.
Talking about mounting bicycles on the truck bed of a pickup truck, there can be tons of bike racks for your truck bed. It is usual to get confused by the vast options of bike racks available in the market, especially when you don’t have enough knowledge about bike-accessories. So, we are presenting you with this article so that you can get rid of your confusion and get an idea about what kind of bike rack you are really looking for, for your truck bed.
We want to entitle the Swagman Tailwhip tailgate pad as our editor’s pick among all the racks from our selection.
The Swagman Tailwhip tailgate pad comes with versatility and comes with style. There is nothing that this rack won’t cover. Ballistic Tarpaulin build material, protective Velcro straps, Daisy chains, and other amazing features have made this tailgate pad the desired choice for many people who drive a pickup truck. There is nothing to dislike about this rack. This rack gives your truck a solemn look occupying a very tiny space and this rack is also waterproof.
- No. of Bike Capacity: 5
- Rack Weight (lbs): 3
- Dimensions (inch): 61″ x 20-1/2″ x 1″
- Application: Full-size Pickup Trucks
Our selection concludes the following racks:
| Bike Rack | Rack Type | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Swagman Tailwhip | Tailgate Mount | Check Today's Price |
| Hollywood Racks T970 | Fork Mount | Check Today's Price |
| Thule Insta-Gater | Wheel Mount | Check Today's Price |
| Yakima GateKeeper | Tailgate Mount | Check Today's Price |
| Inno Velo Gripper | Side-Clamp | Check Today's Price |
| Swagman PickUp | Fork Mount | Check Today's Price |
| TopLine UG-2500 | Side-Clamp | Check Today's Price |
| Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage SportsRack | Truck-Bed/Standalone | Check Today's Price |
8 Best Truck Bed Bike Racks You can Buy Today
Before you read further of this article, we want you to look at this comparison table that will give you some general ideas about the racks that we have chosen.
| Racks | Preview | No. of Load Bike Capacity | Total Load Capacity (lbs) | Style | Dimensions (inch) | Rack Weight (lbs) | Lock Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swagman Tailwhip | 5 | n/a | Tailgate Mount | 61" x 20-1/2" x 1" | 3 | No | |
| Hollywood Racks T970 | 1 | 45 | Fork-Mount | 4.3” x 1.5” | 0.5 | No | |
| Thule Insta-Gater | 1 | 50 | Wheel-Mount | 40.6” x 18” x 6.7” | 11 | Yes | |
| Yakima GateKeeper | 6 | n/a | Tailgate Mount | 62” x 20” x 7” | 8 | No | |
| Inno Velo Gripper | 1 | n/a | Side-Clamp | Clamp: 2-13/16” x 1-⅝” / Rod’s Length: 6-⅜” | 4 | No | |
| Swagman PickUp | 2 | 70 | Fork Mount | 54” x 3.5” x 6” | 13.23 | Yes | |
| TopLine UG-2500 | 2 | n/a | Side-Clamp | 21.8” x 11.5” x 2.8” | 4 | Yes | |
| Heininger Automotive 2025 Advantage SportsRack | 4 | n/a | Truck-Bed/Standalone | 31” x 27” x 6” | 0.5 | Yes |
1. Swagman Tailwhip: Carries up to 5 bikes
- Type: Tailgate Mount
- No. of Bike Capacity: 5
- Rack Weight (lbs): 3
- Dimensions (inch): 61″ x 20-1/2″ x 1″
- Application: Full-size Pickup Trucks
- Velcro Strap: This rack can firmly load 5 bikes with 4 Velcro straps.
- Loop Straps: Attach all three loop straps to their corresponding buckles and snug them up to get the perfect stability.
- Protective: The high-density foam padding is very soft and your bikes and truck’s surface will be protected.
- Build Material: Made of ballistic Tarpaulin which will ensure great durability.
- Soft Fleece Line: The pad is lined with soft fleece on the inside to keep your vehicle protected.
- Daisy Chains: These Nylon chains are strategically placed that enables versatile bike placement.
- Latch Access: The large flap pocket will allow you easily access the tailgate latch without removing the pad.
- Save-Up Storage: Keep the rack always mounted as it doesn’t cover almost any space in your truck bed.
- This flap can also be secured up to expose the rear cam when not carrying any bike.
- A waterproof pad, so rainwater won’t do any damage.
- You will get a limited lifetime warranty.
- You cannot hang any bike unless the tailgate is closed.
- Don’t tie all 3 loop straps too tightly otherwise the pad might tear up.
- A well-built bike rack, but there will be excessive movements of your bikes crossing bumpy roads.
The Swagman Tailwhip tailgate pad is certainly the best option to transport bikes on your truck bed. This full-size pad is 61” wide and 20-½” tall that will fit almost any full-size pickup truck. It is one of the most affordable solutions for you that you can find in the market for securely carrying up to 5 bikes. This rack has a simple design, yet it will definitely look cool on your truck. For adjusting different truck sizes, this rack is available in two sizes – Full-size and Mid-size carrier.
This rack is not only great for bikes but also great for hauling lumbers, surfboards, ladders, kayaks and other outdoor gears.Swagman Tailwhip
For its robust stitching, the Tailwhip is impervious to tears, fraying and decay due to excessive sun-heat. At the same time, this pad is also waterproof, so you can carry your bikes under rain-water. Loading and unloading your bikes will be a breeze with this rack and the 4 Velcro straps are vowed to keep your bikes secure. However, to be more secure you can buy additional Tailwhip Velcro straps that will hold your bikes more tightly. Watch this video from ‘Swagman’ to find out how to install this rack and how its features work.
2. Hollywood Racks T970: Mountable on any surface. Cheapest option.
- Type: Fork-Mount/Truck Bed
- No. of Bike Capacity: 1
- Rack Weight (lbs): 0.5
- Dimensions (inch): 4.3” x 1.5”
- Weight Capacity: 45 lbs
- Application: Full-size Pickup Trucks
- Adjustability: A compact size rack that can fit anywhere in your truck bed, inside a minivan, on the toolbox or in a trailer.
- 9mm Skewer: A 9mm quick-release skewer will secure the fork to the vehicle.
- Rapid loading and unloading of your bike are possible with the help of this skewer.
- Build Quality: A heavy-duty rack constructed with 6061 Aluminum.
- Over-Locknut-Dimension: With this type of dimension, you can adjust the front wheels of any bike with a 100mm locknut.
- Bike Compatibility: It won’t matter if your bike has either a disc or standard brake system, with this rack you can easily mount it.
- Easy Installation: This rack is pre-assembled, so you don’t have to worry about setting up the rack.
- Color: Allows you to choose from two available colors – Black, Chocolate.
- Against any defect, you are getting a lifetime warranty from ‘Hollywood Racks’.
- As it is a fork mount rack, you have to remove the front wheel of your bike first to mount it on this rack.
- Forcefully occupies a large portion of the storage of your vehicle when it is installed.
- Sometimes you need to find a suitable flat platform to install the rack i.e. a wooden plank.
- If this rack is installed in your vehicle, then the cone nut may vibrate off when you are crossing an uneven bumpy road.
- If you install this rack on the truck-bed, you may find the quick-release very tight.
The Hollywood Racks T970 is a great fork-mount rack that can be easily set up on your truck bed. This pocket-friendly bike rack can accommodate a wide selection of bikes with various weights and frame sizes. But it is recommended that you should load a bike that weighs not more than 45 lbs. The installation is hassle-free as the rack is already assembled. You just need to install it on your truck bed or somewhere convenient.
This bike rack can hold only one bike. But if you want to carry more bikes as there is some space on your truck bed, then you can buy other packs with multiple numbers of this rack. This rack is available in – 2, 3 or 4 pack variants in the market. If you are a professional bike transporter, then this rack might come in handy for you.
Hollywood Racks T970
3. Thule Insta-Gater Truck Bed Rack: No frame contact. Our premium choice
- Type: Wheel-Mount/Truck Bed
- No. of Bike Capacity: 1
- Rack Weight (lbs): 11
- Dimensions (inch): 40.6” x 18” x 6.7”
- Weight Capacity: 50 lbs
- Application: Full-size Pickup Trucks
- No Frame Contact: An adjustable hook secures your bike by holding the front tire and makes no contact with the frame.
- RQL(Ratcheting Quick-Load): By using the ratcheting arms, you can quickly load your bike.
- Bicycle Compatibility: An ideal rack to carry carbon frame bikes, eBikes, mountain bikes, downhill, and fat bikes.
- Any bike with a wheel size of 20″ to 29″ and tire up to 5″ can be accommodated with this rack.
- One Key Locking System: A lock cylinder (one-key and it is sold separately) is available that will enable you to lock your bike to the rack with just a single key.
- Easy Installation: You don’t need to make any hole or drill your truck bed to mount this rack.
- You will get a limited lifetime warranty against any defects in materials and workmanship.
- If your truck has a tailgate gap greater than ½”, then this rack won’t fit.
- The rack won’t be ready to carry your bike until the tailgate is closed.
- You have to lift up your bike to place it on the truck bed and then mount it to the rack, which is very exhausting.
- This rack has no functional locking option, all they have to do is take off the front tire and steal your bike.
- This rack sucks for trucks with short beds such as Dodge Ram 1500.
The Thule Insta-Gater truck-bed mount rack keeps your bike steady in an upright position making no contact with your bike frame. For the installation of this rack, you don’t have to make any hole for inserting bolts or drill your truck bed. The ratcheting arms of this rack will prevent your bike from bouncing around in the back of your truck.
It is possible to install up to 3 Thule Insta-Gater bike racks when the truck bed has a tailgate of 51” or more. And you can add 2 Thule Insta-Gater bike racks on a truck bed where the tailgate is equal or greater than 34”. There is a One-Key lock cylinder available for this rack which will add extra security for your bike and you can just lock your bike with a single key, but you have to buy it separately.
Thule Insta-Gater
4. Yakima GateKeeper: Best for full-sized truck bed. Carries up to 6 bikes
- Type: Tailgate Mount
- No. of Bike Capacity: 6
- Rack Weight (lbs): 8
- Dimensions (inch): 62” x 20” x 7”
- Application: Full-size Pickup Trucks
- Convenient Transportation: This large size tailgate pad will provide a safe and secure transportation for 6 bikes.
- Velcro Cradle: With the new shape Velcro cradles, you can put your faith to carry carbon-frame bikes.
- Abrasion Resistant: Made of rugged Nylon material that is resistant to abrasion and any kind of weather damage.
- SitTight Strap Management System: This rack is integrated with a strap management system that keeps the pad along with your bikes very firm and secure on a bumpy mountain road.
- Vehicle Compatibility: This large size tailgate pad will fit most of the full-size pickup trucks.
- The back of the pad is extra soft that will keep your truck’s paint job-protected.
- HindSight Cover: The built-in large flap cover will tuck out of the way so that you can access the back-up camera or tailgate handlebar without removing the pad.
- Easy Installation: Just hang it on the tailgate, keep the top aligned with it and tie down the 3 adjustments straps and voila! You are ready to go.
- Yakima will provide a limited 2-year warranty for this pad.
- Unless the tailgate is closed, you cannot load your bikes.
- To some users, the Velcro cradles seemed to be weak after using the rack for a year.
- You may face difficulties placing the rack on the correct spot as there is no specific instruction.
- Need to push the straps hard under the tailgate.
- Durable rack, but unable to keep the bikes still and the bikes will probably flap around.
- Unlike the Swagman Tailwhip, it is not waterproof.
The Yakima GateKeeper is the perfect alternative if you are tired of your current bike rack or you are unable to buy the desired tailgate pad for some reason. This rack will surely give your truck the coolest look while keeping almost all the space in your truck bed as it will be attached to the tailgate.
You will find two sizes of this rack – medium and large, so choose the right size of this rack depending on your truck’s size. The back of this pad is much softer to protect your tailgate surface. The Velcro straps, integrated strap management system, tough build quality and other features made this rack a perfect companion to transport your bikes on the truck bed.
Please be sure to check your truck’s bed size and select the perfect size of the rack before buying it.
Yakima GateKeeper
5. Inno Velo Gripper: Space-saving (you will get 90% free space of your truck bed)
- Type: Side-Clamp
- No. of Bike Capacity: 1
- Rack Weight (lbs): 4
- Dimensions (inch): Clamp: 2-13/16” x 1-⅝” / Rod’s Length: 6-⅜”
- Weight Capacity: 33 lbs
- Application: Trucks with Standard Side Rails
- Save Space: This rack takes only 10% storage of the truck bed and by gripping along any c-channel track system or standard truck bed 90% of the storage will be retained.
- With the help of ratcheting straps and adjustable rods, this rack will hold your bike firmly by its fork.
- Bike Compatibility: A perfect rack to accommodate mountain bikes, cruisers, BMX bikes and other types of bikes.
- D-Rings: If you want to add extra cable locks, the built-in D-rings will provide tie-down points for them.
- Easy Installation: Without drilling your truck bed you can easily install this rack on the side rails of your truck bed.
- Mounting hardware is included with this rack.
- Build Quality: Strong and durable build quality with silver powder coating that is resistant to rust.
- The company will back you up with a limited lifetime warranty.
- At the mounting point, this rack may damage your bike’s finish as the surface that holds your bike is hard.
- There is a warning for this rack – that you should keep it out of direct sunlight and it is better to store it after you have finished using it.
- Make sure that your truck’s rails and the bike frame are perfectly aligned. So check your vehicle’s compatibility for this rack before buying it.
- This rack has some adjustment issues with a c-channel.
The Inno Velo Gripper truck bed bike rack comes with an amazing concept to store your bike on your truck bed saving up a huge portion. This rack is a solid rack that will guarantee the safety and security of your bike that you have always longed for. With a weight load capacity of 33 lbs, this rack can hold any bike effortlessly.
In 1976, ‘Inno’ started as a car rack division for a Japanese auto accessories company called Car Mate. By achieving worldwide recognition for building first-class products at affordable prices, Inno made its demand in the North American Market in 2003.
Before you buy this rack, first check the compatibility of your car for this rack. There might be some issues for adjusting this rack if your vehicle has a c-channel, for example – a Toyota Tacoma or a 2008 Nissan Frontier. But sometimes you may face adjustment issues even with a standard rail system, for example – a second-generation Honda Ridgeline.
Inno Velo Gripper
6. Swagman Pick-Up Truck Bed Bike Rack: No drilling installation
- Type: Fork Mount/Truck Bed
- No. of Bike Capacity: 2
- Rack Weight (lbs): 13.23
- Dimensions (inch): 54” x 3.5” x 6”
- Weight Capacity: 35 + 35 = 70 lbs
- Vehicle’s Compatibility: You can adjust the length of the rack (52” – 69”) with its telescoping bar to fit any truck bed.
- Scratch-free Adjustment: This rack firmly places on the truck bed by gripping the rails with its end-pads that will keep the truck’s surface scratch-free.
- Quick Release Skewers: With a 9 mm quick-release skewers on the fork-mount blocks, this carrier secures your bike forks.
- Push-Button Lock: Remain free of worries as this rack will secure itself with a push-button lock where there are 2 tubular keys to unlock it.
- Easy Installation: Simple and quick installation and this rack ensures no drilling on your truck bed.
- Build Material: A long-lasting bike rack with stainless steel construction.
- The fork blocks are adjustable and you can change their positions to ensure enough space between your bikes.
- A limited lifetime warranty will be provided by ‘Swagman’ against any manufacturer’s defects.
- The locks are unable to provide a great deal of security to prevent your bike from getting stolen.
- Need to fix the locking mechanism which can be very tricky.
- This rack won’t work with trucks that have bed liners, such as a 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with 5.5” bed.
- The assembly guideline is poor and may need some modifications before using it.
- There are some objections from the customers that this rack isn’t compatible with newly designed MTB and road bikes.
The Swagman Pick-Up (item 64702) fork mount truck is a classical design reliable bike rack for your truck. With the help of an adjustable telescopic arm, this rack can attune any compact or full-size truck beds. Promotes easy and quick installation and within a few minutes of installation, it is prepared to carry bikes on your way.
This rack is not very supportive when it comes to the locking mechanism of this rack. However, there are some add-ons that you can buy for this rack to update the overall performance. You can buy a padlock that will attach to the telescoping-arm lever if you want extra security for your bikes. You can add an additional fork mount (P848), if you want to carry a third bike.
Swagman Pick Up
7. TopLine UG-2500: 2-Bike Truck Bed Carrier
- Type: Side-Clamp
- No. of Bike Capacity: 2
- Rack Weight (lbs): 4
- Dimensions (inch): 21.8” x 11.5” x 2.8”
- Application: Full-size Pickup Trucks
- Quick Installation: It is said that the installation process will only take 2 minutes.
- UniGrip: With this system, you will be able to mount 2 bikes with different frames.
- Locking Option: Keep your bikes locked with a 74” cable lock.
- Bike Frame Compatibility: The clamps can attach various bike frames where the diameter is up to 1 – ½”.
- Save Space: It only occupies a limited space at the side of the truck bed, so you will get a lot of storage on your truck bed.
- Add-A-Bike Assembly: With this system, you can carry 2 bikes smoothly.
- Hold your bike safe and secure in an upright position clamping them to the truck bed rail.
- You can use this rack with or without bed liners.
- A limited 1-year warranty will be provided with this rack.
- Damage your truck’s body as you need to drill a hole or cut the bed liner for installing this rack.
- The clamp can be too small to adjust all types of bike frames.
- The Add-A-Bike system works, but both your bikes need to be in a similar size.
- The clamp system of this rack won’t work for vehicles with tie-down track system in their beds, for example – 2005 and newer Nissan Frontier.
- This rack won’t work with trucks with OEM track system where you can’t access the underside of the side rails.
The TopLine UG-2500 truck bed bike rack is a good option when you are willing to carry 2 bikes by the side rails of your truck bed. And you can successfully carry 4 bikes on your truck bed if you have two of these bike racks installed on both side rails of your truck.
This rack holds your bike by its frame and keeps it firm and steady in an upright posture during transportation. You can
