The Perfect Fit for Your Fat Tire E-Bike
Your fat tire e-bike is a valuable investment and, let’s be honest, not easy to balance on two wheels at the best of times. The fact that these bikes are heavy, with fat tires, and have a specific frame geometry require special handling. Normal racks don't even come close. In this guide, I’m going to explain the five most important factors when it comes to finding an electric bike rack that suits your needs and point you in the direction of high-quality racks that will carry your e-bike safely.
Key Factors for Choosing Your E-Bike Rack
Dimension 1: Ensure that your setup can handle the force of an electric bike
The first, and arguably most important dimension is if your current setup can handle the weight that comes along with an e-bike. A fat tire e-bike easily weighs upwards of 70lbs, and failure to account for this can cause catastrophic failure. Before you ever even consider a rack, you'll first need to know your vehicle's restrictions and the specifications of the racks. It's a firm and necessary safety demand.
- Inspect Your Vehicle’s Hitch Receiver: Your vehicle will have a specific class of hitch receiver. For heavy electric bikes, a Class III or Class IV hitch is highly recommended as they have tongue weight capacities of 500 lbs or more. Class II hitch — even this may not be enough, especially if you’re carrying two e-bikes. Morton's Fact: The tongue weight indicator is printed on a sticker with the hitch receiver, so make sure you cross-reference that number.
- Get Total Load Weight: Your hitch weight is your rack weight plus the weight of all bikes. A 60 lb rack + 75 lb e-bike is putting 135 lbs onto your hitch. And as always, never exceed the maximum tongue weight of your hitch.
- Test the Per-Bike Weight Capacity: Racks come with two kinds of weight capacity: total weight and per-bike. A 150 lbs total weight capacity rack might have a per-bike maximum of say, 80 lbs. Check that the per-bike limit is higher than the weight of your solo e-bike.
Factor 2: Accommodate the Unconventional Size of Fat Tire E-Bikes
Secondly, the rack must fit around the unconventional size of fat tire e-bikes. The “fat tire” moniker indicates that standard tire trays are too narrow and that the often-stout frames and longer wheelbases dictate their own design approach. Selecting the wrong rack can lead to your bike and the rack getting damaged.
- Tire Tray Width: This is everything. Try finding racks marketed as specifically designed for tires up to 5 inches wide. Some racks accommodate this without extra purchases, but others necessitate a “fat bike kit.” Bookmark This Tip: It’s actually cheaper to purchase a rack that has built-in fat-tire compatibility than it is to buy a standard rack and add on an adapter kit.
- Mounting Style: You definitely want a platform-style rack that mounts the bike by its wheels but is stable enough to lean and lock it on the rack while you duck into the gas station. The best way to do this is a ratcheting arm that clamps down on the tire. Shy away from racks that clamp down on the bike’s frame as the fat, funky tube shapes of most electric bikes might not fit — and you could end up scratching paint or damaging the frame.
- Wheelbase: E-bikes, particularly cruisers or trail models, may have a long wheelbase (the distance from the center of the front to rear wheel). Measure your bike wheelbase and compare it to the rack's max length to ensure fit.
Factor 3: Essential Features for Convenience and Security
More than mere compatibility, there are a few key features that can take this from a frustrating chore to so effortless that you barely notice it’s happening except when you need the benefits. It can be a hassle to load a bulky electric bike, and loading one poorly, as the name implies, is downright unsafe. The right features make it safe, easy and a security measure for one person.
- Loading Ramps: This is a real heavy e-bike game-changer. A ramp means you can just roll the bike up onto the rack, rather than lifting its entire weight onto it. A number of racks made specifically for e-bikes come with them, or can be accessorized with them.
- Tilt & Swing-Away Functions: This tilt feature lets you pivot the loaded rack down and away from your vehicle, giving you (and your car) convenient access to the rear of the vehicle without having to dismount and unload all of your bikes. You fucking need one of these for road trips.
- Lock: Check for a rack with an integrated lock. Top systems feature a locking hitch pin to fasten the rack to your vehicle and built-in heavy-duty cable or arm locks to keep the bikes attached. This even offers extra peace of mind when making quick stops.
- Foldability: Since it’s not in use all the time, most platform racks can be folded up vertically against the back of your vehicle. Its length is significantly less than a car overall, so if you can parallel park your car, then the package will go in just that much easier to your garage.
The 7 Best Hitch Racks For Heavy E-bikes
Now that we’ve answered those fundamental questions, here are some of the best hitch racks to consider for fat tire e-bikes. Here are the top options for e-bike carriers on your car and SUV. These are very highly rated for their solid build, user-friendly touches and e-bike compatible specs. Both are doing well in their own fields and it depends on you which to pick depending on your needs and priorities.
| Rack Model | Max Load (per bike) | Max Tire Width | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Racks Sport Rider | 80 lbs (36 kg) | 5″ | Great price, designed specifically for e-bikes |
| Thule T2 Pro XTR | 60 lbs (27 kg) | 5 inches | Premium ease of use with integrated wheels |
| Kuat NV 2.0 | 60 lbs (27 kg) | 4.8 in | Features and looks at the high end |
| 1UP USA Heavy Duty Double | 75 lbs (34 kg) | 4.9 inches | The most durable, all-metal build. |
What Are the Best Hitch Mounts?
- Hollywood Racks Sport Rider for E-Bikes: A purpose-driven beast, this rack is a heavy hitter that boasts an impressive 80 lb per-bike weight limit and simple, solid construction. For those hauling two heavy e-bikes, it’s a top pick.
- Thule T2 Pro XTR: Luxurious feeling and incredibly easy to use. The tool-free installation and large spacing between bikes means loading is easy, and with its own integrated wheels on the rack it's easy to move around when it's off the car.
- Kuat NV 2.0: A workhorse rack that looks great on and off the car. That means it comes with all the bells and whistles: an integrated bike repair stand, foot-activated pivot system for tilt and top-of-the-line security.
- 1UP USA Heavy Duty Double: It’s a favorite among serious enthusiasts, as it is minimalist and all-aluminum, which means that it is extremely resilient and rust-resistant. Its one-of-a-kind dual-wheel clamping design only makes contact with the tires.
The Perfect E-Bike for Your New Rack
The ENGWE Engine Pro 3.0 Boost
Once you’ve got the right rack, the very next step is finding an electric bike to put on it that will do justice to your adventures. The ENGWE Engine Pro 3.0 Boost is an engineer’s dream build for any riders that prefer power, intelligence and riding versatility all combined. The full-suspension, foldable design is ready to hit the rack so you can take it anywhere. Boasting an enormous 90Nm of torque, the powerful Boost motor provides confident acceleration and climbing traction, allowing you to power your way through a myriad of terrains on your journey; with the super sensitive torque sensor providing responsive and natural assistance without any delay. It's the ultimate combination of raw power, pure performance and authentic attitude.
- High Performance: 48V Hub Motor with 90Nm of Torque takes on any hill powerfully.
- Long Journeys: At an amazing 130km maximum range, on one single charge this Samsung cell battery of 48V15Ah will take you on incredible trips.
- Quick Recharging: 8A quick charger fills the battery in about two hours.
- Smart Technology: With the ENGWE IoT module, you can enjoy GPS tracking, automatic anti-theft lock and designer key-less unlocking via ENGWE App for great security & convenience.
- Premium comfort: Full front and rear suspension with an all-around-the-ground ride, on top of 20" x 4.0" anti-puncture fat tires.
- High-Performance: Magnesium Alloy Wheels with disc brakes for maximum performance, this electric bike not only looks stylish but offers a more efficient ride and gives the durability to stand up to long-term use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need a special kind of license plate holder for my rack?
Check your local laws. And if your license plate or tail lights are obscured by your bikes and carrier, many areas will make you truck around town with an auxiliary plate holder — and light board to seal the deal — in order to remain compliant.
Can I use a hitch adapter to mount a class III rack on my class II hitch?
This is strongly discouraged. This hitch adapter is not to increase the towing weight capacity. Attaching something like a heavy rack and e-bike setup to an underrated hitch on one thus presents a significant safety risk.
How can I prevent someone from stealing or rusting up my rack?
Make sure to always lock the rack with a locking hitch pin to your vehicle. For rust protection, opt for a rack constructed of aluminum or one with a premium powder-coat finish, and rinse it off with fresh water after exposure to road salt in the winter.
Not only does investing in the proper rack that will fit your e-bike give you countless safe and fun adventures to take, but it also allows you to easily adapt a pre-existing set of wheels as well.
