Obscuring the license plate can get you in trouble in some states. That’s why you have to make sure that a rack you are about to buy won’t cause such sort of problems.
Can a bike rack cover your license plate (laws by state)?
Keep in mind this choosing a rack that does not obscure the license frame:
- All trunk racks obscure the license frame one way or another. As a result, you will have to buy either a roof rack or a hitch rack with an additional license frame,
- All roof racks require crossbars and all hitch racks require a trailer hitch in order to be installed. Moreover, you have to make sure that those items are compatible,
- Weight of bikes. For really heavy bikes, the hitch rack is the only option. Roof racks can’t carry bikes heavier than 45 lb,
- Types of bikes. Not all racks are universal. As a result, check the compatibility if you would like to carry e-bikes, fat-tire bikes, kids’, women’s or BMX bikes,
- For expensive bikes (especially carbon frame) I would recommend buying a no-frame contact rack (secures bikes either by the wheel or by the fork). Otherwise, it is highly likely that your bikes will get scratches or even dents.
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Best bike racks that do not cover the license plate
Roof racks is your ultimate choice if you would like to have a rack that does not cover the license frame. By its nature roof, racks can’t obscure the license frame’s visibility under no circumstances. Moreover, they do not block trunk access which makes them quite easy to use.
However, there is a good hitch rack that covers the license plate but has got an additional license frame so your license plate will be 100% visible.
Yakima HighRoad – Best roof rack overall (especially for fat-tire bikes)
- Type of mount: wheel
- Max bike weight: 45 lb (20.4 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 26” to 29” (66 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 4″
- Max wheelbase: 48″ (122 cm)
- Crossbar spread: between 18″ and 36″
- Empty rack weight: 18 lb (8.2 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes (sold separately)
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- No frame contact
The Yakima HighRoad Bike Rack is designed to hold up to 45 lbs. This bike rack is made from alloy steel and features a strong, rubber-coated crossbar that secures the bikes without any frame contact. This bike rack can carry relatively heavy bikes and is easy to install.
Key Takeaways
- Definitely worth the money because of premium quality and useful features,
- No wobbling at all as the whole construction is extremely sturdy,
- Lifting a bike up might be challenging or impossible for some people,
- This bike rack is highly recommended for expensive bikes because of no frame contact. As a result, your bikes won’t get scratches,
- The best choice for fat-tire bikes (in comparison with other roof racks).
PROS
- Premium quality overall
- Straightforward installation
- Both rack and bike are very robust
- Can carry quite heavy bikes
- Can carry most bikes (including fat-tire)
- Does not block trunk access
- Does not cover license frame and taillights
- Locks are included
- Won’t scratch your bikes (no frame mounting)
- Won’t damage your car
- Universal (compatible with most crossbars)
- You don’t have to remove the wheel
CONS
- The whole system is expensive (since it requires crossbars)
- Keep in mind that loading a bike requires some muscles
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Thule ProRide XT – Premium roof rack for not expensive bikes
- Type of mount: frame
- Max bike weight: 44 lb (20 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 29” (74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″ (5″ with adapter)
- Max wheelbase: 48.6″ (123.5 cm)
- Downtube diameter: 0.87” to 3.15” (round shaped only)
- Empty rack weight: 11 lb (5 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
Don’t worry about your bike, worry about the road. Thule ProRide XT is lightweight, durable and easy to install with the included locking mechanisms. The bike seats are made of strong, spring-loaded aluminum and a fast-release lever provides easy access. Now you can ride with peace of mind.
Key Takeaways
- Premium quality roof bike rack,
- The ease of use highly depends on your physical conditions,
- I would not recommend this rack to carry expensive bikes because of frame contact mounting (will scratch your bike),
- Fat-tire bikes require an adapter (sold separately).
PROS
- High quality materials
- You don’t have to remove the front wheel
- Easy to assemble and install
- Can carry relatively heavy bikes
- Does not block trunk access
- Does not cover license plate and taillights
- Low risk of damaging your car
- Looks modern and fancy
CONS
- Quite pricey considering it requires crossbars
- Not that easy to load a bike
- Won’t fit fat-tire bikes out of the box
- Frame contact mounting will leave some scratches
- Does not fit all crossbars
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Thule FastRide – Elegant roof rack which is super robust
- Type of mount: fork
- Max bike weight: 40 lb (18.1 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 29” (74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″
- Max wheelbase: 49.2″ (125 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 7.3 lb (3.3 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes (sold separately)
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- No frame contact
Thule FastRide makes bike transportation easy and safe with a stable, sturdy and adjustable rack. Made of aluminum, this bike rack fits almost all bikes under 40lbs. It secures your bike at the fork (no frame contact) for a safe and secure ride.
Key Takeaways
- This rack is really well made (premium quality materials on top of good design overall)
- Zero wobbling since a bike will be secured by its fork (most reliable mounting),
- You are supposed to lift a bike up. Moreover, the front wheel must be removed,
- This rack is truly universal since it fits most bikes. Especially it is good for expensive and carbon frame bikes as it won’t leave any scratches.
PROS
- Premium quality materials
- Won’t take much time and effort to install
- It is as sturdy as you can get (both rack and bike)
- Can carry most bikes (women’s, kid’s, fat-tire, etc.)
- Easy trunk access (does not block it as some hitch or trunk racks)
- Does not cover taillights and license frame
- No frame contact mounting (no scratches on your bikes)
- Won’t damage your car
- Looks beautiful
CONS
- Pricey (keep in mind that you have to have crossbars to install it)
- Mounting bikes on the roof is not that easy
- Can’t carry really heavy bikes
- You have to remove the front wheel each time
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Yakima ForkLift – Premium roof rack for not heavy bikes
- Type of mount: fork
- Max bike weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 20” to 29” (51 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″
- Max wheelbase: 48″ (122 cm)
- Crossbar spread: between 16″ and 42″
- Empty rack weight: 7 lb (3.2 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes (sold separately)
- No frame contact
Yakima ForkLift is a fully functional bike carrier that is strong, versatile, and easy to install. The lightweight rack is designed to hold bikes by the fork without additional crossbars. It can fit most bikes with crossbars under 35 lbs.
Key Takeaways
- This is a really light and well made fork-mounted rack,
- The whole construction is super sturdy (zero wobbling),
- You have to be ready to remove the front wheel each time you would like to transport a bike,
- This bike rack is designed to carry rather lightweight bikes (up to 35 lb). Except for this limitation, it can fit basically all bikes,
- The rack is amazing for carrying expensive or carbon frame bikes since no frame contact ensures no scratches.
PROS
- Premium quality overall
- Easy to assemble and install
- Your bike will be super sturdy
- Most bikes will fit
- Easy trunk access
- Won’t obscure license plate and taillights
- No frame contact mounting ensures no scratches
- Negligible risk of damaging your car
- Universal since it fits most crossbars
CONS
- The whole system is expensive (requires crossbars)
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- The front wheel must be removed each road trip
- Expect 10-20% mileage reduction
Thule Upride – Premium roof rack for Thule crossbars
- Type of mount: wheel
- Max bike weight: 44 lb (20 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 20” to 29” (51 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″ (5″ with adapter)
- Max wheelbase: 51″ (130 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 17 lb (7.7 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes (sold separately)
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- No frame contact
Designed to carry most bike types up to 44 lb, the Thule Upride is a no frame contact mount that fits only Thule crossbar systems. Thanks to aluminum construction, this carrier is strong and lightweight while the included adjustable straps allow for an easy installation and maximum use.
Key Takeaways
- Premium quality materials make this rack worth the money spent,
- No wobbling since a bike will be properly secured by the wheel,
- It does not block the trunk access obviously but lifting bikes up can be challenging for some people,
- A good rack for those who have no problems with lifting up 20-40 lb,
- An awesome rack for expensive bikes since it won’t damage your bikes due to zero frame contact.
PROS
- Premium quality materials
- You don’t have to remove the front wheel
- Easy to assemble and install
- The rack itself and a bike will be very sturdy
- Can carry most bike types
- Does not block your trunk access
- Locks included (not that reliable)
- Does not cover license plate and taillights
- Won’t damage your bike (zero frame mounting)
- Low risk of damaging your car
- Looks modern
CONS
- Quite expensive given that it requires crossbars and can carry only 1 bike
- It might not be that easy to load bikes
- For fat-tire bike you need to buy an adapter
- Not universal (fits Thule crossbars only)
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Thule EasyFold XT (2)- Premium hitch rack
- Max number of bikes: 2
- Max bike weight: 65 lb (29.5 kg)
- Total load capacity: 130 lb (59 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 29″ (74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″ (4.7″ with an adapter)
- Max wheelbase: 51″ (130 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 45 lb (20.4 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- Hitch receiver size: 1.25″ and 2″ both compatible (class 2-4)
- Tilt function (easy trunk access): Yes
This bike rack is perfect for any busy family who loves getting out and enjoying the outdoors. It secures bikes by the frame ensuring safe and easy lifts when you’re on the go. It folds up easily, fits on smaller cars, is made of durable aluminum and plastic materials, requires hitch receiver to be installed (1.25″ and 2″ both compatible), can carry 2 heavy bikes (up to 65 lb each).
Key Takeaways
- Great choice if you are not on a budget (very high quality overall and many useful features so it is worth the money),
- No hitch or bikes wobbling,
- This rack is very easy to use (both bikes mounting and access of the trunk) so it is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who will use it often,
- Perfect choice for not fat-tire heavy bikes,
- I would not recommend it for fat-tire bikes since it won’t be much space between bikes,
- I would not recommend it for carbon frame and other expensive bikes as it might leave scratches.
PROS
- Premium quality materials (rust-resistant)
- Super easy to install (no assembly required)
- Bikes and rack itself are very sturdy
- Has additional taillights and license plate frame
- No risk of damaging your car
- Won’t reduce your mileage much
- Bike rack to the receiver lock included
- Can carry really heavy bikes
- Bike loading ramp (no heavy lifting required)
- Foot pedal tilt (trunk access with bikes mounted)
- Fits both 1.25″ and 2″ receivers
- Compact since it is fully foldable
CONS
- Quite expensive
- Bikes to the rack locks are not reliable
- Clearance between fat-tire bikes could be better
- Frame contact (not recommended for expensive bikes)