Hitch Bike Rack Buying Guide: Racks and Storage Accessories
By Mountain Sports | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: 구매 가이드
Use this hitch bike rack buying guide to pick a double bike rack for your SUV and add bike rack storage accessories that keep gear organized on every trip.
Quick answer
Choose a two-bike EXO DoubleUp if you already run an EXO SwingBase and want a double bike rack that leaves room for an EXO GearLocker or GearWarrior below. Add the EXO TopShelf only when you need a second tier for storage, and use EXO GearTotes to keep that storage organized.
Why the EXO base decides your rack choice
The EXO DoubleUp does not attach directly to a standard hitch; it connects to an EXO SwingBase or an EXO TopShelf in seconds using the EXO cleat. That means your first decision is not which bike rack to buy but whether you already own or plan to buy the EXO base platform. If you are starting from scratch, budget for the base before adding the bike rack or storage tier.
This modular design is a trade-off: it limits you to the EXO system, but it lets you move one rack between bike hauling and gear hauling without buying a second hitch-mounted product.
When a second tier makes sense for an SUV
The EXO TopShelf attaches to and requires the EXO SwingBase to create a second level. For a bike rack for SUV use, that second level can hold EXO accessories while bikes ride on the DoubleUp below, or it can double your hitch capacity when you are not carrying bikes.
Skip the TopShelf if you only ever carry two bikes and never need extra cargo space. Add it when cycling trips also involve camping, skiing, hiking, or simply more gear than your SUV interior can hold.
Storage accessories are not optional clutter
A hitch rack gear tote system only helps if you can move gear from house to vehicle to destination without repacking. The EXO GearTotes are sized for the EXO GearLocker and fold flat when empty, so they earn their place only if you already use a GearLocker or plan to add one.
If you do not have an EXO GearLocker, the totes have no dedicated home in this system. In that case, put your budget toward the base and bike rack first.
Decision rules for your hitch setup
- Start with the base, not the bike rack: If you do not already own an EXO SwingBase, buy that first. The EXO DoubleUp and EXO TopShelf both depend on it, so a bike rack alone will not mount to your hitch. Confirm your EXO base before adding any bike or storage tier.
- Pick the DoubleUp when bikes are the priority: Choose the EXO DoubleUp if you need to carry up to two bikes and want clearance for a GearLocker or GearWarrior below. It fits fat tires through road bikes according to the catalog. Check that your bike tires fall within the range the rack is designed to accommodate.
- Add the TopShelf only for extra cargo: Buy the EXO TopShelf when you regularly need a second tier for gear or a second pair of bikes. Skip it if two bikes and no extra cargo cover your typical trip. The TopShelf requires the SwingBase, so factor both into your budget.
- Use GearTotes only with a GearLocker: Add EXO GearTotes if you already own or plan to buy an EXO GearLocker. They are sized for that locker and fold flat when empty, but they have no dedicated place in the EXO system without it. Do not buy totes as a standalone storage solution.
Product facts
- Exo DoubleUp Bike Rack: The two-bike EXO DoubleUp attaches directly to the EXO SwingBase or to the second-tier EXO TopShelf, allowing room for an EXO GearLocker or EXO GearWarrior below. You can carry bikes and still access gear stored below, but only if you already have the EXO base or add it.
Exo DoubleUp Bike Rack - Exo TopShelf Accessories Storage: The EXO TopShelf attaches to and requires the EXO SwingBase to create a second level on your EXO setup. It is a capacity expander, not a standalone rack, so it only makes sense after the base is in place.
Exo TopShelf Accessories Storage - EXO GearTotes: EXO GearTotes are collapsible, dividable totes sized for the EXO GearLocker, with a 50-pound carrying capacity each. They keep gear organized inside a GearLocker, but they are only useful if you already own or plan to buy that locker.
Who this setup fits
Best for
- Owners of an EXO SwingBase who want a double bike rack with room for gear below
- SUV drivers who need a modular hitch system for bikes, camping gear, or ski trips
- Riders carrying a mix of fat tires and road bikes within the rack's stated range
Not for
- Shoppers who need a bike rack that mounts directly to a standard hitch without an EXO base
- Owners who never carry more than two bikes and have no need for extra cargo capacity
- Buyers who want a standalone gear tote without an EXO GearLocker
