15 Tips for Traveling with a bike rack

Traveling with a bike can be tricky. You have to consider the cost, time, and safety of it all. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled 15 tips that will make your traveling experience better! Read on to find out more about these handy hacks.

1. Make sure your bike rack is compatible with the type of car you drive.

Your bike rack should be compatible with your car. These two items will need to work together in order for the road trip to go smoothly! For example, a roof-mounted bicycle carrier is more suited towards sedans and Hatchbacks whereas a hitch-mounted option is better if you have an SUV or a truck.

If you go traveling and go for road trips a roof-mounted may be tricky if there are low hanging spots. Stopping and taking of the bikes go through the passage, stop, put back on the bikes is probably not something you look forward to.

having a trunk-mounted rack and not being able to open the trunk is when you have a family sitting in the back, less from ideal. a lot of hitch-mounted racks are able to swivel. This might be something to look into.

2. Check that the bike rack will fit on your car’s roof or in its trunk before purchasing a rack

This is something pre-travel. you might think, yeah this will fit ok, but if you go for a longer trip you could get annoyed if you have to stop every hour because the bike rack needs adjusting.

the best thing here is that you buy a test model and try it out at home before going traveling with your new purchase. this way, if there are any problems, they can easily be rectified!

check your car’s manual and the manual of the rack itself if the rack is fitted for your car. A lot of racks are adjustable but might not take into consideration when you have, for instance, a spoiler on the back of your car.

3. Use bungee cords to secure the bikes to the rack and make sure they are tied down securely 

I love this tip! Having Bungee cords is a live saver.

A lot of racks are equipped with straps but if these don’t work out well, bungee cords can save your life! They stretch so it makes them able to hold onto any object securely.

Just make sure that the cords don’t get caught in the wheel of your bike when you drive. You can also tie a knot or something similar if they are too long but it is not recommended to cut them because then there might be sharp ends sticking out and hurting people when leaning their bikes against it.

4. If it’s too difficult, try using a hitch mount instead for easier installation and removal.

This is another great tip. If you’re going on a long trip and things go wrong with the rack, it might be easier to remove the bikes from your car using a hitch mount instead of having to take off the roof-mounted bike carrier or trunk-mounted racks. especially when you have one which is able to swivel.

the best thing about a hitch mount is that it can be removed and put back on in seconds so you don’t have to worry. Hitch mounts are attached with bolts, which means they won’t damage the car or scratch paintwork if installed properly.

If you don’t want to take off your Hitch rack a hitch lock is great for a piece of mind when you park your car for the night or go for a long hike and leave your car for longer times unattended.

5. Make sure you have enough room in your vehicle for all of your gear, including extra clothes, shoes, food, water bottles, etc., because there won’t be any space left after installing a bike carrier!

When you go for a longer trip, all your belongings will be in the car. Try to make space for everything or else it can get really complicated when traveling from place A to B and things are not where they belong anymore.

Make sure you have enough storage room before going on a road trip

Remember to pack before you go! Packing way ahead before going on a trip is advised, this way you can make sure everything fits and there are no unpleasant surprises when getting up in the morning.

Are you going to a colder climate or warmer climate? Dress accordingly. maybe the days are warm but the nights are cool. having the right set of clothes is crucial for having a great trip or vacation.

6. Keep in mind that you’ll be carrying more weight on one side of your car with a bike rack, which can affect handling and gas mileage.

Having a bike rack installed can affect your gas mileage, because of the drag and wind and the weight of your rack and bikes your gas mileage might decrease a little. Your Braking distance might increase as well.

7. Get plenty of sleep before your drive. Think about exhaustion before you begin your journey, not after. …

This is very true, especially if you are traveling for a long time. If your body gets tired while driving it can result in more problems than just falling asleep on the wheel itself. A good night’s rest will do wonders before going on an adventure or trip!

Sometimes you might start late with packing, like the night before, realizing it takes more time than you thought and you end up going to bed too late. This is something you should try to avoid. because already starting the trip with a sleep deficiency is not a good idea.

8. Bring healthy road trip snacks. …

If you are planning to go on a long trip or adventure you should make sure your body is prepared for the journey. Loading up on healthy foods like fruits and vegetables which are energy boosters will help keep you awake, alert, and ready to take on anything that comes your way!

You are already sitting the whole while driving so you might as well eat a bit healthy to compensate for that and to keep you going. If you like some tips check this article.

9. Stay hydrated. …

It’s important to stay hydrated with a minimum of eight glasses a day. Don’t forget that caffeine and alcohol can both dehydrate your body so it might be a good idea to have an alternate beverage besides just water which is the best choice for hydrating! Keeping yourself well hydrated will help you feel better, keep your skin looking young and stay fresh while traveling to your destination

10. Plan your rest stops. …

Instead of driving in one go or stopping when you need to go to the bathroom or getting hungry the smartest thing to do is to plan your stops for rest and bathroom breaks.

It will prevent you from getting really uncomfortable or stopping at a bad spot which can put your safety in jeopardy. If possible, try to plan out multiple stops depending on the length of your trip

11. Don’t forget about fuel! …

Don’t underestimate how important it is to make sure you have enough gas before you start your road trip. Once you’re ready to take off check the fuel level of your vehicle and make sure it’s full!

There are many ways to locate gas stations along the way so don’t forget that if you need a top-up just stop by one of those spots

12. Chew gum. …

Chewing increase your alertness when you are tired, helps reduce stress when driving, and also works as an appetite suppressant. Chewing gum can be a great way to stay in control while on the road! You don’t have to trust me, trust the science!

13. Sniff Ginger oil…

If you have problems with motion sick or carsickness sniffing some ginger oil might come in handy for your travel experience. ginger oil has been used as a treatment for motion sickness since the 19 century and it’s still considered an effective remedy today.

14. Keep a first aid kit with you at all times for emergencies!

15. Check the tire pressure…

You should always check your tire pressure before you start driving to make sure they are inflated enough so that there is no risk of an accident due to low air levels in them! This is not only better for handling but also good for gas mileage.

Conclusion

All of these tips and tricks will help you have a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable ride while traveling in your car. They can also be applied to other forms of transportation like airplanes or even biking!

Whatever the case might be remember that safety is always the number one priority when getting around on any vehicle or mode of transportations. People who drive safely and obey the law will always be rewarded with a safe, relaxing ride.