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The FJ Cruiser doesn’t come from the factory with a hitch receiver, so a hitch-mount bike rack means installing an aftermarket Class III 2-inch hitch first — a real added cost that’s easy to miss when comparing rack prices. Roof-mount racks are the alternative and need FJ-Cruiser-specific crossbar towers (Thule and Yakima both sell fit kits for the FJ’s roof), so which route makes sense depends on whether you’re also planning to carry cargo boxes or kayaks.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MaxxHaul 70210 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack | ~$80 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Swagman XC2 Hitch Rack | ~$160 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Kuat Sherpa 2.0 2-Bike Hitch Rack | ~$759 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Thule T2 Pro XTR 2-Bike Hitch Rack | ~$900 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Thule Apex XT Swing 4-Bike Hitch Rack | ~$700 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Yakima FullSwing 4-Bike Hitch Rack | $400–$500 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Saris Cycle-On Hitch Rack | ~$899 | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | Yakima HighRoad Roof Bike Rack | ~$375 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
MaxxHaul 70210 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack
A budget swing-down hitch rack that carries up to 4 bikes on a 2-inch receiver, by far the cheapest way onto this list once you already have a hitch installed.
- Fits 2-inch receivers
- 150 lb total capacity, swing-down design
- Fits cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans
- Lowest price on this list by a wide margin
- Swing-down platform-style tray racks (Kuat, Thule below) hold bikes more securely and load faster
Swagman XC2 Hitch Rack
A budget 2-bike hitch tray rack with a highly adjustable ratcheting arm system, a step up from the MaxxHaul in bike security at a still-modest price.
- 2-bike capacity
- Ratcheting arm system, adjustable to different frame shapes
- Fits 1.25-inch and 2-inch receivers
- Good middle ground between the MaxxHaul’s price and the platform racks’ security
- 2-bike capacity only, versus 4 bikes on the MaxxHaul
Kuat Sherpa 2.0 2-Bike Hitch Rack
A compact, lightweight aluminum platform rack built by a dedicated bike-rack brand — wheel-mount design rather than frame clamps, which is gentler on carbon frames.
- Aluminum construction, wheel-mount tray design
- Cable lock included
- Fits 1.25-inch and 2-inch receivers
- Noticeably lighter than steel platform racks, easier to lift onto the hitch alone
- 2-bike capacity and a premium price relative to what it carries
Thule T2 Pro XTR 2-Bike Hitch Rack
Thule’s flagship platform rack, rated for heavier e-bikes and fat-tire bikes up to 60 lbs each — worth the price if you’re carrying anything heavier than standard road or mountain bikes.
- 60 lb per-bike capacity
- Tool-free tilt and fold
- Fits 1.25-inch and 2-inch receivers
- Highest per-bike weight rating on this list — the one to pick for e-bikes
- The most expensive 2-bike rack on this list
Thule Apex XT Swing 4-Bike Hitch Rack
A swing-away 4-bike hitch rack that pivots the whole rack away from the vehicle for rear hatch access — a real consideration on the FJ Cruiser, whose rear door swings open rather than lifting up.
- 4-bike capacity, swing-away design
- Fits 2-inch receivers
- Frame-mount arms with anti-sway cages
- Swing-away access is genuinely useful on the FJ’s side-hinged rear door
- Frame-mount rather than wheel-mount, so it’s less forgiving of odd frame shapes than the Kuat or T2
Yakima FullSwing 4-Bike Hitch Rack
Yakima’s direct competitor to the Thule Apex XT Swing — a 4-bike swing-away platform rack, letting the whole rack pivot down and away for rear access.
- 4-bike capacity, swing-away design
- Tool-free bike loading
- Fits 2-inch receivers
- Same swing-away rear-access benefit as the Thule Apex XT, often available cheaper on sale
- Regular (non-sale) price sits close to the Thule Apex XT despite similar capability
Saris Cycle-On Hitch Rack
A platform rack built to transition between 1.25-inch and 2-inch receivers on the same rack, useful if you might switch vehicles later.
- Converts between 1.25-inch and 2-inch receiver sizes
- Platform tray design
- Receiver flexibility that fixed-size racks above don’t offer
- Premium price for the flexibility if you’ll only ever use one receiver size
Yakima HighRoad Roof Bike Rack
The roof-mount alternative to all the hitch racks above — an upright wheel-hoop rack for FJ Cruisers already running Thule or Yakima crossbars, useful if the rear hitch is needed for a trailer or if you’re also carrying a rooftop cargo box.
- Upright wheel-hoop design, fits 26-29 inch wheels
- Universal crossbar hardware
- No frame contact — reduces frame damage risk
- Frees up the hitch receiver for towing or a cargo carrier instead
- Requires FJ-specific roof crossbars first, which is its own added cost — and lifting bikes overhead is harder than a hitch rack
Buying tips
- Budget for the hitch installation separately if your FJ Cruiser doesn’t already have one — a Class III 2-inch hitch is a real added cost on top of any rack here.
- If rear hatch/door access matters, a swing-away rack (Thule Apex XT Swing, Yakima FullSwing) is worth the premium over a fixed platform rack, especially given the FJ’s side-hinged rear door.
- Wheel-mount racks (Kuat Sherpa 2.0) are gentler on carbon frames than frame-clamp designs (Thule Apex XT Swing, Yakima FullSwing) if that’s a concern.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.