Cutters & Pliers

Kuat build hitch-mounted platform racks are the type that holds the bike by its wheels rather than clamping the frame. This is why they're the usual recommendation for carbon and anything with a finish you care about.

Every rack below fits a standard 50mm (2") towbar receiver, and we're an authorised Australian dealer, so warranty and spare parts are handled locally.

Will a Kuat rack fit your towbar?

Almost certainly yes. but check the size, because Kuat is an American brand and sells receiver sizes that don't all apply here.

Kuat racks are made for 1.25" and 2" hitch receivers. The Australian standard tow hitch is 50mm square, which is the 2" fitting. The 1.25" size is uncommon here and mostly turns up on older imports.

So for an Australian car, you want the 2" version.

How to check in ten seconds:

Measure the inside of the square opening on your towbar receiver.

Around 50mm means you're on the standard fitting and any 2" rack on this page will slide straight in.

Anything noticeably smaller, talk to us before you order.

Number plates

A rack mounted on the back of your car will usually cover your number plate.

That isn't legal, and it isn't something you can talk your way out of at the roadside.

In Victoria there are two ways to fix it, and VicRoads is explicit about both:

Relocate your existing plate onto the rack, or order a dedicated bicycle rack number plate through myVicRoads.

Either way you need somewhere to mount the plate.

Kuat make a licence plate mount that bolts to the rack, in versions for the NV 2.0, Piston Pro and Piston ION. Buy it with the rack and the whole problem is solved before you drive anywhere.

Outside Victoria the requirement exists but the process differs by state, so check with your own registration authority before you travel.

E-bikes, kids' bikes and fat bikes

Three things that catch people out, all solvable with the right part:

• E-bikes are heavy and awkward to lift onto a rack. Kuat make a ramp for the NV 2.0 family and the Piston family, so the bike rolls up rather than being lifted. If you're carrying e-bikes regularly, the Piston ION is the model built for it.
• Kids' bikes with 20–24" wheels are too small for a standard tray. There's a 20–24" wheel adapter that fits the NV 2.0.
• Fat bikes need the Phat Bike Kit, which adds a strap extender and a wider front tyre strap.

Check the per-bike weight limit on the product page before loading two e-bikes onto a rack rated for lighter bikes this is the most common overload situation we see.