How Do You Open a Tailgate on a Bike Rack?

How do you open a tailgate on a bike rack? It sounds like a simple enough question, but the answer can be surprisingly tricky. Whether you’re looking for the best bike rack for your Honda CRV or any other car, it’s important to know how to safely open the tailgate on your bike rack.

Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to ensure that your bike is secure and your tailgate open. Read on to find out.

How Do You Open a Tailgate on a Bike Rack?

The first step to opening a tailgate on a bike rack is to locate the latch or lock mechanism that is allowing your tailgate to stay closed. 

Depending on your bike rack, this could either be located near the center of the rack or along one side. Next, use either a key or other unlocking device to open the latch and unlock it. 

Once you have unlocked it, rotate the handle of your bicycle rack until it disengages from its mounted position. 

From here, you will then be able to open your tailgate and begin loading up your bikes or other necessary items for transport. 

Make sure when closing and locking in place again that you do not leave any tools behind as this can cause damage if not properly secured before driving off with your bike rack loaded onto a vehicle.

How Do You Use a Tailgate Bike Rack?

To use a tailgate bike rack, start by unlocking the latch or lock mechanism on the back of your vehicle. 

This could be located in either the center or along one side of the rack. Then rotate the handle until it disengages from its mounted position and open up your tailgate to begin loading up any bikes you may need to transport.

Once you have all your items loaded onto your tailgate bike rack, make sure that each item is securely fastened before closing and locking in place again. 

You can then drive off with your bike rack safely attached to your vehicle and ready for an adventure! Be sure to double-check that all tools are removed before driving off as leaving these behind can cause damage if not properly secured.

How Do You Properly Set up a Bike Rack Around a Tailgate?

The first step to setting up a bike rack around a tailgate is to find the latch or lock mechanism that will keep your tailgate closed. 

Depending on the type of rack you have, this could be located near the center or along one side of the bike rack. Once you have located it, use either a key or unlocking device to open and unlock it.

Next, carefully raise and adjust your bike rack according to its instructions so that it fits securely over your vehicle’s tailgate. 

Make sure all tools are removed before closing and locking in place again. After ensuring everything is secure, you will be ready to start loading up any necessary items for transport onto your bike rack. 

Finally, double check that each item is correctly fastened into place before driving off with your loaded tailgate bicycle mount.

Avatar photo

Jo Charnock — Mud Bike Writer

Jo biked overland from Cairo to Cape Town on a folding bike, then set up a bike shop selling Dahon folding bikes in South Africa when she got home and opened a MTB tour company in Zanzibar. She resides in Cape Town or Zanzibar, where she has been writing professionally since 2018.

Linkedin

Read Jo Charnock’s Full Writer Bio