Few things beat loading up the bikes and heading off for the weekend — whether it’s mountain biking in the Grampians, a family ride along the bay, or an early Sunday spin to shake off the week. The catch is getting your bikes there safely. If you’re carrying more than one bike, the easiest and safest option is almost always a towbar-mounted bike rack — sometimes called a hitch bike rack or bike carrier. As Melbourne’s mobile towbar specialists, Five Star Towbars has fitted thousands of towbars and bike carriers — here’s how to choose the right bike rack for your car.
There are three common ways to carry bikes: on the roof, strapped to the boot, or mounted to a towbar. Roof racks make you lift heavy bikes overhead (awkward at the best of times, and a real struggle with e-bikes) and add wind noise and fuel use. Strap-on boot racks are cheaper, but they can scratch your paintwork and block the rear window. A towbar bike rack sits low, loads at waist height, carries the most bikes, and keeps the weight off your car’s body — which means less hassle, less risk of damage, and an easier load every single time.
If you’ve already got a towbar fitted, you’re halfway there: most hitch bike racks simply slot onto the tow ball and lock in place with the supplied pin.
Hanging racks suspend your bikes by the frame from an arm that clamps to the tow ball. They’re lighter, more affordable, and fold flat when they’re not in use — a great choice for road bikes and lighter frames. The trade-off is that bikes can sway on bumpy roads (an anti-rattle device sorts that out), and step-through or full-suspension frames may need an adaptor bar.
Platform bike racks hold each bike upright by the wheels on a tray. They’re the most stable, the kindest to expensive bikes, and the only sensible option for heavy e-bikes. Most tilt down for boot access and many fold up when empty. They cost more and weigh more, but for security and peace of mind they’re hard to beat.
A few quick questions will narrow it down fast:
We stock and fit trusted brands like Thule and Yakima, often as a towbar-and-rack package deal. Take a look at our range of towbar bike racks and bike carriers to see what suits your car.
No towbar, no problem. Five Star Towbars is a fully mobile service — we come to you anywhere across Melbourne metro at no extra charge, at home or at work, and fit your towbar and bike rack in the one visit. With 15+ years’ experience, a 4.9-star rating from 233+ reviews, and all work guaranteed, you’ll be road-ready without leaving the driveway. Here’s everything about our towbar installation in Melbourne service.
Most carry two to four bikes. Always check the rack’s total weight rating, not just the bike count — four heavy e-bikes can easily exceed a rack designed for four road bikes.
Almost always, yes. The rack needs to match your tow ball or hitch receiver, and your towbar must be rated for the combined weight. If you’re not sure, send us your car’s make and model and we’ll confirm the right fit.
For carrying two or more bikes, generally yes — they’re easier to load, carry more, add no roof-height wind noise, and won’t leave you lifting bikes overhead.
Yes — choose a platform e-bike rack (wheel-mount) rated for the weight of your e-bikes, and we can recommend and fit one to suit.
Whether you need a bike rack, a towbar, or both, Five Star Towbars will sort you out with an upfront quote and no hidden fees — and we’ll come to you. Get in touch about towbar installation in Melbourne today, and make loading the bikes the easiest part of your next trip.
About a month ago I got sick with the flu, so I went to the doctors to get some prescription medication. I went to my local chemist and was asked if I wanted a generic substitute. It’s a question I’d been asked many times before and had always said yes, just as I did on this occasion. But on my way home, I thought about other situations where the ‘genuine article vs. after market or generic product’ choice might arise and how it might affect me.
I might make a meal that ‘requires’ a certain brand of Canola Oil, but will replace that brand with a generic substitute and the recipe thankfully won’t fall to pieces. When it comes to my car, though, safety is paramount, so I’m happy to pay that little bit extra for the added peace of mind that comes with buying genuine parts or even an original equipment manufacturers product. It’s a fine rule to apply for items that are essential to the car’s safety, but is it necessary to go that far for something like a tow bar? Will I be compromising on safety by purchasing an aftermarket tow bar, and from a value standpoint, will I be saving enough money to justify that decision? Let’s take a look at both questions below with professional Melbourne towbar installers Fivestar Towbars.
Understanding towbar types starts with professional Tow Bar Installation advice. Genuine parts display car manufacturer logos but often come at a premium. OEM alternatives offer identical quality without branding, while trusted aftermarket brands like Hayman Reese deliver ADR-compliant safety at lower costs. Experts ensure your choice aligns with vehicle specifications and towing needs.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are exactly the same products made by the companies who make the ‘genuine’ parts for car manufacturers. The only difference is that the car manufacturer’s logo doesn’t appear on the product and so the product is less expensive than its ‘genuine’ counterpart.
Aftermarket towbars, however, come from third party, independent companies such as Hayman Reese and Westfalia who specialise in towbar design and manufacture. Like genuine and OEM parts, all aftermarket towbars sold by trusted retailers are designed and manufactured to conform to all Australian Design Rules. They are just as safe as genuine and OEM parts but are considerably less expensive, as you’re not paying for the privilege of the car maker’s logo. However, you should be aware that there might be some sub-par products on the market, so you should always go through reputable retailers like Melbourne towbar specialist FiveStar Towbars, who only deals with ADR approved parts.
Just like my initial example of saving money by opting for the generic substitute medication at the chemist, so too can a towbar purchaser potentially save – often anywhere between $400 and $600 – by opting for an ADR approved, aftermarket towbar instead of the genuine article. In some rare cases, you might save thousands! If you’re looking at price alone, bear in mind that the cheapest products that fall well below Australian standards might end up costing you more in the long run, so it’s always best to choose aftermarket towbar brands like Westfalia and Hayman Reese that have built up a strong reputation over the years. As for the installation process, you can either opt to do it yourself or find a specialist to install your towbar in Melbourne, such as Fivestar Towbars.
Many people remain hesitant about purchasing aftermarket towbars in Melbourne for a number of reasons, including uncertainty about the quality and the possibility of a third party towbar voiding your car’s warranty among them (don’t worry, it won’t). Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you.