You’ve got your WheelWally installed. Your bike is strapped in and standing upright in the truck bed. Looks great. But here’s a question worth thinking about: how secure is the rear end of that bike when the road gets rough?
The WheelWally does a fantastic job of holding the bike upright. The straps secure the tires and rims to the rack, and the rack is anchored to the truck. That front end is solid. But the rear wheel needs attention too, especially once you start driving. Highway speeds, crosswinds, bumpy back roads, gravel, potholes. All of that wants to push your bike around.
Good news: every WheelWally ships with a Rear Wheel Tie Down Kit (R.W.T.D.K.) included right in the box. So you’re covered from day one. But there’s also an upgrade option called the Off-Road Kit (O.R.K.) that takes rear security to another level.
Both solve the same core problem. They just do it in different ways. Let’s break them down.
The Rear Wheel Tie Down Kit (R.W.T.D.K.)
The R.W.T.D.K. comes included with every WheelWally, so every customer has rear wheel security right out of the box. It does exactly what the name says: it ties down the rear wheel so it stays planted on the truck bed floor.
Think of it like putting a seatbelt on the back tire. The wheel stays put, the bike stays upright, and you can drive without worrying about your bike tipping over or bouncing around on smooth roads.
Here’s what it does well:
It keeps the rear wheel from lifting or bouncing during transport. It’s quick to set up and easy to use. It works great for everyday highway driving, paved roads, and short trips to the local trail. And since it comes standard with every WheelWally, there’s no extra cost to get started.
Here’s where it has limits:
The R.W.T.D.K. keeps the rear wheel down, but it does not provide lateral stability. That means the rear of the bike can still sway side to side. On a smooth highway at steady speed, that’s usually fine. On a winding mountain road or a rutted-out dirt path, that side-to-side movement becomes something you’ll notice.
For lighter bikes like a standard road bike or a lightweight hardtail, the R.W.T.D.K. handles most riding situations well. The bike simply doesn’t have enough mass to generate a ton of lateral force during transport. You strap it down, you drive, you’re good.
But for heavier bikes, things change. A full-suspension mountain bike, an e-bike, or a beefy downhill rig carries a lot more weight in the rear end. That extra weight means more momentum when the truck hits a bump or takes a turn. And momentum without lateral support can lead to more movement than you’d like.
The Off-Road Kit (O.R.K.)
The O.R.K. is the upgrade, and honestly, it’s the one we recommend for everybody. At about $95, it’s one of those purchases that pays for itself in peace of mind the very first time you use it.
The key difference is lateral stability. The O.R.K. connects to the side rail hardware, creating a rigid connection between your bike and the truck bed walls. This means your bike is held in place in every direction: front to back, up and down, and side to side.
Here’s what the O.R.K. does that the R.W.T.D.K. can’t:
It provides true lateral stability, keeping the bike fixed in place at all times. It prevents the rear end from swaying on rough roads, sharp turns, and uneven terrain. It handles heavy bikes with confidence, including full-suspension rigs and e-bikes. And it gives you that feeling of total security when you glance in the mirror and see your bike standing perfectly still.
That last point is worth emphasizing. With the R.W.T.D.K., you might look in your rearview mirror and see your bike swaying a little. It’s fine. It’s not going to fall out. But it can make you nervous, especially on a long drive or a rough road. With the O.R.K., you look in the mirror and the bike isn’t moving. At all. That peace of mind is worth the $95 all by itself.
If you’re the kind of person who drives down unpaved forest service roads to get to the trailhead, the O.R.K. is what you want. If you’re hauling a heavy bike, the O.R.K. is what you want. If you just want to strap everything down and never think about it again, the O.R.K. is what you want.
It replaces the R.W.T.D.K. entirely. You don’t need both. The O.R.K. does everything the tie down kit does, plus the lateral support on top.
So Which One Should You Pick?
Here’s the honest answer. It depends on how you ride and how you drive. But if you’re on the fence at all, go ahead and spend the extra $95 on the O.R.K. You’ll love it way more, and you won’t spend your drives second-guessing whether the rear end is secure.
Stick with the included R.W.T.D.K. if:
You ride a lighter bike (road bike, lightweight hardtail, cruiser). You mostly stick to paved roads and highways. Your drives to the trail are short and on smooth surfaces. You want to start with what’s in the box and upgrade later if you feel the need.
Upgrade to the O.R.K. if:
You ride a heavier bike (full-suspension mountain bike, e-bike, downhill bike). You drive on dirt roads, gravel, fire roads, or rough terrain to reach your rides. You want maximum security with zero side-to-side movement. You haul your bike frequently and want a “set it and forget it” solution. You plan to drive at highway speeds for long distances. Or you just want the most reassuring setup possible from day one.
A Word About What NOT to Do
This is worth mentioning because it comes up. Some people figure they can skip the rear tie-down step entirely and just let the WheelWally and front straps do all the work on their own.
Not quite. The WheelWally holds the front end beautifully. That’s its job and it does it extremely well. But without any rear support, the back of the bike is free to swing. On a smooth parking lot at low speed, it’ll probably stay put. On a highway on-ramp or a bumpy fire road, you’re asking for trouble.
The site even has a photo showing an installation without any rear tie-down labeled “This installation is not allowed!” That’s a real warning. Heavy bikes especially need that rear support, and the O.R.K. is the best way to provide it.
The Bottom Line
Every WheelWally comes with the R.W.T.D.K. included, so you’ve got rear wheel security the moment you open the box. It works well for lighter bikes and smooth road driving.
But if you can swing the extra $95, the O.R.K. is the upgrade worth making. It covers every scenario you’ll encounter, and you won’t find yourself wishing you had more support when you’re bouncing down a washboard road with your favorite bike in the back.
Go ahead and treat yourself to the full system. Your bike is an investment. The last place it should get damaged is in your own truck on the way to the ride.
Head over to our Store to check out both the Off-Road Kit and the Rear Wheel Tie Down Kit. And if you haven’t installed your WheelWally yet, visit our Installation page for the complete setup guide.