Bike racks

MadRiver · **Joined:** Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:17 pm **Posts:** 10

Howdy all!

I'd love advice on bike racks. I'm not a big fan of roof racks, so I'm looking for something to go on the rear end. I've seen the MOPAR rack that mounts on the spare, as well as the racks that mount on the trailer hitch. I'd love to hear what people like.

Thanks!

priell3 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 14, 2005 6:04 pm

I got the MOPAR spare mounted bike rack. It holds the bikes securely and I don't have to lift up to the roof, which would be harder now that I've added a lift.

I'm happy with it. Got it at www.jparts.com

Amarony · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 4:24 pm **Posts:** 23

http://www.rackattack.com/exdthule-943.asp?id=98

Got mine yesterday.

OKJeep · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:45 am

I've got a Swagman 3-bike rcvr' mounted rack. Bad thing right now is that it's for the 1-1/4" hitch on my old Honda. I am ordering a 2-to-1-1/4 adapter from etrailer.com that will give me enough space to clear the spare tire and fit my 2" rcvr.

PCTim · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 9:50 am

I've been looking myself, and here is what I found.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1325931&cp=1326068
They have a Bell 4 bike for $99 and a 2 bike for $79. They also have another 2 bike on page 2 for the same price (the only difference is it comes with a lock). Same price. I'll only use it a couple of times a year for the kids bikes, so I think it'll be fine for my needs. It's also a lot cheaper than the $200 - $300 ones I've seen from Thule and Yakima. I'll let you know how it works out.

OKJeep · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 5:18 pm

Don't forget about the spare tire if you use a hitch mount rack.

ozzmanliberty · **Joined:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:05 am **Posts:** 1

I have 2 racks ....

I have a the bike rack option installed on my hitch haul. I love it. The hitch haul itself is extremely useful for hauling stuff too big or too dirty for inside the liberty, and the bike rack part is so easy to use.

However, I don't like to ride around with my Haul on everyday because of how far it hangs out the back.

Therefore I also bought a 4 bike carried collapsable hitch mount. They are all about the same. It works just fine. I keep it mounted on my jeep every day and lets me grab my bike for a ride at a moments notice.

Just make sure you buy an aftermarket metal bracket/spacer to convert the 1 1/4 pipe to 2 inches. The plastic spacers the come with the bike racks just don't do the job.

PCTim · **Posted:** Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:50 am

So I picked up an Outback hitch mount rack this weekend for $99. It holds 3 bikes, and clears the spare tire. It seems to work ok. The bikes bounce around quite a bit, but they don't go anywhere. I think it's the whole rack that moves, however it is bolted in (instead of a pin), so I'm not too worried. I'll look into an aftermarket bracket that Ozzmanliberty was talking about. I'll post some pics later tonight.

PCTim · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:10 pm

In case you are still interested, here's the rack I got.

GregB · **Posted:** Fri Jul 22, 2005 9:31 am

I've had a lot of luck with the cargo carrier I picked up this summer. It was only $60. I can put 2 or maybe 3 bikes on it, and it works great for putting coolers and firewood on when camping. The only drawbacks are that I've got 2 or 3 inches of overhang from the spare tire and it doesn't fold out of the way of the trunk like some hitch mount bike racks do. Some examples at this website...

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/merch ... y_Code=CC2

Local discount tool stores will usually have them onsale from $55-$75 for a basic carrier.[/img]

MadRiver · **Joined:** Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:17 pm **Posts:** 10

Thanks for the advice everyone! I went with the Thule rack on the spare tire. Quick question: I assume I should NOT open the rear gate with the bikes on there. I can't imagine the hinges will like the extra weight.

Thanks again!

priell3 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 25, 2005 3:21 pm

MadRiver wrote:

Thanks for the advice everyone! I went with the Thule rack on the spare tire. Quick question: I assume I should NOT open the rear gate with the bikes on there. I can't imagine the hinges will like the extra weight.

Thanks again!

I open my rear gate with the bikes on it, doesn't seem to be a problem.
Just watch the flipper glass doesn't go crashing into the handlebars.

Be gentle, don't fling the door open or shut. :wink:

Wahoo650 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 03, 2005 9:06 am

I've got the Hidden Hitch 2" receiver and the Yakima Big horn 4 bike rack. I had to get HH extension to clear the spare, but then it stuck out too far IMO. I cut the extension down a couple inches and redrilled the pin holes-problem solved. This is a very heavy duty rack system and keeps the bikes very high, limiting opportunities to drag them when getting back into camping sites. Of course, if you add in the cost of the hitch, I've got about $350 invested so I can carry 4 bikes with absolutely no worry of losing/damaging them.

I didn't like the idea of the spare tire mounted racks. Additional weight on a door is never good over the long term, and I plan on having my KJ a long time!

Littlehorn · **Posted:** Mon Sep 05, 2005 2:00 pm

Do the hitch mounted bike carriers rattle around with or without bikes? I mean is there something to take the slack out or ties of some kind?

I thought my spare was shifting when I drove over speed bumps. So, I checked the spare mounting lugs and they were loose ("factory tight"). But, tightening them didn't make a rattle difference (tho, it did keep the spare from eventually falling off). Later, when I was sleeping...I remembered that the ball hitch was still inserted and it was making the noise. I still feel kinda like I was having a blonde week.

Even with the possible rattle, I would rather have the hitch mounted vs. the spare mounted carrier. The hinges would basically be carrying the extra weight all of the time.

Christopher

Wahoo650 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2005 11:23 am

There is definitely slop in the receiver that will allow the rack or a hitch to rattle when not loaded (under constant tension). To quiet mine I sliced up some pieces from an old bicycle inner tube to slip inbetween the rack tube and the receiver. A single layer of the rubber on the bottom and one on a side was all it took. Just make sure it's snug so it doesn't fall out.

Matt

JAMSKJ · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:13 pm

I have this rack that mounts directly to spare tire. My bike is not very heavy so I havent had problems with the extra weight on the rear door. However, I was carrying a friends downhill bike (VERY HEAVY) and the door didnt close real well. The bikes are not in the way of the flipper glass. If I planned on carrying a heavier load, I might think of a hitch mount variety, however, this option is very convenient and very simple. I take the rack off when not in use. To install takes about 1 minute. The rack is fully locking to the vehicle and the bikes to the rack.

more info:
http://www.sportsrack.com/Products/Racks-&-Luggage-Carriers/Bike-Racks/Spare-Tire/Spare-Tire.html

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