Does a hitch bike rack work with the spare tire on?

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:34 am

I tried doing a search but couldn’t find anything on this topic. I want to get a bike rack and snowboard rack that I can mount to a rear hitch. The problem is the ones I have found (Yakima and Thule) say they won’t work with a spare tire mounted on the back. Yakima goes on to say (in the FAQ section) that they do not recommend the use of a hitch extension.

I’m sure a few people here have done this and I’d love to know how it has worked for you. Right now I’m looking into the Yakima Full Swing which is rated for no more than 4 bikes or 120.

pokefan · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:57 am

I can't comment on the bike rack but I've got a hitch mount luggage carrier, it's got about a 2" raise in it and it won't fit with the spare on. (245/75's). So I'd probably say if it has any raise in the mount it won't work and it needs to come out about a foot and a half to clear the tire.

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:31 am

Get or build a stinger extension, than mount what you want.

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:36 am

http://www.yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=30

Above is the link to the rack I'm looking at. As you can see it comes out of the hitch and then goes pretty much straight up. I would think I could do fine with just a 8" hitch extender.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:50 pm

I have a Swagman one and it works great with the spare.

XC204 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:05 pm

I have a Thule and it is correct that it will not fit with out modification. I welded up a new stinger portion that was dropped and extended. I could take photos and make a sketch if you need one

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:18 pm

I’m not sure what the “stinger portion” is so yes XC204 that would be great if you could send a pic or a diagram. I also have zero welding experience so I would have to bring it somewhere to anything like that. However, I don’t want to modify the actual receiver at all.

Has anyone used a hitch extender? Do they have a good fit or will it result in a lot more play between the hitch and the rack?

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:30 pm

I figure I could just get this 7" extender and I'll be fine. I would just feel a lot better if someone else has done the same with good results. Right now I don't even have a hitch so this whole thing will cost me a lot of $$$ if it ends up that it doesn't work.

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-EXTENDER~HE06.htm

XC204 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:51 pm

I think the extender would work just fine. I made my own because the extenders where longer than I wanted and they add extra slop and flop. My version replaces the Thule stinger part and brings it in closer to the tire. I will try to take photos tonight and make a sketch

mtnbikermatt · **Joined:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:29 am **Posts:** 66

I have a Thule t2 and I use it without an extension, it only holds 2 bikes but you can add an extension for four bikes, it works great even on my downhill bikes. I cannot fold it because it does not stick far enough out but it works fine and i dont need to fold it

jason thompson · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:08 pm

Why not just get the one that hangs off the spare tire?
That is what I have and I just returned from a 1400+ mile trip with 2 bikes hanging off of it.
This was not the first time I carried the bikes this far but it was the first time with the 245/75 MTR spare
It did fit but it held the bikes on a slight bit of an upward lean

mtnbikermatt · **Joined:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:29 am **Posts:** 66

the ones that hang off the spare tire work great imo but what if you get a flat tire?

meh_kick · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:25 pm

scoobysnax wrote:

I figure I could just get this 7" extender and I'll be fine. I would just feel a lot better if someone else has done the same with good results. Right now I don't even have a hitch so this whole thing will cost me a lot of $$$ if it ends up that it doesn't work.

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-EXTENDER~HE06.htm

I have one of these and the Yakima Big Horn bike carrier. The extension is necessary to clear the spare tire, but I found it to be rather noisy. I can't really tell rack is undersized for the receiver or what, but there's a lot of play between both connections.

I use wooden shims to keep the wobble and rattle down when using the bike carrier.

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:34 pm

Mtnbikermatt – I assume you can open the window with the bikes on the rack correct? Do you know if they make a snowboard adaptation for that model? Still I think I’ll want something that swings out all the way so I can open the gate but this is still a good starting point.

Jason – I gave a lot of thought to the hanging it on the spare tire but the little things that knocked it off was that I could only fit 2 bikes. I don’t think they make one for 4. Same with a snowboard rack but I might be wrong about that. Either way I decided against it b/c the manual says that the rear tire carrier can only support 50lbs including the weight of the spare. I figure my full size spare wheel/tire (235/70/16) weighs around 45 lbs and once a bike or 2 is added I’ll be over the limit by as much as 20lbs. I just don’t want to take that chance. There is another post somewhere in this forum about the same topic. I think I started it and it’s named something like “how much weight can the spare tire hold?” or something close to that.

I decided against the roof rack option b/c of the mpg’s you give up although now I’m wondering if I have a choice. I find it hard to believe I’m the only one who has looked into this option so I’ll wait for more replies before I do anything.

Thanks for the replies so far!

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:57 pm

My Tule works fine without an extender but folded down the spare tire will not clear to swing the gate open. I think it might if you reversed the spare tire mount. I don't think anyone makes a swing out design that will work though unless you include an extender.

My rear window opnes just fine with the bikes mounted.

jeepmedic · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:36 pm

I have a Thule 4 bike rack and it fits with no problems with the spare on, with the standard length base on the Thule rack.

jeepmedic · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:37 pm

I will post pics in the AM with the rack and bikes on it, with the lift window open. Every one is correct, that gate itself will not open. I managed a bike shop for 8 years prior to gettiny my "real job....." :shock:

jeepmedic · **Posted:** Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:29 pm

Fits no problem. The small extension at the bottom is just a 1.25" to 2 " adapter. The rack fits without the adapter as well.

Does a hitch bike rack work with the spare tire on?

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