Bike RAck

glaspak845 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:33 pm

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what type of bike rack would work on a KJ using the hitch? I would like it to clear the spare tire and carry up to 4 bikes. Just wanted to see what everyone else is using and if anything is available for purchase.

Thanks,

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:59 pm

I just use a "Spare Me". I tried using the one that attaches to the hitch, but my spare tire stuck out too far

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:06 pm

glaspak845 wrote:

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what type of bike rack would work on a KJ using the hitch? I would like it to clear the spare tire and carry up to 4 bikes. Just wanted to see what everyone else is using and if anything is available for purchase.

Thanks,

Just grab a regular hitch bike rack and a hitch extender.

meh_kick · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:23 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

Just grab a regular hitch bike rack and a hitch extender.

A 7" hitch extender does the trick - I leave it attached to the bike rack with the supplied nut and bolt. But you may have to shim the bike rack because it wobbles quite a bit (at least my Yakima 4-bike rack does).

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:17 pm

I have a Thule Full Swing 4 that I bought used from a friend. I have a Draw-Tite hitch which already extends about 2” from the bottom of the bumper. Stock the full swing would not fit. I ended up bringing my rack to a welder. He did the following:

Cut off the receiver portion of the bike rack right at the original 90 degree wield. We measured the length of a new piece that is 2x as thick so it’s now overbuilt. The rack now extends only 2” from my spare tire with a perfect fit.

I also had him weld a nut to the back of the swing arm and drilled a hole through both arms that would fit a ¼” bolt with a 4” piece of re-bar wielded to the end of that making a nice T-handle. This way I can lock the swing arm in place rather than just use the little spring pin it came with to hold it locked in the closed position. Without it the rack rattled too much. I also had him weld thin plates on the portion that fits inside the hitch to serve as a wedge to keep everything nice and tight to prevent rattling inside the hitch. It took a few grinds to get everything down to the right size but now it works great. I think I was charged $80 for all of the work.

But, what ever rack you go with I would suggest just cutting it and re-wielding it to custom fit. Doing that avoids the need for any type of extender which will always rattle. It will also void the warranty but if you bring it to a good wielder you shouldn’t need to worry about it.

Joe Jeeper · **Posted:** Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:14 pm

I have the "Swagman" by Danik Industries LTD fold down bike rack. It holds 3 bikes. I had to drill an additional 5/8" hole so it would stay out further and clear my spare tire.
Joe

Wahoo650 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:47 am

I just put a section of old bicycle inner tube around my extension and the bike rack tongue to stop the rattle. Cheap and easy, replace as necessary. I also don't use hitch pins, I bolt mine on with grade 8 5/8"x 4.5" bolt and nylock nuts - makes it a lot harder to steal. I cut down a 12" extension (it was all I could find at the time and needed it) for my Yakima Big Horn 4 bike rack.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:51 am

I use duct tape wrapped around my reciever to "shim" it to the proper size...

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:26 am

I have a fold down Thule 4 bike rack and I love it with the built in cable lock. It does not clear the tire when folded down though to allow full opening of the rear door. You can reach through the flipper for stowed stuff though. I am going to look into flipping my spare tire mount to see if it will lift the tire enough to clear the hitch. Another solution is to make an adapter to make a second receiver just below the OEM one.

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