Hitch Bike Rack for Curt Class III Hitch C13081 on 2012 Jeep Patriot

Question:

Need a hitch bike rack. 2012 Jeep Patriot. Curt 10381 hitch. Thank you.

asked by: Matt

Expert Reply:

Your 2012 Jeep Patriot is within the same generation of this vehicle as the 2014 model year shown in the linked installation video. Your Curt hitch # C13081 will mount to your vehicle so that the hitch pin hole is 6-1/2-inches from the rear edge of the bumper cover. This means you want to choose a 4-bike hitch rack with at least 7-inches of clearance to ensure no interference between the rack and vehicle.

I suggest the Yakima FullSwing 4 Bike Rack # Y02465. It includes locks for the rack itself and for your bikes and it gives you full cargo area access since it can swing out of the way even when loaded with bikes. Please check out the linked video.

If any of your bikes do not have a horizontal top frame tube, such as some women's step-through frames and kids bikes, then you'll benefit from using a bike adapter bar like the Swagman Easy Out # 64005. These bars help keep such bikes level for better ground clearance.

expert reply by: Adam R