How to Determine if Spare Tire Will Interfere With Bike Rack on 2010 Jeep Wrangler

Question:

Will I require any extra parts for installing Swagman #S64650 on my 2010 Jeep Wrangler to avoid hitting the spare tire in the rear?

asked by: Carol

Expert Reply:

There is a way for you to determine just how much room you are going to need to install a bike rack on your 2010 Jeep Wrangler so it does not interfere with your spare tire, which I'll explain for you.

Just take something with a straight edge like a yardstick and hold it against the back of your Jeep's spare tire and then use a tape measure to find the distance from the center of your hitch pin hole to the straight edge (like in the accompanying photo), and that's the amount of clearance you will the bike rack to clear.

The Swagman # S64650 may not is 10-1/2" from the center of the hitch pin hole to the first wheel hoop so it will be close in terms of a fit. You can use a hitch extender such as # C45791 which will give you an extra 8", but please note that this will reduce the tongue weight of your hitch by 50 percent, so if your hitch tongue weight was 300 lbs, that means it would go to 150 lbs, and the total weight of your rack and bikes would not be able to exceed this amount.

expert reply by: Kyle S