Will Thule Tram Ski and Snowboard Carrier TH9033 Fit Vertex Bike Rack on 2015 Jeep Wrangler  

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Helpful Expert Reply:

The Thule Tram Ski and Snowboard Carrier # TH9033 is indeed compatible with their Vertex 4 hitch-mount bike rack TH9029XT. In your case the concern with fitting this ski carrier on your 2015 Wrangler Unlimited Willys concerns the rear-mounted spare tire interfering with the bike rack.

In the case of the Vertex 4 bike rack the amount of clearance from its hitch pin hole to the upright bar is 12-inches. You can determine the amount of clearance you need for your Willy's spare tire by measuring the distance from your hitch's pin hole to the rear-most part of the Wrangler, which is likely to be the back edge of the spare tire itself. This simple measurement process is described in the linked article.

If you find that the upright bar on the Vertex 4 does not clear your spare tire you can use an extender but it is important to note that use of ANY hitch extender will have the unavoidable side-effect of reducing your hitch's tongue weight capacity by 50-percent. This means that the combined weight of the Vertex 4 (about 40-lbs), the Tram carrier (about 25-lbs) plus the weight of your skis or snowboards all together cannot exceed HALF of the hitch's rated tongue weight.

For example, Curt offers an 8-inch hitch extender for 2-inch hitches, part # C45791. If this extender were used in one of the Class III hitches offered for your Jeep, such as Curt # 13432, its 350-lb rated tongue weight would then be reduced to 175-lbs capacity. As long as the total load on the hitch does not exceed its halved capacity then you're okay to use an extender.

It would not be a bad idea to add a bit of stress relief in the form of a strap or other cargo control item, such as Curt's Stabilizing strap # 18050. This can help support the hitch and minimize the random motion of the Vertex as you drive.

expert reply by: Adam R

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