Recommendation For Hitch-Mounted Bike Carrier For 2006 Jeep Wrangler  

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I assume you have a 2 inch receiver on your 2006 Jeep Wrangler. When choosing a hitch-mounted bike rack for your Wrangler you will want to make sure you have enough clearance from the rear bumper and rear mounted spare tire if you have one. I have attached a link to an installation video for a trailer hitch on a Jeep Wrangler and with the factory spare tire mounted on the rear, the distance is about 7-1/4 inches.

If you do not have a factory spare on your Jeep you can take a look at the attached helpful article that explains how to take that measurement.

The Swagman Trailhead, part # S63360 you referenced can hold 2 bicycles that weigh up to 35 lbs each. This carrier tilts when empty to give you access to the rear cargo area of your Jeep. The distance from the hitch pin hole to the upright bar is 11 inches, so if your clearance measurement is less than 11 inches, this rack would work well for you.

If you measure for clearance and find that the Trailhead does not have enough clearance I recommend the Thule Helium Aero, part # TH9042PRO. This is a lightweight bike carrier that holds 2 bikes weighing up to 35 lbs each and has a tilting feature. This carrier measures 8 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the back of the upright mast. I have attached a link to an installation video for this bike rack on a Jeep Wrangler you may want to take a look at.

I have attached a link to the hitch-mounted bike carriers you can check out.

If you are planning on carrying bikes with alternative frames like kids bikes or women's bikes I recommend using an adapter bar like part # 64005. This attaches between the seat post and the handlebar stem and allows the bike to be carried more level in the carrier while providing additional ground clearance. I have attached a product review video for this adapter bar.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

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