Recommended Bike Rack For Best Cargo Area Access on 2014 wrangler

Question

Question:

Which hitch mounted bike racks will give me at least partial access to the rear storage of a 2014 wrangler? I only have two bikes to transport, so both 2 and 4 bike solutions are OK. I am aware of a couple of options of swing racks that will do the job but these are above what I am looking to spend. Are there tilt options under $250 that will allow me to open the reader gate at least 30 degrees when the bikes are removed? Do you recommend using a hitch height adapter to lower a tilt rack by a few inches to achieve my desired function?

asked by: Boyan

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Expert Reply:

Due to the fact that the rear door swings to the right and the spare tire will also require some clearance, the best way to get the rear door to open for more than a few inches would be to use a swinging bike rack. I know, they're not inexpensive.

Did you get a look at the SportRack Ridge, part # SR2415. It's at a price point that's pretty middle of the road, but it still has some desirable features like folding arms and anti-sway cradles. To determine if the Ridge will be compatible with your Wrangler, you'll need to measure the distance from the hitch pin hole to the furthest rearward point of the spare tire. If this distance is LESS than 9-1/2 inches, the Ridge will work on your vehicle.

If you'll be transporting women's bikes or bikes with sharply-angled top tubes, you might also consider a frame adapter bar like part # UB01. The bar spans the distance between the handlebar gooseneck and the seat post, which provides a secondary attachment point for the bike rack. This allows the bike to be carried level, which maximizes ground clearance. I'll link you to a video showing how the adapter bar works.

Honestly, I believe your best bet is going to be a spare tire mounted bike rack like the Thule Spare Me, part # TH963PRO. As long as your Wrangler doesn't have a rear-view camera, this rack would be compatible. The rack attaches to a mounting plate that attaches to the spare tire holder, which allows you to easily install or remove the rack in just a few seconds. The rack locks to the spare tire holder, and the rack features an integrated cable lock to help secure the bikes to the rack. For carrying two bikes, from a price standpoint and for providing full access to the cargo area, the Spare Me is the perfect solution.

expert reply by: Mike L

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Answer 1

All of the JL Wrangler Unlimited hitches we carry will work on the JK Wrangler Unlimited models, but there are some JK model hitches that are not compatible with the JL Wranglers based on fit guide from the manufacturer because they have a shorter…

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Answer 2

To determine if the back door(s) of your E350 will still open with the SportRack Ridge Swing #SR2415 installed, measure the distance from the top inside of the hitch opening to the bottom of the rear door of your van. If this distance is greater than…

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Answer 3

The Thule Apex swinging bike carrier #TH9027XT would fit if your 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited had the stock small spare tire at the back, just like in the video I have linked. But since you have the larger 18 inch tire it will not fit. Even with the…

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Answer 4

The best potential solution we'd have to allow you to use the Sportrack Ridge Swing bike rack #SR2415 that you referenced will be a trailer hitch that sticks out further so you could potentially have the clearance needed which for that you'd…

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Answer 5

The rear mounted spare tire on your 2014 Wrangler does pose a problem with clearance. As you can see in our installation video for the Curt Hitch part #13432 on a 2013 Wrangler, the distance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the outside edge…

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Answer 6

Yes! The SportRack Ridge Swing 4 Bike Rack - 2" Hitches - Swinging Item #SR2415 will clear the spare tire on your 2012 Toyota RAV4. It will fit provided that the vehicle has a 2 inch trailer hitch receiver such as the #e98864. I have included a…

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Answer 7

From a previous customer we spoke with we found that on the Ram Promasters like your 2018 model the distance from the bottom of the hitch opening to the bottom of the door when swung out measures right at 9-1/4 inches. That means that the SportRack…

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Answer 8

We have not yet had the change to test the SportRack Ridge Swing #SR2415 on a 2006 Ford E-150 Van however, I am happy to help you figure out if you have rear door clearance. The SportRack Ridge Swing 4 Bike Rack #SR2415 has 36" between the hitch…

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Answer 9

You'd have to remove the Class II hitch on your 2016 Jeep Wrangler and install a Class III like the etrailer hitch part #e98856 so that you could isntall the SportRack Ridge Swing bike rack part #SR2415.

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Answer 10

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 11

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 12

Class I and Class II hitches both have a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. The difference is that a Class I hitch has a lower tongue weight rating, usually 200 pounds and a lower towing rating, usually 2,000 pounds. A Class II hitch usually has a tongue…

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