Can Extension be Used so Folded Up RockyMounts SplitRail Bike RackWill Clear Jeep Spare Tire

Question:

I recently asked about clearance for RKY1140-4 on my Jeep Wrangler unlimited......when I measured from center of pin hole to outside edge of spare tire I got 9.0inch on my rig....probably due to tires I am running. Can you recommend a hitch extension that I can use in conjunction with the RockyMount Spilt Rail4 bike mount? Thanks!

asked by: Craig C

Expert Reply:

While there are extensions such as # C45791 that will work there are a couple of problems with using one. First, the use of an extension reduces the tongue weight capacity of the trailer hitch by 50 percent and puts a lot of extra stress on the hitch. And second the use of an extension voids the warranty on RockyMounts bike racks including # RKY11404-4.

There are no 4-bike platform racks that can clear 9 inches when then are folded up. So if you were to use a rack such as # HR1400Z with the extension listed above it would not void the rack warranty but it will still reduce the tongue weight capacity of the hitch by 50 percent. So the combined weight of the bike rack and bikes cannot exceed the reduced hitch capacity.

expert reply by: Michael H