Recommended Trailer Hitch and Bike Rack for 2015 Jeep Cherokee

Question:

I am looking at the Curt C13172 and C13171 receiver type trailer hitches for my Cherokee. At this time, the hitch will be used for a bike carrier. I like the appearance of the 172, but do not want to cut my bumper cover. I am concerned about ground clearance. It looks like like the ground clearance on the 172 would be about 10inch while the 171 would be about 9inch . Is this correct and is the difference significant ? I don't want to be scraping when coming out of parking lots etc. even when there is no bike rack in place Also, what bike carrier do you recommend ? I would like a quality, strong carrier and be able to carry 4 bikes. I would prefer the type that holds bike by the frame as opposed to the type where the wheels fit in to trays. I would think that this type would be easier to store when not in use I want a carrier that holds bike securely and is easy to load and unload. Thank you

asked by: Jeff

Expert Reply:

For your 2015 Jeep Cherokee, I do recommend going with the Curt Trailer Hitch # C13171 because as you mentioned, you will not need to do any fascia trimming on the Jeep during installation. You are correct that this hitch will have a ground clearance measurement that is exactly 1 inch shorter than on the # C13172, however this small difference should not present an issue.

I have attached the installation video on your Jeep Cherokee that you can use for reference.

For a bike rack that will work great with the hitch on your Jeep, I recommend looking at the Swagman Trailhead 4 Bike Rack # S63380. I like this rack a lot for your particular application because of the rise on its shank. This carrier features a shank with a 3 inch rise, giving you 3 additional inches of ground clearance with the rack installed. The bike rack can also tilt forward to allow for easy access to the Jeep's cargo area and the rotating anti-sway cradles will accommodate many bike styles. This is a very sturdy carrier that can transport up to 4 bikes at 35 pounds each. I do recommend adding the Anti-Rattle Hitch Lock and Cable # S64031 to secure everything into place and help to deter theft of your valuables.

I have attached a video demonstration on this bike rack so you can see all of its features in action.

If you plan on carrying any children's, woman's or alternative frame bikes, you might also need an adapter bar like the Kuat # UB01. This will provide a horizontal attachment point for level transport and improved ground clearance. I have included a video demonstration on this product so you can see exactly how it works and why it might be necessary.