Clearing the Spare Tire on a 2006 Jeep Wrangler with the Saris SuperClamp EX

Question:

Will this fit a 2006 Jeep Wrangler with a spare tire or what is the distance of clearance I need from pin to bike?

asked by: Alan K

Expert Reply:

This largely depends on the specific tire that you have mounted on your 2006 Jeep Wrangler.

My research shows a standard tire for your vehicle is about 10 inches wide, and you'll need at least 11 inches of distance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the rear of the bike rack to clear the tire comfortably. I've included a video of the Thule Hitching Post Pro, part # TH934XTR being installed on a 2015 Jeep Wrangler with Spare, which is a helpful guide for the distance needed with a standard tire.

Before purchasing, you can take this measurement yourself by measuring from the center of the hitch pin hole on your trailer hitch receiver to the furthest point of your spare tire. With this distance, you can check the distance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of each bike rack on most rack's product page to insure a fit. I've included a diagram explaining this measurement visually to help you take it.

As for the Saris SuperClamp EX 2, part # SA4025F , since it has a center bar rather than a nearby mast, the measurement is compared to the wheel hoop. You have 12 inches to the closest point, so you should be okay to use this rack on the 2006 Jeep Wrangler if you have standard tires.

Again, I strongly recommend verifying this distance by taking your own measurement prior to purchasing a bike rack. Also keep in mind that the position of your spare can impact the usefulness of a bike rack, so its good to keep the position of the tire in mind while looking at racks.

If your measurement is different, let me know and I'm happy to make a better recommendation for your specific vehicle setup.