Platform Bike Rack for Jeep Wrangler To Clear Spare Tire

Question:

I would like a platform bike rack for a Wrangler JK. I need it to clear 11 inch from the center pin past the spare tire. I am looking at the Yakima Holdup Evo 2, the Thule T2 Pro XTR and the RockyMounts BackStage Swing Away Platform Hitch Rack. Will either the Holdup Evo or the T2 Pro XT work with a hitch extender?

asked by: Matthew N

Expert Reply:

A hitch extender such as the 7" Brophy # HE06 cannot be used with both the Yakima HoldUp EVO according to Yakima, though there are no such distinctions made for the Thule T2 Pro XTR # TH83JV.

It should be noted that using an extender does reduce your hitch capacity by 50 percent, including the tongue weight.

There is another option I recommend looking at that has more than 11 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the rack and like the other racks you mentioned is capable of handling heavy bikes that have wide tires.

The Kuat NV 2.0 # BA22B measures 11-3/4 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the rack, has a 60 lb per bike capacity and fits tires up to 4.8 inches wide. This is a wheel-mount rack which uses ratcheting hooks to grasp your bikes by the front wheels so there is no frame contact and also has rear-wheel cradles with ratcheting straps to secure your bike's rear wheels.

The NV 2.0 can be tilted down - even with the bikes loaded - with the press of a handy foot lever; it does not require any tools to install into your hitch as you'll only need to turn a knob to tighten the shank in the hitch and this also works as an anti-rattle device for a quiet ride. Additionally, this rack comes with a hitch lock to secure the rack to your Jeep and a cable lock to secure your bikes to the rack, helping protect your investments.