How to Use Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack on Jeep Wrangler With Large Spare Tire

Question:

I have a Jeep Wrangler with pretty fat tires and the spare at the back. From the hitch out its approximately 17 inches from the receiver hitch. What do you recommend. I need a rack for 2 and capability to accommodate fat tires and regular Mountain bikes. Thanks

asked by: GIOVANNI P

Expert Reply:

There are great bike racks that will work for you, but since you mentioned the distance from the hitch to clear your spare tire is 17 inches you need to start with the 14" long Curt Hitch Extender for 2" Trailer Hitches # C45795.

An extender will reduce the tongue weight capacity of your hitch in half, though that won't be a problem because even if your hitch had a 350 lb tongue weight capacity that still leaves you with 175 lbs available for a bike rack and two bikes, which is more than enough. The extender will need to be secured to your hitch and for this I highly recommend the Anti-Rattle Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock # 63232 for a quiet ride.

Now that we have solved the clearance problem, we can find you the perfect bike rack for your fat tire and mountain bikes. I will give you a couple of options for this, starting with the best option, which is the RockyMounts MonoRail Solo 2-Bike Platform Rack # RKY10007-05. This rack is easy to use with its release lever on the front so you can either fold the rack up or tilt it down; it accommodates tires up to 5" wide and has a 60 lb per-bike weight capacity though the rack itself weighs less than 40 lbs.

The MonoRail is a wheel-mounted rack so it does not make any contact with the frame of your bikes, helping protect them from any damage, and it also comes with a hitch lock and cable lock to protect the investments you made in your bikes and the rack.

expert reply by: Kyle S