4 Bike Platform Style Bike Rack for 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Question:

In regards to 4-bike platform bike carriers, please let me know which makes and models are compatible with a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with rear mount spare tire. I would like to be able to swing the rear door open with all bikes removed and the rack assembly folded down flat. Please let me know if dimensions are available to confirm compatibility. Thanks for your time

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

In order to determine if a given bike rack will clear your spare tire, you'll need to find the distance between the hitch pin hole in the receiver tube and the furthest rearward part of the spare tire. The shank length (hitch pin hole to closest portion of bike rack) of the bike rack will need to be longer than the pin hole to end of spare tire dimension.

For instance, when we installed the Draw-Tite # DT78MR on a 2016 Wrangler Unlimited with factory wheels and tires, we found the hitch pin hole to rear of spare tire distance to be 5-1/2 inches.

The Hollywood Racks # HR1400Z would be an excellent choice, but the rack has a 7 inch rise, that could almost certainly interfere with your rear door opening. The Saris Freedom 4, part # SA4414B would work very well, and is capable of tilting back away from the rear of the vehicle. With the uprights folded down, and the rack tilted rearward you should have pretty good access to the cargo area. I'll link you to a test fit video we did on a 2014 Wrangler Unlimited, which shows that the rack will indeed clear the spare tire.

I've linked you to an FAQ article that shows how to take that clearance measurement.

expert reply by: Mike L