Bike rack solution...help!

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M

mpho

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Aug 12, 2009
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I have a bior rear bumper with swing out tire carrier. Anyone have a bike rack system that might work? Want to mount something on the hitch but pretty much can't think of anything that would work with a tire carrier!

Thanks for you help,
Mike
 
Get a hitch extension if your rack sits too close to the tire.

 
Thule T2 maybe? That's the only one I can think of that might allow swing out of your bumper (I'm a Yak and Thule dealer) plus it sits a little farther than a frame style hitch rack. It pivots down which might be enough. Having said that, I don't have experience with the T2 and a swing out bumper.
 
You can weld a hitch in your tire hub or you could try one of those jeep thule bile carriers.

IMG_0688_zps56eda064.jpg


IMG_2915.webp
 
I have this one:
http://www.rei.com/product/737561/thule-parkway-4-bike-hitch-rack

I bought it back a few years before I put my BIOR rear on. I didnt think it would work without a hitch extension like above. But it does. It fits snug up against the tire. Down side to it and probably any other option that uses the receiver hitch in the bumper is you have to completely remove it to open the swing arms. So, you may want to look into one of the options shown above and move away from trying to use the receiver hitch in the bumper.

I cant remember where you are, but if in San Diego, you are welcome to borrow mine to see if you like it/want to use one like it before making a purchase.
 
Thanks for all your insights...Trying to stay away from putting anything on the spare tire. I think that adding 60-70 lbs. on the tire might not be good...

I am looking at the T2 bike rack...Might be the best option...

Thanks for your insights...
 
mpho said:
I am looking at the T2 bike rack...Might be the best option...

Thanks for your insights...
Click to expand...

I am willing to bet based on my experience with the one I linked above that you would still have to completely remove the T2 in order to open your swing outs. the racks are different, but they still have the same clearance issues....

I understand wanting to stay away from mounting anything as heavy as these will get to the spare tire.... But, from a functional point of view, it is probably the best option....
 
You might be right:( Will play around with it for a while and keep everyone posted. I like the fact of the bikes being on the roof. Away from everything, etc. But, they do cause a quite a bit of drag...



Mxndrnks said:
I am willing to bet based on my experience with the one I linked above that you would still have to completely remove the T2 in order to open your swing outs. the racks are different, but they still have the same clearance issues....

I understand wanting to stay away from mounting anything as heavy as these will get to the spare tire.... But, from a functional point of view, it is probably the best option....
Click to expand...
 
I run my bikes both ways (T2 and on top). Both have their advantages. For ease of on and off, the T2 is the way to go. On top, depending on your bike weights, it can be a 2 person job getting them on and off. And, you can't drive under just anything. Some guys have done some serious damage hitting stuff overhead. On the other hand, you don't have something sticking out behind.
 
GranolaJoe said:
I run my bikes both ways (T2 and on top). Both have their advantages. For ease of on and off, the T2 is the way to go. On top, depending on your bike weights, it can be a 2 person job getting them on and off. And, you can't drive under just anything. Some guys have done some serious damage hitting stuff overhead. On the other hand, you don't have something sticking out behind.
Click to expand...

I put a bike on top exactly once. Then I sold the rack and replaced it with a hitch mounted one.
 
Interested to see what you decide to do. I've got a hitch rack, but not a rear bumper yet. I don't feel too confident about having the bikes extended so far out back for various reasons. I may try to see about storing the bikes inside and strapping the cargo up top.

I've also seen bikes being carried up front. That may be an option as well.
 
I worked in a bike shop for years in college and tried almost every configuration.


First, I bought a sweet looking Yakima for the top of my ride. It was a pain to load the bikes (and I'm 6'3") and once up there, I NEVER felt like they were safe. And, Yakima says (at least back then) that you shouldn't drive over 55.


Then, I went with an extended hitch to pass the rear spare, but that thing wobbled around like crazy (again, this was almost 15 years ago, so advances might have been made).


Then, I tried a spare tire hanger, but my non-LC SUV at the time had the spare off center and the bikes sat out too far out over the rear quarter panels.


Eventually, I just started laying down the back seats and throwing the bike in the rear.


I don't know if any of this helps, but I would say stay away from the top and watch for overly "giggly" rear hitch models.

Also, Mr. Bean makes a good point that I missed when I joked about the weight of your bikes (I am a recovering weight weeenie). What types of bikes are you carrying? How many?

Good luck!
 
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