Detour USA KnuckleBone Tire Carrier

[Dissent]

Anyone using one of these from Detour USA? I'm trying to mount my tire without dealing with swinging a tire mount away from the truck. Would like to be able to open the rear hatch without having to open my garage door and this looks like it may be the ticket.

http://www.detoursusa.com/knucklebone.php

 

[Dissent]

Looks like they even considered taking up the hitch by making up a bolt on bracket for the swinger. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...1.100001489846648&type=3&l=4c395a28ea&theater

 

[moodytico]

That looks interesting...I would like a simple protective bumper without the swingouts but still have the option for a spare.

 

[Josh N]

I had something VERY similar years ago on an F150. I liked it but it gets in the way. One thing to remember on our 80s is how low the hitch really hangs. Add to it this thing sticking out the back of it at that low height and you will have no departure angle. However if you have moved your receiver up to where the factory pintle holes are in the crossmember it shouldn't be bad at all.

 

[JohnVee]

I'd worry about being able to fold down the tailgate without hitting the folded pivot assembly. Intriguing.

--john

 

[Dissent]

I'd worry about being able to fold down the tailgate without hitting the folded pivot assembly. Intriguing.

--john

That's the one concern. Looks like he designed this for the one piece hatch for some of the unibody Jeeps. He offers a lot of custom fitment from what I saw on his Facebook photo links. Some people opt for his carrier that swings down at 40 degree and 90 degree angles. I'm thinking I may just remove my hitch, bolt on an adapter to my Lexus bumper and get this dude. I can leave it at home 99% of the time and call AAA around town if need be.

 

[Dissent]

I had something VERY similar years ago on an F150. I liked it but it gets in the way. One thing to remember on our 80s is how low the hitch really hangs. Add to it this thing sticking out the back of it at that low height and you will have no departure angle. However if you have moved your receiver up to where the factory pintle holes are in the crossmember it shouldn't be bad at all.

My expensive option is to get a 4x4 labs bumper and use this on it instead of the horizontal swingers. This could be used now though.

 

[shfd739]

I still need my hitch for towing our camper. The alternative mount looks near but I dont care to drill into my receiver tubing.

The Slee receiver that mounts on the crossmember would work perfect for this and still leave my Draw Tite receiver for towing or a hitch rack when beach camping.

 

[Dissent]

I still need my hitch for towing our camper. The alternative mount looks near but I dont care to drill into my receiver tubing.

The Slee receiver that mounts on the crossmember would work perfect for this and still leave my Draw Tite receiver for towing or a hitch rack when beach camping.

From what I can tell of his pics, the alternative mount goes around the hitch square tube and uses a bolt to hold on the 4th side of the square tube effectively surrounding the tube. I don't see any penetration. I did see another setup he offered that had a hitch extension/secondary receiver to allow for light towing, about the same as the crossmember adapter.

I like that crossmember idea the best.

 

[shfd739]

There's a pic that shows the alternative straight on and it goes thru the hitch.

I'd do the crossmember mount anyway. Unless someone starts fabbing wings with a swing out again I may be going this route to get my 315 spare out from under the truck.

 

[Dazrin]

Very nice. I have seen a couple others of similar style, but always wonder about how much departure angle you have to give up with this style. Their receiver recovery points are interesting too though.

My links don't work from where I had them book marked, but I think Hitch Gate or Tire Gate (?) and CBI Offroad (?) might have had some similar ones, but they were more expensive if I remember right.

 

[Dissent]

Tire gate is much more expensive but doesn't pivot to the left either. I've got an email out to Detour about the tailgate clearance issue. Will post response as it comes in.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

I think it's a very cool product!

Unfortunately, based on the attached images, I think the side drop would work with a standard low ground clearance hitch, but if you move it up into an aftermarket bumper hitch like 4x4 labs, I think it will interfere with the rear gate unless you ran their rear drop style.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

All that being said, Detours always seems to be doing custom work, so I'm wondering if he could make a side drop style that will clear the rear gate without losing more ground clearance.

 

[Funner]

I would hate having the type that drop swings back (picture 3). It would protrude well past the tailgate and really make getting to things in the back a climbing exercise. Not to mention having black tire marks all over you after accessing the back a few times during the course of a day. The side swing one in the first picture above has some promise of being workable. Not sure the point on a stock height vehicle when the spare location holds up to a 33 inch tire, larger with the receiver removed.
I would assume one could have a second non towing rated receiver welded to the existing receiver cross brace, say 8 inches to the side of the existing one that could accommodate the receiver hitch mount tire carrier.
or with more work--

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOYOTA-LAND-CRUISER-FJ80-SWING-AWAY-SPARE-WHEEL-CARRIER-/280258983089

 

[kbahus]

That looks like a great solution to for the 40 where I don't have to get in the back much. My swingout on the 80 is a big enough of a pain when grocery getting that I couldn't imagine having to actually life the whole tire up and down when I needed in the back, especially when it was snowing and all dirty. If you don't need constant rear hatch access it looks like the best low budget option I have seen, mate it up with the Slee hitch for low clearance and call it a day. Good find!

 

[Azonic84]

I have had the drop back model for a few years and I love it. Bolted to the pintle hitch threads in the rear cross member. It acts as a foot rest and a step getting into the back. Not in the way as much as I would have thought. Highly recommend it.