Bike Rack Clearance

[Badfish]

If you're in the Vegas area try nellisauction.com as this is where I got my Thule rack for $250. Then I bought this anti-wobble hitch extender by KAC on amazon. this is my current setup. Nellis is just a reseller of returned merchant items on discount(mainly amazon.com items) and sometimes you'll see Thule/yakima products on the cheap.

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[Badfish]

I would highly recommend getting this one for a hitch extension to use with bike racks. I have had one since 2016 and I would never go back to a normal floppy one.
Advantage Adjustable 11-Inch Hitch Extension https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002Z9O8C/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_4KTQVBSGZ6VNE4D72C3V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

dang I missed that one when shopping amazon... maybe it was because of the price. lol

 

[Rubi SoHo]

I use a Thule tray style rack (T2 XTR). It barely clears the 315/70/R17 spare, but it fits. Because of the rack style, it doesn’t need to clear the camera, and the bikes don’t have contact with the spare. It’s also way better for your bike.

Only issue is, once the rack is on, you can’t open the tailgate.

 

[Dp227]

I use this one…. Meant for Jeeps and vehicles with rear mounted spares. Even better - it swings down out of the way leaving room for the tailgate to fully clear the rack so you still have access.

https://allen.bike/products/premier-hitch-rack-spare-tire

 

[flyer92]

If you're in the Vegas area try nellisauction.com as this is where I got my Thule rack for $250.

Thanks for the tip! I haven't heard about this, but definitely going to check it out.

Appreciate everyone's great recommendations. Keep 'em coming!

 

[LuvHydro]

My friends all have the high dollar, aka hundreds of dollars bike racks. I am and always will look for VALUE in the items I purchase. When they told me how much they paid I almost puked. But when I demonstrated mine and told them what I paid, they turned green and quiet.

I look for quality, great engineering and value for the price. I couldn't give a rats ass about what name is on the side.

I have the Quadratec 2 bike and it is as close to perfect as I can imagine any rack being.

It is specifically designed for the Wrangler with the long tongue to clear the spare tire and camera by several inches. There are two holes that the anti-wobble bolt can go into that allows it to be another inch away, but you won't need it.

The piece the bikes rest on can be folded down in seconds and the upright portion also folds down to allow you to open your swing gate and allow access to your trunk. Both folding parts are held with simple, heavy pull pins with safety catches.

The bikes are held in place with two heavy rubber straps. The whole rack is rock solid when tightened down, not a wobble anywhere.

The rack itself is heavy built and nicely finished.

I swear I paid $129 for mine new from Quadratec. They show as $199 now, which is still reasonable.

And yes, I asked the same question. The reason they disclaim it for the JL is it blocks part of the camera image.

 

[flyer92]

My friends all have the high dollar, aka hundreds of dollars bike racks. I am and always will look for VALUE in the items I purchase. When they told me how much they paid I almost puked. But when I demonstrated mine and told them what I paid, they turned green and quiet.

I look for quality, great engineering and value for the price. I couldn't give a rats ass about what name is on the side.

I have the Quadratec 2 bike and it is as close to perfect as I can imagine any rack being.

My thoughts exactly...and why I've been looking hard at the Quadratec rack. The 2-place rack is now $200, but for another $30 I might just get the 4-place. Seems like good value, and I like all the Jeep-friendly features.

 

[LuvHydro]

My thoughts exactly...and why I've been looking hard at the Quadratec rack. The 2-place rack is now $200, but for another $30 I might just get the 4-place. Seems like good value, and I like all the Jeep-friendly features.

The only issue I would caution you about is the current state of Quadratec as a company. No one can find out what the problem is.

Many of us are having issues with refunds, "in stock" items not shipping, etc and it takes, literally, an hour or more on hold to get someone, even if you call the order line.

I need to order some Quadratec branded tube doors, a full cover and a few other items, but I'm not dropping a grand only to have my stuff not show up or have them go out of business leaving me high and dry with private label items.

 

[LuvHydro]

Found it when I ordered.

 

[flyer92]

The only issue I would caution you about is the current state of Quadratec as a company. No one can find out what the problem is.

Many of us are having issues with refunds, "in stock" items not shipping, etc and it takes, literally, an hour or more on hold to get someone, even if you call the order line.

I need to order some Quadratec branded tube doors, a full cover and a few other items, but I'm not dropping a grand only to have my stuff not show up or have them go out of business leaving me high and dry with private label items.

I also experienced problems ordering and paying for items in recent weeks, but Quadratec is still very much in business and doing well. Problem is that they just switched to a new and "improved" orders processing system and it has been glitchy. They are apparently working through the last remaining bugs in the system and should be back to normal soon. Although a little slow, Quadratec's customer service department corrected all of the issues I experienced with my recent orders, so no complaints here.

 

[LuvHydro]

I also experienced problems ordering and paying for items in recent weeks, but Quadratec is still very much in business and doing well. Problem is that they just switched to a new and "improved" orders processing system and it has been glitchy. They are apparently working through the last remaining bugs in the system and should be back to normal soon. Although a little slow, Quadratec's customer service department corrected all of the issues I experienced with my recent orders, so no complaints here.

I sure hope so. I luv the company and especially their private label items.

 

[OSCAR II]

I have a 1up and love it but I also have a front receiver and that's its usual home. Just makes it easier to get in and out of the back.

 

[Krones]

Thanks to all for the quick replies! I did look into the hitch extenders, but my bike carrier is pretty trashed after 20+ years of hard use and doesn't have the fold-down feature. Just figured it was time to get a new carrier.

@Krones: I thought the Quadratec rack was a great option, but the listing on their site states, "Not for 2018 and newer JL Wranglers equipped with spare tire mount backup camera." Given that this carrier provides sufficient, adjustable clearance over 13", is it just incompatible because it blocks the rear camera's view?

Very interesting. I'd say yes... the disclaimer is only on there only because it partially blocks the view, but it's not actually that bad. And as others have mentioned, I definitely only paid $129 for it. That said, it's solid and has taken my bike nearly 8,000 miles over the past couple years.

 

[flyer92]

Very interesting. I'd say yes... the disclaimer is only on there only because it partially blocks the view, but it's not actually that bad. And as others have mentioned, I definitely only paid $129 for it. That said, it's solid and has taken my bike nearly 8,000 miles over the past couple years.

I'm sold...although I wish I had jumped on this when it was $70 cheaper! Just curious, though...can you please advise on the approximate clearance between the rear camera and the bike carrier? Really appreciate the testimonial and look forward to trying it out myself. Much appreciated.

 

[LuvHydro]

I'm sold...although I wish I had jumped on this when it was $70 cheaper! Just curious, though...can you please advise on the approximate clearance between the rear camera and the bike carrier? Really appreciate the testimonial and look forward to trying it out myself. Much appreciated.

I'll throw it on and post pics here in a bit of the two positions.

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