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Bike racks for JL (non-hitch, so spare tire or roof only pls)

jeeprookie

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Hi everyone. I’ve just picked up a JL 4xe and would like to find a good bike rack solution (2 bikes is fine). My Jeep does not have a hitch, so I’d ideally find a good spare wheel rack, otherwise it’ll have to be a roof rack. I know there were good spare options for the JKs, but those won’t work for JLs given the rear camera. Rhino makes a spare wheel bike carrier that looks like it could work, but reviews on Amazon suggest otherwise. Many thanks for any helpful advice or suggestions!
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Two factors that I took into account ... the spare tire and the backup camera. The clearance needed for the spare tire eliminates many hitch mounted ones unfortunately. Had a lot of options for my wife’s Mazda CX-5.

What I found out doing a lot of research:
- the spare tire mounted ones, like the Quadratec one, are ideal for lighter bikes only or a maximum of one adult bike. They also are not as simple of an install as they make it seem. I sold mine after putting it on a few times.
- watching my buddy lift his mountain bike onto his 4 door roof at the end of a long ride discouraged me from going that way.
- Saw another Wrangler using the Quadratec hitch mounted one for two bikes. While not quite as well built as the Thule or Yakima, it was a lot cheaper and will do fine for 2, maybe 3 bikes. I have one on order (4-bike)
- anything mounted in the back will block some of your rear camera view, but you can still see vehicles behind you.
- hope you can find one in stock locally ... been waiting 2 months.

hope his helps.
 

am1978

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Still not sure why someone doesn’t have a donut hole cutout spade lug mounted solution yet. I’m not a metal fabricator, so I can’t do this or else I would have already.
 

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Hi everyone. I’ve just picked up a JL 4xe and would like to find a good bike rack solution (2 bikes is fine). My Jeep does not have a hitch, so I’d ideally find a good spare wheel rack, otherwise it’ll have to be a roof rack. I know there were good spare options for the JKs, but those won’t work for JLs given the rear camera. Rhino makes a spare wheel bike carrier that looks like it could work, but reviews on Amazon suggest otherwise. Many thanks for any helpful advice or suggestions!
I personally wouldn't sweat blocking the rear camera unless you intend to leave the bike carrier on the Jeep 100% of the time. If it's only on when you're hauling bikes, just live without the rearview camera for that brief period of time.
 

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Hi everyone. I’ve just picked up a JL 4xe and would like to find a good bike rack solution (2 bikes is fine). My Jeep does not have a hitch, so I’d ideally find a good spare wheel rack, otherwise it’ll have to be a roof rack. I know there were good spare options for the JKs, but those won’t work for JLs given the rear camera. Rhino makes a spare wheel bike carrier that looks like it could work, but reviews on Amazon suggest otherwise. Many thanks for any helpful advice or suggestions!
Allen has a decent one but you gotta deal with straps https://amzn.to/3hS8n07
 

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jeeprookie

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Thanks! I agree — I should’ve noted in my initial post that I don’t care if the camera is blocked/obscured while travelling with bikes. Ideally a spare wheel rack would still allow the rear door and window to be opened without removing the bikes, which wouldn’t be the case with the Allen model suggested.
Any favorite spare wheel models that permit you to open the rear while the bikes are still on it?
 

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I've no experience with this brand or model, but here's one that looks like it mounts over the spare tire and will allow the tailgate to be opened while installed:

https://www.etrailer.com/Spare-Tire...mited/2018/MPG2148.html?VehicleID=20181639454

That Allen one that was linked above looks like it would work if you just popped the bumper straps off when opening the tailgate. I don't think you'd need to pull the bikes off the tire after removing those straps, since you obviously aren't moving while opening the tailgate. If it is otherwise a solid mount, it might be a good 95% option.
 

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Thanks! I agree — I should’ve noted in my initial post that I don’t care if the camera is blocked/obscured while travelling with bikes. Ideally a spare wheel rack would still allow the rear door and window to be opened without removing the bikes, which wouldn’t be the case with the Allen model suggested.
Any favorite spare wheel models that permit you to open the rear while the bikes are still on it?
I just purchased this one and I love it https://amzn.to/3oq1p3U
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/found-the-perfect-4-bike-rack-for-our-jl.72320/
Found the perfect bike rack that doesn’t require hitch extension and swings down completely for our tailgate!
So glad they made one specifically for vehicles with outside spares. I’ve used Allen bike racks in the past and they’re usually on the cheaper side with very basic features but they have always worked for me. Can’t wait! https://amzn.to/3oq1p3U
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My first test will be with this beast
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I used to carry it on a Mustang lol
Just assembled, test fitted and I really like it. The locking feature is very nice. No more need for locking hitch pin and rotating the knob pulls this triangle wedge against your receiver so that it's really TIGHT.
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This is the locking wedge that pushes against the receiver tube
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Then when you turn the knob it pulls the wedge down which causes it to push against the receiver tube. This is so much better than the anti rattle adapters of the past.
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This is the knob you turn to loosen and tighten the wedge.
When you turn the key clockwise the knob just free spins and won't loosen the wedge.
Once you unlock it, then the knob will loosen the wedge when turned.
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Also unlike previous inexpensive racks, there's no more cheap pin to pull out to fold the rack. It's just 2 spring thingies you push in and the rack will fold and to fold the arm down so you can open your trunk, you just pull up on a spring lever.


Can't wait to finally use this!
I carry a lot of bikes, so this way I won't wear out the tail gate prematurely
 
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Robnfl

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jeeprookie

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Wanted to follow up here quickly for anyone who also goes down this spare tire bike rack journey for a JL. I ordered both the Rhino rack and the cheaper Allen rack. Unfortunately the Rhino rack doesn’t fit, and I say “unfortunately” because it’s really solid and we’ll constructed. The Allen rack seems a bit flimsy and is the cheapest at $80, but it does the job fine — and you can open/close the tailgate with bikes on no problem. So I sent back the Rhino rack and got a refund.
It’s a shame that there’s no solid solution for the spare tire on a JL — tow hook racks are probably the best, but I don’t have a tow hook. But at $80 this Allen rack is a bargain and works fine.

https://amzn.to/3hS8n07
 

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I have the spare tire rack from quadratech. I've only had it for a week or so but so far so good. I've left it mounted since it doesn't block the rear camera and the extension arm folds down
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