thanks AGAIN! Your initiative has saved me time. The EXO won’t work for me as I have a tailgate table installed already (inside tailgate). I would not be able to use it with the swing arm not letting the tailgate open all the way…..
Yes, I have the factory hitch package with 4/7 pin harness. I don’t have the Yakima lights and have debated getting them. The Jeep’s rear lights are still visible, but the box would be tough to see at night, so could be a smart add-on.
One thing about the wrangler is there is a HUGE amount of aftermarket vendors making all sorts of stuff specific to the wrangler and it’s design. Then, in addition, there are also other vendors who make generic stuff (like this EXO) that can have issues.
Thanks. I started looking at wranglers a couple years ago before I bought my current vehicle, which has been a great commuter car after just starting a new job. But it doesn't support other activities and my wife's vehicle is coming up for a potential replacement so I'm still lurking on the forum. Wish I would have bought before though as the prices of new jeeps seems to keep climbing faster than my income. And that's just the cost of entry, not to mention all the accessories and mods as you mentioned. I've bought plenty of those with previous vehicles (all sorts of roof and hitch racks), but with Jeeps, there's a ton of other ways to spend $$$ too.
Looks awesome and exactly the kind of setup I wanna do. I have a question for you, did you have add the extender because the tire is too low? I have a Teraflex tire carrier which allows me to move the tire up. Do you think I would still need to add the extender if I raise the tire?
Thanks for this! Just picked mine up today with the bike rack after reading your write up since I was on the fence before. Full disclosure - I did end up getting it because it will also be useful when my Rivian R1T arrives, don’t roast me!Update: So I bit the bullet and sprang for the Swing Base and Gear Locker, since I was unable to find any other viable storage solution for the 4xe with soft top. I ordered this Curt 8" hitch extender and this Rhino anti-rattle clamp. The manufacturer's instructions from Curt say not to exceed 65% of hitch capacity, which gives me 227.5 lbs to play with. The Base + Gear Locker + hitch extender adds up to about 107 lbs... plenty of capacity left over to load up the Locker (it can handle up to 100 lbs).
The challenge would start if I decided to add the TopShelf. That would add 34 lbs (so 141 total), leaving about 86 lbs for gear and accessories. That's enough to add another Locker + 58 lbs of total gear (so maybe bulky lighter stuff divided between the two Lockers?), or this table thing; but not enough for the bike rack attachment plus my two bikes, which would come to 94 lbs.
Summary:
Hitch extender + anti-rattle clamp = 15 lbs
Swing Base = 64 lbs
Gear locker = 28 lbs
TopShelf = 34 lbs
Bike rack = 38 lbs
Total = 179 lbs; leaving 48 lbs for gear and bikes (not enough for my purposes)
It's still a pretty remarkable system, and the swing out feature is perfect for the Wrangler. I'll use the single level most of the time, and switch out accessories as needed. With the weight constraints, the only reasons for me to get the TopShelf would be to add the table (expensive proposition for a table) or the ski carrier.
Photos attached.
Thanks for posting all this very useful info. I probably would not have pulled the trigger without this.Update: So I bit the bullet and sprang for the Swing Base and Gear Locker, since I was unable to find any other viable storage solution for the 4xe with soft top. I ordered this Curt 8" hitch extender and this Rhino anti-rattle clamp. The manufacturer's instructions from Curt say not to exceed 65% of hitch capacity, which gives me 227.5 lbs to play with. The Base + Gear Locker + hitch extender adds up to about 107 lbs... plenty of capacity left over to load up the Locker (it can handle up to 100 lbs).
The challenge would start if I decided to add the TopShelf. That would add 34 lbs (so 141 total), leaving about 86 lbs for gear and accessories. That's enough to add another Locker + 58 lbs of total gear (so maybe bulky lighter stuff divided between the two Lockers?), or this table thing; but not enough for the bike rack attachment plus my two bikes, which would come to 94 lbs.
Summary:
Hitch extender + anti-rattle clamp = 15 lbs
Swing Base = 64 lbs
Gear locker = 28 lbs
TopShelf = 34 lbs
Bike rack = 38 lbs
Total = 179 lbs; leaving 48 lbs for gear and bikes (not enough for my purposes)
It's still a pretty remarkable system, and the swing out feature is perfect for the Wrangler. I'll use the single level most of the time, and switch out accessories as needed. With the weight constraints, the only reasons for me to get the TopShelf would be to add the table (expensive proposition for a table) or the ski carrier.
Photos attached.
I think you've figured out what I need to do... I have a 4 door JLU Rubicon with the stock rubi tires and lift, and OEM hitch installed. Looking to set up both a ski and bike rack. I've got the Exposed Racks roof rack, but that's mostly for my tent, and I haven't seen them have anything really for skis. Definitely not trying to put bikes on the roof.Thanks for this! Just picked mine up today with the bike rack after reading your write up since I was on the fence before. Full disclosure - I did end up getting it because it will also be useful when my Rivian R1T arrives, don’t roast me!
I used a Kuat Hi-Lo Pro that I already had from my previous racks which expands as well so no wobble there. Also drops the SwingBase by a few inches, so even a little better clearance with my spare (I have a Sahara 4xe with Rubi wheels and tires). It’s already nice to not have to install both the Hi-Lo then a separate hitch bike rack that weighs a ton, I am just going to keep the SwingBase on the Jeep full time and install the bike rack / ski rack when I need it - can still get to the trunk no problem and not too much visibility loss in the rear view camera when in reverse (although the proximity sensors do beep, not a big deal to me).
My only downside I see now are brake lights being blocked with bikes installed. I would get the LitKit, but having to put those on and take them off every time you unfold and fold the arms kind of defeats the purpose for me.
Adding my pics for those interested in the same setup.
Is that a 33” or 35” tire you have on there? I’m wondering how this would work with 35x12.5” tire. Hopefully it gives enough clearance to fully open the box.Thanks for posting all this very useful info. I probably would not have pulled the trigger without this.
The weight limitations were initially a deal breaker given I wanted to use a top shelf but I came across this hitch with a much higher 675 tongue weight capacity. I just need to be mindful of the actual Exo system weight limits now.
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Jeep/Wrangler/2022/DT78MR.html?VehicleID=20226004087
Replaced the OE hitch with this and it works nicely since it's a couple inches longer than stock. I can actually use a gear locker with no extension needed and everything clears.
