Trailer Hitch Mount Bike Rack Recommendation to Clear Spare Tire on a 2007 Jeep Liberty

Question:

I was looking to purchase the Swagman XTC4 4 bike platform carrier for transporting our mountain bikes. We have a combination of 26 in and 29 in bikes. I will be using a 2007 Jeep Liberty which has a rear tailgate mounted spare tire. Will this bike carrier clear the spare tire?

asked by: Jonathan M

Expert Reply:

We have performed a trailer hitch isntallation on a 2007 Jeep Liberty and found that it required 14-1/2 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole back to clear the spare tire on the vehicle. The Swagman bike rack, # S64665, measures 12-3/4 inches from hitch pin hole center to the nearest edge of the first wheel loop.

What this means is the center mast nearest the vehicle will clear the spare tire but the closest bike probably will not.

The Thule T2, # TH916XTR-918XTR, measures 19 inches from hitch pin hole center to the nearest carrier rail so it offers the best chance to clear the spare tire on the vehicle. But, it will not clear the spare tire when folded up.

Other option is to use the Thule Apex swinging bike rack, # TH9027. It measures 16-1/4 inches from the hitch pin hole to the back of the upright bar. This means it would clear the spare tire if you come up with the same 14-1/2 inch measurement on your Liberty that we did.

expert reply by: Michael H