Transporting 4-Bike Hitch Rack and Hitch Cargo Carrier on 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Updated 02/17/2016 | Published 02/16/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

(152)

$205.30

19x47 Curt Cargo Carrier for 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Steel - 300 lbs

(1102)

$193.50

Question:

I am looking for a 2 in cargo carrier that I can attach a yakima 4 bike carrier to. do they make this type of unit. I already have the yakima bike rack. thanks

asked by: Randy

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have a Yakima 2-inch hitch-mount 4-bike rack like their DoubleDown 4 that you want to use along with a 2-inch hitch cargo carrier.

You can use both a cargo carrier like Curt # C18110 and your Yakima bike rack at the same time by installing a front-mounted hitch receiver such as Draw-Tite # 65069. This front hitch fits Jeeps with the brake booster pump. You could then place the bike rack in the rear hitch and use the cargo carrier in the front hitch. Just keep in mind that your loaded cargo cannot block your headlights and that it may affect air flow to the engine, something to consider in hot weather.

There are no hitch cargo carriers that can accept a 2-inch bike rack mounted to them. This is due to the total weight load that this combination would present to the hitch. Because of how far back such a set-up would extend there would be a lot of leverage on the hitch tube and it could be damaged, or cause damage to the vehicle frame. This is why no cargo carriers have a receiver opening for other accessories to mount to them.

The 2-inch hitches made for your 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (shown on the linked page) share a maximum tongue weight (TW) capacity of 350-lbs. This is the maximum downward force the hitch can handle from what is attached to it. This means that the weight of the bike rack itself (31-lbs in the case of the DoubleDown 4) plus the weight of the four bikes themselves cannot exceed this TW limit.

expert reply by: Adam R