Recommended Light Weight Bike Rack on a Jeep Liberty with Rear Spare Tire

Updated 05/19/2017 | Published 05/18/2017

Products Featured in This Question

RockyMounts BackStage Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount

(156)

$899.99

Blue Ox Hitch Extender for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches - 6-3/4" or 8-3/4" Extension

(91)

$123.37

Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount

(172)

$899.95

Question:

I have two 40 lb ebikes that I want to carry on my jeep. Im going to have to put a hitch extension in the 2inch receiver to extend past the rear tire. Im considering the Thule T2 pro TH9034, or T2 pro XT. Also the Saris super clamp # SA4025F. The backstage 2 # RKY10002 is too heavy. Important considerations are: weight of rack, ease of use, safety and durability. Which one would you recommend? Thanks

asked by: Tami

Helpful Expert Reply:

The best option for your Jeep Liberty is a swinging hitch rack. The RockyMounts BackStage # RKY10002 swings completely away from the vehicle to allow access to the rear cargo area.

The BackStage also has a maximum capacity of 60 pounds per bike which is a lot higher than most swinging racks which usually cap out at 40 pounds.

The issue with the BackStage is it's heavy at about 75 pounds. But it is the best option to carry the bikes otherwise.

expert reply by: Charles S

Tami

5/18/2017

Charles S.

5/19/2017

I was concerned about the BackStage # RKY10002 being too heavy but it fit all the other criteria. I recommend trying to avoid using a hitch extender if you can. Using one drops the maximum tongue weight of the hitch by 50 percent as well as just be one more piece to worry about. You'll likely not run into any tongue weight issues, but you might. Either way I think you'll be better off if you can avoid using one. Take a measurement on your Jeep from the hitch pin hole to the edge of the spare tire and see how much room you need. I checked a couple of videos from when we've installed our hitches on Libertys with the rear spare tire and it varied from just under 10 inches to almost 15 inches depending on the hitch. If you have that measurement you can find a rack and know for sure if you need an extender. If you do need an extender you won't need a very long one. The 6-3/4 inch # BX88265 will be enough. Your biggest limiting factors are the weight of the rack itself, accessing the rear cargo area of the Jeep, clearing the spare tire, and the weight of the bikes. Since you say the bikes are actually only 40 pounds and not 45 pounds that opens up our options a bit. Plus, before I was trying to find a swinging rack that would give you complete access to the rear and most of the swinging racks have limited capacities. Clearing the spare tire is a must. Accessing the rear of the Jeep with the carrier installed might be something you're going to have to give up. The Saris SuperClamp # SA4025F measures 12 inches from the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the rack. With a 60 pound per bike capacity it has no problem carrying the 40 pound bikes, and it only weighs about 35 pounds. The Thule T2 Pro XTR # TH83JV can carry 60 pound bikes as well, only weighs 52 pounds, but only has 7 inches between the hitch pin hole and the closest part of the rack. This one will definitely need the extender. For one more idea, the Swagman Semi 2.0 # S64686. It's heavier than the other two at about 60 pounds. However, it does measure 15-1/4 inches from the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the rack. So this is the least likely of the three to need the extender however it's also the heaviest. If you'd like, take the measurement to find out how far you need the rack to extend from the hitch pin hole and let me know what it is. Then I'll see if there are any other options that may be better suited for you.