Hollywood Racks Over-the-Top Keeps Falling When Rear Hatch on 2015 Grand Cherokee is Opened
Published 08/15/2018
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Question:
II have just installed the Hollywood Racks Over-the-Top Bike Rack for Vehicles w/ Spoilers - Trunk Mount - Adjustable Arms Item # HRF2 on my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. How do I avoid having slack on the straps when I open my hatch? The bike rack is secured by the cross bars and the rack falls each time the hatch is opened. I have attached all the straps to cross bars, sides and bottom, but maybe I missed a step to avoid this problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated as it is very irritating to not be able to open the hatch when the bike rack is on. Thank you in advance :
asked by: Kimberly S
Expert Reply:
I do have a solution for you to keep a bike rack installed on your 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and allow you to fully open your rear hatch, but unfortunately all trunk/hatch mount bike racks, like your Over-the-Top # HRF2 need to be removed before opening the trunk/hatch. You are experiencing first-hand why this is the case.
To keep a bike rack installed you will need to use a hitch mount option. This will require a trailer hitch like part # 75699 or part # 75713 (if you have a Diesel model) and then a bike rack with either a tilting feature or swing-away feature.
If you were to use a hanging style bike rack like the popular Hitching Post Pro # TH934XTR then you would need to remove the bike before tilting the rack, but a platform style rack like the Doubletrack # TH92BJ can be tilted with the bikes still installed. The only downside to these options is that you have to move around them to get into your rear hatch.
If you would like a bike rack that moves out of the way, with or without the bikes loaded, so that you don't have to move around it when you are getting into your hatch area then a swinging bike rack is what you are looking for. I recommend the FullSwing # Y02465 as it includes locks and integrated anti-sway cradles and SpeedKnob to help keep your bikes as still as possible while carrying them.
I have attached review videos of all of these bike rack options as well as an installation video and instructions for the trailer hitches I mentioned above.
