How to Determine Best Bike Rack to Clear Large Spare Tire on Jeep Wrangler

Updated 01/06/2020 | Published 01/05/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Lets Go Aero BikeWing-2 Pro Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount

$279.00

Question:

I’ve got a Jeep Wrangler JK upgraded with 37 x 12.5 inch tires including the spare tire. Are there any bike racks out there that would accommodate that? Thanks

asked by: Michael

Expert Reply:

The answer to your question is yes, there is absolutely going to be a bike rack that can clear the large spare tire, though it will be very helpful if your Jeep Wrangler has a trailer hitch with a longer receiver such as the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver # DT78MR.

In order to determine the bike rack that has the amount of clearance you need, a couple of quick and easy measurements will be required. Just take something with a straight edge like a yardstick and hold it against the back of your Jeep's spare tire and then use a tape measure to find the distance from the center of your hitch pin hole to the straight edge (like in the accompanying photo), and that's the amount of clearance you will need.

Okay, now on to the bike racks that may work, with the most clearance being provided by hanging racks. Here is the ones with the largest clearance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the back of the upright on the bike rack:

- 14-1/2 Inches: Swagman Titan 2-Bike Rack # S63400

- 12 Inches: Lets Go Aero BikeWing-2 Pro Bike Rack # LGA65VR

expert reply by: Kyle S