What 4-Bike Tilting Rack do You Recommend to Open My Trunk with Bikes Loaded?

Updated 03/24/2022 | Published 03/22/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Saris Freedom Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount - Tilting

(211)

$649.99

RockyMounts Hitch Extender w/ Hitch Pin and Lock - 2" Hitches - 8" Long

(142)

$79.99

Saris Freedom Bike Rack for 4 Fat Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount - Tilting

(9)

$849.95

Question:

What if I just put the rocky mounts hitch extender? Will that allow the hatch to open while the 4 bikes are loaded on the Mount? I’m going with the Yakima full tilt 4 bike.

asked by: Arshak H

Helpful Expert Reply:

I have a great solution for you. However, the Thule Hitching Post Pro # TH934XTR can only tilt when bikes are unloaded.

If you are set on a 4-bike rack that can tilt with bikes loaded to access the rear hatch on your 2016 Lexus RX 350, the best option is the Saris Freedom Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount # SA4414B or the fat-bike version # SA4414B-FB for bike tires that measure between 3-5 inches wide. While we cannot confirm for sure whether you can open the rear hatch on your vehicle without knowing the exact elongation length of your trunk, the 10" long shank length of the Freedom definitely gives you more roof for clearance than the Thule Hitching Post and most other 4-bike racks we carry. With that being said, I recommend mounting the bike with the longest handlebars at the rear-most position of the rack when loading. I went ahead and attached a video of the rear hatch opening on a 2015 Grand Minivan with a bike loaded in the front position at timestamp 5:35.

You will not have any bumper clearance issues with the Freedom when using the Curt Hitch # C73DR on your vehicle.

expert reply by: Bob C

Arshak H.

1/1/0001

What if I just put the rocky mounts hitch extender? Will that allow the hatch to open while the 4 bikes are loaded on the Mount? I’m going with the Yakima full tilt 4 bike.

Bob C.

3/24/2022

Yes - you can definitely use a hitch extender like the RockyMounts Hitch Extender w/ Hitch Pin and Lock - 2" Hitches - 8" Long # RKY10008 along with the Yakima Full Tilt 4 Y02462 for extra clearance length for your hatch. However, it is important to note that the Full Tilt cannot tilt with bikes loaded. If you want to have the bikes loaded when tilting, you can always use the extender with the # SA4414B or the fat-bike version # SA4414B-FB. It is important to note, though, that you will be adding a considerable amount of length to the Freedom since the rack measures 13-1/2" long from the center pinhole when folded down. Whenever you use a hitch extender, you decrease your overall weight capacity by 50%. This means that your # 75540 will have a max tongue weight of 337.5 and a max gross towing capacity of 2,250.