How to Choose a Bike Rack That Will Clear a Rear Mounted Spare Tire or Bumper

Many SUVs carry a spare tire on the back of the vehicle. If you want to use a hitch-mounted bike rack on such a vehicle, you have to make sure it will clear the spare. The following information can help you find a rack that will work with your vehicle and spare.

You need to know two measurements:

Required clearance of vehicle - center of hitch pin hole to outer edge of spare tire
Bike rack clearance - distance from center of hitch pin hole to the upright mast or the first wheel hoop, depending on the kind of rack

Vehicle Clearance

To determine the amount of clearance your vehicle requires, you need to measure. This requires a measuring tape and a straight edge, such as a dowel rod or a yardstick.

Step 1

Positioning vertical dowel rod for bike rack clearance

Hold the dowel rod or yardstick vertically against the back of your spare tire, making sure that the end of the straight edge extends lower than your hitch pin hole.

Step 2

Using tape measure to get distance from hitch pin hole to back of spare tire

Use the tape measure to find the distance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the straight edge (in inches). Be sure to form a 90-degree angle between your tape measure and your straight edge. This measurement is the minimum clearance your bike rack will need to clear your spare tire.

Bike Rack Clearance

We list the clearance for our bike racks in our product specs. If the clearance given for a particular bike rack is greater than your vehicle clearance, you're good to go. That bike rack should work on your vehicle.

Hanging-Style Bike Racks

Distance from hitch pin hole to upright mast

On this style of bike rack, the clearance is measured from the center of the hitch pin hole in the shank to the part of the upright mast that is closest to the vehicle. Usually the mast is a straight, vertical bar. However, some bike racks have parts at the top of the mast that are positioned closer to the vehicle. These parts could include a hinge that allows the support arms to be lowered or a platform that lends extra support to the arms. The clearance value usually given is the distance to the mast or to one of these other parts, whichever is closer to the vehicle.

Platform-Style Bike Racks

Distance from hitch pin hole to closest edge of the first wheel hoop

The clearance on this style of rack is measured from the center of the hitch pin hole in the shank to the closest edge of the first wheel hoop.

Updated by: Raymond P.

Last updated: 7/6/18

Deanna L.

7/3/2021

My husband has 2022 defender with spare tire. We’d like to get the kuat 2.0 for 2 bikes with existing hitch. Clearance from hitch to outside tire is 13”. Will the kuat work? If not, please let me know of an alternative setup. We have 2 electric bikes. Thanks!

Jon G.

7/7/2021

The Kuat NV 2.0 measures 11-3/4" from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the rack when it's in the regular position. While that won't be enough to clear your spare tire, Kuat does have the Pivot 2 # PVP20B which places the hitch pin hole for your bike rack out another 12-3/16" plus it gives you the ability to swing the entire bike rack out of the way so that you can gain complete access to your rear hatch area.

Donnie P.

2/15/2022

@JonG, I have the exact same situation. How did this setup work for you? Thanks, Donnie

Les D.

2/15/2022

The Swagman # S63400 has 14-1/2 inches from hitch pin hole to upright bar. It will also hold two bikes weighing 35 pounds each.

See All (7) Replies to Deanna L. ∨

Marek S.

5/13/2021

I have 2011 Toyota RAV4 (with the spare tire on the back). I'd like to install a hitch and a bike rack to carry two electric bikes weighing 65 lb each. So I'm thinking about the Hollywood Sport Rider for electric bikes (HR1500) and the hitch #C13149. Would this combination work or would the spare tire be in the way? If not, what else could I do? Note: If necessary, I can reduce the weight of each bike below 60 lb by removing the batteries.

Jon G.

5/13/2021

I'm not sure if that would be the best combo for you. When we installed the Curt # C13149 hitch on a 2011 RAV4 we measured a little over 6" from the center of the hitch pin hole to the outermost edge of the spare tire, and the Sport Rider for Electric Bikes # HLY84FR (HR1500) that you mentioned measures 7-1/2" to the closest part of the bike rack. So the bike rack will fit but I think your pedal and/or handlebar on the closer bike might have issues. If your electric bikes don't have fenders then I recommend checking out the RockyMounts MonoRail # RKY10004. Please note that you should be removing your batteries regardless of whether or note you're trying to save weight simply to help protect them from any vibrations from the road.

Marek S.

5/21/2021

Can I use a hitch extension like Yakima StraightShot 7-1/4 " or Rocky Mounts 8" extension for 2 inch hitch between Curt Trailer Hitch #C13149 and Hollywood Sport Rider hitch for electric bikes (HR1500) on my 2011 Toyota RAV4?

Jon G.

5/24/2021

@MarekS You can use an extension like that, just be mindful that most bike rack manufacturers say the warranty is voided if you use an extension that they didn't make and extensions like this will reduce the weight rating of the trailer hitch by 50%. This shouldn't be an issue for your case but it's still worth knowing.

See All (4) Replies to Marek S. ∨

Carolina B.

5/2/2021

Hi! I have a 2020 rav4 and we're planning on attaching a spare tire in the back eventually. Is there an option for a 2 bike rack, hitch mount that works now without the spare tire and that will still work once we attach the spare tire? Thanks!

Jon G.

5/4/2021

Are you able to estimate how much clearance you think you'll need? If you are going to get one the same size as what you currently have then try adding the width of your current tire to the back door and double check for clearance. Let me know what you're looking at when it comes to that clearance measurement and I can see if we have anything that will work.

Janet K.

4/12/2021

I have an older style Toyota RAV4 with the spare tire on the back. My vehicle clearance is 6”, or just a hair under that. I only need to carry one bike. (Or 2 bikes on rare occasions.) I am open to either style of bike rack: hanging or platform. Bonus if no tools are required to install the bike rack. I have a 2” hitch. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Jon G.

4/14/2021

We do have a selection of bike racks that fit your description. We have options as cost-effective as the Swagman Titan # S63400 but then also options that go up to the Hollywood TRS # HR3000 or even the Kuat NV 2.0 # NV22B which has the tool-free installation that you mentioned.

Joe K.

1/18/2021

Does anyone have a picture of a Kuat Pivot Drivers side option on a Jeep Wrangler? I like the idea of bikes on the left and foot opening to the right I think but wanted to see it first as every picture I see seems to show a passenger side option.

Jon G.

1/20/2021

We don't have any videos or photos of the Driver's side Pivot 2 # PVD20B on a Wrangler but we do have a handful of photos and videos on other vehicles that you can check out.

Tiffany

1/10/2021

My husband has a 2021 Land Rover defender with a spire tire in the back, and it also got a hitch receiver. We have a hard time finding bike rack with good clearance. Any recommendations for a bike rack holds 4 bikes? Ideally we can still open the back door while with bike on.

Jon G.

1/14/2021

The best combination that I can think of is using the Thule Range 4 Bike RV Rack # TH9057 with the Kuat Pivot 2 # PVP20B. This gives you a distance of about 17-1/2" from the center of the hitch pin hole to the back of the bike rack plus it gives you the ability to swing the bike rack out of the way and gain access to your rear hatch area without removing your bikes.

Tiffany

1/14/2021

@JonG thank you for your suggestions. This option is great, but a little expensive when combining the two together. Given that we are not very adventurous, will only ride bikes in the trail. If we give up on opening the back door with bike on, is there any other options? Thank you for your advice.

Jon G.

1/18/2021

@Tiffany of course! Would you be able to get some measurements for me so I can help you out with that? I would need to know the distance from the center of your hitch pin hole to the outermost part of your spare tire, and then from the top (of the inside) of the receiver to the bottom of your spare tire as well as to the bottom of your door. You'll have to remove your bikes to open up the back door but I'm sure we have something that will work out.