Can Hard Cover be Put Back On 2008 Toyota RAV4 Spare Tire After Removing Spare Ride Bike Rack

Question:

Can you please confirm if a Yakima SpareRide 2 mounting plate etc. bike rack removed can be left on and the 2008 Toyota RAV4 hard plastic spare tire cover be replaced when the bike rack is not in use? My tires and spare are OEM P225/65/17. The answer below seems to indicate Yes but for a previous Yakima model, Can you please confirm? If so, I will order this rack from you ASAP. Other links to QandA say no, you cannot replace the hard tire cover with the mounting plate installed and rack removed. I am confused with multiple answers and replacing the hard tire cover when the bike rack is not in use without removing the mounting plate is certainly an advantage and highly desired by me. Im ready to order once I get a reply.

asked by: Mike

Helpful Expert Reply:

You will most likely be able to put the hard cover back on the spare tire on your 2008 Toyota RAV4 with the Yakima SpareRide # Y02599 mounting plate still installed. The receiver on it doesn't stick out very far and the wheel center width is not as wide as the tire width and that, coupled with the fact that the hard shell spare tire cover has some room on the inside means that putting the cover back on should not be a problem.

The design has changed since the older SpareTime bike rack so the mounting plate by itself does not stick out very far at all.

expert reply by: Michael H