Could SportRack Ridege Swing Bike Rack Fit 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with Off-Road Spare

Question:

I am very interested in you SportRack Ridge Swing 4 Bike Rack - 2 Hitches - Swinging. I see that the clearance between the center of the hitch pin hole to back of upright mast is - 9-1/2. We have a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Willys Wheeler edition. We have mud terrain tires and I am afraid the clearance will not be enough. Have you had any experience with Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with mud terrain tires? Do you thin this product will work? Is there an extension in case it does not clear? Is there another product that you would suggest? Thank you for your input.

asked by: Bill S

Helpful Expert Reply:

The best potential solution we'd have to allow you to use the Sportrack Ridge Swing bike rack # SR2415 that you referenced will be a trailer hitch that sticks out further so you could potentially have the clearance needed which for that you'd need the Draw Tite # DT78MR which sticks out so that the hitch-pin hole is 2 inches past the Jeep bumper. You could compare that dimension to what you have on your current hitch and then also how many inches you'd need additionally for the Ridge to fit to determine if this hitch would give you the clearance you need.

A hitch extender potentially could work but I don't like to recommend them unless it's a last resort as they cut the capacity of the hitch they are installed in and add some movement to the rack.

expert reply by: Jameson C