Will Yakima Spare Ride on 2008 Toyota RAV 4 Damage Door Hinges if Door is Opened With Bikes In Place

Question:

I just bought a Yakima Y02599 2 cycle spare-tire mounted rack for my 2008 Rav4. It will be carrying 2 bikes almost full time. Has anyone ever experienced any damage to the door hinge and/or locking mechanisms after prolongued use?

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

To avoid damage, Yakima recommends removing the bikes from the rack before opening the tail gate. Following this advice will ensure that your door and hinges will remain damage free.

The weight of the rack itself will not hurt anything, and would allow the door to open and close without any worry of damage. Adding the weight of the bikes into the equation leaves open the possibility of the hinges being damaged.

expert reply by: Mike L