Bike/Snowboard rack suggestions?
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Gardner, KS
Does anyone have experience with Swagman bike racks?
I was looking at the XC 4-Bike Cross Country Rack (64665). My stock 17" spare requires > 9" from the center of the hitch-pin. I just got an email from Swagman, and the measurement to the first wheel hoop is 13". Plenty of room. Their other offerings are the typical rack with an upright bar and only have 7.5" of clearance.
Mike W
I was looking at the XC 4-Bike Cross Country Rack (64665). My stock 17" spare requires > 9" from the center of the hitch-pin. I just got an email from Swagman, and the measurement to the first wheel hoop is 13". Plenty of room. Their other offerings are the typical rack with an upright bar and only have 7.5" of clearance.
Mike W
http://www.sportrack.com/a30901
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22745&subcategory_ID=4411
Last edited by JackMac4; Jan 29, 2008 at 02:32 PM. Reason: please do not direct link to non-sponsors
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, WA
The distance from the inside face (faces the spare tire) of the vertical mast to the hitch pin hole is 11".
My stock Sahara wheels/tires needs 9 1/4"..... so there is plenty of clearance.
I was also very impressed on how heavy duty the rack looks. Should be ordering one soon.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 2
From: Boston, MA
Well... I finally got around to going to REI last night. We pulled out a Thule 954 in the box and opened it up.
The distance from the inside face (faces the spare tire) of the vertical mast to the hitch pin hole is 11".
My stock Sahara wheels/tires needs 9 1/4"..... so there is plenty of clearance.
I was also very impressed on how heavy duty the rack looks. Should be ordering one soon.
The distance from the inside face (faces the spare tire) of the vertical mast to the hitch pin hole is 11".
My stock Sahara wheels/tires needs 9 1/4"..... so there is plenty of clearance.
I was also very impressed on how heavy duty the rack looks. Should be ordering one soon.
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: South Riding, VA
I just picked up a used 954 Ridgeline off an auction site.
I have an '08 Sahara with stock 18" wheels.
The rack doesn't fit, as the tilt mechanism release lever hits the bottom of the spare tire.
Spartacus, what size wheels do you have?
Thanks!
I have an '08 Sahara with stock 18" wheels.
The rack doesn't fit, as the tilt mechanism release lever hits the bottom of the spare tire.
Spartacus, what size wheels do you have?
Thanks!
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 2
From: Boston, MA
thank goodness I didn't!
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, WA
Looked to me like the biggest concern was clearing the face of the spare.I have the stock 18" wheels and tires that come with the Sahara.
Have you actually tried to slide it in the receiver? If not... I may need to go back to REI and take another measurement. DAMN! Sorry Wayland.
Last edited by spartacus_33; Feb 8, 2008 at 09:18 PM.
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: South Riding, VA
I did put the rack together yesterday and put it in the receiver.
Let me give it another shot this afternoon. I will post back up in a couple hours with my results.
If it doesn't work, the other option is to get a hitch extension.
Edit - 2:45pm EST - Just tried the rack again, and it definitely does not fit with due to spare tire clearance from the tilt mechanism. Even if the tilt release were to clear the bottom of the spare, there wouldn't be enough room to life the release lever. Damn!
Let me give it another shot this afternoon. I will post back up in a couple hours with my results.
If it doesn't work, the other option is to get a hitch extension.
Edit - 2:45pm EST - Just tried the rack again, and it definitely does not fit with due to spare tire clearance from the tilt mechanism. Even if the tilt release were to clear the bottom of the spare, there wouldn't be enough room to life the release lever. Damn!
Last edited by castle228; Feb 9, 2008 at 10:46 AM.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 2
From: Boston, MA
I did put the rack together yesterday and put it in the receiver.
Let me give it another shot this afternoon. I will post back up in a couple hours with my results.
If it doesn't work, the other option is to get a hitch extension.
Edit - 2:45pm EST - Just tried the rack again, and it definitely does not fit with due to spare tire clearance from the tilt mechanism. Even if the tilt release were to clear the bottom of the spare, there wouldn't be enough room to life the release lever. Damn!
Let me give it another shot this afternoon. I will post back up in a couple hours with my results.
If it doesn't work, the other option is to get a hitch extension.
Edit - 2:45pm EST - Just tried the rack again, and it definitely does not fit with due to spare tire clearance from the tilt mechanism. Even if the tilt release were to clear the bottom of the spare, there wouldn't be enough room to life the release lever. Damn!
I wonder if thule knows this? Why can't we just get a working rack!!!
