Hey Guys,
Anyone use a luggage basket that fits into the hitch receiver?
I want go get one, but I'm afraid I'll have to take the spare tire off to use it.
I'm not sure if they stick out far enough to clear the spare. I got to have my cooler at the beach!
If anyone has any advice or pics of theirs I would really appreciate it.
I do. I have a Currie rear bumper w tire carrier and a 35" KM2 hanging on it. I bought a jive ol' Harbor Freight luggage hitch rack right before leaving on a trip last year. I didn't measure before buying it, as it was sort of a last minute purchase. The tire pretty much prevents me from putting anything like an ice chest or plastic totes, etc. on it. I still used it and just packed misc loose items like tarps and other oddly shaped camping items on it. Overall it spared me some room inside the Jeep but it wasn't ideal.
I have a haror freight on but I have no spare so no problem here; but if I did have the spare, it would be a bit covered by my 31s I think nut not too much. I suppose you could buy an extension bar for it, I have seen those.
I forgot to mention I have smittybilt classic rock bumper with hitch
Its in a custom made hitch. I sent that pic from my phone, and now that I look closer (now on my computer) that pic is my mock up from when I made it last summer (tack welded at that point) of my set up.
I welded a length of angle iron connecting my bumperettes and then welded the receiver to the bumper on one end, and the angle iron on the other end. (Hope that makes sense, kinda hard to describe) Clearance isn't a big issue for me with the carrier installed, as it is just used to transport cooler and other items on and off the beach while vacationing on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I tow the YJ behind my motorhome.
I opted for a scooter/wheel chair carrier. It's a little bit bigger and has a hinged ramp that can be removed. It has a carrying capacity of 500 lbs. but that's pushing it. The largest thing I have had in it is a snow blower (about 275 lbs.).
It's great for camping and I'll be taking it with me to a automotive flea market in a few weeks in case I find something "big". Here's a photo of it. I have since added "real" tail lights to it.
I've got a rack that mounts to the spare tire carrier that I'm not using if you're interested. It was on my jeep when I bought it and I don't think I'll ever use it. I think it's rated for 100lbs but I'd have to look it up to be sure.
That looks like the same one I have, but I did raise and set it back some with a dog leg extension. Now that I am lifted and have stronger springs in the rear it really works great and clears well at crossings.
It all depends on your hitch. Most (unlike mine) are below the bumper. I can't open my tailgate at all with any bike rack or cargo carrier. I've only used mine once for a junkyard trip. Offroad it would take away too much departure angle, so I wouldn't use it. However, I'd like to make a smaller one to fit a cooler or toolbox. Either way, my tailgate won't even open. I'll probably make a rear tire carrier with an accessory hitch on it that opens with my tire carrier so I don't have that problem.
Here's a better photo of my hitch. With that ball in there, there's barely an inch of clearance with the ~28" spare. It's basically level with the frame crossmember, because that's where the bumper bolts on. FYI most of you with a hitch like this wouldn't be able to pull from it unless you have a clean frame. My frame had nothing there, I welded some 3/16" steel plate machined to the exact specs with angle iron into the frame.
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