I went with the Quadratech Folding Hitch, which will accommodate up to 4 bikes. It allows you to fold it down out of the way to open the tailgate without completely removing the hitch and it'll clear a bigger than stock tire. That way if you want to leave it on the Jeep full time, you still retain access to your trunk. But on those occasions when you have bikes mounted on it, you have to remove the bikes first before it can be folded down.

As far as I know, the only way you're going to get access to your tailgate without taking your bikes down each time is by going with a spare tire mounted system, (assuming your spare is still mounted to the tailgate tire mount).

 

I picked up the Kuat Pivot which goes between your rack and hitch. It allows the entire rack plus bikes to swing to side of the vehicle. Downside is that it adds $300 to the cost of your rack. I have a camper van so I have two vehicles where it will be useful. The REI dividend plus 20% off helped out. I believe the Kuat is actually made by Rakattach. The Kuat will require a hitch extension (or lever modification) to clear the spare. Ordering from Rakattach directly may allow you to specify a custom hitch attachment length?

http://www.kuatracks.com/products/hitch/pivot/

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Also check out the Rockymounts Backstage. I'm torn between that and the rakattach/pivot with a separate rack. I really think swing away is going to be the best option for rear access, especially if you want to keep the bikes on. It's on the back burner for me since I'm way out of shape and won't be heading to the trails anytime soon.

https://rockymounts.com/products/backstage-swing-away-platform-hitch-rack

 

Thule T2 will fold down with 2 bikes on it and let you open the tailgate enough to get it, if you use a hitch extension. It's heavy to lift back into position, but it works.

Of course, don't trust anyone's fit recommendations off the internet, including mine. Find one in a store and measure for yourself.

Matk

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I have a Kuat NV that I use with a stepdown extension to allow my 35" to clear the pivot point on the rack and fully open the tailgate. I think the pivot is the way to go but also a much pricier option.

 

I have a Yakima Dr Tray, it pivots down, but still need to remove bikes to open tail gate fully

 

Kuat pivot with a 1 up rack.

 

Any clearance issues with the Kuat Pivot lever hitting the spare? I have an AEV bumper and I'm thinking that the lever may interfere with the spare tire. I want to get away from any extenders or drop adapters. I've got a Yakima Dr. Tray.

 

I have a Kuat NV with a step down extender. Works great. Still can't drop and open the door fully with 2 bikes on but you can with 1 no issues. You can open the door far enough with 2 bikes on so that you can get stuff out of the back but definitely not all the way. Kuat racks are great quality but not cheap for sure. Here are a few pics...

 

I found a Thule hitch mount at an REI garage sale for $199. Worked great for the bikes but it didn't clear the spare tire. I got a piece of 2x2 square tubing and cut to clear (don't remember the length) drilled to match the holes on the original and bolted it on. Still have to take the bikes off to open the gate though. :rant:

 

I think the Rocky Mounts Backstage is probably the way to go.

https://rockymounts.com/products/bac...orm-hitch-rack

If you use an 8" extension is should clear the spare. REI reviewer has a pic

https://photos-us.bazaarvoice.com/photo/2/cGhvdG86cmVpLWluYw/db936222-97f5-53d1-b80e-298c4976cb6e

I'll let you know if I pull the trigger on this.

 

If you don't want to reduce the rear approach/departure angle and you have a spare tire on the back - you can opt to a spare-tire-mounted bike rack. They are lifted a little higher off the ground and there is no need to remove the bikes to open the tailgate.

Here's a couple of options:
Rhino-Rack® - Spare Tire Mount Bike Rack


Yakima® - SpareRide Spare Tire Mount Bike Rack


View the list of all Hitch bike racks for Jeeps at CARiD

 

Yes, but the OP specifically asked about hitch mounted, platform options. I've had one of the spare tire mounted Yakima units, and they grab the bikes by the frame, which I do not want with a carbon fibre road bike.

If you don't want to reduce the rear approach/departure angle and you have a spare tire on the back - you can opt to a spare-tire-mounted bike rack. They are lifted a little higher off the ground and there is no need to remove the bikes to open the tailgate.

 

I have a Solfride bike rack with a Reese Hitch extender (turned upside down) and it gives me full access to open the rear door. It works great.

 

I did this very same thing to get my Yakima Dr Tray to allow me to swing the tailgate open when the rack is down. Gives partial access when the rack is loaded with 2 bikes and completely lowered down.
Stock lift on the Jeep, rack hits the ground when you have a bit of a load in the back (riding gear, cooler, etc.).
I really hate the look of that thing, let alone the clearance issues, and want a different solution. Maybe the Kuat Pivot or the newer Yakima Backswing.
Either of those pivot devices will likely have clearance issues with the spare tire and will need some sort of modification to work.

 

This hitch https://www.quadratec.com/p/versahitch/07-17-jeep-wrangler-jk

with this rack https://www.quadratec.com/p/versahitch/07-17-jeep-wrangler-jk

 

Same product in those links. Missing the rack.

 

RockyMounts swing away works great.

 

I'm looking to order this rack within the week. Did you need a hitch extension? If so, what length worked for you? I have a 285/70/r17 spare tire so I need to make sure it clears.

 

Rocky Mounts Swing Away!
Here's my review with a wrangler JK

https://youtu.be/4H5GpkOei8c

 

reviving a dead thread instead of starting a new one on the same topic....
looking for this same option of a hitch mount, swinging, platform rack. My wheel/tire combo is prob 1" deeper because of offset? Method 701 with stock width but larger profile tires.

I dont want a rack that sticks my bike 35 feet off the back as it appears some of these combos do

 

I got a first hand look at a friend's RockyMounts Backstage swingaway, and it was definitely nice. I ended up going a little different route. I wanted something more modular. I started with the Kuat Pivot. The 2nd gen version has the 'handle' mounted horizontally to lessen the chance of interfering with the spare. I love that I can use it with any 2" or smaller hitch mount accessory. And the Pivot acts as the hitch extender so you probably won't have to worry about that. For the rack itself, I liked the RockyMounts bike retention design, so I got the Monorail Solo. I will very occasionally need to carry a 2nd bike, so I also got their Monorail Add-on rack to make it a 2 bike setup when needed. I don't have any side shot pics but it definitely doesn't stick out as far as some others. I did run into some compatibility issues due to the integrated hitch on my bumper, so that is something to keep in mind. I actully had to change my spare mount to get the thing higher. And partially because of that; but also since my rack is designed to work well on smaller vehicles, so it has a healthy bit of rise built into it; the whole set up with a bike on it is pretty tall. Like won't fit in the garage tall. I may change to a different rack because of that. If I do, it'll be to a 1up USA system.

 

Look into Rack Attach

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