Hitch rack and bike storage suggestions

[robertgreen79]

I have a feeling I'm asking too much of my TJ lol

We've been using my TJ as our "beach trip" vehicle. One wife, one kiddo, a dog, and way too many snacks are filling the cab completely. I've been using a hitch rack for luggage, cooler, beach chairs etc. The thing is, we'd really like to bring our bikes as well. I considered a spare tire mount, but the only one I've seen recommended is the Thule Spare Me, which I cant use because I have the bestop tire carrier (mounts through the center). Any ideas?

 

[never monday]

I have a feeling I'm asking too much of my TJ lol

We've been using my TJ as our "beach trip" vehicle. One wife, one kiddo, a dog, and way too many snacks are filling the cab completely. I've been using a hitch rack for luggage, cooler, beach chairs etc. The thing is, we'd really like to bring our bikes as well. I considered a spare tire mount, but the only one I've seen recommended is the Thule Spare Me, which I cant use because I have the bestop tire carrier (mounts through the center). Any ideas?

A small trailer

 

[Kid Mechanic]

A small trailer

Or a bigger vehicle, like a truck. Tow the Jeep.

Storage? It’s a Jeep!!

 

[lowranger]

You could put a receiver on the front and carry bicycles or cargo up there.

 

[robertgreen79]

You could put a receiver on the front and carry bicycles or cargo up there.

That's actually a great idea. I see jeeps on the shore all the time with those and for some reason it never clicked. Thanks!

 

[qslim]

Or a bigger vehicle, like a truck. Tow the Jeep.

Storage? It’s a Jeep!!

That's what we have to do. I got an 18' car carrier. Two little kids, a wife, sometimes the dogs... Too much shit to bring along in a TJ.

 

[robertgreen79]

Or a bigger vehicle, like a truck. Tow the Jeep.

Storage? It’s a Jeep!!

So you're saying to spend tens of thousands to get my bikes to the beach? Everything else fits fine. I could always just ratchet strap them to the spare

 

[Kid Mechanic]

So you're saying to spend tens of thousands to get my bikes to the beach? Everything else fits fine. I could always just ratchet strap them to the spare

I’ve seen bikes just laying and strapped to the roof.
Oh, wait, those were homeless people at the San Diego beaches. Never mind.

 

[never monday]

So you're saying to spend tens of thousands to get my bikes to the beach? Everything else fits fine. I could always just ratchet strap them to the spare

Overkill, the TJ way!

 

[robertgreen79]

I’ve seen bikes just laying and strapped to the roof.
Oh, wait, those were homeless people at the San Diego beaches. Never mind.

They were strapping homeless people to the roof?

 

[qslim]

So you're saying to spend tens of thousands to get my bikes to the beach? Everything else fits fine. I could always just ratchet strap them to the spare

Stop being a cheap bastard, go buy a new diesel truck & 20' aluminum trailer. You'll be good to go.

 

[robertgreen79]

Stop being a cheap bastard, go buy a new diesel truck & 20' aluminum trailer. You'll be good to go.

Alternatively I could just buy the beach and store everything there

 

[Kid Mechanic]

They were strapping homeless people to the roof?

Pretty much. You see all kinds of weird shit in Kalifornia.

 

[qslim]

Alternatively I could just buy the beach and store everything there

Exactly, stop thinking so small!!

 

[PCO6]

I have a feeling I'm asking too much of my TJ lol

We've been using my TJ as our "beach trip" vehicle. One wife, one kiddo, a dog, and way too many snacks are filling the cab completely. I've been using a hitch rack for luggage, cooler, beach chairs etc. The thing is, we'd really like to bring our bikes as well. I considered a spare tire mount, but the only one I've seen recommended is the Thule Spare Me, which I cant use because I have the bestop tire carrier (mounts through the center). Any ideas?

I think your choices are either a cargo basket or a bike rack but not both. A bike rack and roof rack might be an option. A front mounted bike rack is also a good idea.

I looked at the traditional spare tire mounted racks. I have Exogate hinges but didn't like the added weight 2 bikes would put on them. I also wasn't crazy about opening the tailgate and having the bikes hit the body (I could be wrong about this).

I built a 2 piece hitch mounted rack that can take 1 or 2 bikes. I used 2 common roof mounted racks and bolted them to commonly available 2" hitch inserts. I welded brackets to the inserts and bolted the bike racks to them. The second rack insets into the first one when I want to take 2 bikes. I designed them so that the tailgate is low enough to be able to open the tailgate when the bikes are off.

The nice thing too is that I can easily put the rack(s) on my trailers when I want to.

 

[Fishtaco]

I have a feeling I'm asking too much of my TJ lol

We've been using my TJ as our "beach trip" vehicle. One wife, one kiddo, a dog, and way too many snacks are filling the cab completely. I've been using a hitch rack for luggage, cooler, beach chairs etc. The thing is, we'd really like to bring our bikes as well. I considered a spare tire mount, but the only one I've seen recommended is the Thule Spare Me, which I cant use because I have the bestop tire carrier (mounts through the center). Any ideas?

If you think it can take the weight they have strap on spare wheel carriers that dont fit through the centre of the spare

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rhino-R...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

 

[jscherb]

You could put a receiver on the front and carry bicycles or cargo up there.

A bike rack in a front receiver on my LJ:

Hitch cargo racks stick out pretty far...

 

[LONGJP2]

Put these on the roof.