I use the Yakima Hold Up 2 bike rack. Love it. It is a platform rack. I have the OEM hitch mount, which sits a little higher from the ground than the aftermarket hitch mounts. It clears the spare tire cover, but does not leave much room to tilt the inner bike inward to clear the vertical locking bar. I am going to get a short extension to give me more room. The Hold Up 2 bike rack is very sturdy but only requires a strap (tire) and a locking bar (top tube) to hold down each bike. Well worth the money.
This is what I have and love it. Earlier today UPS delivered my +2 add-on so I can carry 4 bikes.
1945 - you may want to look at how you are securing your bikes. The locking bar is for your front tire, not the top tube. The ratchet strap is for the rear tire.
The inner bike is well clear of the rear tire cover, but there is a vertical locking bar that needs to be holding down the top tube. You have to swing the bike inward a bit for the hook of the bar to clear the handlebars.
No problem at all with the exhaust. It's not near the tires since the OEM hitch mount sits pretty high, unlike the after-market ones which is bolted to the undercarriage. The OEM hitch is mounted directly high onto the bumper cross member.
I have the Thule 4 bike that clears the tire but it drops down some but not enough to open the rear door. Some of the new ones are hinged so you can keep the rack in the receiver and still open the rear.
The only time I use my rear window is when the bike rack is on. When I remember it opens...
I just installed the OEM hitch and yesterday picked up a used Softride bike rack for $75. It appears to be a discontinued model but it clears the spare, has an anti-rattle hitch lock to the receiver and has a built-in cable for locking the bikes.
On the negative side, it doesn't swing down low enough to open the rear door.
I'll see if it meets my needs for now - I don't use it enough for it to be a permanent fixture.
TRDparts4u has the OEM hitch for $156, you'll pay that much for an aftermarket hitch might as well get the best looking and strongest one for that price. I went with that and a Kuat rack and have hauled two bikes hundreds of miles without a problem. I would recommend this combo for anyone looking to do the same.
Kuat wife flipped my FJ only thing that survived was the bike and kuat put it on the newer FJ went to harbor freight got a extension with a step platform great racks
These are on my wishlist: iSi Advanced 4x4 Bicycle Carrier and Bike Rack Systems
These are the only racks that I am aware of that are actually made for offroad use and, as you can see, do not kill your departure angle. They seem to get good reviews and they can be shipped from Oz.
Concern about departure angle is why I would only use the OEM hitch with the stock bumper.
I bought an Allen sport 552rr bike rack (5 bikes) and a Curtis 8" hitch extension. Works great (I do have the stock hitch)
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