Another brilliant DIY mod...
- Thread starter Rescue Ninja
- Start date
Rescue Ninja
Adventurer
Thanks for the input Toyotero. I really like the idea of the angled tension braces. Once I have those on I will try to post a pic of me bouncing around on the rack. The lock pin is grade 8 as is the hardware I bought and installed, but I will likely go ahead and upgrade the hinge bolt too. As for the steel used for Jerry can shelf, it's 2" x 1.5" 14g used for warehouse shelving systems. Not it's original purpose, but like I said - I will go ahead a post a pic of me bouncing around on it when I get the chance. This is my Monday night after a 13 hour shift, so it will be a few days.
Yes, it is visible in the your last pic. I meant the OP.
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
FWIW, I had a Thule 936, a 2-bike version similar I think to this rack. If the design is different, then take with a grain of salt but the weight rating is more or less static or at least with smooth roads in mind because over time my rack started to fatigue from the constant bouncing around running SAG with just two MTBs (say about 65 lbs).
You might consider replacing the two pivot bolts (or at least the bottom one that allows the whole thing to swing down) with the next larger bolt and washers on each side for support. That's what I had to do, anyway. I used a thin nylon on each side inside and thick (almost thrust) washers outside with a nylok nut so I didn't have to crank down. Thule was fairly generous on the side clearances and diameter tolerance so the fit was loose and wallowed out over time. Otherwise they are all steel so there's no reason to think with some additional reinforcement it can't be made to work fine.
You might consider replacing the two pivot bolts (or at least the bottom one that allows the whole thing to swing down) with the next larger bolt and washers on each side for support. That's what I had to do, anyway. I used a thin nylon on each side inside and thick (almost thrust) washers outside with a nylok nut so I didn't have to crank down. Thule was fairly generous on the side clearances and diameter tolerance so the fit was loose and wallowed out over time. Otherwise they are all steel so there's no reason to think with some additional reinforcement it can't be made to work fine.
Last edited:
jeep-N-montero
Expedition Leader
I built one of these hitch carriers to carry my spare back around 2001 and ran a pair of turnbuckles similar to these to limit sway and minimize stress on the metal http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lehigh-3...-Steel-Hook-and-Eye-Turnbuckle-7112/100117143, run them from the rack to the bumper. Worked okay for smaller tires but wouldn't even remotely trust it to carry anything over a 33x10.50 spare, no pictures that I can find at the moment.