hitch-mounted rear tire carrier... practical for daily use?

[theMec]

After extensive use of a hitch mounted bicycle carrier off pavement (but not on real 4x4 terrain), I couldn't imagine using a hitch mounted tire carrier. My bikes move around 6"-12" inches in all directions. A tire would move around much more. At some point, the metal would fatigue and fail - not something you want in the back country.

About Kennesaw, I read the bad press but I talked w/ Kennesaw anyway since they had what I wanted (at that time). Their price was good also. He was very responsive and thoroughly answered all my questions. Due to the OEM Dodge rear bumper setup and modifications needed, I decided to hold off. In another situation, I would have bought from them.

 

[Martyn]

After extensive use of a hitch mounted bicycle carrier off pavement (but not on real 4x4 terrain), I couldn't imagine using a hitch mounted tire carrier. My bikes move around 6"-12" inches in all directions. A tire would move around much more. At some point, the metal would fatigue and fail - not something you want in the back country.

About Kennesaw, I read the bad press but I talked w/ Kennesaw anyway since they had what I wanted (at that time). Their price was good also. He was very responsive and thoroughly answered all my questions. Due to the OEM Dodge rear bumper setup and modifications needed, I decided to hold off. In another situation, I would have bought from them.

I'd suggest using a Silent Hitch Pin to remove any unwanted movement

 

[CoastalDefender]

I have a Kennesaw Moutain Accessory rear MultiCarrier on my Nissan. Contrary to other's experiences, I have had a VERY positive experience with him making a bumper for my Frontier.

Everything I've seen from KMA relating to poor quality, unhappy customers, etc... Was all from a few years ago. Everything I've seen from people about KMA in the last 3 years or so has been as positive an experience as the one I had.

I say go with KMA. Kyle fulfilled everything I asked him to, when I asked him to do it.


I suppose that 2-2 for this thread regarding KMA.

 

[theMec]

I'd suggest using a Silent Hitch Pin to remove any unwanted movement

I'm using a anti rattle hitch pin. The hitch/receiver - bike rack interface doesn't move at all. It's the rest of the system that sways.

 

[bobDog]

Can is boldly suggest another alternative?

Carry a couple cans of SUV-sized Fix-A-Flat in the vehicle, along with a good quality patch kit, and leave the spare at home.

I know quite a few guys who have abandoned their spare tires in favor of relying on a repair kit.

Yeah right untill you you blow a bead that you just can't seem to reseat or slash a side wall!

 

[bmonday]

Yeah right untill you you blow a bead that you just can't seem to reseat or slash a side wall!

*shrug* Both repairable in the field with the right tools and know-how.

And what happens if 2 tires fail on you while you are out on the trail? You'll get out of more trouble with a quality repair kit and proper training than you will by simply carrying a spare.

 

[Martinjmpr]

The Tiregate and the CBI unit both look very interesting. The lowest price for the Tiregate that I could find on Google was about $660 and for the CBI I was quoted a couple of prices, depending on options, of between $250 and $350.

For that kind of price difference I'd be inclined to go with the CBI unit. The problem with the Tiregate is that once you start getting over $500 you are getting into the territory of the price of a new bumper. Irbis here in CO will build a super-nice rear bumper with a built in tire carrier for around $1200 (and their prices are somewhat on the high side - a local shop might be able to do it for less.)

Like Mec said, I would be a little worried about all that weight bearing on the 2" receiver hitch. That hitch is designed to support weight, but is it really designed for the kind of torque that a 100lb tire and 20lb carrier can put on it (not even thinking yet about a 15 lb high-lift jack?)

You sure wouldn't want to find out you have a cracked piece when you were halfway through a trip in the boonies, or worse yet, find out the hard way when your spare falls off your vehicle while driving down the freeway and causes a fatal accident (one of my biggest fears when I'm riding my motorcycle on the freeway is that I'll run into or get struck by a piece of debris flying or falling off of someone's vehicle.)

 

[Maximus Ram]

Dang it people, with all this talk about swing away mounts, I started looking at the back end of the Dodge and thinking on how to build a mount ...
It would be nice to get the spare out from under the truck and the gas cans from under the cover in the bed.

 

[volvite]

The issue of carrying a full tire repair kit rather than a spare is valid. 98% of all punctures can be repaired with a plug kit and a small compressor.

If you have been following the tire repair clinic I've been doing in JPFreek you'll see that even more complex repairs are relatively straight forward, if you have the right equipment, see JPFreek magazine page 91-93. Obviously the advantage of the spare is it's quick and simple.

If anyone is interested in a Hitchgate we have one at the shop that we bought for a project but it was never used. We'd be happy to move it at a very reasonable price, we can arrange shipping, shoot me an e mail or PM if you are interested.

I'm intrested in your hitchgate. I sent you a pm yesterday. Please contact me with any info via pm or email. Thanks

 

[theMec]

Here's another hitch mounted tire carrier on steroids:
http://blackpawinnovations.com/index.html

with the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5pfla75sJQ&feature=related

For off road, I still think there's too much stress on the receiver/ hitch.

 

[RHINO]

i only just started carrying a spare a few years ago, the previous 20+ years i rarely carried a spare cause of the expense of a 5th tire purchase, instead i carried everything i'd need for a repair including an inner tube.
i'll add that when i got my spare it was w/o rim,,, i carried it that way for a while, until someone gave me an old rim, then i built a swing out to carry it.