Bike Rack Order Today

DavidG · May 7, 2006

The vertical part of the stinger (fixed piece that goes into the receiver) needs to be 1.25" lower in order to clear the (stock size new) spare tire. I would probably lower it by 2". The draw-tite high low drop is the best solution so far, but it drops the hitch 4" which is more than needed and extends it out which is not needed but not a big negative.

No horizontal extension is needed with the Thule. The stinger horizontal length is perfect, enough to clear the spare tire with about 1". Since it does give only about an 1" of space between the spare tire and the vertical rotating piece, the spare tire adapter would probably push the tire too far out.

The stinger cannot be mounted 180 degrees and still work. The bolt and pin holes are different sizes, the pin would not reach to the other hole (the new pin hole), the rubber angle stop would be at the top and prevent the rotating bar from being vertical, there would be no rubber stop at the bottom to keep it from rotating all the way down, and it would drop 6.75" from the hitch receiver - too close to the ground. I have heard others talk about rotating the stinger, but the many factors I see would make that impractical.

cowcatcher · May 8, 2006

That is exactly the spare adapter I was wondering about but from what David said it sounds like it would then push the tire out too close to the rack.

However, if I bought the top piece and welded it to one of the bottom pieces I would move the rack back an acceptable 6" and drop it exactly 2". The one would give me a recovery hook too or I could use the other one and drill a hole for a clevis. Might be worth a try!

You must be registered for see images

DavidG · May 8, 2006

You could get this dual hitch extension to lower the bike hitch rack and give you a second higher receiver for a tow hook. However, it drops the lower receiver 6 inches and extends it 10 inches, both more than optimal.

http://www.get2buynow.com/workshop/towingreceivers.html

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...splay2?storeId=6970&productId=492929&R=492929

I wonder what the stinger height and length are on this:

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/m...e_Code=E&Product_Code=59400&Category_Code=BRF

cowcatcher · May 8, 2006

Or maybe this. How much rise on the Thule stinger now? This one is 4 7/8 inches.
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/m...e_Code=E&Product_Code=51953&Category_Code=BRF

DavidG · May 8, 2006

On that one the 4 7/8" is not to the top of the stinger based on the pictures. The picture shows a square piece extending above it (maybe 1/2"?).

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/m...e_Code=E&Product_Code=51953&Category_Code=BRF

The Thule stinger vertical height is 6.75" Since it needs to drop at least 1.25", you have a maximum rise of 5.5" so that other one's square piece at the top would have to be less than 5/8".

cowcatcher · May 10, 2006

I think I have come up with a solution for me. I think I will purchase the standard 6" or 8" hitch receiver part, weld a piece of flat 1/4" plate to it, drill two holes in the plate that align with the chain loops on the factory hitch and then bolt it under the factory receiver. That should be strong enough to easily carry the Thule carrier and drop it below the tire 2" plus and still be removable with a little wrench time especially if I put another plate above the factory receiver to run the bolts through on the top. I may have a metal shop fabricate it for me and put square holes in the plate on the bottom so it will work with carriage bolts so they are not in the way of the stinger pin.

DavidG · May 10, 2006

Post a picture of that when you make it. I ordered the 4 inch high-low drop extension.

cowcatcher · May 13, 2006

DavidG said:
Post a picture of that when you make it. I ordered the 4 inch high-low drop extension.

I crawled under there and looked at it today and I am not sure it would work to bolt all the way to the top unless I drilled the cross member and used something like the nuts that MPAR uses for the skids, just doesn't look like enough room unless I make it a permanent install which was not the plan. I am not sure that bolting to just the safety chain loops on the hitch would be stong enough and stable enough. I might consider welding nuts to the hitch cross member and bolting up through it. I need to take the hitch off anyhow to istall the skid so I will scope it out better then.

DavidG · May 14, 2006

The "2 Bike Folding Bike Carrier for 2" Trailer Hitches - Rola TX-102" from http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/m...=E&Product_Code=59400&Category_Code=rola-bike
measures 7-1/2" or 4-1/2" from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest support bar on the carrier horizontally. The vertical dimension is not listed though. This one is also less expensive than the Thule rack+hitch extension.

cowcatcher · May 14, 2006

Thanks David. I had seen it and it was nice that they had drawings. They have a 4 bike too which was what I wanted. I went ahead a bought the Thule with my 20% off deal at REI on Friday. It is a nice rack and I will either run it without opening the back or figure out an adapter.

I don't think I want a permanent mount but it looks like I will need to either bolt to the safety chain loops and see if they are strong enough, use the 4" adapter, or just weld a second receiver below the current one.

DavidG · May 16, 2006

With etrailer's 99 cent shipping, 5 % discount code, included cable lock, included anti-sway device, and the lower price to begin, if that Rola really only has a 4+ inch vertical stinger, it looks like the best choice. Had I not already bought my Thule and the high low extension, I would have got that Rola.

DavidG · May 16, 2006

DavidG said:
I ordered the 4 inch high-low drop extension.

That drop extension provides over 3 inches of vertical clearance to the spare when the rack is tilted down.