Rear tire carrier and mt bikes?

[OneTime]

I wasn't quite sure wether to post this thread in the Land Cruiser or bicycle forum. I figured here it would get the most exposure. I have a 92 80 LC. It has a Kaymar rear tire carrier. The tire is not mounted in the center of the tail gate. It sits off center on the passenger side. I am trying to come up with a solution to carry my mountian bikes.

Right now I hual them in the cargo area. I dont want to do roof racks (Yakima or Thule). When I lift the truck 2.5" I doubt Ill be albe to fit it in the garage with a roof system. Also the drag would kill my wonderful 14 mpg. I dont think a hitch rack will work. I am currently running a 12.5 wide MT. So I dont think I can find a hitch mount that sits far enough out to clear the spare. I have thought of a rack that straps to the spare, but since the tire sits off center the bikes would stick out too far.

Im considering having to loose the rear tire carrier and go back to a underneath spare unless anyone has any ideas

[08whitex]

You can use a hitch extension and a hitch mounted rack.

http://www.bikerackshops.com/CTDHX2.html

[OneTime]

You can use a hitch extension and a hitch mounted rack.

http://www.bikerackshops.com/CTDHX2.html

That might work!! BTW im just down the road from you @ Happy Valley and Lake Pleasant.

[Hedge]

If you have a spare swingout point, perhaps you could attach one of these to a second swingout:

http://4x4labs.com/galleries/rearbum...arbumpers.html


Also, a hitch mount design should be easy to modify to extend further aft to clear the spare with a short length of square tube and a welder.

[08whitex]

Let me know if you want to go ride some time

[geoffff]

I don't have a LC, but I had a similar situation with my van.

I went with a Softride trailer hitch bike rack that scissors out so I can open my rear doors, and used a hitch extension to get past the rear-mounted spare tire. The setup works OK. (Details...)



There are also exist swing-out trailer hitch bike racks, but to me they seemed heavier, more complicated, and more expensive.

-- Geoff

[OneTime]

I like the swing out from 4x4labs. I wonder if that can bolt on to a OEM bumper. Aslo I have that same SOFTRIDE rack. I dont currently have a hitch on my 80 I was planning on bolting on one of the non tow adapters to the 4 hole on the bumber. I dont think it will fit with the swing out So i would need to add a full hitch.