Hitch racks that don't interfere with tailgate?

I've got a Yakima HoldUp 2 that I've had for a while and it's worked fine on everything I've owned up until I finally got around to putting it on the truck yesterday. With bikes off and folded down it's not out of the way enough to put the tailgate all the way down. I don't use a hitch rack very often, only for trips really, but I need to be able to get the tailgate all the way down without pulling the rack all the way off. Anyone have personal experience with a 2 bike hitch rack that will stay clear of the tailgate and carry bikes by the tires the same way the YaKima will?

Photo for reference:

 

Not a fan of putting the bikes in the bed of the truck?

 

I put bikes in the bed of the truck all the time, except on family vacation trips.

Bed of the truck will look something like this:



and the roof like this:

 

Oh well that'll get in the way for sure!

 

Ever considered finding out the cost of having a hitch receiver mounted on the front of the truck for the bike rack?

 

A bed rack will put the bikes and other stuff above the bed and out of the way.

A bed rack with a cargo basket is the ultimate for camping.

 

I have one of these, pricey but solid and easy to use. They come in 2 and 4 bike configurations.

Looking at it again it may not do what you want. I've always used it on my wife's car and I know it tilts but not sure it tilts enough.

Thule 916XTR 2 Bike Platform Hitch Rack (2")

https://www.amazon.com/Thule-916XTR...id=1467839940&sr=8-3&keywords=thule+bike+rack

 

I'd get a swing-away style hitch mount rack.
https://www.stowaway2.com/hitch-bike-cargo-rack

-or-

http://www.mweracks.com/bladerunner-1 Allows you to use an existing rack. Very expensive though...

 

I use one of these with that same rack http://rakattach.com/. Works awesome!

 

You can get extensions for your receiver. I don't recommend it, but an RV store should have them.

 

I have owned and used a 2 bike Thule hitch mount for the last 10 years.
It has a removable hitch pin on the upright which allows the post to fold down just enough to open the tailgate.
There is a block in the bottom of the upright to prevent it from folding all the way over.
The bikes do not go anywhere & has been used for many miles on road trips all over New England and Canada.
Also have added my own touches to make it lockable and more secure.
Most of my bikes are not super new though.
Here is a pic on my old 2GEN 2006 on my way to coast of Maine.

 

I use the Yakima Fullswing. It swings to the side completely of the way even when loaded with four bikes. It also has a built in bottle opener.
https://www.yakima.com/fullswing

 

Ha! I saw your setup on Reddit like 2 hours ago. Did you cut the halves of the sleeping platform that way for shits and giggles, or is there an actual benefit of some sort?

 

That looks to be the same one I have and used with the 16 Tacoma. Once swung down, the tail gate can be fully opened with no issues.

 

...^^^... I had this model and liked it ... got it at REI on -20% annual sale. Sold it and now use bed with hardcover to keep bikes dry.

PS .. Like the front hitch idea on all trucks.
.

 

www.1upusa.com. Pricey, but will meet your requirements. Manufactured domestically with no plastic parts. Easy on, easy off. I've been using one for years and it is as good today as the day I bought it.

I modified mine so that the tailgate can open even when the rack is folded up against the bumper (I have the single bike rack).

 

As mentioned put them up front. Take a look at this hidden hitch/recovery bar from Mobtown Offroad.

 

http://kuatracks.com/products/hitch/nvtm-2-0/
Here's what I use, it folds back, and clears the tailgate with 2 bikes on it.

 

I also have this bike rack and really like it.

 

There is always this.