1up Rack Clearance

Hi!

The search revealed several promising threads on bike racks but not exactly the info i’m after (some where very close....).

Right now I have a Kuat rack and the tire tray hits the tailgate when flat, the rack body hits when dropped down low.

Do the 1up (looking at a heavy duty double specifically) rack users on this site find that your tailgate can be lowered without hitting the rack in both the flat and lowered positions? I’m asking about 3rd gen specifically.

Thanks in advance!

 

The 1Up will allow you to fully open the tailgate with about an inch of clearance between the tailgate and the rack when the arms are closed. You can also completely open the tailgate with the rack full of bikes with it tilted in the downward position.

I had a POS Kuat for about a year before I replaced it with a 1Up Super Duty double--best bicycle related investment I've ever made!

 

My single just clears the tailgate when up by maybe one inch. I usually lower it for piece of mind when sitting on the tailgate.

I think that the second tray on the double sits a little higher and may need to be tilted to lower the tailgate.

 

I have a double trey 1up rack. I can lay my tailgate flat and it misses both treys. Love it.....I never have to tilt the rack down to get in the tailgate as long as the rack is in the level position.

 

Thanks everyone, that was just what I was looking for!

 

The second tray extends past the tailgate, so it's a non-issue.

 

I know the one up is functional and works well, but they look like and adult erector set, I just couldn't get passed that when choosing. They remind me of this that showed up in a thread recently.

 

Hahahahaha

They do but I’m not super concerned with the asthetics of my bike rack. I’m form over function for sure.

 

Yep, it clears by about an inch. The 2nd tray clears completely.

 

I have a double. I love this rack but it's causes some problems. The backup sensors don't work.
When it's up, it blocks the license plate and partially blocks the backup camera. Adding a licence plate mount blocks the camera even more.

I'm considering a low profile bumper to move the rack up (in addition to having more clearance). Would this solve the backup sensor problem?

What about relocating the camera?

 

What about ditching the rack and getting a tailgate pad instead?

 

Wouldn’t a low-clearance bumper make the tailgate hit the rack when you drop the tailgate? I just got used to looking through the compromised camera, whether it’s with the rack up or loaded with bikes. I don’t mind that my license plate is covered. Cops don’t pull you over for that in my area.

 

Damn you're right the tailgate would hit.

 

I have one but I don't use it because I need the space for my dogs.

 

Update for 2022 models. Here is my 1-up 2” receiver heavy duty model install.

- tailgate down clearance w/o bikes: check
- Tailgate down clearance w/ bikes: check but make sure pedals are positioned out of way
- MTB handle bar clearance with Cap: very close with my ALU-CAB cap
- Use of backup camera: decent visibility but phantom guidelines are useless

 

The handle bar clearance to my cap window is a bit too minimal for my taste. I like the 1-up as it is amazingly stable, but with swaying bikes over rough roads/trails, I'm now worried I'm going to crack my cap window.

Any ideas? So far I'm coming up with:

- I think 1-up sells a receiver extension, but I'm not sure they have the hitch anti-rocking feature
- Make a handlebar pad to dampen the impact to the glass if that actually does occur

All ideas welcome!

 

Tennis ball with a slit cut in it.

 

My smartcap rear window is not as vertical as your Alucab so I have a bit more clearance.

Something you might also consider is cutting down your handlebars. This will give you more room to play with.

I do not like the full width (now at 800mm+ it is just silly, I think.) I always cut them down…

I ride some tight trails so I like to be a bit more ‘narrow’…

You likely will not miss a half, or even a full inch off each end.

 

Definitely an option; I started out mtb’ing hating the wide bars for that given reason but have grown to appreciate the added stability. Maybe we should design a telescopic handlebar; would make bikes easier to stow!

 

Oh, btw, how do u like the smart cap? I had narrowed down my cap option to the RSI and ALU-CAB I ultimately went with.