Hitch racks that don't interfere with tailgate?

I see what you did, good idea, although I have a double so I still wouldn't have the clearance needed. Way to apply some ingenuity to the problem though.

on a separate note, did you do anything beyond a wire lock on the hitch receiver to secure it beyond what the pressure bearing does? I've seen people use U locks and wire locks through the hitch since you cant use a regular hitch pin on the 1 up. Thinking about drilling mine for a hitch pin personally, but I've never had an issue with the bolt coming loose either.

 

I have one of the original racks that does not have the locking capability of the fixing bolt so I simply use a cable lock that also doubles as a bike lock when I load my bike.

 

What year did you buy that holdup? I have one I bought in late 2015, so I think it's still the latest model, and I had way more contact with the wheel trays on my tailgate. If I lowered the rack, the tailgate hit the metal end that moves up when you lower the back (the metal end i'm talking about is visible right to the left of the "W" on your license plate". Is that the factory hitch? Looks like it. Just wondering why it sits so much lower than mine did.

Also, does yours have two pins to pull out to raise/lower, or the single pin from the left side? I've seen some on the road that have just one pull pin. Mine has two, and the second pin can be hard to get in/out. If I have the older version of the rack, I might sell it and get the latest. Those two things drive me nuts.

 

Why not a front hitch from Curt or another company. Mine was about $130 shipped and an easy, no drill installation. Then use a carrier for your bikes. It also may come in handy for other things.

 

This is an engineers response lol

 

Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is the only bike rack I could find to work. It clears by 1".

 

I own a Kuat NV rack and it does not clear the tailgate up or down. Tried to find out if the Kuat NV 2.0 remedied that but couldn't find that info for you bud. I will say Kuat had awesome customer service and a lifetime warranty (thankfully the owners I bought mine from didn't register theirs!). I got $25 or some shit to use in their store and had some delaminating chrome issues covered by the warranty (they're sending me about $250 in free parts, it was an early production issue).

Worth the $$$ in my opinion.

 

Proof is in the pudding.

 

I had the Thule T2 Pro and it hit the tailgate when lowered.
Swapped it out for the North Shore NSR-4 and am liking it so far.
I wish North Shore made the the hitch mount as easy to install and remove as my old Thule rack but that would be my only complaint.
There are pictures of both racks in my build thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-slow-build-long-bed-overland-build.474928/

 

Which 1up model do you have? I need a new rack and this is a requirement for me....it's between this one and a north shore rack, but will for sure get the 1up if the tailgate can lay flat with 2 bikes on....

 

I have the latest 1up 2" receiver heavy duty model. My tailgate clears by about 3/4" when the rack is in the normal carry position. I use it with 2,3 and four trays frequently. I've never had a clearance issue. I can also (with bikes loaded) tilt it down and still open the tailgate.

I've used (owned 3 Yakima holdups) all the tray racks extensively except the new Thule T2 Pro (Thule including sport rack before Thule bought them, Kuat, lots of Yakima models). Although Thule and Kuat (leaving Yakima out on purpose) make great tray racks I feel very comfortable stating that the 1up is the best rack on the market for me.

Hell they have a full money back paid shipping return policy!

I also shuttle up a dirt road here in Flagstaff fairly often and have never felt like I've needed something to secure the rack other than the regular cinch bolt.

 

Thanks for the pics, I was checking out a 1up at a trailhead in Moab yesterday and it pretty much sealed the deal for me, they are way solid in person - I was just afraid of the clearance issue. I was planning on getting the same one as you so it's good to know that it will work out and sounds like it is pretty burly.

 

from my experience ,the Kuat NV does not clear the tailgate. it rests slightly on the wheel tray.

 

why not?

 

Cosigning.

 

https://www.rockymounts.com/products/backstage-swing-away-platform-hitch-rack

 

I have a Swagman Semi 2.0 that tilts to allow the bed to open, but it's still awkward unloading things from the bed. Great rack though.

 

I just don't like to make more of a lever with the weight of the bikes. The more you extend the weight from the hitch/vehicle, the greater the force of leverage.

 

i understand and that makes sense.

Do you not think the hitch can withstand the weight of a 40 pound rack and 1-2 30 pound bikes? maybe being 100 lbs total.

If i can tow a 700 lb four wheeler, I dont see the leverage being an issue.. but maybe i am missing the point.

i would love to use a extension so I can lower my tailgate without it hitting the rack.

(FYI - not trying to argue, just trying to understand your POV)

 

recon racks out of Washington.