Bike Racks Galore

Just curious what bike rack people prefer using whether on top of the roof or the spare tire mount. Which style offers the best security? I think the spare tire is a neat concept but concerned whether the added weight will eventually warp or tear the sheet metal over time. (I've added a spoiler onto my last vehicle and the metal started to tear at the joints) Roof racks don't seem cheap either. (Aeh)

Rob

i'd go for the roof rack versions. some have used the spare tire racks, and have no problems with it. i just dont like racks like that (rear racks that hang off) in general. it just doesnt look stable (to me anyway)

i read a while ago, that the spare tire mount can only take like up to 60 lbs or something and the spare takes up most of that wieght..wont feel too comfortable with extra weight on it

I'm using the hitch reciever bike carrier, but I had to make an extender to make it work.

Bennett

I have the MOPAR tire mount bike rack. We like it. The bikes are much easier to get to for my wife as she is under 5'6". The roof rack she'd never be able to get the bikes down!

As for the load issue, if MOPAR is selling it you can be pretty sure there is not much chance for long term damage to the door from weight if it's not abused. When you mount the bikes and strap them down they don't bounce around or anything so there is not really much dynamic force on them as you would have on a car "wing" that will have lots of dynamic force on them from being in the direct airflow.

It really boils down to your choice and economics. They are all good racks. I have a set of Yakima's rails and racks fom my previous XJ that will probably go on the Liberty for a basket install at some point. Then I would have the option of either the roof mount or the tire mount for bikes depending on who was involved.

bigfella, can you give me more info on the spare mounted bike rack?

Where did you buy, how much did it cost? Do you remove the spare tire?

Thanks.

I bought it online some time ago. It is the MOPAR version. Here is one of the many places you can find it:

http://www.jeepworld.com/accessories/liberty/bikeracks.htm

To install you remove the spare tire but when your all done the spare is still on the vehicle along with the bike rack. You can easily remove the rack to get to the spare and the door opens and closes with no issues while two bikes are mounted on it.

It takes literally 15 minutes to install....I cut a small hole in my tire cover so I could leave it on while the rack was on. Check my site, I have a few pictures of the finished job towards the bottom.

http://www.electra225.com/liberty.html

I have some more pictures, I just have not put them up yet...[/url]

Thans, bigfella.