DIY Hitch Mounted Vertical Bike Rack/ Cargo Carrier that Does Not Interfere with the Rear Spare Tire

Adding a hitch mounted bike carrier has been a problem on RT’s that are equipped with rear mounted spare tire carrier. I’ve seen many attempts by RT owners to negate this problem, from using hitch extenders to experimenting with different available bike carriers on the market. Clearing the spare tire is only half of the problem. Opening the Sprinter rear doors and lowering the spare tire with a hitch bike carrier mounted either with bikes loaded or unloaded is another huge problem not to mention the added length to the vehicle with the addition of hitch extender.


 I’ve fabricated a bolt-on hitch receiver that mounts to the passenger side of the factory hitch arm from this POST. Next on my built is a swing away adapter similar to Kuat Pivot design but with shorter swing arm and more compact design. The bike rack is a vertical design similar to Softride Hang2 but does not tilt down.

The smallest Rakattach swing adapter is about 26" long, I need about 18" long, so Rakattach won't work. The Softride Hang2 due to its tilting design is bulky and sticks out about 26 inches from rear door, my built only sticks out 14” that is 4” shorter than the spare tire carrier.  So the built goes...

Fabricating the swing adapter is pretty straight forward, starts with the plan, then just a matter of cutting, grinding and welding the parts together. The adapter cost me less than $60 to built, that does not include paint and tool consumables like grind wheels, welding wire and gas, etc. Parts needed (Amazon links)

• Powertec Latch-Action Toggle Clamp, 2000 lbs. capacity
• Head Hitch Pin, Red Handle, 1/2 by 3-5/8-Inch (2 needed)
• Anti-Rattle 5/8" Keyed Receiver Locking Pin System (optional)
•  Softride Hang2/5 rubber straps (cheaper at Etrailer.com)

Update:
If you are not into DIY, consider the new Rockymounts Backstage Swing -Away Platform Hitch Bike Rack, it swings out 180 degrees to facilitate opening of the rear doors. Based on the bike rack specs (link here), your RV (depending on make/ model) might still need a hitch extender to clear the spare tire. Check out these pictures of the Rockymounts Backstage mounted on a Sprinter Van: Click here.

Back to the project...the finished hitch swing adapter in locked closed position. I cut the Toggle Clamp locking handle about an inch shorter because it interferes with the rear door opening then Plasti Dip the handle red for OEM look.

Swing out position, about 55º open and locked using the hitch pin. I can use either the cargo carrier or the bike carrier using this swing-away adapter.

Next is to fabricate the bike carrier itself. Purchasing a Hang2 bike rack and mounting it on my swing adapter would be the easier approach, but as I mentioned above, the Hang2 sticks out too much and it's too bulky. 

Here is one of the fabricated handlebar hooks. It is similar to the Hang2 design. I painted it black and used a 1/2" OD clear vinyl tubing (not shown) sleeves on the hooks to protect the bike handlebars from scratches.

The lower piece that goes into the hitch receiver. Right of photo is one of the upper tube pivot plate support.

The pivoting upper tube assembly.

More fabricated parts painted flat black. I'm too cheap to have them powder coated.

And here is the completed vertical bike hitch carrier (folded position) with "Yakima" die cut vinyl sticker for OEM look.

 

In folded position, the carrier sticks out about 14" from rear door.

With the bike hitch carrier in erect position secured with the 1/2" diameter red handle hitch pin.

2 bikes loaded and ready to go.

Semi-side shot.

A compulsory side shot.

Bike hitch carrier in swing-out position.

With the rear door open.

Close up of handlebar hooks. The straps are available at etrailer.com for $10 a pair.

Bike rear wheel strap secured.

And finally, the Kevlar reinforced security cable to secure the bikes, it also prevents the front wheels from spinning while underway. Maybe it's not the ultimate bike carrier built, but close I suppose.

With the DIY cargo carrier attached to the swing arm.

 

Cargo carrier in swing-out position.

Here is a short clip of our maiden voyage with the custom-made bike rack. Disregard the green towel wrapped around the handlebar in the video, I just put it there to protect the newly painted bike rack just in case, but it turned out not needed after all. The bike rack is very stable while underway, during abrupt turning, and braking...it did perform flawlessly.