Hitchgate Rear Spare Tire Mount

[GTV]

Just came across this and thought this was a pretty clever way of relocating the spare, not ruining the nose of your bus, and keeping access to the rear easy. I like how you can still mount a bike rack, etc also.

https://www.wilcooffroad.com/shop/hitchgate-solo/

Of course you'll need a proper receiver, which leads me to my next question- are there receivers available or does everyone build their own? I imagine it would have to be pretty beefy to support a spare, especially for us guys with oversized tires.

Edit: I found that this is available, but I'm not sure if I would trust it for a heavy spare.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=458811
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EMPI Power Rules!

[Ives676]

That looks like a good option for carrying a spare.


I like that you could remove it if necessary VS. a custom bumper that has the swing-away built into the bumper. And you retain the stock look if you keep the stock bumper.
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1974 Riviera - Subaru EJ22
Build Thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=630031

[jtauxe]

Interesting...

And as far as a receiver goes, Jeremy makes some very nice ones. I got two for my 1978 double cab: one for front and one for rear. Ready for anything! I intend to mount a bike rack on the front.

The rig you posted would be useful on the back, since it rotates out of the way for engine access, but I still can't figure out how they mount it to the existing receiver and still leave that receiver functional.
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John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[samwise]

[DougB]

Maybe I'm latching on the "not ruining the nose of your bus" words too much, but there are other options available for the front that don't cause the tin canning that the stock mount does. I've been running the Just Kampers version for several years now with no effects to the nose. Yes, it mounts to the nose and requires some hole drilling, but has additional reinforcements on the inside and then feet that attach to the top of the front bumper, further supporting the weight. Yes, it sticks out beyond the bumper, but a tire on the rear would extend beyond the bumper, too.

Anyway, just saying there's another option for the front

- Doug
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'75 Campmobile (tin-top to SpaceRoof)
'73 Fastback
'52 BMW R67/2
'41 Zundapp KS600
'55 Puch SGS250
A very, very understanding wife

[GTV]

[thebusandus]

I did a custom build all in one with hitch receiver bike rack tire mount and gas tray.

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2.2 Suby powered - 75 Westy - Rita

Panamerican Highway - 2014-2017

[khartley]

That is one nice looking bumper sir. We've been scouring the internet trying to find a closer picture of your bus other than the coastal photo.

Is there any worry that bumper flexes when drivingor when you swing out the tire and tray?

[Gregg in the 603]

I see Jeremy's '71 and before Bay hitches, also the one-year-only '72. Where are his late bay hitches you speak of? $200 shipped, such a good price, almost shipped my pants!
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1979 Mexico Beige Westy auto
Dirty Dover, NH

[GTV]

The hitch that Jeremy makes looks good, but I'm more concerned with how solidly it mounts to the bus. The Hitchgate, an oversize spare, plus a couple bikes would be a heavy package dangling out there.
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EMPI Power Rules!

[thebusandus]

I'm not gonna lie it's heavy.

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2.2 Suby powered - 75 Westy - Rita

Panamerican Highway - 2014-2017

[thebusandus]

I had a lot of weight on there and on crappy roads. My rusty frame mounts eventually failed and bent the bumper a bit at the swivels hence the stand offs. Actually Skillz helped me out and welded some of it for me !
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2.2 Suby powered - 75 Westy - Rita

Panamerican Highway - 2014-2017

[Gregg in the 603]

[vwwestyman]

[cdennisg]

^^^ Only an issue when open. When closed, the load is carried by that post on the tire side. Just my guess/observation.

[richparker]

^150 tounge weight. The good bike racks way 60 lbs, we're talking a 2 bike rack. Let's say the average bike weighs 25 lbs, so that's 110 lbs. know factor in the cantilever action of the bikes hanging off the hitch and throw in some bumps, the hitch takes a beating. I'm finding this out the hard way. My currant hitch set up soley attached to my bumper brackets is not cutting it. The bikes dance around like they're on Soul Train. This is the second hitch design I've seen in the last week. The other one consisted of custom heavy duty bumper brackets. Love to see all the ideas!
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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[vwwestyman]

Get a hitch stabilizer/tightener to help keep your bike rack from bouncing around. There are many different types available. When I get around to it I'm going to make one with some scrap metal I've got leftover from hitch builds, ironically enough.

The hitch I built for the '73 is attached with the three frame bolts and is made of 1/4 inch 2x3 angle iron and 1/4 inch box tube. I don't know what it's tongue rating would be, but it is super-beefy.
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Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[jtauxe]

[foxmon]

IMHO that Hitchgate is heavy and expensive for carrying a spare. But I am spoiled with the spot Westfalia made for mine.

[JP6210]