Bike rack that works with rear spare tire carrier/trays

[Westaru]

I currently have a tray style bike rack (Kuat) that I've used for several years across a wide range of vehicles. I realized this weekend that it would not work well with my Vanagon due to interference with the Rocky Mountain Westy tire carrier and cargo tray. I can carry only one bike in the farthest slot from the bumper.

Is anyone aware of a good bike rack, tray or otherwise that would allow me to carry at least 2 bikes?

Thanks in advance,
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1984 'Westaru' Vanagon Westfalia EJ22
@UtahWestfalia on IG

[redrocksteady]

I wonder if a hitch swing arm would not only push your kuat rack out far enough to accommodate, but also give you the ability to swing out your rack for easy hatch access?
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1989 2WD Vanagon Westfaila Wolfram Grey

[ThankYouJerry]

[jimf909]

I noodled this one for months, maybe a year. I've got a Kuat rack that I wanted to use. Rack-Attach swing out, Kuat swing-out (made by Rack Attach), various extensions, etc, etc. None allowed easy access to the hatch or didn't block the taillights.

I landed on 1Up bike racks mounted to an RMW swing out with the RMW Switch back attachment. It's a darn good solution for my needs. 1Up bike racks are very well designed and executed (relatively simple and no plastics).

FWIW, YMMV.
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- Jim

[ThankYouJerry]

^^^ Slick! Are those 1Up "Roof Racks" (flush mount) or ???
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[jimf909]

Yes, those are two 1Up flush mount roof racks. I was concerned about using them in a vertical orientation and used two back-ups to ensure that I wouldn't lose the bikes in front of other vehicles while driving down the road. After a summer I became confident enough in the rack design that I only use one back-up (a cable lock connecting the bike to the RMW swing-out, if the 1UP fails which seems unlikely, the bikes are still locked to the van).

https://www.1up-usa.com/product/roof-rack/

There a few videos that help explain how they work...

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&hl...M3_SQ0LO_M
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- Jim

[Timwhy]

[kourt]

Just buy a hitch extender. Dozens of companies make them. I have RMW trays and use my old hitch mount Thule bike rack with them just fine. This is an easy problem to overcome.

kourt

[shagginwagon83]

[benandmj]

I'm a big fan of 1up as well. I have no problem clearing my gowesty spare with my big ass 29er.

I had a similar swing away setup that held up well and allowed for access to the back of the van.

I ended up not staggering the bikes and used a longer yakima bar.
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85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy

[vwwestyman]

[izzydog]

+1 on the hitch extender. Harbor Fright has them super cheap.

[Westaru]

Thank you all for the input... I feel a bit silly not thinking about a hitch extender, and it appears that Kuat even makes one now:

http://www.kuatracks.com/products/accessories/

Between that and the hitch tightener I should be good.

I will say that if I had to do it again, I might look at the 1up rack as I really like the way it slopes upwards to maintain ground clearance. For those of you with a 1up, does it accomodate road bikes as well? Is it adjustable for kids / smaller bikes?

The RWM switchback attachment is pretty awesome with the 1up racks.
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1984 'Westaru' Vanagon Westfalia EJ22
@UtahWestfalia on IG

[izzydog]

I have a 1 Up. Best rack I've ever owned and that includes Yakima and Thule. There's no plastic to break or breakdown in the sun and yes...it fits road bikes really well.

Kid's bikes? I don't see any photos of kid's bikes on the 1 Up site. Maybe give them a ring.

[kourt]

Here's the old Thule rack with an extender, and the RMW tray deployed. This was just this past weekend on the Texas coast.

kourt

[jimf909]

[jimf909]

[scavengers]

[Timwhy]

New updated bike rack for my Westy.

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'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[jimf909]