Best Spare-Tire Bike Racks Jeep Owners Love in 2023

What is a Spare Tire Bike Rack?

A spare tire bike rack makes use of a rear-mounted spare tire to store and transport bikes.

The bikes hang from a support arm and are fastened into place. The bike rack can be bolted or strapped on, depending on whether you need maximum sturdiness or quick and easy use.

Check out our Bike Racks guide to learn about additional types of bike racks.

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Why Should You Buy a Jeep Spare Tire Bike Rack?

We briefly described some of the benefits of a spare tire bike rack earlier in this guide, but let’s take a look at these in more depth below.

1. Practicality

Whether you’re going on vacation or an off-road adventure, bike racks are a necessity for transporting your bike. Placing the bike rack on your rear-mounted spare tire frees up additional storage space in your Jeep and reduces wear and tear from sliding the bike in and out of your trunk.

2. Easy to Install

Spare tire bike racks are easy to install and specifically designed for vehicles with a rear-mounted spare tire, like a Jeep. They also don’t require a hitch, making them perfect for vehicles that don’t contain one or for those wishing to use the hitch for towing while still using a bike rack.

Quadratec Allen Sports 2 bike spare tire rack installation

3. Allows for Trunk Access

Many spare tire rack models and vehicles will allow you to still use the trunk and open the tailgate once the rack is attached.

4. Strong and Secure

A spare tire bike rack is also strong and secure enough to use during severe weather such as rain, snow, and wind. They also provide great stability if bolted on, making them ideal for any rough roads you encounter on an off-roading adventure.

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What to Consider When Buying a Jeep Spare Tire Bike Rack

Before you commit to purchasing a Jeep spare tire bike rack, consider the following:

Type of bike

While spare tire bike racks are quite versatile, some cannot accommodate all types of bicycles, depending on their type of frame and size. Additionally, if you wish to transport more than one bike at a time, ensure your chosen bike rack has the capacity for this.

Weight

You’ll also want to factor in both the weight of your chosen spare tire bike rack, as well as how much weight the rack itself can hold. As a rule of thumb, lighter spare tire bike racks are easier to install than heavier ones, yet they are sometimes unable to hold as much weight. Assess your needs to determine which one is right for you.

Protection against theft

Different models of bike racks also contain different security features. Your bikes are no doubt a precious possession, so you’ll want a rack that comes with anti-theft protection – whether that’s a  locking mechanism or tie-down cradle.

Tailgate access

For added convenience, ensure your spare tire bike rack still allows you to open the rear door of your Jeep, even when it’s attached. Some rack models require you to remove the bikes first before accessing the rear of your Jeep, which can be a minor hassle.

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Best Jeep Spare Tire Bike Racks

1. Hollywood Racks Bolt-On Spare Tire Rack (Best Overall)

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It isn’t hard to see why the Hollywood Racks Bolt-On Spare Tire Rack is one of the most popular bike racks for Jeeps.

This heavy-duty rack features a universal plate that fits most bolt patterns and can carry up to 2 bikes weighing a maximum of 35 pounds per bike.

Using a hand-tightened knob, installation is easy, plus it comes with the needed hardware to fit different size tires, if required.

The rack also includes three extension brackets and adjustable support arms. When it isn’t in use, these arms can easily be folded down and out of the way. Furthermore, the rack’s low-profile design gives most users the ability to open their vehicle’s tailgate, while a locking mechanism aims to prevent bike theft.

The only negative about this spare tire bike rack is that you may need a tube adapter to mount kids’ and ladies’ frame bikes.

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2. Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack (Best Value)

The Allen Sports Deluxe 2 is praised for being extremely heavy-duty, yet budget-friendly.

It features a higher design than most, aiming to keep bikes far from the road and the hot exhaust.

The easy-to-install rack can also fit on almost all externally mounted spare tires, while its 15-inch arms can carry two bicycles of up to 70 pounds in total. Because these arms are narrow and have the ability to rotate, it is suitable for carrying bikes of various sizes and styles, including women’s and children’s bicycles.

While it does feature tie-down cradles to secure the bikes, the rack is lacking anti-theft protection in the form of a secure locking mechanism.

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3. Rhino-Rack USA RBC025 Spare Wheel Bike Carrier (Most Durable)

Rhino-Rack has been producing roof racks since 1992 and they’ve perfected a combination of strength, durability, and simplicity with their RBC025 Spare Wheel Bike Carrier.

Its adjustable, fold-down arms can accommodate 2 bikes and contain a black powder-coat finish that is corrosion-resistant.

You can also alter whether it sits on the right or left side of your spare tire, and the mechanism can be folded down when not in use.

Despite its sturdy design, the rack itself weighs just 17 pounds, making it easy to set up and take off. Some potential negatives to keep in mind, however, is that it does not feature an anti-theft locking mechanism and may interfere with both the rear window wipers and rear access on certain Jeep models when attached.