How to Mount a Bike Rack on a Spare Tire

bike laying on a sand image by Sergey Mostovoy from Fotolia.com

Mounting a bike rack to the back of your vehicle may seem impossible if you have a spare tire in the way, but several companies, including Thule Car Rack Systems, Saris Cycling Group and Yakima, offer consumers bike racks specifically manufactured to attach to spare tires. The basic installation process consists of installing a mounting plate beneath the spare which then attaches to the bike rack.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Lug wrench
Spare tire bike rack

Step 1

Take the spare tire off the back of the vehicle by removing the lug nuts with a lug wrench.

Step 2

Push the mounting plate onto the exposed bolts where you removed the tire. The mounting plate is a round metal plate with several holes to accommodate the bolt pattern.

Step 3

Place the spare tire back on the bolts, on top of the mounting plate. Replace and tighten the lug nuts.

Step 4

Slide the bike rack frame onto the part of the mounting plate which extends from the center of the spare tire.

Step 5

Slip one of the included washers over the end of the bolt attached to the knob and insert it into the center of the bike frame. Twist the knob so that it attaches to the center of the mountain bike plate to hold the rack in place.

Tips & Warnings

Check the tire for proper inflation before you begin to install the bike rack.

Loosen the knobs on the sides of the bike rack frame by turning them counter-clockwise. This will allow you to raise the arms of the bike rack. Tighten the knobs to keep the arms of the rack extended.

Secure the attached straps around the bike frame to hold the bike in place while driving.

Article Written By Kittie McCoy

Kittie McCoy has been a freelance writer since 2008. She is also a part-time personal trainer and licensed entertainer in Las Vegas. She enjoys sharing her love of physical fitness and experience in the entertainment industry via her writing.

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