How to Mount a Bike Rack on the Rear of a Jeep Cherokee
For those Jeep Cherokee owners who like the outdoors, installing a bike rack on the rear of the jeep can be a convenient way to get your bike around town, or out of the city. There are a wide variety of bike racks available for Jeep Cherokees. In 2010 different racks range in price from $125 to $300. Perhaps the easiest bike racks to install are those that slide right into your trailer hitch receiver. A number of quality racks of this type are available for purchase.
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Things You'll Need
- Jeep hitch (installed)
- Jeep hitch bolt and pin
- Bike rack cradle
- Bike rack neck
- Bike rack hitch connector
- Bike rack pin
Instructions
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1
Assemble your bike rack if not pre-assembled. Attach the bike cradle piece to the neck of the bike rack with the screws, nuts and bolts provided. Attach the other side of the bike rack neck (bottom) to the hitch connector; these parts should slide easily together and there should be a screw, pin or lever of some sort to fasten things tightly into place.
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2
Remove the stopper (plug) from your Jeep's hitch receiver if you have one.
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3
Slide the bike rack hitch connector into your jeep's hitch receiver, lining up the holes in your bike rack connector with your Jeep's hitch so that you can see through them.
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4
Slide the long silver bolt piece (that should come with your jeep's hitch) through the holes in the bike rack connector and your Jeep's hitch.
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5
Insert the hitch pin through the little circle at the end of the silver bolt piece to secure your bike rack to your Jeep's hitch.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure your bike rack hitch connector matches the size of your Jeep's hitch receiver; for example, if you have a 2-inch hitch receiver, you will need to purchase a bike rack with a 2-inch hitch connector. After you have connected your bike rack to your Jeep hitch, gently push the rack side to side and up and down to ensure that it is fastened securely. Do the same thing after you have secured your bike(s) to the bike rack.
Some hitch receivers and bike racks are designed for vehicles of a particular weight and design, and installing the wrong equipment on your Jeep Cherokee could result in damage to the Jeep, your bike(s), or worse, other drivers. Do your research to ensure that the hitch and bike rack you are purchasing is right for your Jeep, and consult a professional in your area if you are unsure of how to install the bike rack correctly.
