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I like Thule equipment. I use the Wing Bar crossbar with Pro Ride XT bike rack on the roof of my GLE. It has been a successful system for thousands of miles with two adult bikes mounted. Thule offers hitch-mount bike racks, if you prefer that style.
Saris is another good brand for a hitch mount, we had one for a while and it was great until it was vandalized. The would-be thieves were thwarted, but it ended up damaged in the attempted theft so we parted ways with the rack.
Thanks for the options! I'm leaning towards hitch mount because of ease of access on the G. Looks like the Yakima full swing mount is a great option for the G. I will post once I install
Last edited by SVPDDS; May 2, 2021 at 11:26 PM.
Reason: picture
Regardless of which brand you get, you will more than likely need a hitch extension to get it to clear the spare tire. Make sure you get a good extension that has the ability to cinch down and lock in place. The cheap extensions from places like Harbor Freight usually don't have the threaded nut insert that allows them to cinch down. They tend to sway and bounce around which not only annoying, but can also lead to the carrier or bikes hitting the spare tire and scratching it.
Interesting timing on this thread!
This past weekend while getting organized to take a ride on my MTB, I considered taking the new G63 to the trailhead, however quickly realized given the in-set position of the trailer hitch recover our Thule Apex XL 4 Swing bike rack would not clear the spare tire cover despite having sufficient offset to work just fine to clear the oversized mud tire on the Wrangler, and the glass hatch on our Yukon XL.
Making some quick measurements I concluded that I would need to extent the 2” receiver shaft by approx 5” just to clear the face of the painted cover, however given the spare is offset from the centre line of the truck, the most inward bikes handlebar would run the risk of rubbing on the paint.
Another 10” would keep the handle bar ends off the beautiful Magno paint, so I ordered a 15” extender from Princess Auto.
Mounted today and worked perfect, albeit looking a little silly hanging so far out.
I am waiting on my G to arrive next week and hoping the 1Up bike rack fits. Really specific measurements on their site and its the best way to secure a bike to the back of your vehicle. I suggest checking it out and measuring. If you figure it out before I do, please post.
For those of you who have the hitch mount rack, I am wondering how it affects the rear parking sensors. Do they "complain" about the hitch and/or the bikes?
For those of you who have the hitch mount rack, I am wondering how it affects the rear parking sensors. Do they "complain" about the hitch and/or the bikes?
The Thule dual rack works, and you can still fold it up if you get the hitch extender. It will definitely set off the back up sensors though with and without bikes on it.
For those of you who have the hitch mount rack, I am wondering how it affects the rear parking sensors. Do they "complain" about the hitch and/or the bikes?
You might be able to disable the sensors by plugging in a trailer light tester (about $3 at Harbor Freight). Faking the vehicle into thinking it's towing a trailer also disables some other driver assist systems such as blind spot and lane departure, so be aware.
I installed a 12" extender from Harbor Freight this weekend to help my 1Up 3-bike rack clear the rear wheel. The 1Up 9" extender had the rack just BARELY making contact with the wheel cover. My question is has anyone found an hitch extender that fits snugly into the G-Class hitch? The 1Up was really nice, snug with a screw bolt to make it more secure. The Harbor Freight one was super cheap but is also fully loose in the hitch. Any suggestions on a solid fitting one?
I installed a 12" extender from Harbor Freight this weekend to help my 1Up 3-bike rack clear the rear wheel. The 1Up 9" extender had the rack just BARELY making contact with the wheel cover. My question is has anyone found an hitch extender that fits snugly into the G-Class hitch? The 1Up was really nice, snug with a screw bolt to make it more secure. The Harbor Freight one was super cheap but is also fully loose in the hitch. Any suggestions on a solid fitting one?
The Kuat Hi-Lo Pro has a 10” extension. Not sure if that will be enough extension, but it should fit snugly.
Any suggestions for the best/easiest bike rack options for the G ? Thanks!
get the Kuat Piston Pro X. The 2” can extend from 2 to 4 bike carrying capacity. Incredibly premium design and build and the service is unreal. They will send you replacement parts if you ever need no questions asked.
I installed a 12" extender from Harbor Freight this weekend to help my 1Up 3-bike rack clear the rear wheel. The 1Up 9" extender had the rack just BARELY making contact with the wheel cover. My question is has anyone found an hitch extender that fits snugly into the G-Class hitch? The 1Up was really nice, snug with a screw bolt to make it more secure. The Harbor Freight one was super cheap but is also fully loose in the hitch. Any suggestions on a solid fitting one?
@a4ep Can you provide any update on how you resolved? Was really hoping the 1up 9" extension would work.. can you clarify if the rack was making contact when open or closed.
Last edited by snapshotgt; Jan 16, 2026 at 12:59 PM.
Reason: tagging original poster
The 1Up 9" extension unfortunately did not work. Optimally we need like another 1 or 2 inches. The issues isn't with the rack in use (see photo) as the spacing with the bikes mounted is probably 3-4" but with the rack closed in the 90 degree setting it touched the rear tire cover. Now, if you wanted to run the rack empty at the 45 degree angled setting sticking further out you could probably get away with it from my memory. I had to use it quickly so I grabbed the 12" hitch extension from Harbor Freight, I may look for a 10-11" extension online for this Spring just to tighten it up a bit. Here are a couple photos of the fit.
I'm running a 1up 9 inch extender with a 1up 1 bike rack, works great. I've only tried it with a road bike, not sure a flat bar would work. I do take it on and off when not in use because it hangs out so far off the back. But the 9in extender is rock solid
I use a 1UP Double bike rack with NO extender, the 1st bike slot sits under the spare tire, the 2nd bike slot sits in the perfect spot for the use of my 1 MTB.
I also protect the spare tire cover with a Black RV PVC tire cover that slips on and off ezaly.
I'm running a 1up 9 inch extender with a 1up 1 bike rack, works great. I've only tried it with a road bike, not sure a flat bar would work. I do take it on and off when not in use because it hangs out so far off the back. But the 9in extender is rock solid
Had no issues with fitting bikes with the 9" extender if I left the rack extended out for use. When I fold it up with that 9" extension it was right up against the spare tire cover and rubbed against it. Maybe my hitch has slightly different spacing.
Had no issues with fitting bikes with the 9" extender if I left the rack extended out for use. When I fold it up with that 9" extension it was right up against the spare tire cover and rubbed against it. Maybe my hitch has slightly different spacing.
I also had to leave it extended out, no chance I can fold it up
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