trailer hitch or bumper w/hitch

autopc25 · 08-19-2011, 07:43 AM

I do not intend to off road. All I want to do is carry a bike rack and 2-3 bikes. I have a hitch mounted bike rack already. For a couple of hundred bucks what am I better off doing?

I have a 97 TJ and it came with cheap front and rear tube bumpers. One of the end caps popped off and is a little beat up so I thought it might be a good time to replace it? The rear bumper has a 2" hitch welded on it. I want to attach a bike rack to the hitch. My problem is the tube bumper I have seems very flimsy. It seems to flex with just the weight of the rack, without the bikes on it. The bumper is bolted to mounting brackets that are bolted to the frame. The brackets that are bolted to the frame is solid. The bumper bolts to the mounting brackets and this is where it is flimsy. I suppose I could have someone weld the bumper to the mounting brackets to keep the bumper from rocking? The tube bumper flexes at the hitch area with just the rack on it also. Is that normal?

Should I just install a regular 2" Class III hitch from one of the more well known hitch makers like Curt, Hidden Hitch, or Draw-Tite? All of them seem to make a direct bolt in model for a TJ. I can get a Draw-Tite installed for about $180. Or I can order a Curt on line for about $100 shipped.

I might be limited to a Hidden Hitch also because some hitches do not work with tube style bumpers.

How much would a decent set of bumpers be with a 2" hitch cost?

I would need to replace both the front and rear if I go the new bumper route so they match. I have read mixed reviews about the Olympic brand. Are there any (direct bolt in) solid bumpers with a 2" hitch that are reasonable in price? I expect that I will have to spend a couple of hundred more for the bumpers if I want the front to match the rear.

I considered buying a new bike rack that mounts to the spare tire also. I can buy a good one for about $150. I read that the rear tail gate hinges are not strong enough?

Thanks

**AKABOB** · 08-19-2011, 08:24 AM

I would suggest a hitch mount before I would attatch the bikes to the spare tire.

I have the olympic bumper with the 2" hitch. I am not crazy about the Olympic products but i don't have any problems with this particular bumper. I did have one problem with the hitch. Apparently when they designed the female side of the hitch in the bumper, they did not take into account that hitch folks have different specs of the corner radius. I had to take a grinder to my hitch to make it fit. Olympic did offer to re-cut mine which I did appreciate, but it was just easier to do it myself. But it was inexpensive and does work well.

JeffBowser · 08-19-2011, 08:28 AM

Ah, so that's what that's all about. I just had to replace mine recently, and went with the Olympic. I was wondering why my ball mount was so damned tight, and my hitch-haul won't go in at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKABOB

I would suggest a hitch mount before I would attatch the bikes to the spare tire.

I have the olympic bumper with the 2" hitch. I am not crazy about the Olympic products but i don't have any problems with this particular bumper. I did have one problem with the hitch. Apparently when they designed the female side of the hitch in the bumper, they did not take into account that hitch folks have different specs of the corner radius. I had to take a grinder to my hitch to make it fit. Olympic did offer to re-cut mine which I did appreciate, but it was just easier to do it myself. But it was inexpensive and does work well.

Ross · 08-19-2011, 08:31 AM

I have had an Olympic rear bumper, with a receiver built in to it, for about ten years with no problems. I have towed many trailers many miles. I have also used an over the tire bike rack with no problems but only a few times, so I can't comment on using it for long term. I would suspect it would add too much weight to the tail gate and could eventually cause a problem.

justanotherjpr · 08-19-2011, 08:33 AM

If you like the style of the bumpers, then the hitch will be your easiest, cheapest option. If you want to change bumpers and get a 2" receiver at the same time, then the bumpers.

There are tons of companies making and selling TJ bumpers so you will have a lot to choose from.

It is my opinion that the rack which attaches to the spare tire is a bad idea on your TJ because of the tailgate mounted spare.

**AKABOB** · 08-19-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffBowser

Ah, so that's what that's all about. I just had to replace mine recently, and went with the Olympic. I was wondering why my ball mount was so damned tight, and my hitch-haul won't go in at all.

I can't remember what brand of hitch that they used for the spec, but I could not find it around here. Actually, I had never heard the name before, but might be popular whenever they were from. PA maybe. Just take a grinder and either re-round the corner or just flatten it a bit.

I have no idea if this takes away strength from the hitch. I am not an engineer. Ergo, I hold no responsibility if you do this and your bikes fall of the Jeep and then cause a 10 car pile up and kill a bus load of children. Take advise on your own will.

**AKABOB** · 08-19-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justanotherjpr

If you like the style of the bumpers, then the hitch will be your easiest, cheapest option. If you want to change bumpers and get a 2" receiver at the same time, then the bumpers.

There are tons of companies making and selling TJ bumpers so you will have a lot to choose from.

It is my opinion that the rack which attaches to the spare tire is a bad idea on your TJ because of the tailgate mounted spare.

When I was looking, Olympic was the only one that rated their hitch. Everyone else had one, but essentially told you not to use it.

JeffBowser · 08-19-2011, 08:41 AM

That's right. Years ago you had a lot of options for "rated" hitch bumpers. No more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKABOB

When I was looking, Olympic was the only one that rated their hitch. Everyone else had one, but essentially told you not to use it.

autopc25 · 08-19-2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justanotherjpr

If you like the style of the bumpers, then the hitch will be your easiest, cheapest option. If you want to change bumpers and get a 2" receiver at the same time, then the bumpers.

There are tons of companies making and selling TJ bumpers so you will have a lot to choose from.

It is my opinion that the rack which attaches to the spare tire is a bad idea on your TJ because of the tailgate mounted spare.

I might have to go the bumper route. I am finding out that some hitches do not work with tube style bumpers. Someone said the only one that might is the Hidden Hitch brand?

My cheap tube bumper has a small dent and one of the end caps is missing so I thought it might not be a bad idea to replace it now since it is so flimsy. I just don't want to end up with another cheap bumper with a 2" hitch welded on that will flex.

Do you think a spare tire rack would be OK if I only will use the rack a few times a year?

JeffBowser · 08-19-2011, 08:53 AM

The Olympic is a good bumper (although tubes seem to be quite out of favor on this board). I tow a ~2400lb boat around with mine, use the hitch-haul to carry wood on camping trips, and have also used it as a recovery point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by autopc25

I might have to go the bumper route. I am finding out that some hitches do not work with tube style bumpers. Someone said the only one that might is the Hidden Hitch brand?

My cheap tube bumper has a small dent and one of the end caps is missing so I thought it might not be a bad idea to replace it now since it is so flimsy. I just to end up with another cheap bumper with a 2" hitch welded on that will flex.

I am still considering a spare tire rack because I only will use the rack a few times a year?

**AKABOB** · 08-19-2011, 09:01 AM

this is the one I have (to make sure we are talking about the same one) and it is very sturdy and stout. I have had it for about a year and a half. I have now added the tire carrier to it, but I would not recommend that. I you ever want a tire carrier, I would go another route. If you just want the bumper, this one is a good choice.

justanotherjpr · 08-19-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autopc25

I might have to go the bumper route. I am finding out that some hitches do not work with tube style bumpers. Someone said the only one that might is the Hidden Hitch brand?

My cheap tube bumper has a small dent and one of the end caps is missing so I thought it might not be a bad idea to replace it now since it is so flimsy. I just don't want to end up with another cheap bumper with a 2" hitch welded on that will flex.

Do you think a spare tire rack would be OK if I only will use the rack a few times a year?

You would probably be fine if it's not often but might eventually crack your tailgate.

I would get a bumper like this:
http://www.jeepinoutfitters.com/scri...idproduct=1027

I despise tube bumpers. Here's a site with lots of good choices:
http://www.jeepinoutfitters.com/scri...?idCategory=36

scs2016 · 08-19-2011, 09:36 AM

If you're only using it for a bike rack, it is really doesn't matter if the hitch is rated or not.

Seems to me this comes down to if you want new bumpers or not.

The hitch is probably the cheaper option.

JeffBowser · 08-19-2011, 09:49 AM

And I despise those square bumpers

They're now as ubiquitous as those god-awful Cragar Soft-8's and the 10 gazillion knock-off's thereof.

autopc25 · 08-19-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scs2016

If you're only using it for a bike rack, it is really doesn't matter if the hitch is rated or not.

Seems to me this comes down to if you want new bumpers or not.

The hitch is probably the cheaper option.

I agree all I need is a 2" hitch receiver. It looks like a hitch is less then $200 if I can find one that works with a tube bumper. Bumpers are obviously more. I was hoping I could get away with around $400 for a decent front and rear bumper with a 2" receiver.