I know a bunch of us here bike and I saw this was new from Kuat (bike rack manufacturer). Looks like they've made a new rack with the 4Runner in mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ocA4w8O2Jo&feature=youtu.be

Looks nice, but it looks like it's just the Pivot part for $330. Then you have to have the actual NV rack ($600+) to attach to it ($930+) which is more than I paid for my bike (granted I don' have a FS). Out of curiosity, what rack are you running now? I'm in the market for a used rack currently.

Pivot v2 - Kuat Racks

I think the NV 2.0 bends back to allow the gate to open as well. Was going to get that one. Does it not get far enough out of the way?

I have a similar setup on my camper. Works great. Mine is custom built as part of the camper bumper assembly so I can open the rear hatch on the teardrop camper.

Lots of similar ones out there from other manufacturers. Ex:

It does. I have a cheaper Kuat, Sherpa 2.0 (2 bike) hitch rack, and it folds down to allow for the tailgate to open while loaded up.

This pivot just makes it much easier to access the trunk rather than having to stand in the gap between the rear bumper and bike rack to access the trunk

I have the NV 2.0. It does bend down far enough to be out of the way. If you have wide handlebars it might be close. I have a 26" with handlebars somewhere between "normal" and "wide" and I've got about 3-4" of clearance between the tailgate and the bar end.

Pivot is cool, but $$. Not necessary for me. If you have a transit van i can see the benefit, but for a 4Runner? I'll pass.

I've got the NV 2.0 and 800mm handlebars and the hatch clears easily when the rack is tilted down. With that said, I think I'm going to pick this up. It's still pretty hard to get stuff in and out of the back with the rack tilted down.

Very interesting!

Match that up to a basic tire carrier! Curt Trailer Hitch Mounted Spare Tire Carrier Curt Spare Tire Carrier c31006

Looks to me like it would make accessing our cargo space easier, but I probably won't be picking one up. The rack folding down has been good enough for me.

However, I absolutely throw my support behind Kuat as a company. Their racks are very well built, functional, good looking, and their customer service, in my experience, is top notch.

I've had my first gen NV since 2010 and Kuat has TWICE sent me parts to keep it working perfectly. The first time I got rear ended... I sent pictures and they sent me replacement parts. The second time the first gen pivot was starting to get loose. I sent them an email and they sent me a 2nd gen pivot! I was just asking for advice on what to do (for example, add a washer or torque it down more). Both time they sent the parts for free! Anyway, I'm a customer for life. Of course, I don't know how that's working for them as a business model since I don't think my NV will ever need to be replaced!

jumping on this as well. I got lucky and found my NV 2.0 used on craigslist for a steal. The locks were installed improperly and i was looking for advice on how to remove them, if i'd have to drill them out, etc., etc. they knew i'd bought the rack used and wasn't the original owner. They still sent me brand new locks and cables at no charge.

I have the original Sherpa. I can use it in the 4Runner (2" receiver) and my wife's Outback (1.25"). I've transported bikes (road, TT, mountain bikes) all over with it for years and it's held up really well. I've had to fix a few things on it and the original tightening cam didn't work with the 5th gen but their service department has been great at sending me replacement parts (sometimes for free) and helped me upgrade to the new cam that works a LOT better.

I'm tempted to buy a new one, but the current one is still great so...

800mm, that’s a wide spread indeed.

It is. Still trying to decide if I want to cut the bars down...

I saw one for sale in Lago Vista (~45min from Austin) for $250 btw. FB market place

I'm at 720 on my Trek Procaliber and I still get ancy going through tight trees.