Yakima Kingpin Bike Hitch Rack
- Thread starter eorange
- Start date
brett682
New member
The end that goes into the hitch is too long I guess. It hit the spare tire and didn't go in far enough for me to put the hitch pin thru the hole. I had to drop the spare. Not happy about that. My boss said take it to a machine shop and have them shave an inch or so off of it. Well I don't have a clue where a machine shop is. Not even sure I know what a machine shop is for that matter!
Wanna trade?!
Wanna trade?!
AlexJet
New member
brett682 said:
When I was shopping for mine, I looked at Yakima and Thule. I like Thule more.
Machine shop is the place where they can cut the metal. You should have some around. Any city has them. Try YellowPages and search for your city.
There is another solution - go to local hardware store, buy a grinder if you don't have one in your garage, get the cutting disc and cut 1" off yourself.
You can always drive to my place and I'll grind it of for you.
brett682
New member
CANADA or BUST!
Don't tempt me cause I might do it! I was looking for biking vacations online and see there's a couple up in Canada I may be interested in... I've always wanted to check out Canada and what better reason than to get my hitch trimmed! Actually, I found the solution and I'm about to post it. I feel like an idiot now. BUt I shouldn't cause evidently no one else figured it out either... SuperB*
Don't tempt me cause I might do it! I was looking for biking vacations online and see there's a couple up in Canada I may be interested in... I've always wanted to check out Canada and what better reason than to get my hitch trimmed! Actually, I found the solution and I'm about to post it. I feel like an idiot now. BUt I shouldn't cause evidently no one else figured it out either... SuperB*
brett682
New member
Hitch WILL Fit With Spare Tire...
PROBLEM SOLVED! If the bike rack hitch post doesn't fit with the spare tire in place:
1) Un-crank and lower the spare tire down from its storage well and leave it hanging from its cable
2) Insert bike rack post into hitch
3) Secure it with hitch pin
4) Crank spare tire back up into its storage well
*NOTE* Be sure to push spare tire away from the bike hitch post as the spare tire is cranked back up into place
5) Remove hitch pin and bike rack post from hitch
6) Tighten crank to make sure spare tire is securely back in place
*NOTE* Make sure spare tire fits securely back in its storage compartment well
7) Re-insert bike rack post back into hitch and test the setup
brett682 said:
PROBLEM SOLVED! If the bike rack hitch post doesn't fit with the spare tire in place:
1) Un-crank and lower the spare tire down from its storage well and leave it hanging from its cable
2) Insert bike rack post into hitch
3) Secure it with hitch pin
4) Crank spare tire back up into its storage well
*NOTE* Be sure to push spare tire away from the bike hitch post as the spare tire is cranked back up into place
5) Remove hitch pin and bike rack post from hitch
6) Tighten crank to make sure spare tire is securely back in place
*NOTE* Make sure spare tire fits securely back in its storage compartment well
7) Re-insert bike rack post back into hitch and test the setup
Last edited:
Surfandbike
New member
Re: Hitch WILL Fit With Spare Tire...
Hey Brett -- did this work out for you in the long run? I assume you have had a bit of time to test it out.
I just had the same problem with a Yakima Hookup on my '03 sport edition. I ended up returning it to REI before I found this forum/thread. (doh!) If it is just about repositioning the spare that is awesome, as the guy in the store had mentioned folks cutting down the receiver as you were originally thinking of doing. That is a bit more work than wanted to do.
I sounds like the default position of the spare is the issue with the '03.
brett682 said:
Hey Brett -- did this work out for you in the long run? I assume you have had a bit of time to test it out.
I just had the same problem with a Yakima Hookup on my '03 sport edition. I ended up returning it to REI before I found this forum/thread. (doh!) If it is just about repositioning the spare that is awesome, as the guy in the store had mentioned folks cutting down the receiver as you were originally thinking of doing. That is a bit more work than wanted to do.
I sounds like the default position of the spare is the issue with the '03.
JungleJim
New member
AlexJet said:
I liked the Thule better too (the Thule Expressway). I like how the lock secures it tightly to the receiver so there is no freeplay. I like how the entire rack can swing down, even with bikes on it. I also like how the "arms" can be placed in the down position when the rack is not being used (our rack usually stays on the entire summer). I also like how the cable lock can be threaded through all the bikes and uses the same key.
Thule did improve the plastic/rubber "holders" since I bought mine back in 1999, so I ordered and replaced them.
I haven't looked at the the current Yakama racks. But back eight years ago, Thule seemed more solidly built. I'm sure both racks are about equal today, but maybe there will be less of an issue with the spare tire with the Thule?
Mtneer001
New member
I bought the xport bike rack from performance bike shop here in nc.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22745&subcategory_ID=4411
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22745&subcategory_ID=4411
