Recommendation: use a hitch extender for bike rack

tom_tucker · Jun 8, 2025

It's a suburban mountain bike trail in a very wealthy area. When I get there, I see Ram Rebels, Raptors and Rivians. All with tailgate pads or hitch racks with the bike right up against the tailgate. Meanwhile I'm sitting back on the tailgate, chillin'. Seems like nobody else is set up to do this but I do recommend it. The hitch extender was cheap. I've seen guys pull mtb bikes out of a Ford Fiesta, so you don't need anything special to hit the trails. However I'll say that by far, I think the Maverick is the best and cheapest middle ground vehicle for this purpose.

Ford Maverick Recommendation: use a hitch extender for bike rack 20250606_130811

Ford Maverick Recommendation: use a hitch extender for bike rack 20250606_164151

AfterTheCalm · Jun 8, 2025

My 1UP setup

I don't run that long of a hitch extender, just enough to get the job done.

tkammen270 · Jun 8, 2025

Being able to open the tailgate is a must. I have a swing out for my 1UP rack. Me and the boys rode today. Weather was great.

Ford Maverick Recommendation: use a hitch extender for bike rack IMG_9407

Surly Old Bill · Jun 8, 2025

I have a swing away hitch mount for bikes. Haven't tried it on the Mav yet. Works great, keeps the bikes close to the bumper, but swings out so you can open doors/tailgate.

Ford Maverick Recommendation: use a hitch extender for bike rack 1749427819534-92

710-oil-614 · Jun 8, 2025

I don't like having my bike out there that far behind the vehicle but I do like having use of the tailgate. Unfortunately my Swagman Chinook doesn't allow the tailgate to come down.

bgn · Jun 8, 2025

I also am not a fan of having my bike that far out, especially on forest service roads where ground clearance matters a lot. I've pretty much landed on there not being a good setup to allow the tailgate to drop that doesn't require more weight for swing aways.

VoodooMaverick · Jun 9, 2025

I did this and posted about it almost a year ago. It works well.

VoodooMaverick · Jun 9, 2025

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...nsion-to-clear-tailgate-on-my-maverick.51548/

MavUnicorn · Jun 9, 2025

Surly Old Bill said:
I have a swing away hitch mount for bikes. Haven't tried it on the Mav yet. Works great, keeps the bikes close to the bumper, but swings out so you can open doors/tailgate.

That's an awesome setup.

Surly Old Bill · Jun 9, 2025

MavUnicorn said:
That's an awesome setup.

There are a dozen or more brands that sell these swing away carriers. There are also adapters that turn any hitch mount thang into a swing-away. I picked up my carrier off Craigslist for $25.

colinl · Jun 9, 2025

tailgate pad works great for me.

Phimosis · Jun 9, 2025

bgn said:
I also am not a fan of having my bike that far out, especially on forest service roads where ground clearance matters a lot. I've pretty much landed on there not being a good setup to allow the tailgate to drop that doesn't require more weight for swing aways.

Exactly. Hitch mounted bike rack kills departure angle. That is why I use a tailgate pad. Off-roading ability is unhindered.

VoodooMaverick · Jun 9, 2025

I have a tailgate pad too and have used the pad and rack at the same time. But the pad doesn’t work well when you’re carrying gear when going camping or other activities. The Maverick bed is small

AfterTheCalm · Jun 9, 2025

No tailgate pad for me as I rather keep my hard tonneau cover in tact for the drive

Ford Maverick Recommendation: use a hitch extender for bike rack IMG_6986_Original

Phimosis · Jun 9, 2025

VoodooMaverick said:
I have a tailgate pad too and have used the pad and rack at the same time. But the pad doesn’t work well when you’re carrying gear when going camping or other activities. The Maverick bed is small

What exactly are you bringing camping that won’t fit in the bed with your bike? My bike takes up 6”x54” out of the 53”x54” bed, or 11% of bed space. I’ve never went camping with my bed 90% full and thought, “nope, space to fit a bike in here.”

Recommendation: use a hitch extender for bike rack

tom_tucker

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AfterTheCalm

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tkammen270

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Surly Old Bill

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710-oil-614

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bgn

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