HitchGate tire swing away tire carrier - initial impressions - Chevy TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer SS and GMC Envoy Forum

the roadie · #1 06-24-2007, 09:17 PM

4WP had a price typo, so I snagged one of the first ones shipped to the region just to make sure somebody can take advantage of a discount. http://www.tiregate.com/hg.shtml Will probably sell it after I get my own custom swing-away rear bumper, but my fabricator is slooooooow. So I get to use this for a while. Assembled and installed in ten minutes while I was on my way to the Cuyamaca area for camping this weekend.

Nice features: Very nice clearance to the rear glass when closed. They designed an expanding receiver tang that absolutely locks it into your receiver with zero slop or wiggle. It's like it's welded in place. Wilco included a wire cable as a safety feature in case your lug nuts loosen and fall out, but you can also padlock it to the swing arm for theft-resistance. Provision to mount your HiLift horizontally. I believe there's good room for 2-3 Jerry cans with additional bracketry. You still get a 2" receiver, rated for 750 lbs, tongue weight and 7500 lb trailer, built into the Hitchgate, but it's 2 1/2" higher than your original receiver, so a larger drop ball mount will be needed.

All in all a high-quality product for $690 list price, even better is you snag a discount.

Drawbacks: Holes drilled for tire mounting were not meant for 6X5" pattern, so I could only install two bolts (4 included) until I drill the backing plate a bit. I'll tell Wilco next week so they can modify future ones to help out other trailvoy buyers. No provision for pinning it in the open position, so it could swing back on you if you open it on a tilted trail.

Just saw one in the DC/MD/VA area craiglslist for $600. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/m...355612052.html

I'll measure the slight reduction in departure angle later.

PROSPHOTO · #2 06-25-2007, 09:11 AM

That is definitely a really nice (but pricey) temporary rear for you

As a perminant "off road" spare wheel hauler it looks like the only "must have" to serve the purpose. Looks like it could also be a nice spot for your winch (in the rear) as well

PAblzr · #3 06-25-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the roadie

All in all a high-quality product for $690 list price, even better is you snag a discount.

Drawbacks: No provision for pinning it in the open position, so it could swing back on you if you open it on a tilted trail.

I am willing to wager it will smack you only once before you figure out where to add an additional tab or where to jam a piece of 2x4 to keep the thing from swinging shut on you.

JMal · #4 06-25-2007, 02:37 PM

Nice photos Roadie.

I'm surprised how far the tiregate is actually from the tailgate. You could almost fit a tire between the inside of the tiregate and the rear window.

the roadie · #5 06-25-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMal

You could almost fit a tire between the inside of the tiregate and the rear window.

I was interested in that also. Good idea. Turns out the space is 1.5" too narrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAblzr

I am willing to wager it will smack you only once before you figure out where to add an additional tab or where to jam a piece of 2x4 to keep the thing from swinging shut on you.

But I only park on nice, flat surfaces, remember?

JMal · #6 06-25-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the roadie

I was interested in that also. Good idea. Turns out the space is 1.5" too narrow.

Order a spacer from Fred and remove the rear viper and rear glass handle...

Seriously, I'm sure there would be a way with a lil' moddin' if someone wanted to do it.. I just think that space is a waste of space...

and adds unnecessary length to your vehicle (and changing the point of balance too).

the roadie · #7 06-25-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMal

. I just think that space is a waste of space...

I agree. I'd put gas cans there that are only 7" thick. The HiLift goes horizontally, but might hit the cans. Hmmmmm. Not sure I want to start modding this into my own design until I decide to keep it, which I really don't want to do.

blktbz · #8 06-25-2007, 05:19 PM

To get another tire in there, could you not just put a longer piece of square tube? Like get the piece that mounts in the receiver around an inch longer?

the roadie · #9 06-25-2007, 05:47 PM

Next time I have it off, I'll take a pic. The reason it doesn't wiggle in the receiver is their special "wedge lock" design that takes up the last 2" of the male stinger. That would be really hard to extend.

But really, I carry two spares (of my OEM continentals) on very rare trail rides. I don't know of anybody else who carries two spares unless they're in a race.

blktbz · #10 06-25-2007, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the roadie

Next time I have it off, I'll take a pic. The reason it doesn't wiggle in the receiver is their special "wedge lock" design that takes up the last 2" of the male stinger. That would be really hard to extend.

But really, I carry two spares (of my OEM continentals) on very rare trail rides. I don't know of anybody else who carries two spares unless they're in a race.

Ah gotcha on the design idea, and yeah, you probably don't really need 2 spares, unless you're driving on a glass mountain or something