I am using my old Yakima bike rack with an 8" lockable hitch extension. The Yakima easily folds down ( without the bikes) to allow the cargo door to open. I am including a shot of the inexpensive but very nice Husky air compressor working off of the 120V socket. It also works with 12V. The only literal shortcoming is that the 120V cord is very short and needs an extension chord. Not a big deal.

 

Note: New Rakattach will swing with rear door or opposite of rear door by flipping 180 degrees. I have the Large mounted on the Defender. It extends the carrier beyond the spare for easy mounting of two bikes. 1UP is top tier quality and its weight shows it. Also, fairly expensive. But I love it.

 

Yes, the rackattack is very well made and functions well, but I take my rack off and on all the time, and found it ridiculously heavy—so heavy that I sent it back to 1up for a refund. I think it’s fine if you leave it on all the time, but just crazy heavy if you will be taking it on and off. I just tilt the rack back now and it’s fine.

 

Alternatively you can use the Thule XTR Pro that has wheels for when you need to remove and store it - really helps when you have back problems like me - wheel it into the garage and its done.

 

After scouring the web for examples also, I did install a 1 Up- 2 Bike rack with their 7 inch extender and it fits perfectly. The extender does not wobble at all horizontally but there is some vertical movement.
Now the only annoyance I have to find the workaround for is the back up camera beeping constantly and becoming useless as I can only see the bike rack and it blocks the view. I find it beeps constantly or doesn't beep at all. It's inconsistent. And does not beep when you get near something which is when you want it to beep. Has anyone found a work around for this? The rack has a slight lean to it as well and 1 Up advised that a U bolt tensioner would solve that as well as any vertical movement. Haven't bought that yet.

Rack in straight up position

Has a slight lean to it. I've been advised to try a U Bolt to tighten any varience the extender may have in it.

Side view. I needed something that added minimal length to the vehicle so it fits in my garage w/ the rack ON.

 

There’s really no work around on the sensors going off when using any hitch rack. Same thing with other cars I’ve had. I’ve had my 1up on several cars as well as other racks, all do the same thing. Jus have to be extra careful backing up.

 

I loved my 2016 Frontier in that regard — it had a manual, physical, honest-to-God button on the dash. Push it and the backup warning beeper went off and STAYED THE HELL OFF until you either pushed the button again or turned the car off and back on.

 

Hi Jesse, Looks great. By the way what is the brand of the Roof rack you have mounted on your defender?

 

That's a Frontrunner Slimline II for Defenders with OEM roof rails. I know this because I'm hoping to mount mine on my truck today!

 

Is it just me or do the Slimline II's for the factory rails seem MUCH shorter than those without? Any reason/logic to that? Any pro's/con's? Besides the obvious (longer holds more).