Land Rover Defender Ski Rack
The Defender's rear door is side-hinged with the spare mounted on it, which rules out most hitch-mounted racks. The Gravirax GR-4 mounts in the 2-inch hitch receiver, sits clear of the spare, and the door still opens with four pairs of skis loaded.
No climbing, no drilling. Loads in seconds from ground level, and doesn't block your backup camera.
Why it works on a Defender
- Door still opens. Offset and depth adjustment place the rack outside the door's swing.
- Nothing on the roof. Keeps the roof free for a tent or box, and keeps skis off the paint.
- Air suspension friendly. Up-and-down adjustment covers access height through off-road height.
Fit check: Defender 90, 110 or 130 with a 2-inch hitch receiver (the factory tow pack or an aftermarket receiver). Not for 50 mm tow-ball-only setups or 1¼-inch receivers. The GR-4 (4 pairs) is the usual pick; on the Defender 130 the GR-6 (6 pairs) also clears the door, as the top photo shows. Standard Length fits; the Extended Length (+2") is optional if you run oversized tires.
Four pairs of skis, 15-minute assembly, 2-year warranty, built in the USA.
Land Rover Defender ski rack FAQ
Does the Gravirax GR-4 fit a Land Rover Defender?
Yes. It fits the Defender 90, 110, and 130 with a 2-inch hitch receiver. It does not fit 1¼-inch receivers.
Will the Defender's side-hinged rear door still open with skis loaded?
Yes. The rack is offset and depth-adjustable, so it clears the rear-mounted spare and the door opens with four pairs of skis on the rack.
Do I need the Extended Length version for a Defender?
No. The standard GR-4 fits the Defender. The Extended Length (+2") version also works if you want extra clearance for an oversized spare.
Can I use the GR-6 on a Defender?
On the Defender 130, yes. The longer 130 body gives the wider GR-6 room to clear the door. For the 90 and 110, the GR-4 is the recommended rack.
Does it work with a lifted Defender or larger tires?
Yes. 72 positions of adjustment cover stock height, air-suspension ride heights, and larger spare tires.
How many skis does it carry?
Four pairs of skis. The GR-4 holds them upright behind the vehicle, so nothing goes on the roof.
Does it block the backup camera?
No. The rack sits low and off to the side of the camera's field of view, so your backup camera keeps working.
How long does assembly take?
About 15 minutes with basic hand tools. It slides into the hitch receiver and locks in place; no drilling and nothing attaches to the body.
Where is it made, and what is the warranty?
The GR-4 is patented and built in the USA, and comes with a 2-year warranty.
Will the skis bounce around or come loose on the highway?
No. The skis sit tips down and are held in place by gravity, the same way they ride in a gondola box. The base of the rack is padded so tips are protected, and bindings never rest on the tubes. We tested the rack for days on a bump rig and over speed bumps at 40 mph and the skis stay put. For long trips or dirt roads, an optional cover adds extra security.
Can I mount a ski rack on the Defender's spare tire or rear door instead?
Not a good idea. Land Rover's accessory weight tolerance for the Defender's side-hinged door is about 18 lb; exceed it and the hinges sag and the door stops closing cleanly. A tire-mounted rack plus four pairs of skis is well over that. The GR-4 puts the weight low on the hitch and frame instead, which is easier on the door and better for the vehicle's center of gravity. See our guide to barn-door hinge limits for all four vehicles. Barn-door hinge limits: Wrangler, Bronco, Defender, Grenadier.
Comparing vehicles? See our guide: Ski racks for swing-out doors — Wrangler vs Bronco vs Defender vs Grenadier, with hinge weight limits and the door-opening video for each.