Bike Racks

[Jim & Mary]

Vaughan

Also have the Swagman and just carried to bikes from Oregon to AZ and they just did great. The hitch tightener works superbly

[Jim & Mary]

sorry. two bikes. i'm getting old.

[collindo]

this is what I use to tighten up the hitch on my bike carrier works well.

[johnboytoo]

Yes, as posted earlier, I had TWO of those on any point that COULD move on this swagman rack --> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and it still wobbled like a drunken sailor on our trip to Hilton Head, I had no less than 10 bungees/tiedowns trying to hold the rack still ...
I was actually worried about metal fatigue setting in

[atom ant]

The problem I see is the pivot point that lets you fold it up, not the hitch. There is a lot of play there. The locking arms aren't real strong either, the bikes move back and forth.

It looks like the advantage of the Swagman is it uses a single post in the middle to hold both bikes, so they won't hit each other.

I may be expecting too much and probably need to try it on the road first behind the Redwood - standby (until about May.....)

[almcc]

Originally Posted by atom ant

The problem I see is the pivot point that lets you fold it up, not the hitch. There is a lot of play there. The locking arms aren't real strong either, the bikes move back and forth.

It looks like the advantage of the Swagman is it uses a single post in the middle to hold both bikes, so they won't hit each other.

I may be expecting too much and probably need to try it on the road first behind the Redwood - standby (until about May.....)

I had the same problem with the rack I bought, I took off all the pivoting stuff and took it to a welding shop and they welded it up solid. I was fortunate that the rack was all 2 inch tubing so the welding was easy. Our rack has the post in the middle holding both bikes, the shop also welded that post (gussets on each side) so there is no movement.

I figured that I didn't need the pivoting function on either the Redwood or the F-450, worst case it that I have to take the rack off the hitch if I have to open the tailgate on the F-450.

[Fredtp]

I have the Yakama and love it.

[atom ant]

Fred,
Do you use any additional strapping or is it good as is? Our bikes are light.

[lwg]

AA,
I'm wondering if they've changed the design slightly over the years? My holdup is from 2008 when they first came out. Miss super sturdy. The bikes move a little side to side just by the nature but they won't go anywhere. Have travelled probably about 10,000 miles with mine and many thousands of dollars of bikes on them with no problem.

[0nTheRoad]

Brad,

I have a Yakima KingPin 2[out of production]. Each bike has at least one strap, some have two on each of the mount points. This rack has a built-in cable lock which I loop around the upper frame and back to the rack so even if any of the bungees break the bikes will stay on the rack. The only other thing I do is put a cable lock through the wheels and frame to prevent theft.


This rack fits the 2" receiver on the back of the RW and uses a bolt in the receiver to eliminate movement of the rack so there is very little rocking/movement.

[Elliott & Vicky]

Just saw a new Thule and the insert that goes into the hitch is an expandable metal ficture. There is no wobble. I guess I bought mine too soon.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by lwg

AA,
I'm wondering if they've changed the design slightly over the years? My holdup is from 2008 when they first came out. Miss super sturdy. The bikes move a little side to side just by the nature but they won't go anywhere. Have travelled probably about 10,000 miles with mine and many thousands of dollars of bikes on them with no problem.

It might just be me too lwg. I may be overestimating how much they are going to move back there. When we get back to Denver tonight I'm going to put the rack on the back of the dually with some bikes and try it out on these terrible roads. I'll be able to see how much they move, especially if I take off the tailgate.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by 0nTheRoad

Brad,

I have a Yakima KingPin 2[out of production]. Each bike has at least one strap, some have two on each of the mount points. This rack has a built-in cable lock which I loop around the upper frame and back to the rack so even if any of the bungees break the bikes will stay on the rack. The only other thing I do is put a cable lock through the wheels and frame to prevent theft.


This rack fits the 2" receiver on the back of the RW and uses a bolt in the receiver to eliminate movement of the rack so there is very little rocking/movement.

I have one like that now Chuck called a Softride. It is extremely sturdy but because of how our bikes are without the straight center bar, loading them takes a dozen straps and about 30 minutes. Just thought I would try something simpler. I'll keep the old one as Plan B until I make sure this Holdup will "holdup" so to speak

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by Elliott & Vicky

Just saw a new Thule and the insert that goes into the hitch is an expandable metal ficture. There is no wobble. I guess I bought mine too soon.

I didn't see that, but I may have been looking at last years model on display. The Kuat has an expanding hitch that locks in very nice.

[piper guy]

Brad - the Swagman I have comes with a locking bolt that goes through the hitch and tightens the rack to the hitch as well as locks it.
Have used this hitch for probably 10k miles behind the BMW Wagon and at least that many more behind the RW. Bikes move a bit side to side but nothing excessive and certainly nit a problem.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by piper guy

Brad - the Swagman I have comes with a locking bolt that goes through the hitch and tightens the rack to the hitch as well as locks it.
Have used this hitch for probably 10k miles behind the BMW Wagon and at least that many more behind the RW. Bikes move a bit side to side but nothing excessive and certainly nit a problem.

Thanks Vaughan. This one has that same bolt. I'll have to give it a try tonight on the pickup.

[0nTheRoad]

Originally Posted by atom ant

I have one like that now Chuck called a Softride. It is extremely sturdy but because of how our bikes are without the straight center bar, loading them takes a dozen straps and about 30 minutes. Just thought I would try something simpler. I'll keep the old one as Plan B until I make sure this Holdup will "holdup" so to speak

I use this Crossbar Adapter on Ruth's bike, fits on the rack nicely. It locks on both ends so I don't need to worry about it coming loose from the bike.

[atom ant]

OK - I take back any concerns I had for his bike rack! LWG - Fred- you are right, awesome rack!

I put it on the back of the truck and headed down the worst road I know (no, not a back country Rocky Mountain jeep trail - much worse - I-25 right through Denver!) This road makes my cheeks bounce it is so bad in the dually.

The bikes were totally stable - no side movement I could see. The outboard bike bounced a little, but nothing on the inboard bike. Some of the bounce may even have been the front suspension on the bike itself. After 60 miles, bikes were just as tight as when I mounted them!

Would recommend to anyone for the Redwood - even though the documents say (Not for use on RVs, Trailers, or Motorhomes all over it).

[0nTheRoad]

Glad to hear it worked well...regardless of how well built a bike rack is and how well the bikes are secured to the rack, I worry about the bikes while underway cause you cnt see them at all. Having a rack you feel good about is reassuring!!

[travelin' texans]

Brad, the other drivers around are wondering "what the hell is wrong with this guy, he's got dually with a 4'×8' bed & he's got his bikes on a rack?". It lookings kinda like walking a cat on a leash, not natural. LOL