Softride Top Tube Bike Adapter Bar

Video Transcript for Softride Hydraulic-Assist Dura Hitch Bike Rack Review

Today, we're reviewing the Softride Hydraulic Assist Dura Tilting 4 Bike Carrier for 1-1/4 and 2-inch hitches, part number SR26321. This bike carrier is equipped with the ability to fit a 2-inch trailer hitch and 1-1/4-inch trailer hitch. The QuietRide for that anti-rattle locking bolt secures the rack and the hitch receiver. This bike carrier has a built hydraulic assist aid that helps lift and lower the bike carrier when it is fully loaded. The gas springs help dampen the lowering action for increased control. This carrier holds four bikes and fits most bikes.

An adapter bar which is sold separately may be required to accommodate certain frames. The soft rubber cradles here on the cradle arms gently support the bike frames. The anti-sway cradles keep the bikes from rocking back and forth while in transit. The soft rubber tie-down straps safely secure the bike and prevent them from being damaged. Here at the end of each cradle arm is a safety reflector that provides nighttime visibility.

The rack arms remove easily for storage by pinching the spring loaded black knob on the back of the carrier. This bike carrier is equipped with an integrated cable that deters bike back, but the pedal lock is sold separately. There are some neat accessories that go along with this bike carrier but are sold separately. A wall mounted storage station, part number SR22751, and a ski rack attachment, part number SR24232, that slips into the arm slots. Now that we've gone over some features and specs, we'll go and show you how to install it.

The hardware here for the 1-1/4-inch adapter allows you to easily switch between 2-inch and 1-1/4-inch trailer hitch receiver without a bunch of work. Note: This rack can carry up to four bikes on a class 2 receiver hitch as long as the weight is within the hitch, bike rack, and vehicle ton weight capacity. Now, the vehicle that we're using for our demonstration is equipped with a 2-inch hitch. Therefore, we do not need to equip our 1-1/4-inch adapter. We'll slide the shank of the carrier into the opening of the hitch, line up our pin holes, thread our anti-rattle bolt through the pin holes, tighten with a wrench, and then secure it with a lock.

Now that the carrier is secured to the vehicle, we're ready to load our bike. We'll undo our cradle straps. We'll set the bike into the frame cradles. Now, we'll go ahead and use Softride's included wheel strap to secure the front wheel to the frame and prevent any damage to the vehicle or the bike while the vehicle is in motion. We will then tighten down the straps to secure the bike to the carrier. Now that the bike is secured to the carrier, we can access the cargo door of the vehicle by lifting the black lever and the bottom mast of the carrier, pulling out the black T handle at the top right hand side of the mast and tilting the mast down. Notice that we can access our cargo area with our bike attached to the carrier. Now that we've gone ahead and showed you how to install the carrier and load up our bike, we'll go and show you how it looks driving down the road. And that completes today's review of the Softride Hydraulic Assist Dura Tilting 4 Bike Carrier for 1-1/4 and 2-inch hitches, part number SR26321.