Anti-Rattle Hitch Lock and Bolt for 1-1/4" and 2" Softride Hitch Racks

Video Transcript for Softride Versa Hitch Bike Rack Review

Today we are going to show you the Softride Versa part number SR26249. Some of the features of this bike rack include unique tilting design which allows easy rear vehicle access. Easy access spring loaded quick release handle which shifts bikes away from the vehicle. The entire rack folds up for storage. It also has wheel mounted cradles which keeps bikes snug using sturdy rubber straps. Telescoping side tubes adjust side to side to accommodate children and adults bikes. Threaded anti-rattle and hitch bolt and lock included to secure the rack inside the receiver tube. Integrated cable protects bike from theft. Pad lock sold separately. It fits on 1 1/ 4 inch and two inch hitches. I am going to show you how to do this right now. 00:48

First we will start off by pulling out the bushing. Now it might not be loose at first but you can use a screwdriver to pry it out and it will be loose enough to just pull right out. In this instance it looks like it is going to come right out. Now we are going to the nut plate and attach the shank to finish converting it. Make sure you align the holes with the ones on the bottom of the shank. Now you will take the 1 1/ 4 inch shank, align it with the thread holes on the bottom of the two inch shank and screw in the bolts. Now that we are finished it is ready for our 1 1/ 4 hitch for Class II hitches only. But we are going to go ahead and put it on a two inch hitch for demonstration purposes. 01:32

First we are going to show you the two hitch panel holes so you can adjust the bike rack accordingly. Putting the bike rack in the hitch you align the hole. You take the anti-sway bolt and screw it in the hole. See instructions for exactly what size wrench but use a wrench to tighten it down. Along with the anti-sway bolt comes a lock that just slides right over it. Upon a closer look you see it comes with a cover to protect the key hole from rusting or anybody messing with it. Now moving on to the tilting and folding features of the bike rack. You just pull the lever here and you can fold it up. You see the little pin here will catch the hole which will keep it from falling back down or moving anywhere. You can also tilt it all the way down. This you can actually tilt it downwards with bikes on it. 02:31

Now I am going to show you the wheel mounted cradle. As you can see they fold up for easy travel if there are no bikes on it at all. But when you are ready to put a bike on it you will need to unfold them like so. Now on to another interesting feature. These bars actually are telescoping by untightening the bolt. After untightening the bolt you can spread the bars apart to adjust for a kids or adults bikes. And now we are going to show you how to put the bike on the rack. As you can see the wheels fit right in the wheel mounts and then take the rubber straps here and just run them through the spokes of the tire making sure the rubber strap goes over the wheel frame so that you can secure the tire. And now we will show you another security feature of this bike rack is the cable lock. You will pull it out here and run it through the frame of your bike. With a pad lock, which is sold separately you can attach right here like so and it is securely around your bike. And that is it for part number SR26249.