Compatibility of Thule EasyFold XT and Thule Epos With Yakima BackSwing

Updated 11/24/2024 | Published 11/23/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount

(504)

$798.95

Thule Epos Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel or Frame Mount

(34)

$958.95

Yakima BackSwing Swing Away Hitch Extender for Bike Racks - 2" Hitches

(94)

$302.95

Yakima OnRamp LX Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount

(27)

$798.95

Question:

We are considering the Thule EasyFold XT or Epos for our Ford F150 pickup. In order to have full access to the truck bed I would like to use a Yakima Backswing with it since it appears the tailgate would not open fully even with the bikes tilted down. Potentially we will want to use it with bikes in the future. Would this combination be appropriate or would the extra connection and length be too stressful? Thank you.

asked by: Rich O

Expert Reply:

Hi Rich; the Yakima BackSwing # Y02483 is not compatible with the Thule EasyFold XT # TH903202 or Epos # TH99XE. Both of these use an adapter to fit a 2" hitch and the BackSwing only works with a solid 2" shank. On the opposite side, Thule does not recommend using either of these bike racks with a swing away adapter.

If you want to use the BackSwing I recommend using a different bike rack like the Yakima OnRamp LX # Y88DJ. This has a high capacity for e-bikes at 80 lbs per bike and has an integrated ramp for easy loading. It is also worth noting that the BackSwing will reduce the capacity of your hitch by 50%. Keep that in mind since you have to figure the weight of the adapter (35 lbs) plus the weight of your chosen bike rack along with the bikes.

expert reply by: Robin H

Rich

11/24/2024

Hi Robin, Thank you very much for your response. I see that in my original question I made a typo. I meant to say it would likely be used with E-bikes in the future. Exact weight unknown at this time but it seems if we want to use a swing arm with it and the capacity is reduced 50%, it would seem unlikely that any rack/ swing arm combination could be used for 60-70 lb E-bikes even if the batteries are removable. Or do you have a recommendation for this scenario? Another detail is that besides the F150, it may need to be used on a Sprinter type RV in the future. Thanks Rich

Robin H.

11/24/2024

@Rich the limitation for that scenario would be the tongue weight capacity of your hitch/vehicle. If you had two 70 lb bikes for 140 lbs plus the OnRamp at 54 lbs the BackSwing can handle it with its 250 lb capacity. Add the weight of the BackSwing which is 35 lbs so a total of 229 lbs. I don't know what hitch you would have on your F-150 but it would need to be capable of handling 458 lbs of tongue weight to hold all of this which shouldn't be a problem for that truck. Assuming it is a newer model the aftermarket hitches have a tongue weight capacity of 900+ lbs and I'm assuming the factory hitch is similar. This is probably a different scenario for the Sprinter but that all depends on the model.