# 1
Swagman XTC2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
First-time rack buyer / owner / installer. The rack arrived in a timely fashion, maybe a day or 2 ahead of schedule. It was well packaged. I’m LOVING this bike rack. It was easy to put together and to mount on my new Honda Passport. Thus far, no squeaks in my 2” receiver. Hardest part of initial set-up is figuring out the best way to position two bikes. Trial & error and some patience. The directions weren’t clear as to where the 2 left-over screws went. I found the answer in another review and have posted a pic in case others have the same problem (photo with pen pointing at screw). These screws go in the underneath side of both of the folding arms. They appear to keep the wheel wells from sliding off in case in you drive with an empty, un-folded rack, and forgot to tighten down the wheel wells. The folding arm push / pull pins can be difficult at times. I coated the tips with some lube. That and a little jiggling seems to solve that issue. I guess it’s better for the pins to be snug vs popping right out. I added a small Master lock to the hitch pin (in lieu of the provided cotter pin) as a theft deterrent. I read that a 3/16 shackle lock will fit into the bike clamp down arms to also act as a deterrent. I had an old 3/16 lock that did snugly fit and appeared to be locked. HOWEVER, I yanked on the lock and it came open as there isn’t quite enough clearance for the shackle to lock. I discovered that longer 3/16 shackle locks are hard to find. Have attached a photo of the lock that actually fits and works (Ace Hardware). One lock on the upper clamp down arm will secure both arms as the lower arm can’t be removed without removing the upper arm. The clamp down arms appear to be coated to prevent damage to your bike. I’ve tried a simple rag and ultimately settled on pool noodle pieces as a precautionary measure. I CAN NOT open my tailgate (regardless of whether or not the rack is fold up and in the bike carry position). If that’s a concern for you, then spring for the more costly titling version. My back-up camera still functions.
The Swagman XTC-2 platform bike carrier arrived very quickly from etrailer and in good shape, the actual carrier box is inside another shipper box, which I'm sure helped with its condition. Assembly was relatively quick and painless, even though the instructions could be a little more thorough. Installing the carrier on the back of our Jeep Patriot also was quick, it helps to have an extra ratchet & 3/4" socket laying around for just this purpose. Installing the bikes takes a little patience and trial and error the first time you try and put them on the carrier. It's easy enough to adjust the wheel holders to fit the wheelbase of your bikes, but for us at least, the challenge was trying to swing the vertical support bar up into position after putting on the first bike (closest to the Jeep). We couldn't angle the bike enough toward the Jeep to have the bar clear the bike. We learned that the easiest way to secure the first bike was to remove the ratcheting frame hooks altogether, put the bike in the carrier, swing up the vertical support bar, put in the pin, and then slide one of the frame hooks down on the bar. The outside bike is much easier because you can set the bike in the carrier at whatever angle you need, not being limited by the back of the vehicle. One thing we did to protect the bike frames was to use some foam pipe insulation as cushion between the frame hook and the frame (see pictures). Once you get a system for installing the bikes, it is very quick to load/unload them. The rack seems to be well made and doesn't wiggle excessively when traveling. All in all a good product for a good price, would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a platform bike carrier.
# 2
Swagman XC2 Bike Rack for 2 bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
was able to attach the bike rack to my 2020 equinox without any problems. Right now only 1 bike on it but will have another one later. Ready for a "glow roll."
Excellent bike rack. Got it together and heading to the trail in 15 minutes and the whole rack is solid (no looseness at the hitch) and the bike is secured tightly. Bike sits raised at or above the height of my step bumper on the Ford Ranger that it is attached to. Does not touch tailgate but with the bike in the inner position the tailgate and campershell cannot be opened at all. Easy to use a cable lock. The only real negative is that with the rack bolted into the reciever hitch (which DOES get rid of all rattle) it is necessary to use a wrench to take the rack off the truck. So, I will be using the bolt for long trips and a standard hitch pin for daily rides on the trail. I would buy this again because of the great bang for the buck and because it is solid, well made, and secure.
# 3
Thule Hitching Post Pro Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches
The good: I like the way the bikes are held in and the ability to add the upright adapters to the bike frame holders. The straps are quality too. For a jeep with a spare tire, this is the perfect length to clear it. This rack is 5 stars from the bike holders to the base of it. The bad: the 2"receiver adapter and bolt are insufficient. I wish they made this in a solid 2" hitch. The entire setup is held into the receiver by a very short bolt. It only goes about half way into the receiver tube. So your hitch is only "secured" on one side. A hitch pin or bolt should go through the receiver tube completely imo so it can be secured on the other end with a retaining clip or nut. Because this only goes in the one side, the entire weight of the rack plus bikes are held tight to one side of the receiver by the undersized bolt and washer. A few bumps down the road and that bolt loosens. Now instead of distibuting the weight of the rack and bikes on the receiver and post, it's completely up to the bolt to keep you from losing the rack. The bolt threads get damaged too. I took this down a dirt road and nearly lost everything. I had to buy my own bolt with hd fender washers and lock washers to correct this. Thule should've provided this from the start. The current short bolt design where only one side of the receiver secures the rack is unacceptable. This rack is 1 star at best for the connection to the receiver.
I bought this bike rack back in April but wanted to make sure I used it to give the best review. First I want to say I did a lot of research on bike racks and found this one to be the best one to fit my needs. The best price I found was on etrailer.com, at the time it was When I called the customer service to place my order, I spoke to Dan. He was very pleasant on the phone and took the time and listened to what I needed and understood my concerns. I ordered the bike rack and also ordered the Thule Snug Tite Hitch Lock and Anti-Rattle Device and the Thule Cable Lock w/ One Key System Lock. Dan suggested I also get the Thule Bike Adapter Bar, which I never even thought of getting. Delivery was in about two business days, which was really fast and at the time of order they were running a special free delivery over $99. When I went to put it together I noticed I was missing the flat cap screw M6 x 16mm, part number #853-5787-02. I emailed Dan and within 24 hours received an email that the part was sent out and also in the email their was a link to track the order. After I received the part I did notice that the flat cap screw was actually in the 2 inch adaptor sleeve. The instructions were very easy to read, and it took me about 20 minutes to put together. I did have an issue when I positioned the stinger into the cradle, with the 8mm locking nut, it was not staying tight and when I took it off I noticed the threads inside were gone, so I ended up going out to Lowes and buying a new one and its holds perfectly fine. I also had a question about that part because it is not a locking part and was worried someone would try to steal the rack. I contacted etrailer.com to find if they make a locking device for this and they said no but I can contact Thule to double check, I'm still waiting for an answer back from Thule. The weather finally broke and we installed the rack onto my hitch, tightened it and it doesn't rattle. When I finally used the rack and put my bike on, it did sway a little but at 50 mph I was very happy with it. The trailer comes out just enough away from my car that I do not have to fold completely out and I can open my trunk with no issues. I am very happy with my purchase and had a great customer experience with Dan. Would highly recommend ordering from them to anyone.
# 4
Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
The BEST bike carrier by far!! We are both in our 7th decade and even I alone (5’2” 120 lbs) can manage to attach this in my hitch without any issues. It’s so easy to load both our hybrid and e-bike and they are super secure. We love that it folds up small and wheels away when not in use. This bike carrier is worth every penny!!
This rack is perfect! eTrailer had it shipped and at my home in almost no time. I drove with it on the car today, and it was solid and secure. It's super easy to get on and off the hitch. I'm 5'1 and I was able to load the bike on with the ramp without a struggle. Thanks for the thorough video and comparison information. It made this purchase easy.
# 5
Swagman Trailhead Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
etrailer has the best pre- and post-sales customer service I've ever seen! I started out not knowing anything about hitch-mounted racks. So I wrote to etrailer telling them about my car and type of hitch I was about to have installed. Samuel wrote back with lots of great information tailored specifically to my car. He even included a photo that looked just like my 2017 white VW GTI with a hitch and rack installed. Okay something of a coincidence. But the rest of the assistance I got from the crew at etrailer was just as prophetic. I went into this a novice and came out knowing lots more about hitches and racks and finding the rack best suited to my situation. I have a small car, a class 1 hitch and a heavy mountain bike. I got exactly what I needed. As to the Swagman rack itself, it works fine. If I had a different situation I would probably buy a platform rack as they are easier to load. There's no reason to buy a bike rack anywhere else.
First off, thanks to Jason T. or "Troop". The exemplary customer service he provided is rare these days. Troop made several calls to the various manufacturers to ascertain which bike rack would afford me the most ground clearance as my new VW Golf sits low to the ground and my old bike rack frequently scraped the ground when I went up even a slight up hill grade. His efforts paid off as he found me the best bike rack for my car, the Swagman Trailhead 2 Bike Carrier. It sits up off the ground just high enough that it doesn't scrape on my driveway. It is also sturdy and holds my bikes securely. And, the delivery was amazingly fast. I had my rack in about 2 days! Note to Troop, see my Pittsburgh Pirates Logo on my bumper in the attached pictures? Pirate Fans persevere! The Bucco's will be coming after your Cardinals this year! Thanks again Troop!
# 6
Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
Very nice bike carrier for my Radrover E-Bike. Very well engineered!!
I have a Dirty Sixer 36" wheel bike and my wife has an electric bike. This rack handles them both very easy. This is one of the only bikes racks the 36er will fit on. We are extremely happy with the purchase and will more than likely be purchasing another one in the near future. Assembly was very easy!!
# 7
Hollywood Racks Destination Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
This will work out excellent for us very easy to put together.If anybody is looking for a great 2 bike carrier this is the one.
Sturdy, affordable and good ground clearance. Easily fits large size mountain bikes. Quick assembly and not that heavy at all. Folds up nicely. Only used it twice so far but very happy with this product.
# 8
Rhino-Rack Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Tilting
The unit ‘s simplicity is a real plus. It takes less than 3 minutes to put the rack on the vehicle. It is well built and very durable and has a nice feature that allows you to open the rear hatch for SUV owners without removing the rack.
I purchased this bike rack a year ago and I use it A LOT. I had to buy and install a stabilizer because without it, the unit would sway back and forth even without a bike on it (very noisy). This makes removal more cumbersome but since I keep the hitch on year round it doesn't matter to me. The tilting function is fabulous allowing easy use of my RAV4 hatchback. I can even tilt it down with a bike on it. I got the 2 bike hitch. Plenty of room for two bikes to fit without rubbing. Lastly, the hitch has a sizable through-hole on the bottom to thread a good sized cable so I can lock my bike up. Sturdy. I highly recommend.
# 9
Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount
T2 Pro bike rack was delivered in a very timely manner. The rack was as described, extremely easy to assemble and is super user friendly! Exactly what I was looking for so my wife can use it by herself. Thanks
Great product, great company to do business with. etrailer is the best. Friendly, helpful and they made sure the bike rack was shipped immediately and it was delivered on time.
Kuat Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Ford Ranger
Hi everyone. Hayden here at Etrailer. Today we're gonna be taking a look at the Kuat Piston Pro Four Bike Rack and seeing how it fits on the back of our 2021 Ford Ranger. That's gonna be a really high-end platform style bike rack that mounts up into your two inch by two inch hitch. So if you're looking for a hitch mounted rack you're in the right place. That might not be my first choice for carrying bikes on the Ranger, since you do have the truck bed.
Hollywood Racks Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Ford Ranger
Hey everybody, Cooper here at etrailer. Today, we're going to be taking a look at the Hollywood Racks Destination E on our 2021 Ford Ranger. The Destination E is going to be a platform style bike rack able to accommodate up to two bikes, with a very impressive weight capacity of up to 70 pounds, which means that we're going to be able to carry our heavy electric E-bikes which is kind of the main draw, and a lot of the features are built around that idea here with the Hollywood Racks Destination E. As we can see, our main point of contact is going to be on the frame here. So unfortunately, our carbon frame bikes are not really going to be an option available for this rack. But depending on your alternative frame bike, you might be able to adjust the knob to clamp on or if you get some sort of bike adapter part, we could easily accommodate for that.
RockyMounts Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Ford Ranger
Hey everybody, Cooper here at etrailer. Today we're going to be taking a look at the RockyMounts GuideRail on our 2021 Ford Ranger. Now the GuideRail is going to be a platform-style bike rack, with a individual weight capacity for 60 pounds per bike, which is really nice, meaning that our heavier bikes and our electric bikes are going to be an option for this rack. Our two main points of contact are also two ratcheting arms one for the front wheel and one for the back wheel, meaning we are making no frame contact, which also means that our carbon frame bikes and our alternative frame bikes are going to be an option for this rack too. So the amount of different bikes that this rack can carry is a big diverse amount, but how does it really operate with our Ranger Well, the GuideRail has a tilt-away feature that if we pull this handle right here, it'll actually tilt down. And surprisingly enough, with our Ranger here, we can actually lower our tailgate and it does not make any contact.
RockyMounts Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Ford Ranger RKY37ZR
Hey everybody, Cooper here at etrailer. Today we're going to be taking a look at the RockyMounts AfterParty on our 2021 Ford Ranger. Now the first thing we do wanna show you in what makes the AfterParty such a unique bike rack is the included swing away feature on it. So as we come down here to the bottom there is going to be this knob that after we loosen up a little bit Oh, there we go. And then we unthread. It will allow us to go ahead and pull an additional knob here on the top and then the whole entire rack will swing away from our vehicle.
RockyMounts Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Ford Ranger RKY10004
Hey everybody, Cooper here from Etrailer. Today we're going to be taking a look at the RockyMounts MonoRail on our 2021 Ford Ranger. Now the MonoRail is going to be a platform style bike rack, able to accommodate up to two bikes with a individual weight capacity for 60 pounds each, meaning that our heavier E-bikes are going to be an option for this rack. And our two main points of contact are going to be our front wheel hook and a back strap, meaning we're not making any of that frame contact. So, our alternative frame bikes, as well as those carbon frame bikes are going to be an option for this rack too. The MonoRail does have some really cool features, such as a tilt away, which is engaged by a handle right here towards the back and then lets you just slowly tilt our rack away from our Ranger.
Kuat Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Ford Ranger KU24FR
Hey, everybody. Cooper here from etrailer. Today we're going to be taking a look at the Kuat Transfer on our 2021 Ford Ranger. The transfer is a really cool and unique bike rack that has some really nice features that we're going to be able to get into. But first, let's talk about what bikes can we carry with it. Well, our two main points contact are going to be our front wheel hook and a strap on our rear wheel, meaning that our carbon frame bikes as well as the alternative frame bikes are going to be an option and available for this rack.
Hollywood Racks Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Ford Ranger HLY94FR
Hi, everyone. It's Eve Angelina here at etrailer. And today we are looking at the Hollywood Racks destination two bike rack here on our 2021 Ford Ranger. Now this is a really good bike rack if you are looking for something that is light and very easy to store. We have it right here on our truck and you can see how our bike is mounted here. And let's take a quick look at that.
Kuat Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Ford Ranger
Hi everyone. It's Evangeline here at etrailer. And today we are looking at our Kuat NV 2.0 Base version here on our 2021 Ford Ranger. Now this is an awesome bike rack because of how it has a great weight capacity as well as all of the premium features you would need to carry your bike safely and securely. One of those features is that you can tilt it away. To do so, there's a knob here.
Kuat Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Ford Ranger sh22g
Hey, everybody. Welcome to etrailer.com. I'm Bobby, and today we're taking a look at the Kuat Sherpa 2.0, on our 2021 Ford Ranger. Now, if you're looking for a quick easy way to start kind of getting up on these platform racks, starting to get some of our lightweight bikes to the trail head with you, this can be an excellent option. Now with only a 40 pound weight capacity we aren't gonna get some of those heavier bikes that you might see from over those bigger platforms. However, we are still getting a nice streamlined system to start getting our bikes up on here.
Kuat Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Ford Ranger nv22g
Hey everybody, welcome to etrailer.com, I'm Bobby, and today we're taking a look at the Kuat NV 2.0 on our 2021 Ford Ranger. Now the Kuat NV is definitely one of the top of the line platform racks out there and that is for a reason, it's got a lot of great features, it looks really nice and is extremely easy to use. So, let's go ahead and start breaking it down for ourselves. As you can see, it is a tire hold format here, so if you're looking for a way of transporting your carbon frame bikes, this is going to be an excellent option as we don't have any frame contact, so we wouldn't be warping those carbon frames, won't be deteriorating them, so we actually are going to be able to trade support them with no problem at all. With that as well, since we have a tire hold system, we are going to get those women bikes, step through bikes and even those kiddo bikes with no issue at all. A lot of the times, you actually need like a bike adapter bar to get these to work on those frame clamp systems, however today as you can see, we're going to have no need for those at all, and with a 60 pound capacity rating per bike, we are going to get some more bigger, heavier, beefier bikes up on here with no problem at all, that even includes those big e-bikes, yes you can even take off those battery packs though, to really reduce that weight, hopefully make for a clean system and as we can see, can take the strain off our bike rack, those batteries can be hazardous, not only to our frames but also to our rack and our vehicle, so let's make sure we're storing those away.
Kuat Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Ford Ranger ku64fr
Hey everybody, welcome to etrailer.com. I'm Bobby, and today we're taking a look at the Kuat Transfer V2 Single Bike Platform on our 2021 Ford Ranger. Now, if you're looking for a very easy way and a lightweight carrier to get up onto our truck and a nice way of getting our single bike systems up to the trail head with you, this is gonna be an excellent option. With a 60 pound weight capacity, we're gonna get some of those heavy e-bikes up on here, most of our standard and mountain bike tires, as well as because we have a tire hold format here, we can actually go ahead and throw our carbon frames up on here. So it can be an excellent way of getting those carbon frames 'cause we don't have any frame contact. So it won't be deteriorating or warping those frames.
What our customers are saying:
"Just to let you know I was very satisfied with my orders for a hitch, wiring harness, bike rack and extension. I have a 1995 Dodge Ram van and some of the parts are hard to get elsewhere. I received all my orders proptly and will recommend you to others. The pricing can't be beat. Thank you. Sincerely, Frank"