# 1
Swagman XTC2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
I must tell you, my excellent rating is based on the ease of putting the unit together, and how simple it was to attach to my Nissan Rogue. It is perfect for two bikes, even my wifes step through with a slant bar. But that's about all I can say, as the weather in the Northeast, and here in Buffalo, has been so crappy, the unit has done nothing but sit in my garage for 3 weeks! I'm sure it will be GREAT when I can use it, as I did a test ride of about 5 miles on pothole filled streets, and the bikes and rack were absolutely solid! I hope to get the rack in action before July. Joking...sort of!
Great rack. I needed a rack that would fit a Nissan Rogue. I'm a pickup guy and I've always had fork-mount racks in the past so using this rack was new territory for me Good value when compared against Yakima or Thule. Durable and easy to install. Fits all my bikes. I can only think of a couple things that I don't like with this rack. I own multiple bikes, mountain, cyclocross and road. It is challenging to adjust the rack back and forth between the three frame styles. I have put hash marks on the rack for each bike to make the adjustments repeatable but it still takes some work to make them fit. Also bear in mind that tires wider than 2.5 may give you trouble fitting in the hoops. They make a hoop for fat bike tires but it is not as robust as the stock hoops on this rack. I would buy this rack again or recommend it to a friend. Etrailer was a dynamite company to deal with and I look forward to using them in the future.
# 2
Swagman Trailhead Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
First, I have to compliment etrailer on their excellent customer service. I submitted a question about a different rack and received a thorough reply. The rack arrived faster than I expected, but it was the wrong one. No big deal. With a simple 10 minute phone call the correct one was on the way. It arrived just as fast. Now to the rack. It came fully assembled. All I had to do was put the stabilizer bolt in. Very small. No big deal. The rack slid right in. I loved the hitch bolt. It slowed the process a tad , but it made it a lot sturdier. I have a Nishiki Alamosa with a 22 inch frame and 27.5 inch tires. This bike is not small. It was no trouble getting it on and strapped down. The thick rubber straps were great. I also purchased 2 soft ride hook and loop tire downs to keep the front tire straight. The ride was smooth. Plenty of ground clearance. No worries there. Did it shake any? Of course when I hit a bump it did a little. Unloading the bike and removing the rack was quick and easy. Overall after only one trip with this rack I am thoroughly satisfied. It was perfect. It's only about 10 miles to the trail so I didn't need anything more.
I got this for my 2018 Nissan Rogue as it sets far away enough from the hitch. Comes assembled which is nice Have used it without any problems Service at etrailer is good too
# 3
Swagman Trailhead Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
First, I have to compliment etrailer on their excellent customer service. I submitted a question about a different rack and received a thorough reply. The rack arrived faster than I expected, but it was the wrong one. No big deal. With a simple 10 minute phone call the correct one was on the way. It arrived just as fast. Now to the rack. It came fully assembled. All I had to do was put the stabilizer bolt in. Very small. No big deal. The rack slid right in. I loved the hitch bolt. It slowed the process a tad , but it made it a lot sturdier. I have a Nishiki Alamosa with a 22 inch frame and 27.5 inch tires. This bike is not small. It was no trouble getting it on and strapped down. The thick rubber straps were great. I also purchased 2 soft ride hook and loop tire downs to keep the front tire straight. The ride was smooth. Plenty of ground clearance. No worries there. Did it shake any? Of course when I hit a bump it did a little. Unloading the bike and removing the rack was quick and easy. Overall after only one trip with this rack I am thoroughly satisfied. It was perfect. It's only about 10 miles to the trail so I didn't need anything more.
I got this for my 2018 Nissan Rogue as it sets far away enough from the hitch. Comes assembled which is nice Have used it without any problems Service at etrailer is good too
# 4
Swagman Chinook Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
Truly grooving on my wife's new Swagman Chinook bike rack. She wanted to be able to transport her nice road bike easily without throwing it in the back of her car, and since a roof rack is out of the question, this Swagman model fit the bill perfectly. It arrived quickly on the anticipated date. Kudos to etrailer.com for the email updates to keep me informed of my purchase. Within one hour, it was installed on my wife's 2014 Mazda3 hatchback. The Swagman is heavy and solid, which is reassuring as it makes me feel confident that it will keep the bikes secure. It also makes me feel like I got my money's worth. A ratchet wrench and Phillip's head screwdriver were the only tools required for the easy install. I did my research before purchasing the Chinook model as I was also eyeballing a very similar Thule rack that was slightly more expensive. I spoke with an etrailer.com expert who gave me the lowdown on both models. Ultimately, the Swagman won out because it has a smaller 'footprint' while extended or folded up ... and also can tilt away from the car for easy access to the hatchback area. Very convenient! FYI: Mazda doesn't make a trailer hitch for the Mazda3 as it's a small car with a small engine and has no business towing anything. Thankfully, the Curt company makes an aftermarket frame and trailer hitch that fits the Mazda3 hatchback perfectly with no drilling. Stupidly, I purchased it from another online company thinking I was getting a good deal. Turns out etrailer.com had it for less with FREE shipping. Oh well ... live and learn. Now I know that etrailer.com is one-stop shopping for bike racks AND trailer hitches. (Full disclosure: I had the garage down the street install the frame as it's easier with a lift) Only snafu: the shipment contained an extra set of keys that I assumed was for the hitch bolt lock (there was also a set of keys on the bolt itself). I spent 15 minutes using those keys trying to figure out how to remove the lock from the bolt to install it on the hitch. The keys just wouldn't turn in the lock. I called etrailer.com and Kevin told me to try the other set of keys ... and they worked. So an extra set of keys came with it that did absolutely nothing ... weird! Obviously, I can't speak to the longevity and durability of the Swagman Chinook 2 Bike Platform Rack as I just installed it. What I can speak to is the sturdiness of it, the ease of the installation and my complete satisfaction with the good folks at etrailer.com.
I ordered the Swagman Chinook 2 Bike Platform Rack on line from etrailer and so far have been very satisfied. The bike rack was delivered in less than a week. Unpacking the rack and assembly was fairly straightforward. I have read some reviews that complained the assembly instructions were a bit vague. I didn't have a problem but can see where others without a mechanical background get confused. The rack is very sturdy, but there is some side to side play in the tilt mechanism. I'm not sure this can be avoided with a rack that folds down. Installing the Curt trunk stabilizing strap takes most of the sway out of the rack. Installation is fairly easy and quick. It takes me 6 - 7 minutes to install the back on my hitch, and to install the bike and be ready to drive away. That seems reasonable to me. So far I've only loaded 1 bike. I've included pictures of my installation on a 2014 Mercedes Benz E350 sedan. Clearance between the bikes, the rack and the car are good. With the bike loaded in the inside, most forward position, I have 6" clearance between the pedal and the bumper. With the bike removed, the center support folded flat and the rack folded up in the storage position, I have 4" clearance between the closest part of the bike rack (the fold down hinge assembly) and the back bumper of the car. I am able to open the trunk of the car without removing the bikes or using the tilt feature, but I do have to remove the stabilizing strap first. Overall, I'm very pleased with the bike rack and think it will serve me much better than my old strap on rack. Since the weather has been cool since getting the bike carrier, I haven't taken any long trips to give it a real workout.
# 5
Swagman Trailhead Bike Rack for 3 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
Easy Online research and ordering. Very helpful staff for questions. Product delivered in 2 days to CO. Great online Install info (videos, pictures, etc). Will buy again.
First, I have to compliment etrailer on their excellent customer service. I submitted a question about a different rack and received a thorough reply. The rack arrived faster than I expected, but it was the wrong one. No big deal. With a simple 10 minute phone call the correct one was on the way. It arrived just as fast. Now to the rack. It came fully assembled. All I had to do was put the stabilizer bolt in. Very small. No big deal. The rack slid right in. I loved the hitch bolt. It slowed the process a tad , but it made it a lot sturdier. I have a Nishiki Alamosa with a 22 inch frame and 27.5 inch tires. This bike is not small. It was no trouble getting it on and strapped down. The thick rubber straps were great. I also purchased 2 soft ride hook and loop tire downs to keep the front tire straight. The ride was smooth. Plenty of ground clearance. No worries there. Did it shake any? Of course when I hit a bump it did a little. Unloading the bike and removing the rack was quick and easy. Overall after only one trip with this rack I am thoroughly satisfied. It was perfect. It's only about 10 miles to the trail so I didn't need anything more.
# 6
Swagman XTC4 Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
This is a very nice piece of hardware for what I need. I wanted a carrier built well enough to haul 4 bikes several hundred miles without damage. I also was impressed that it gives a little extra clearance at the back, because of how it angles up from the pavement. I am using this unit with a Nissan Rogue, and my U-Haul hitch doesn't come out quite far enough to allow it to swing into the upright position. I emailed etrailer for a solution, and their answer was extremely thorough and helpful. (I will need to get a hitch extender with an anti rattle device; I just haven't done that yet.) Dealing with etrailer.com was fantastic. This is a SUPER professional, courteous group to deal with; they're education- and service-oriented. More online businesses should pattern themselves after etrailer's model. You can't help but want to do more business with them!
So far I’ve just assembled it and took a quick test drive around the block. My initial thought is this thing is perfect. It’s super sturdy and easy to use. My only gripe and it’s not fault of the rack, but it’s heavy…
What our customers are saying:
"great experience!!! I've been looking for a hitch. With the experience I just had with the bike rack, I;kk definitely come back and order the hitch when I have a little more $$$. delivery was quick! the product was awesome!!! Frank"