Swing Away Hitch Bike Carrier Setup for 2017 Ford F-250 with Truck Camper

Updated 03/29/2019 | Published 03/27/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount

(167)

$718.95

Kuat NV 2.0 Base Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount - Matte Black

(400)

$898.00

B&W Hitch Receiver Reducer Sleeve - 2-1/2" to 2"

(398)

$36.15

Curt Hitch Receiver Reducer Sleeve - 2-1/2" to 2"

(605)

$35.56

XL Anti-Rattle Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock for 2-1/2" Hitches - 3-1/2" Span

(1789)

$48.99

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

(110)

$318.95

Question:

I have a Ford F250 super duty truck with a pop up camper. The camper fits in the bed of the truck -flush with the end of the bed. Tailgate is removed. The receiver is 2.5 inch with the pin holes about 1.5-2 inches from end of receiver. The entire receiver is about 7 inches and runs to the spare tire. I really like the idea of a rack that swings to the side so we can get into the camper without taking the bikes off. Id also like it have good security-for the hitch and the rack. The camper door opens from left to right swings toward driver side. I like the Yakima Full Swing or the Thule apex swing. I also only need it for two bikes. What would you recommend? I have a two inch adaptor/reducer-could I use it to make either of these work? Both Thule and Yakima were not encouraging. Do you have any recommendations?

asked by: Susan L

Expert Reply:

Using a 2-1/2-inch to 2-inch hitch reducer sleeve like # C45405, # BWRHXA2182 or # DTADP35 will allow a 2-inch accessory to fit in your 2-1/2-inch hitch but these Thule and Yakima bike racks you mentioned include their own anti-rattle locks that will not fit the 2-1/2-inch hitch tube.

There is another solution to give you the swing-away feature you need for camper access.

You would still use one of the reducer sleeves above (or one of the others on the linked page) and add the Yakima BackSwing Swing Away Hitch Extender # Y02483. The BackSwing can be locked to your hitch with an anti-rattle lock such as # SHP2040-XL. You can then install a 2-inch Kuat NV 2.0 Base rack # BA22B into the BackSwing. The Base rack includes locks for your bikes and for the rack itself.