Troubleshooting Loose Hitch Connection with Yakima RidgeBack 4 Bike Rack

Updated 06/23/2024 | Published 08/05/2019

Question:

I bought the carrier from you a year or two ago. The rack doesnt seem to fit securely in our 2inch receiver. Tightened the hitch as much as possible and inserted safety pin. After about 60 miles of a 250 mile trip I noted that the hitch had moved about a 1/4inch inch out of the receiver. The pin prevented it from moving further, but that doesnt give me much comfort as the pin doesnt go all the way through the receiver and was wedged at an angle in the hole. Am I doing something wrong?

asked by: Dwight

Expert Reply:

There are a couple of things you will want to look at to make sure the Yakima RidgeBack 4 Bike Rack # Y02458 is being properly secured inside the 2 inch hitch receiver on y our vehicle. Getting the kind of movement you described is definitely not normal.

First just make sure that you have at least 1-1/2 inches between the face of the receiver and the center of its hitch pin hole. This rack is not compatible with hitch receivers that have a shallow hitch pin hole as this prevents the shank from inserting far enough.

You should next take note of the particular pin hole you are using on the RidgeBack Shank. If the measurement mentioned above is 2-1/2 inches or greater you want to use pin hole A (the hole closest to the end of the shank). If the measurement on your hitch is between 1-1/2 inches and 2-3/8 inches you will use pin hole B.

If this does not resolve the issue, or it seems like the locking knob that is used to tighten the connection simply isn't doing anything, please let me know and I will be happy to look into this further.

expert reply by: Chris R

click to enlarge

Gilbert D.

6/21/2020

My Ridgeway 4 rack is very loose as well. The locking knob doesn't seem to tighten or stay tight.

Chris R.

6/24/2020

If the locking knob isn't working at all to tighten up that connection it may need to be replaced. We do have it available with part # 8880508. Is this a new rack?

Mike

9/4/2020

I’m having the same issue. Just bought mine brand new the the locking knob is not working. It turns but nothing happens.

Jon G.

9/5/2020

If the SpeedKnob on your Yakima RidgeBack # Y02458 is free spinning then you probably have it in the locked position. Take your key and turn the lock and this should allow you to tighten up the shank. Jump to the 3:50 mark in this video to see what I'm talking about.

Helpful Links

tv-review-yakima-ridgeback-4bike-rack-y02458.aspx

Mike

9/15/2020

@JonG The small bracket was stationary and would not move

Jon G.

9/16/2020

@Mike Did you try unlocking the SpeedKnob like I mentioned above? If you didn't then the bracket that expands inside the hitch for the anti-rattle feature won't move.