Swing-Away Hitch Extender and Bike Rack Recommendation for Extension on Truck Bed Camper Setup
Updated 10/10/2022 | Published 10/09/2022
Question:
I dont have the camper yet, but will be buying a Northern Lite truck camper, and on their website they have a video recommending a swing-away arm to move the bike rack away from the camper steps which are centered at the rear of the camper. They recommend a Yakima, but Ive reviewed your videos and you seem to like the Kuat, and one of your videos recommended the Kuat over the Thule. Which brand do you believe locks the bikes down best for bumpy roads, especially if the swing arm is hanging on the end of a SuperTruss extension? I am also not sure yet if I want the drivers side swing, or passenger - and one specification I didnt see on your website is the length of the arms so I know where the bikes will end up relative to the drivers side of the camper. With a camper, Im a lot wider than a car or pickup, so knowing how far the bikes would stick into traffic when extended might be good to know. One advantage to the drivers side swing is that it would make entry from the campsite easier without having to walk around the bikes to get to the camper rear door. I dont know if Yakima or Thule make a Drivers Side swing. I hope to get the camper in January, but wanted to educate myself now on what my options will be... Related question... My current bike rack is a Thule T2 Pro - works well for my 2 e-Bikes, but its pretty long, and making my bikes stick WAY out behind our current truck camper. Is there a more compact length bike rack suitable for 2 eBikes each weighing 60 lbs? Im guessing Im going to stick with what I have, but with the swing arm I wouldnt also need the tilt feature on the bike rack, so there might be a rack that is shorter that Id want to look at. Im going from a side-entry camper with a rear slide to a rear entry camper, so length of the overall system is important, and the new system will hopefully be shorter. Attached photo is our current camper and set-up - but for the shorter camper Ill either buy a shorter Supertruss or modify this one so its not so darn long and wont drag as often on backroads.
asked by: Steve O
Helpful Expert Reply:
Thank you for all of the info!
Long story short I recommend using the Kuat Pivot 2 # PVD20B that swings to the driver's side of the vehicle. It accomplishes what you're needing done, is a solid piece of hardware, is the easiest to use, and it makes your life at the campsite much more pleasant!
As far as a different bike rack goes, I think you might be interested in the Yakima HoldUp EVO # Y02479 because it's about 7" shorter than the Thule T2 that you currently have and it can carry 50 lb bikes with 4.81" max width tires. This is pretty similar to your current bike rack so if you can double check your bike styles and make sure they are compatible with these specs you'll be good to go!
Attached are some review videos for you to check out. Please keep in mind that pretty much every bike rack manufacturer states not to use an extender like the SuperTruss so adding the swing away to the equation will only increase any amount of movement that's seen at the hitch receiver.
(click to enlarge)
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Kuat Pivot 2 Swing Away Hitch Extender for Bike Racks - 2" Hitches - Driver's Side
- Hitch Adapters
- Swing-Away Hitch Adapter
- Bike Racks
- 250 lbs
- Kuat
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Kuat Pivot 2 Swing Away Hitch Extender for Bike Racks - 2" Hitches - Passenger's Side
- Shop: Saris Swing Away Hitch Extender for Bike Racks - 2" Hitches
- Shop: Yakima EXO Swing Away Storage System w/ 2 Enclosed Cargo Carriers - 2" Hitches
- Shop: Kuat Pivot 2 Swing Away Hitch Extender for Bike Racks - 2" Hitches - Driver's Side
- Shop: Swagman Swivel Hitch Extender - 2" Hitches - Dual Side - Swing-Away Hitch Adapter
- Shop: Yakima StraightShot Hitch Extension - 2" Hitches - 7-1/4" Long
- Search Results: torklift fast guns
- Search Results: water filter systems rv water filter
- Shop: Trailer Hitch Extender for 2" Hitch Receivers - 18" Long
- Search Results: hitch extender
- Search Results: 25" hitch extension
- Search Results: swivel hitch
- Search Results: hitch adapters
- Article: 30-Amp and 50-Amp RV Service: What's the Difference?
- Shop: Camper Tie-Downs
- Q&A: How Far Back Will The Yakima EXO Swing Away Storage System Stick Out On My Vehicle?
- Q&A: Recommended Hitch Extension for a Yakima EXO Swing Away System
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Q&A: Can the Yakima EXO Swing Away Carrier Be Used On A 2017 Ford F-350 With an In-Bed Camper?
- Article: Our Team Picked The Best Camping Gear of the Year - Here Are Their Top Choices
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Article: Best Bike Racks for Electric Bikes
- Shop: BOLT brand vehicle and hitch locks
- Shop: Tool Box
- Video: Mount: Yakima EXO Swing Away Storage System w/ 2 Enclosed Cargo Carriers on a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe
- Video: Breaking Down the Empire Faucets RV Handheld Shower Set
- Video: The Low-Down on the Metal Low Profile Replacement Cover
- Shop: RV Exterior Lighting
- Search Results: ladder
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
on Hitch Adapters
