Features of Swagman 4 Bike Wheel Mount Bike Rack Part # S64665

Question

Question:

Hello. I am very interested in this rack. If I understand correctly, it comes in a 4 bike model. Are there any that hold more than 4? In the 4 bike version, how much space is between each bike? Would the wheel holder support a 20 wheel or would it fall through? How close to the ground does the rack come? In other words, how much higher than the receiver is the base of the rack where the wheels sit? Im trying to determine how close to the ground the bike wheels would be. Does the anti-rattle bolt also snug up the rack in the receiver so it doesnt wobble? Is there a way to lock the rack to the receiver? Is there any way to lock the bikes on the rack like locking the ratchet arm so someone couldnt raise the arm and take the bike? From the video, it looks like you have to secure the ratchet arm for the lowest bike first so that you could then tighten down the arm for the higher bike. Is this as simple as taking the ratchet arm completely off the post and then sliding it back on? Will the ratchet arm tighten down at any point on the vertical pole or only within a certain range on the pole? One last question: How hard is it to get one bike off the rake if it is in the middle of the rack with 3 other bikes loaded in other words, if I only want to get one bike off and leave the other 3 on. As a suggestion, the video would be even more useful if showing loading more than one bike and also a childs bike as well as an adults. Thanks for your time.

asked by: Michael T

0

Expert Reply:

Due to the weight involved and the length of the carrier, the platform type carriers are limited to a 4 bike capacity. If you would care to use a hanging-type bike carrier we have 3 models that accommodate 5 bikes. Of these, I would recommend either the Yakima DoubleDown part # Y02425 or the Thule Roadway part # TH915XT. If I had to choose between the two, I would go with the Thule model. The straps that retain the bike to the rack are wider and constructed of thicker rubber.

On the Swagman 4-Bike Model part # S64665, the wheel hoops are arranged as follows: When measured center to center, the closest wheel hoop to the vehicle is 9 inches from the next. The next hoop is 7 inches away, followed by a 9 inch distance to the rearmost hoop.

When loading the bikes, the bikes should be alternated so that the handle bars of one bike do not interfere with the bars of the next. The wheel hoops will accommodate a bike with 20 inch wheels and bikes with different wheelbases.

When installed, the rack is angled so that the rear of the carrier is higher than the front. The ground clearance will depend on the height of your receiver. The anti-rattle hitch pin serves to snug the shank of the rack tight against the receiver and will significantly reduce any movement of the rack. The rack represents a fairly substantial investment, which is why I recommend the anti-rattle hitch lock, part # S64027.

The topmost hook on each upright can be locked with a padlock. With most bikes, the ratcheting hooks will not have to be completely removed to install a bike, they will just need to be raised enough to allow the hook to slide over the bike frame. The teeth on the upright are pretty close together, so you will have no problem finding the position that would secure your bike.

When loading the bikes, the manufacturer recommends placing the heaviest bike closest to the vehicle. To remove one of the bikes in the middle of the rack, you will most likely have to remove the bikes that are behind it.