What is the Weight Limit When Using the Kuat Swing Away Hitch Extender?

Question:

On the product description it says the weight limit is 250lbs. On of your QA posts says it is 200lbs with the hitch, which implies 200 subtract 46 the weight of the hitch and you have a carrying capacity of 153lbs. Please clarify which is correct. Also the current product photos show a simple latch for opening/closing. The video shows a different mechanism. Which is correct? Thanks

asked by: Synde

Expert Reply:

The Kuat Pivot Swing Away Hitch Extender for Bike Racks - 2" Hitches # PV20B is rated for capacity independent from the trailer hitch receiver it will attach to. The swing away extender is independently rated for 250 lbs. When using this hitch extender, it will reduce your trailer hitch's tongue weight rating by 50%.

For example if your have the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver # 75189 which is rated for 500 lbs tongue weight, using the swing away extension would then reduce that weight to 250 lbs, then say you were using the Kuat Transfer 3 Bike Platform Rack # KU24FR. That bike rack weights 51 lbs which would be subtracted from the 250 lb reduced tongue weight capacity leaving just 199 lbs for your 3 bikes...which would be more than enough with the rack being rated for bikes weighing 40 lbs or less each.

The video and our photos show the same latch, and the attached instructions show a slightly different latch with the same operating function. You connect to the hooks on the bottom and lift the handle to lock and then the pin secures it.

expert reply by: Jason S