Best Swing Out Hitch Adapter For Cargo Carrier and Kuat Bike Rack

Question:

Hello I have a 2018 promaster city cargo van and I own a Kuat 2 bike rack I would like to have the ability to swing my bikes out of the way to access the back doors. I would also like to use the swing away adapter for a platform carrier. I am wondering which would be better for my needs the Kuat or the Yakima or??? The bike rack is on that works either with a 1 1/4 inch hitch or a 2 inch hitch and I havent purchased the cargo carrier yet.

asked by: Dawn

Expert Reply:

All of our Pivot Swing Away Hitch Extenders swing away at 90 degree angle. I recommend the Yakima BackSwing part # Y02483 for your Kuat 2 Bike Rack because it is lighter and offers a higher rise shank then the other options. Any swing away extender cuts the tongue weight rating of the hitch on the Promaster Cargo Van in half because it creates an extra leverage point on the setup. The tongue weight includes the extender itself, the rack and the bikes. If you are using a cargo carrier the tongue weight includes the extender, the cargo carrier and the cargo. Since the Yakima BackSwing weighs 10 lbs lighter than the other options it is a better choice for your setup. The Yakima Backswing offers a 1/2 inch more rise in the shank compared to the other options. This is helpful when you back down hills or other low ground clearance situations.

I recommend a light weight cargo carrier Curt part # C18100. The Curt cargo carrier is aluminum and weighs 29 lbs compared to other cargo carriers that can weigh around 50 lbs. The lighter weight carrier is a good idea because of the decreased tongue weight from the swing away extender.

expert reply by: Heather A