Swing-Away Bike Rack Options For 2 Heavy Electric Bikes

Question:

I would like to purchase a rocky mount backstage hitch rack for my two ebikes. The swing out feature is a must for me. My vehicle is a 2021 Ford F150, 2inch receiver. However between my two bikes it looks like I would be a little bit over the weight rating of 60 lbs per bike. One of my bikes weighs 68 and the other 57 with batteries removed so Id be 5 pounds overweight on the rack. Is that a big enough overage to keep me from buying that rack? If so can you recommend other options. Also, my ebikes are fat tires with 4inch wheels so Id need something that can handle that. Thanks for your help!

asked by: Scott S

Helpful Expert Reply:

It is never recommended to exceed the weight capacity of a bike rack such as the RockyMounts BackStage 2 Bike Platform Rack - 2" Hitches - Swinging # RKY10002. In your situation though, it may be fine and may not cause an issue being a few pounds over the limit, but I still do not recommend it as the bike rack is not designed to hold more than 60lbs per bike.

A bike rack that could safely hold your 68lb and 57lb ebikes would be the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 2" Hitches # HLY84FR. This has a weight capacity of 80lbs per bike and it can accommodate tires up to 5" wide so you won't have any issues there. The only issue is that it does not have the swing-out feature as you were wanting but it does have a tilt-back feature. You can however, add a swing-out hitch adapter to allow the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE to swing out just as the RockyMounts BackStage 2 does. I recommend looking at the Yakima BackSwing Swing Away Hitch Extender # Y02483. I attached a couple demonstration videos for you to check out.

expert reply by: Andrew N