Supreme Swing-Away Bike Racks

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  • 6 best-rated and best-seller swing-away bike carriers in 2021

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If you are looking after the best swing-away bike carrier so you can have access to the rear of your SUV but still keep the bicycles secure, you have come to the right place. These swingers are specific to hitch bike racks and present a great advantage to provide access to the hatch or tailgate while not removing bikes. Note that the swing mechanism must be strong and sturdy to support the heavy, loaded hitch rack. That is why you need the upper class of it. So we put together a list which we think, is what you need to make a decision. The Backstage from RockyMounts continues to be one impressive swing-away carrier in 2021, too.

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6 Paramount Swing-Away Bike Racks in 2021

  1. RockyMounts Backstage (top-rated)
  2. Yakima Full-swing 4-bike
  3. Saris Glide EX
  4. SportRack Ridge
  5. Thule Vertex
  6. Thule Apex XT

1. RockyMounts Backstage Swing Away Platform Hitch Rack

The industry’s first 180 degree swing away platform hitch rack. Tray can be adjusted 2” side-to-side to avoid bike interference. No contact with frame, secures bicycle by front wheel. Carries road tires up to 5. 0” wide fat bike tires, and diameters from 20” to 29”. Compatible with bicycles’ wheelbases from 34” to 49”. Folds flat against the vehicle, and tilts down 30 degrees to allow for hatch access.
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top rated

2. Yakima Full-Swing 4-bike Rack

This is among one of the most revolutionary products from Yakima. It’s an easy to assemble hitch rack that swings away from your car with bikes loaded. Installation is tool-free; all it takes is sliding the rack into the hitch and tightening it by turning on the SpeedKnob- located on the end of the mast. The swing function is a one-touch button, adding to the appeal of an already trusted brand. The rack also comes with ZipStrips for securing the bikes to the rack. For additional security, the straps can only be unfastened by pressing a release button. The FullSwing weighs 56 lbs and can carry up to 4 bikes with a total weight of 150 lbs. During use, the model allows bike protection by incorporating fully paddled arms- which can be folded down when not in use.
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3. Saris Glide EX Swing-Away Bike Carrier

Convenient, one-step access to the back of the car. Innovative four-bar linkage controls the center of mass, creating a smooth, glide-action; Complete integrated security: locks the rack to the car and the bikes to the rack. Carries 4 bikes, up to 35 lbs each; Easy bike loading with low profile bike cradles, best-in-class ratchet straps with anti-sway and generous bike spacing between bikes; Lightweight materials weigh 40% less than a competitive product, yet uncompromisingly durable.
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4. SportRack Ridge Swing Bicycle Rack

This is a hitch mounted rack that carries up to 4 bikes with a total weight capacity of 140 lbs. The swing function operates with bikes fully loaded allowing easy access to the cargo area. It comes with dual arms for holding bikes with a folding down mechanism for when not in use. To prevent contact between bikes and between bikes and the car, the model has anti-sway cradles that hold each bike in 3 places- 1 by the seat post and the other 2 by the top tubes. The cradles also move along the arms to enable strapping your bikes at proper spacing. The unique placement of arms and cradles can prove disadvantageous for some bikes. Such include small children’s bicycles, alternative frame bikes, and dual-suspension bikes. In such cases you may have to buy a bike adapter bar– sold separately.
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5. Thule Vertex Swing Away Bike Rack

This is a swing-away hitch rack from Thule, one of the leading manufactures in the industry. The product is designed to carry up to 4 bikes weighing 140 pounds on a rack compatible with 1 ¼ and 2-inch hitch receivers. A pivoting mechanism allows you to swing away a loaded rack to the side of your vehicle, allowing full access to the rear. The model is rated highly due to its arched cradle arms design. Essentially the design provides extra ground clearance and also makes loading and off loading easier. The curved arms also help in hanging the bikes at different heights, reducing interference between pedals and handles. The arms can also be folded when not in use. This rack also comes with anti-sway cages that hold the bikes into place while preventing bike-to-bike and bike-to-car contact. Thule Vertex Bike Rack comes with a lifetime warranty- a true testament to the superior quality of the model.
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6. Thule Apex XT Swing Carrier

Premium hanging hitch bike rack for 4 bikes; Superior bike stability and fit with anti-sway cradles; Integrated cable lock keeps bike safe and secure (locking knob secures rack to vehicle); Patented swing-away design for convenient rear of vehicle access, even with bikes attached; Quickly attach and secure bikes with ratcheting cradle strap; Ideal for a wide variety of bike sizes/frame styles; Bike arms fold down when not in use; Designed to fit 2" hitch receivers; Quick, tool-free installation; Load capacity: 150 lbs
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Factors to Consider When Choosing Swing-Away Carriers

Hitch Type – Among the carriers that you will come across are platform and hanging racks. For swing away racks, the hanging models are more advisable. Such are kept upright by a mast that is secured onto the vehicle’s hitch receiver.

Hitches are classed according to the weight (Tongue Weight) that they can support. For example Class I can hold up to 200 lbs while Class II holds up to 300 lbs. The size of the hitch also matters with the most common sizes being the 1¼” and 2″- these are the sizes you should expect on your SUV.

Load Capacity – The number of bikes that you can carry on a rack depends on the Tongue Weight Capacity. This is defined as the maximum vertical weight that your car’s frame can support during normal driving conditions. This is usually calculated as ten percent of the total towing capacity.

So how much weight can a rack carry? For a hitch rack, this is the difference between the Tongue Weight and the Weight of Unloaded Rack. 

Accessories / Extras – Some swing away bike racks may require additional equipment for security and added functionality. Such include extra straps to hold the frames and adapter bars for securing non-conventional bikes.  

Swing away bike racks are the solution for hassle-free access to your vehicle’s cargo area. Most of the models are easy to carry and install, hence no technical know-how is required. Each rack, however, comes with specifications and features that bring out unique functionalities. We hope the above options are exactly what you are looking for.

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