Customer Reviews

Swagman XP Fold Down 5-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I needed a 5 bicycle rack that could handle all our family bikes, including our 3 children's (5, 7 and 10 yrs. old) for our yearly vacation. This one seemed to be pretty versatile, not requiring additional bars for most bikes.
While it took some work to make all bikes fit just right (especially the little ones), we made the 4 hour trip to the mountains just fine; no excessive movement (though it does sway a little), no damage to the bicycles (I used pipe insulating foam tube pieces in a couple of spots where bikes rubbed each other) and an overall uneventful trip, even on some not-so-smooth roads. Getting the kids' bikes on was kinda tricky (the littlest one had to travel upside down!) but it worked out fine--I don't think it would have been so with some of the other 2-bar models.
However, if I had to load all 5 bikes on a regular basis I'd probably be looking for a different option. Also, something this rack (and most others too) could use is some kind of reflective finish on the end of the tube... can never be too safe!

Love the bike rack. We went over 600 miles one way through NY City and was no problem for the bike rack. Never had one problem the whole trip. After loading and unloading a few times you start to get the hnag of it. Only thing is, if you have a bike with an oversized frame, mountain bike, kids bikes, you will have to go puchase an add on bar for each bike. They attach from handle bar to under seat and then you raise the seat as high as it can go. Once these add on bars were purchased it was a cinch. But we were dead in the water, until we purchased those. The cradles only fit the regular size tubing or slightly larger of bike frame. Loved it though. Thanks Swagman

I have owned 2 bike racks. One was not worth anything, the other was difficult to use. This is the perfect rack.
1) Five bikes, few others do this.
2) The cradles are adjustable on angle with initial setup. This is the definitive factor! If you've never used a rack try to put bikes of different size and style if you don't have this feature. Just try...
3) The cradles are well designed, padded great, and can accommodate a large range of frame.
4) It folds down which is huge if you use a locking pin.

This is one of the best designed products I have used in a long time.

Very sturdy, heavy duty bike rack. Easy to use for most bike frames. I purchased this to replace the Yakima one I had with two arms. It is much easier to get a womens bike frame on the swagman one arm rack. Still needed to purchase a bar for my kids bike so they could be mounted to the rack. Swagman make one easy to use. I have been very pleased with this rack.

This bike rack is much easier to use than the last one I had. I have 3 kids so loading and unloading was more of a workout than the actual bike rides! This has made it much easier and is also more secure with the built in lock. The only drawback is the need to buy bar adapters for children's and women's bikes, but it is worth it!

I was so excited about the reviews here, that I ordered this rack. However the assembly is/was a nightmare. The nuts don't fit on the bolts (they screw on part way and then stop). It took me an hour to muscle (and I mean this was hard) 3 nuts on the bolts. Then the 1/2" pin does not fit through the hole (to keep the rack upright). Just doesn't fit. Nothing I can do but wait to call them about it. VERY frustrating! How can they send parts that don't fit together?

Bike rack works very well with some modifications. I put the rack on the back of a 36' 5th wheel camper, it tends to get a lot of bounce with 5 bikes. I did away with the pin that lets it fold down and made it a rigid assembly, drilled an extra hole in the receiver, welded 5/8 washers to the side of the bike receiver where the pins go to get rid of the play, so I could bolt the receiver tight to the vehicle receiver.
I did have some difficulties initially trying to put the bikes on the rack. I had to use some of the bike seat posts to attach to the bike rack, if they could only make frames the same on the bikes, or is there another bracket that would help in this situation?
We just got back from a trip, and worked well after everything.

I really like this rack, it fits nicely on the back of my Dodge Grand Caravan. The rack is made of high quality items and is worth the money.

A couple of suggestions for improvement would be to, first, make all the bike holders locking, instead of just the one at the end. Second, some provision for mounting extra lights to the rack would be useful, since five bikes do tend to block your tail-lights. I'm planning on jury-rigging something to my rack.

This product is well made. While it works and the bikes can be locked on, the entire carrier is NOT locked on. The Yakima is a swivel out of the way technique which I believe makes it easier to get into the back of the car. The Yakima also locks on to the car.

After struggling with the usual 2 rod style racks, this simple, strong rack is a breeze and a pleasure to use. No sweat, no grief. My family's 5 bikes slip on and off in about 3 mins. Easy easy easy! Strong and solid on 3oo mile road trip days. Highly recommended!