I bought this product and the Saris bike beam for my Townie 21 speed. How do I cut down on the back &amp; forth sway of the bike toward the back of the vehicle? I don't see any way to get 2 bikes on this rack without damange to both.
1467080
Make sure you have the rack installed properly in your hitch. It seems like it goes either way, but it doesn't. This happened to me, and I reversed the position and now it is as solid as a rock. We put two mountain bikes on with no problem, but they have to face opposite directions. Also, the rack pivots down if you pull the lower lever for ease of getting the bikes in the holders.
1050773
Yes, you can slide both the front and back rack forward and back and then it gets tightened in that spot so it doesn't obviously move......i think there is set places that they should go if you don't have any cargo on top that i guess reduces any wind noise or something, but I havn't had any problem with needing wind/noise reduction.
436179
The instructions specifically state: Quote "The rack is not covered under warranty if mounted on the back of a trailer or fifth wheel." end quote.... Not much ambiguity in that statement ! and while I have a 2" mfg installed hitch, it wobbles side to side terribly (even WITH StowAway Cargo Carriers Hitch Tightener ). So it's the bike rack itself... while the mount is firm, the fold up connections and main crossbar has too much play in it... will try to replace the push pins with bolts to see if that helps, but not optimistic ! The instructions specifically state: Quote "The rack is not covered under warranty if mounted on the back of a trailer or fifth wheel." end quote.... Not much ambiguity in that statement ! and while I have a 2" mfg installed hitch, it wobbles side to side terribly (even WITH StowAway Cargo Carriers Hitch Tightener ). So it's the bike rack itself... while the mount is firm, the fold up connections and main crossbar has too much play in it... will try to replace the push pins with bolts to see if that... » Read More The instructions specifically state: Quote "The rack is not covered under warranty if mounted on the back of a trailer or fifth wheel." end quote.... Not much ambiguity in that statement ! and while I have a 2" mfg installed hitch, it wobbles side to side terribly (even WITH StowAway Cargo Carriers Hitch Tightener ). So it's the bike rack itself... while the mount is firm, the fold up connections and main crossbar has too much play in it... will try to replace the push pins with bolts to see if that helps, but not optimistic ! « Show Less
1542738
I would not waste your money on this product. I'd strongly suggest an upgrade to the Bones. It works great and we love the secure feeling we have using it. According to Saris fit guide, your vehicle will accommodate the bike rack, check for yourself http://www.saris.com/en/vehicle-racks.html
1711698
I bought a rack at the same time and it went right on no problems. I did have a bike with separate bolt holes on the frame for finders and a rack. Clearance was not a problem. You might have to get longer bolts if you only have one hole set for both fenders and rack. With 1/2" elevation difference in the bike mounting holes, I still have 1" between the fender and the bottom of the rack. I cannot answer about the baskets.
1088677
i think u must not have the bars in place correctly that balance the two racks. there are no pictures of them on the directions. the two bars that have black plastic on either side go between the racks to balance them.to order replacement parts just call the number on the instruction paper that came with the item.
628876
go on line and look at some of the many installation videos. i have two of them one for a comfort bike with disk brakes (you need the rack for disk brakes) and one for a hybrid bike with regular brakes (you need the standard rack shown it the picture). it attached very well to both bikes. 95% of bikes have the four standard screw holes required to mount the rack. these are strong racks and the assorted bags work great, but if you don't have the mounting holes that you will see in the videos you could have a machine shop install "rivet-nuts" at the two top mounting locations and tapped holes at the bottom. they also sell cheaper racks that just clamp to the seat post tube. go on line and look at some of the many installation videos. i have two of them one for a comfort bike with disk brakes (you need the rack for disk brakes) and one for a hybrid bike with regular brakes (you need the standard rack shown it the picture). it attached very well to both bikes. 95% of bikes have the four standard screw holes required to mount the rack. these are strong racks and the assorted bags work great, but if you don't have the mounting holes that you will see in the videos you could have a machine shop install "rivet-nuts" at the two top mounting locations and... » Read More go on line and look at some of the many installation videos. i have two of them one for a comfort bike with disk brakes (you need the rack for disk brakes) and one for a hybrid bike with regular brakes (you need the standard rack shown it the picture). it attached very well to both bikes. 95% of bikes have the four standard screw holes required to mount the rack. these are strong racks and the assorted bags work great, but if you don't have the mounting holes that you will see in the videos you could have a machine shop install "rivet-nuts" at the two top mounting locations and tapped holes at the bottom. they also sell cheaper racks that just clamp to the seat post tube. « Show Less
346238
Hi, The middle part (shoulder) which connects left and right parts has not parallel connection surface. It's done especially to keep bars extended outwards. Looks like you connected it wrong way. Just unscrew it and connect it versa (upper bolt should go down), i.e. station bars will extend outwards.
1560635
Like others have said, converter bar will generally be easier. The problem with my women's frame bikes is two-fold: either the space between the sloped top tube and the down tube is too small to clear the back each of the bike holders (the back is higher than the front) OR the water bottle cage interferes with placing the woman's bike on the Swagman rack. I ended up buying converter bars for my 3 women's bikes to make it work better.
582279
I am looking atthe bike here:http://www.day6bicycles.com/Dream_21-Dream_21_Small_Frame.htmlThe 51" wheelbase isn't a problem but the hook that adjusts in height may not go low enough to securely snag the middle crotch bar. That isn't a show stopper though. Just use an adjustable bike lock to secure the bike to the hook bar. I believe my rack came with an adapter too. If it it doesn't come with an adapter, those are easy to find at places that sell automobile accessories like O'Reileys
859819
It was hard to load my 400lb klr650. Balance once loaded is very problematic. The mounting and securing system is shady. I don't trust it to haul my bike. I feel like its going to end with my bike laying in a ditch somewhere. I plan to weld a cross beam for more secure anchoring points on either side. I would purchase a model with this anchoring cross beam already installed if I were you. Unfortunately I don't have this option. Wouldn't reccomend without significant modification. HTH.
2052236
I am very satisfied with the rack... It serves it's purpose.. I believe there is always a solution to the request you are asking .. I unfortunately do not have the knowledge or know how to accomplish that.. But I can state that I have four bikes(2) on each arm and have had no problems.. My wife would like me to anchor the rack to the wall in case it might crush our daughter .. I again have no knowledge to know how ... THULE The name you know ..!!
559634
In order to install the bike rack, I had to move the spare tire from the middle of the bumper to the left side. I couldn't move the tire to the right side, because the R.V. ladder is attached to the right side. The bike rack partially obscures the license plate (I don't know if that's legal or not), but I can get two bicycles comfortably attached. When I have the bicycles on my car bike rack, they obscure the license plate even more. Since you are rarely going to be involved in a speeding issue towing a trailer, it may not matter too much if the license plate is partially obscured. Marc B. In order to install the bike rack, I had to move the spare tire from the middle of the bumper to the left side. I couldn't move the tire to the right side, because the R.V. ladder is attached to the right side. The bike rack partially obscures the license plate (I don't know if that's legal or not), but I can get two bicycles comfortably attached. When I have the bicycles on my car bike rack, they obscure the license plate even more. Since you are rarely going to be involved in a speeding issue towing a trailer, it may not matter too much if the license plate is partially obscured. Marc B.
1478895
If you're speaking in regards to only hauling two bikes directly opposed to one another on one section of the 4 bike carrier, they both directly mount with the forks and rear frame portion pressed against the padding of the tubular uprights. What my wife and I do to oovercome handlebar interference is mount one bike facing in one direction and turn the other in the opposite direction. Her handlebars then are positioned just above my seat. If you used it in the 4 bike configuration and only carried one bike on each upright section, handlebar interference wouldn't be an issue. Check out some YouTube videos on loading and unloading it. That may shed more light on your question. If you're speaking in regards to only hauling two bikes directly opposed to one another on one section of the 4 bike carrier, they both directly mount with the forks and rear frame portion pressed against the padding of the tubular uprights. What my wife and I do to oovercome handlebar interference is mount one bike facing in one direction and turn the other in the opposite direction. Her handlebars then are positioned just above my seat. If you used it in the 4 bike configuration and only carried one bike on each upright section, handlebar interference wouldn't be an issue. Check out some... » Read More If you're speaking in regards to only hauling two bikes directly opposed to one another on one section of the 4 bike carrier, they both directly mount with the forks and rear frame portion pressed against the padding of the tubular uprights. What my wife and I do to oovercome handlebar interference is mount one bike facing in one direction and turn the other in the opposite direction. Her handlebars then are positioned just above my seat. If you used it in the 4 bike configuration and only carried one bike on each upright section, handlebar interference wouldn't be an issue. Check out some YouTube videos on loading and unloading it. That may shed more light on your question. « Show Less
1308942
I have an Subaru Outback. The back hatch opens no problem with one bike however a bit more tricky when rack is loaded with two.
717970
It's a bit of a problem; you can buy a bar that goes between the angle to make it almost straight. However, we have found that the bike can be placed at an angle. Just make sure there is no rubbing against the next closest bike.
927632
the piece with the 2 rubber hooks should extend down with a velcro'bracelet' at the bottom where it comes up with 2 small prongs. the 2 top rubber hooks hang on your handlbars. The velcro 'bracelet' wraps around the bike frame~loose enough for your steering to swing freely back and forth. the 2 prongs on the bottom should allign with the two small square holes at the bottom of your basket. Hold your basket by the handles, set the basket upon the prongs where the square holes are.Lean your basket back toward the handlebars.The handle 'joins' on that side stick out a little, that is so it fits into the rectangular area.Your basket 'locks' in place when you fold the handles down,holding it onto the upper part of the frame nearer to the large rubber hooks. Hopefully that helps! ;)