How To Install Kuat Hitch Adapter

Saris Swing Away Hitch adapter provides body access for select bike racks

Support us! BikeRumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this commodity. Learn more.

Tray style hitch racks are ane of the best ways to carry your bikes. One of their few downsides though is that most of them will block access to your body. While there are a few bike racks that integrate a swing away adapter into their pattern, information technology'south go more common for rack makers to offer an add-on accessory to allow admission to the back. Which is exactly what Saris has washed hither.

Simply called the Swing Away Accessory, the adapter is fairly compact which keeps the weight down to 34.5lbs making information technology i of the lighter options in the category. Only even at that weight, these things can still be a challenge to lug effectually your garage. To make it easier, Saris added two integrated handles which are a nice touch.

Size

Compared to the Kuat Pivot V2, yous get a sense of how much smaller the Saris Swing Away is. As mentioned, that's good news for lower weight and smaller vehicles, merely very large vehicles might find it a scrap curt to clear the rear doors. Using RakAttach'southward Small/Medium/Large options equally a sizing guide, the Saris is closest to the medium at 23″ long, while the Kuat would be their large at 28″ (measuring from the middle of the hitch to the finish of the pivot arm).

The shorter length also seems to get in play nicer with exhaust pipes on the right side of the vehicle – which is important because the Saris Swing Away only comes in a passenger-swing model. I've had issues in the past with other passenger-swing models on my Chemical element, simply this seems to be working well and then far (it probably doesn't injure that information technology's farther away from the vehicle – see below).

Redundant Safe

Ane thing y'all'll notice well-nigh the Saris is that there are more than steps to the operating process than the Kuat Pivot V2. Co-ordinate to Saris, this was all about safety and passing their strict testing protocol. In addition to the safety pin on the clasp handle, there is as well a quick release hook mounted on superlative of the adapter. To open the adapter, y'all accept to remove the prophylactic pivot, disengage the squeeze, and so hold the quick release claw open up while pulling on the adapter – an functioning that requires two hands.

In one case the adapter is opened fully, a quick release pin locks information technology in place to forestall it from endmost on your if you're parked on an incline.

Even when locked, the adapter has quite a bit of play at the articulation, and then the bikes or rack may move on you lot a chip. To close the adapter, you lot must pull that quick release pivot and hold it open, while closing the adapter. Also a two handed operation which can be a bit annoying if you let go of the pin likewise soon thinking yous've cleared the latch but to have it stop in its tracks.

To brand endmost the adapter easier, Saris added a ramp to button the squeeze out of the mode. This works well if you close the adapter fast enough. Move too slowly though, and the clasp tin can fall between the ramp and the hook, preventing it from closing. At least while closing, you don't have to hold open the quick release hook on elevation – that automatically latches in place.

Hitched Up (2″ only)

Further back-up is found at the 2″ hitch attachment with the Saris Swing Away using the aforementioned Hitch Tightener device used on RakAttach models. The rack first installs with a traditional threaded hitch pin, and and then is further supported with the Hitch Tightener from below. This guarantees a rock solid fit, only does crave more endeavour to install it – besides as an boosted socket. The excess thread sticking out requires a deeper socket, which is and so likewise long for me to fit under the bumper to tighten the hitch pivot, then I have to use a shorter socket of the same size to mount this to my vehicle (not a huge deal, just not as simple as others).

I practice quite like the new lock for the hitch pivot which repositions the lock by 90° for easier access when information technology's nether your vehicle.

While the position of the rack in the adapter is well-nigh the same as the Kuat, the Saris Swing Abroad adapter itself sticks out farther from the vehicle'south hitch. Measuring from the hitch face to the end of the adapter, the Saris measures 14″ while the Kuat measures 11.v″. this positions the rack nigh 2.5″ farther from the vehicle.

Rack Compatibility or Weight Limit? (Both Matter)

Which leads the states to the conflicting rack compatibility list and weight limit of the Saris Swing Abroad. If you go by the weight limit of the adapter, 250lbs of rack+bike weight is pretty standard. By that logic, y'all'd think you'd be able to acquit most bike racks in the Saris line.

Still,the list of compatible racks beneath show otherwise. According to Saris, this is not because the Swing Away Adapter tin can't handle the weight, but because many of Saris' 4 wheel racks are not built to handle the actress leverage that the Swing Abroad adapter would bailiwick them to. Saris' Manager of Production, Kellen Pagel, stated, "We had to put all of our racks through the total examination protocol while on the swing abroad, and the Liberty and SuperClamp four's did non pass the tests, so nosotros did non feel comfortable blessing them for use. That is also why the Liberty and SuperClamp 2'southward are limited to 35lb per cycle on the swing away instead of 60lb like they are approved for when used directly in a vehicle'southward hitch. The MTR 1 and 2 are approved for 60lb per bike on the swing abroad though. When the Freedom and Superclamps were originally designed, they were not designed for use in any type of extender or swing away. This is now something we are planning for with future rack development. Approving the swing abroad for 250lb does let for other brand's racks to work in the swing away to that maximum weight, if canonical by that brand."

So before you become adding any rack adapter to whatsoever rack prepare upwardly, do you homework. Even though it might be inside the weight limit of the adapter, you lot also demand to brand sure the rack is approved for apply in an adapter.

Rack Compatibility

Compatibility information for Saris hitch racks
- Compatible with bikes up to 35 lb. per bicycle tray for the post-obit models:
  - SuperClamp EX 2-Bike (4025F)
  - SuperClamp Hd 2-Bike (4025HD)
  - Freedom EX 2-Bike (4412F)
  - Freedom 2-Bike (4412B)
  - Glide EX 4-Cycle (774)
- Compatible with bikes up to 60 lb. per wheel tray for the post-obit models:
  - MTR i-Cycle (4031)
  - MTR ii-Bicycle (4032)
Bank check with your hitch rack manufacturer (not Saris) to see if your existing hitch rack tin be used with extenders.

A Crude Start, but Ameliorate the Second Time Around

If it's any indication of how difficult these adapters are to industry well, I've experienced product flaws on samples from RakAttach, Kuat, and now Saris. The offset Swing Abroad Adapter that was sent to me had an issue with the placement of the locking clasp, and so information technology wouldn't tighten properly. Saris admitted they had a few from the first batch which were flawed, and sent out a replacement that was perfect. Like anything Saris, they stand up behind their products with a Limited Lifetime warranty.

Once I had a functioning sample, I loaded upwardly some bikes on my 2-Bike MTR rack, and set off on an 800 mile round trip. The Swing Away adapter passed with flying colors, staying tight and rattle free the unabridged journeying.

The Swing Away Adapter does exactly what it promises. Information technology provides a secure method of gaining access to your trunk with a rack full of bikes. The existent question is whether Saris' adapter has plenty going for it to exist competitive in the market.

saris.com