Is this right for you? Product Expert Matthew S says:
The Quad 2+2 can carry 4 bikes when the whole family wants to ride, or it can be quickly converted into a 2-bike rack for couples. Simply un-bolt the 2-bike add-on using the included tool and throw it in your trunk or garage.
Features:
Specs:
The Quad 2+2 quickly transforms from a 4-bike rack into a 2-bike rack to free-up space behind your vehicle. To remove the 2-bike add-on, unscrew the 10-mm Allen bolts with the included tool. Remove the 6-mm set screw, slide the end section out of the tube, and install the end cap to prevent water and dirt from getting into the rack.
The Quad's mast has a pair of ratcheting hooks that hold your bikes securely by the top tube. And because they move independently, you can carry bikes of different shapes and sizes. The hooks have soft padding that won't scratch or scuff your bike's paint.
The wheel cradles slide to accommodate bikes with different wheelbases. Hand knobs let you release the cradles to slide along the bike tray and adjust for your specific bike lengths. Each cradle has a ratcheting strap so you can secure your bikes' wheels during transport. If you need to carry fat bikes, there are cradles (sold separately) that let you carry bikes with tires up to 5" wide.
You can fold the masts down for access to your rear cargo area. Just pull the spring-loaded release lever at the base of each mast and fold them down. You can also fold the rack up against your vehicle for storage. Pull the pin at the base of the rack, fold it up against your vehicle, and reinsert the pin in the hole at the bottom of the rack.
The ratcheting hooks have lock cores in the release buttons so you can secure your bikes to the rack. Simply slide the hooks over your bikes' top tubes until they click and lock them in place. There is also a keyed-alike locking hitch pin that secures the rack to your vehicle.
California residents: click here
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (19 Customer Reviews)
The Quad 2+2 can carry 4 bikes when the whole family wants to ride, or it can be quickly converted into a 2-bike rack for couples. Simply un-bolt the 2-bike add-on using the included tool and throw it in your trunk or garage.
Love the Swagman quad 2+2. Worked wonderfully a year ago with 4 bikes, and just took a trip with only 2 bikes. Was great being able to only use the front half of the rack. I feel much better with the bikes secured on this rack then the hanging type. It isn’t the lightest rack, but well made. Definitely recommend.
We've owned the Swagman Quad 2+2 bike rack a week, put it together, and transported one bike for maybe 15 miles -- so our experience is limited. That said, it seems like a great product, once it is put together. The hitch pin screws into place (through the holes in the hitch receiver and the threaded hole in the hitch), and that seems to be the key to its rock-solid stability (at least at 45 - 55 mph speeds). My sister-in-law (driving behind my truck for our 15 mile trip) said she did not see the bike move while we were in transit.
Yes, whoever wrote the instructions should be fired. About the only thing he got right was telling you to insert it into the hitch receiver for easiest assembly. It should have an illustrated parts list, so the instructions can be matched up with the parts. They should have drawings, not photocopied pictures of black parts that blend into one black blob. Look at the bright side. By the time you get the cross bars inserted in the proper ends, with the lock screw hole facing down, you'll be quite familiar with the unit.
The two hitch pins (both screw into place, one is lockable, and one just uses a hitch pin clip) have different head sizes, 7/8" and 15/16". That's just brain-dead. You'll want to use a socket wrench, at least the first time you put the hitch on and off your vehicle, because it can take some cranking to get it into place and then again to start the removal.
I did use a hammer a few times, gently, to persuade a bolt to start through the holes. I mention this as evidence of the unit's solid construction, not because I think it's a great idea -- but it worked for me.
One of the nice features of this bike rack is that you can use it for up to 2 bikes or, with the extension, up to 4 bikes. Getting that extension off (for 2-bike mode) can take a lot of work. WD-40 should help. I had good luck with graphite lock spray. I'm not getting any younger, and it certainly is nice to handle the rack in two pieces that secure together snugly.
Finally, a use note. We'll hitch the bike rack to the back of my truck for local-ish riding. For longer, overnight trips, we'll probably use our 27'5" motor home. The Swagman Quad 2+2 bike rack seems to be one of the few bike racks certified for use on a motor home. I'm glad that it's a solid, usable unit.
I really don’t care for when someone reviews something before using it, but I can mention two things about the swagman quad 2+2, (I’ve only drove it around unloaded a bit) it SEEMS heavy duty enough to accomplish the job of hauling 4 bikes. Assembly was not too difficult as assembly instructions were adequate (although looking at picture on box at times is necessary) because some directions are probably only understood in a context. But so far so good, as my initial concerns about it being a wimpy cheap crude device have been pacified. True it has some plastic for tie down straps and for ratchet locks, and these may not last long but they can be retrofitted as needed easy enough with a little creativity. So four stars because it’s a really doable option but maybe not a five like a Thule or Kuat might get. Oh etrailer should get 5 stars.
I like the Swagman Quad 2+2 bike rack. It rides well on the back and holds bikes securely. It does feel like it wobbles a bit, but I honestly think that is by design so as to absorb the bumps and turns while on the road. O Overall, I'd buy it again.
Bike rack keeps bikes very stable and relatively easy to mount/dismount bikes.
I love this rack. It's quick and easy to install. I also love that you can use it for just two bikes, or put the addition on for up to four. It's perfect for our family!
This rack has been fantastic! It is sturdy and feels solid when completely full. I have access to my tailgate when the rack is down and when the rack is up it is nice and close to the truck. Bikes are extremely secure when in the rack and I love it that the braces will lock the bikes to deter theft. Most of all the connection to the hutch is SOLID. This is a great product. I am extremely happy with this purchase!
I really like this bike carrier especially that I can either as a 2 bike carrier or a 4 bike carrier. The only drawback is the weight. It’s. Bit on the heavy side
I usually put the 2 bike carrier on the car then add the additional set of 2. I can’t lift the whole 4 bike set up.
This rack is durable and easy to get bikes on and off, it also is much easier to carry step through bikes than on a hanging rack.
I just purchased this rack and although I haven’t used it very long it does seem well built and holds our bikes securely. Assembly takes about 40 minutes and you will need a couple wrenches or sockets but it is fairly straightforward. You will need a 1” socket to tighten and install the locking hitch pin, but it locks up nice and tight with no wobble. Very easy to adjust the wheel holders and top hooks. The hooks lock which is a nice security feature. It comes with four lock keys which is nice if multiple people in your family will be using the rack. The service and shipping from etrailer was great - item was in stock as listed and shipped the next day.
I really like this bike rack so far and the fact that I can set it up for 1-4 bikes is awesome and why I chose this one in the first place but the instructions are TERRIBLE!! Yo basically have to figure it out for yourself which is an unnecessary waste of time if they would just supply decent instructions to begin with! Good solid rack and the fact that it came with a hitch lock was an unexpected bonus.
The bike rack was easy to assemble. My absolute favorite thing about ordering from etrailer is their customer service. I called to have help on which rack to order. Courtney emailed me options that would work with my vehicle and I just clicked and ordered. I have used etrailer before and will continue. They were great!
My only complain is the instructions to put it together they are terrible. But the product itself got excellent. I have had it 2 months now and it works great.
Overall very pleased with the product. Assembly initially looked daunting but ended up being very simple an quick. Did need to do a combination of reading instructions and looking at picture on box. Really like the built in locks and mechanics.
Did have one problem. The pin that is used when moving the unit from the down to raised position did not fit correctly. The holes were not drilled in quite the right spot and had to use a hammer to get the pin in and out. Purchased a drill bit and got the holes lined up so that is now fixed.
Plan to use the unit in a week for a trip to Colorado and spousal unit wanted to take both the road and cross over bikes. Will see how well it works out.
Bought this hitch online and we were worried it wouldn’t be sturdy enough. Put it together today and we are very impressed by the quality of the materials and the ease of putting it together.
Easy to put together and holds the bikes really well
Dean - 04/29/2022More solid and heavy than I thought it would be. Inspires confidence. Folks at retailer have good advice through the process.
Do you have a question about this Hitch Bike Rack?
Info for this part was:
At etrailer.com we provide the best information available about the products we sell. We take the quality of our information seriously so that you can get the right part the first time. Let us know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.
Thank you! Your comment has been submitted successfully. You should be able to view your question/comment here within a few days.
Error submitting comment. Please try again momentarily.