Thule 9027 Apex Swing Away 4 Bike Hitch Rack, One Color, One Size

Vehicle: 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan with Hidden Hitch 2" receiver.The Tiguan has a pre-fabricated location for a hitch receiver so I did not opt to purchase that from my dealer. I bought a specific hitch from another website (Amazon was on back order) and installed it in 10 minutes.I'll second the reviews that state the instructions, specifically covering the anti-sway attachments, are lacking. It took a little head scratching to figure out A) what they were for and B) how to attach them. Its easy to put them on backwards and not realize it.Some reviewers complained of the anti-sway parts coming off or getting lost. When the carrier isn't loaded with a bike, I simply use the straps to attach them to the bike cradle (since there are two pins on those, and only one is used).There are two exposed bolts that, with a couple of good-sized wrenches, a thief could probably make a getaway with part of your rack. Honestly, if someone wants your stuff bad enough, nothing's going to stop them, so I can't really knock Thule for this. The nuts are lock nuts so its going to take some work to get them off. Plus, even if it wasn't loaded, the carrier is heavy so getting the stinger bolts out without any flexibility to adjust the load like you can when it isn't mounted, theft would be a chore and probably require some hammering, hopefully alerting to something going awry.Once assembled and properly tightened, this thing doesn't budge. I stood (150 lbs) on the sway arm and also stood on the ground and pulled back as hard as I could and couldn't make it move. Since tension is the only thing keeping the rack mated to the hitch, periodically checking the tension would be important. Don't just set it and forget it for six months. When using any kind of hitch and towing vehicle or accessory, rechecking tension is important anyway and this is just another reason to do it.Another reviewer states that the knob that applies the tension is quite large and they're right (so that you can get good leverage to tighten it to proper force by hand). I could see this possibly being a problem on a hitch that is pretty far recessed under the bumper, as well as very close to the bumper. This is no problem on the Tiguan, which should also hold true for Model Year 2011 - 2013, just in case someone reading this is using a similar vehicle. There were some design changes in 2011 so can't vouch for what can be done prior to then.If there was a minus, I was unable to transport 3 road bikes using the carriers in order (closest to vehicle outward). Loading as instructed, the third bike had to go on the outermost carrier, leaving the 2nd to last empty. I'm not sure how/if four road bikes would fit. I bought this intending to carry 3 at the most, so that really isn't an issue in my case. Perhaps being able to adjust the position of the carriers on the arms would be helpful to squeeze the fourth bike in there.Another oddity would be that an adapter was required for the 2" receiver hitch, as another reviewer stated. I did not measure the receiver prior to adding the adapter to see if the smaller hitch would work. Adapter or not, Thule only advertises this product for 2" hitches, and its printed on the outside of the box. Why isn't it one part? I don't know, but I'd recommend still planning to use with a 2" hitch. The adapter was easy to assemble, and made of steel like the rest of the mounting components. It wasn't a flimsy foam or similar expansion adapter found with lesser racks. Again, tension is the name of the game for this rack when it comes to a good fit and security on the hitch, so I wouldn't bet on using it with a smaller 1.25" hitch.The Swing feature is great! I have full access to the back-end of my vehicle pretty easily, loaded or not.I'd have loved to have a 2nd cable lock (e.g. one through frames, one through wheels) but the one that's there is a great feature.Solid construction, seems to fit the bill quite well. Bonus for being made in the USA.

I was hesitant about this rack based upon some reviews and playing with one at a local store. The design is solid, but the ~1" receiver rod with a 2" adapter seemed odd. It's supposed to be a feature, but why? I guess some folks were thinking that too much shock or vibration was transferred from hitch to the bikes. Could be. To me, the reduction in size going into the receiver was a major loss, but given that a few hundred pounds of bike (on the high end) will never tax a 2" receiver, nor a quality 1" for that matter, the point is likely moot.The rack attaches quickly and even though heavier, it carries easier than my previous 4 bike Thule (non-swingout model). I find the shape of the rack easier to carry, install, and set on the ground compared to my other Thule.I love the ease the bike arms swing up and down. Much better than my old pull-the-pin design that required two hands. The integrated lock is much better as well, but should never be more than a mild deterrent.The arc design of the arms is a real plus. first, it raises the bikes higher off the ground then the straight arms. Second, it gives more adjustability for hight as well as flipping the bikes around to fit them all on the rack.The straps are OK but could be longer. I checked to see of longer aftermarket ones were available, but no joy.No idea about the anti-sway straps. Seemed gimmicky to me, and many reviewers said they just fell off. I can see that could happen simply in their feeble design. I always add another few straps on anyway to keep the wheels aligned and from spinning, as well as in case the bikes worm their way to the back of the rack, or worse...off it. Just something I learned from experience long ago.So, now the big question. Does the swing arm work. Yes, but...First, for those reading this and wondering about the stripping issues with the major bolt that holds the swing arm in place, don't worry about it as long as 1) you respect the mechanical limitations of the bolt threads, and 2) you center and recenter the rack as you are screwing down the bolt. This is more critical when the rack is under load.The bolt mechanism does not have a much in the way of a guide so you can start screwing the bolt with the threads misaligned. A simple centering and light back and forth jerking the rack while screwing the bolt makes everything work fine. Just DON"T try to align the rack by screwing the bolt. That's where the danger is. If the bolt doesn't SMOOTHLY, EASILY screw in with MINIMAL pressure, then STOP! The rack must be aligned or you risk stripping out the bolt. And unfortunately, the design has the threaded nut welded into the arm frame making any stripping a real bad thing.Other than being careful, I have no other concerns with that aspect of the design. I also don't let others tighten it down since unless they have this kind of rack, they try to use the screwing of the bolt to align the rack. You know the type. They are the same folks that use the zipper to close an overstuffed pack or suitcase.The hokey pin mechanisms to keep the rack from swinging around, and to hold it in place when screwing down the aforementioned bolt is not anything to take seriously. Yes, it works, but don't trust it, and it seems to get in the way as much as help. YMMV.So the Yak or this one. Well, I got this none for a couple reasons. One was it that it was a new/updated version compared to the Yak. I had hoped that maybe the updating would fix some of the issues the previous version garnered in reviews. Not so much on that front.I do like the arms better and the bike grips. And the integrated hitch lock. And the bike lock. And that I could easily take all the Thule names and stickers off the rack (sorry Thule--and I did the same with my Thule roof box. Plain is fine with me). I also liked the feel of the closing mechanism and bolt screwing better than the Yak even though they are quite similar. Plus I liked the blue highlights better than the red.

Está hecho con muy buena calidad. Bastante fácil de instalar en el tirón. Yo mismo lo instalé en mi camioneta. La funcionalidad de apartar el rack para abrir la cajuela es muy útil y fácil de usar. Es bastante fácil subir y bajar la bicicleta del rack.

I expected the receiver connection to be a bit stronger. It takes a fair bit to get out much of the play, but some still remains such that when you swing the bikes out to the side, the whole thing twists in the receiver and hangs low.Due to my hidden hitch mounting, the bike rack is close to the back of the van which is ideal except that its difficult to get to the release knob to allow it to swing.Wish the swing throw was a bit more as well. The bikes can come to rest against the side of my new Sienna.Fitting fancy framed mountain bike frames on the mounts is tricky. Fits more generic frames much better. That should be obvious though.But generally, its solid and it does fit 4 bikes and seemed solid enough on my one voyage.