FJ40/Softride Parallelogram or Thule Revolver?

w2hx · 10-27-09, 09:02 PM

Hi there. Looking to mount a 2" receiver on my FJ40 (ambulance Doors) and put a bike rack on the hitch.

Since I have ambulance doors, I would like to be able to "move" the bikes (need hold 4 bikes) away to get into the back.

Came across either:
964 Revolver - Thule - Thule Bike Racks - Rack Bike Hitch
that swings away from the car or...

Softride, Inc. || Hitch mounted bike rack || HD 4 Bike Rack

that lowers the bikes down to the ground keeping them vertical at all times.

I wonder if the softride drops down enough out of the way as to allow the amb door to open? I wonder that it might still get stuck behind the rack.

SO! Anyone have an opinion? Anyone using one of these on an FJ40 with amb doors?

tia
73 W2HX

Fast Eddy · 10-27-09, 11:54 PM

A few posts down...

http://forum.ih8mud.com/bicycling/32...bike-rack.html

My current rack is similar, a Saris, but it doesn't fold down, so it does interfere with the Amby doors. I'm looking forward to the upgrade so I can fold it out of the way and get in and out of the doors.

fireflyr · 10-28-09, 03:03 PM

I've had the Soft Ride for about 4 years and love it. I use it on my Dodge truck and it clears the tailgate when both are down and even made a reciever for the back of my trailer so it will clear a spare tire. For the landcruiser I drilled another hole in the plate where the pin locks it in the up position so it could lock up with a 33" spare moonted. It is a quality product.

w2hx · 10-28-09, 03:16 PM

wow! that is N.E.A.T. Thanks for the recommendation. I also came across the YAKIMA SWING DADDY which also looks very good. anyone with comments/experience with that one?

Dan_J-spec_fj62 · 10-30-09, 08:01 AM

I have the soft ride element 4. I absolutely love it... did 2800 miles this summer on the back of our Jetta wagon. Nice thing about the Element is it's arms can be folded down (without bikes on) so you can leave it on the care without the additional 4 feet of parallel parking space.

Dan

mcewan13 · 10-31-09, 11:27 AM

All of the higher quality racks fold down for access and up out of the way when not in use.

I frequently use a friend's Softride whenever he drives. The parallelogram is nice, but the whole unit wobbles so much that I wouldn't own one myself.

I'm partial to Kuat Racks myself, but they are a client of mine, so I'm a bit biased.