Swingaway Hitch Carrier v2

[TeCKis300]

Second go at this, to build a swing away hitch carrier for overland camping. This time higher, tighter, and more tailored fit. Primary objective is to carry water and small loose items. What others may use drawers to carry. I can't commit to drawers as I use my 3rd row and need the utility of the full space of the interior. Need to keep my payload for towing a large camper so a classic bumper swingout is not in the cards.

The core of this is a Yakima Backswing swingaway hitch mount. Probably not worth mentioning as it's completely hacked, welded, and re-configured and wouldn't be recognizable. Bringing it in 6" closer, 10" wider, with relocated over center latch. The 200-series tailgate doesn't allow a lot of clearance in height for most swingaway hitches. Especially if modding it to bring it closer to the bumper.

If anyone wanted to re-produce such a thing, there seems to be a new unit on the market that could work - Kuat Pivot v2. Notice that it doesn't have vertical elements beyond the beam which is super important for something to fit close and tight to the tailgate.

EDIT - this Kuat won't work either as it only allows several papers width of clearance to the tailgate in the lowered position.

Rather than exclusively use the swingaway to mount another hitch carrier for gear as I did in my first go, I located the boxes and carriers directly on the swingaway. Much more departure clearance and I had zero issues with some really technical wheeling this past weekend. Could still have the option to expand storage with an add on tailgate carrier to the swingaway hitch.

All the carriers and trays for the jerry cans and Zargas boxes I custom fabbed and welded, trying to keep them light and tailored. I used steel for structural items. Aluminum for trays. Steel is much more forgiving especially for things that are cyclically loaded, like washboards. There's commercial holders and bracket options that one could use to bolt down to any swingaway to do something similar. Many different jerry carriers on the market. For the box, one could also use truck boxes. I choose the Zarges for its super light weight and weather sealed construction. Still want to add a fold down table on the inboard side of the Zarges case.

Pictures speak louder than words so I'll let them do the talking.

 

[residualboulders]

Well done. I recently purchased a Thule Swing out for my bike rack. On it's own it's great, Add the weight of the 4 bike rack and it bounces all over the place. I'm always scared the spendy bikes will hit the road behind me. They probably won't but since most mt bike trials involve a little driving offroad to access, I'd like to have the rigidity my bike rack alone has. Some of the play is in the swing out itself, I think the rest is in the bike rack because I can't get it tight in the swing arm hitch. It sure is easier to access my gear in the cargo area with the swing arm though.

I have been debating cutting and welding the bike rack to the swing arm which would eliminate most of the play and also reduce its projection by nearly a foot. Downfall would be the already heavy 4 bike rack would be much heavier.

What have you done mod wise to tighten it up?

 

[grinchy]

<Bad idea, won't fit under tailgate, ignore>.

Another swingaway base option:

Coming Fall 2021. BOSS SWINGOUT. SWING ONLY.

The biggest and baddest hitch mounted swing out on the planet. We tried all the rest then built the BEST! This can be used with ALL Lolo Racks 4 or 6 bike racks or other hitch mounted accessories such as spare tire carriers, cargo trays and other tray style bike racks. The swing out and Lolo...

loloracks.com

Lolo boss swingout. I don't own one so can't comment on the suitability with the tailgate, but it looks pretty flat in the ad copy.

 

[grinchy]

Well done. I recently purchased a Thule Swing out for my bike rack. On it's own it's great, Add the weight of the 4 bike rack and it bounces all over the place. I'm always scared the spendy bikes will hit the road behind me. They probably won't but since most mt bike trials involve a little driving offroad to access, I'd like to have the rigidity my bike rack alone has. Some of the play is in the swing out itself, I think the rest is in the bike rack because I can't get it tight in the swing arm hitch. It sure is easier to access my gear in the cargo area with the swing arm though.

I have been debating cutting and welding the bike rack to the swing arm which would eliminate most of the play and also reduce its projection by nearly a foot. Downfall would be the already heavy 4 bike rack would be much heavier.

What have you done mod wise to tighten it up?

I have an aftermarket steel bumper with tire swingout (single pivot under the taillight). I built a five bike vertical rack on it this summer. To hold the spare tire and bikes I am using a 2x2 in the trailer hitch and bolting it to the rack (which is attached to the swingout). I'd love to get some sort of 1/2" quick release like on a bike axle, but for now the bolt is workable if a little awkward.

I bring this up as with the trailer hitch tube, movement is well controlled and I'd consider it off road bounce/jounce worthy. (Ground clearance isn't amazing though).

Unfortunately spare tire + rack + 5 bikes far exceeds the swingout capacity so I can't open it with all the bikes on it. It's fine for A to B.

 

[TeCKis300]

Another swingaway base option:

Coming Fall 2021. BOSS SWINGOUT. SWING ONLY.

The biggest and baddest hitch mounted swing out on the planet. We tried all the rest then built the BEST! This can be used with ALL Lolo Racks 4 or 6 bike racks or other hitch mounted accessories such as spare tire carriers, cargo trays and other tray style bike racks. The swing out and Lolo...

loloracks.com

Lolo boss swingout. I don't own one so can't comment on the suitability with the tailgate, but it looks pretty flat in the ad copy.

View attachment 2815635

This may or may not work depending on how close you want to pull the carrier towards the hitch. There's elements there that may contact the tailgate. The swinging member is stacked. The pull pins are on top. And the overcenter latch looks to pull into the vertical space?

 

[grinchy]

This may or may not work depending on how close you want to pull the carrier towards the hitch. There's elements there that may contact the tailgate. The swinging member is stacked. The pull pins are on top. And the overcenter latch looks to pull into the vertical space?

Oh shoot, it does stack vertically. That's definitely not a go.

 

[runnerxa]

I have been using the Rola Adventure swing away (Craigslist find for $300) for years on my 4Runner and GX. Same situation as you that I have to use the third row for my kids. The cargo box can be removed from the tray and repurposed for aftermarket carriers. Currently it is stock but I may modify it in the future to add top attachments for strollers, beefier locks, and fuel cans. I carry all the wood, grill, propane, dirty sand toys and shoes, and recovery gear in it. Pretty much anything dirty goes into it and not into the car. I like that it has a raised tray for extra clearance and is rain proof. It has 4pin wired lights so people can see that you are braking. Once closed, the top serves as a table for the kids with the hatch open (on the GX and 4Runner, not the LX since the tailgate hit the cargo tray). Probably the most used purchase I made in years. Plus I can swap it to any of my vehicles in less than 10 min.

 

[highfructose]

Very elegant solution.
I went with a less elegant solution:
Chop down a harbor freight carrier, bolt a hitch riser into the center of it, and mount it backwards on a wilco.

I can also run an extra hitch mounted carrier/bike rack under the high and tight basket since the ride I used includes an extra hitch mount…and if I want to go full 200 series redneck ute, I can also add some waffle boards on the back

 

[TeCKis300]

Some really creative and awesome hitch carriers and strategies here. I've looked at both the Wilco and Rola carriers and have borrowed ideas from both. Both pretty solid solutions!

Well done. I recently purchased a Thule Swing out for my bike rack. On it's own it's great, Add the weight of the 4 bike rack and it bounces all over the place. I'm always scared the spendy bikes will hit the road behind me. They probably won't but since most mt bike trials involve a little driving offroad to access, I'd like to have the rigidity my bike rack alone has. Some of the play is in the swing out itself, I think the rest is in the bike rack because I can't get it tight in the swing arm hitch. It sure is easier to access my gear in the cargo area with the swing arm though.

I have been debating cutting and welding the bike rack to the swing arm which would eliminate most of the play and also reduce its projection by nearly a foot. Downfall would be the already heavy 4 bike rack would be much heavier.

What have you done mod wise to tighten it up?

Keeping it all tight is has been a priority. As my setup is all on a single component - the swingout, there's only potential play in it's hitch attachment. I reduced the projection about 6", and am using the stock Yakima tightening hitch pin bolt/lock. Works well here.

I may continue to add carrier capacity and use the hitch on the swingout, perhaps upwards to a stack a reverse hitch carrier over the current setup. Kinda like @highfructose first picture. The Yakima again has a set bolt to minimize sway but it likely won't eliminate it. I'll see when I get there.

 

[residualboulders]

@TeCKis300 yeah Thule's swing out also has a set bolt - it doesn't work as well as the thule T2 pro bike racks hand crank set bolt for some reason. I considered switching to a velocirack or similar, but i like the built in locking cables on my T2.

 

[TeCKis300]

@TeCKis300 yeah Thule's swing out also has a set bolt - it doesn't work as well as the thule T2 pro bike racks hand crank set bolt for some reason. I considered switching to a velocirack or similar, but i like the built in locking cables on my T2.

Wonder if some variation of an add on hitch tightener can help?

 

[residualboulders]

Wonder if some variation of an add on hitch tightener can help?

View attachment 2816143

yeah i'll have to fiddle with it. With all 4 bike trays it's pretty heavy already, but I might cut it and weld to the swing out to just eliminate a moveable joint. Maybe with one of these i can eliminate any sway in the actual hitch.

 

[CharlieS]

Wonder if some variation of an add on hitch tightener can help?

View attachment 2816143

I wasn't able to figure out a way to use that style of anti rattle device on the 200, but this kind worked for me:
GenY 033 2" Anti-Rattle NO-Wobble... Amazon product ASIN B00LV18KWM

 

[TeCKis300]

I wasn't abke to figure out a way to use that style anti rattle device on the 200, but this kind worked for me:
GenY 033 2" Anti-Rattle NO-Wobble... Amazon product ASIN B00LV18KWM

Yeah, lots of different styles and good to know this will work for the 200-series receiver which is a bit unique. If I'm reading right @residualboulders is trying to secure his bike rack to the swing out hitch. Which may also need some special consideration depending on the receiver there.

 

[residualboulders]

@TeCKis300 thank you! I had this exact thing in my mind on the 8 hr drive home the other day but figured I'd have to fab up my own somehow. I'll give this a shot.

 

[UPR LC]

I am in the planning stages for a hitch mounted swing rack. I have an older Kuat pivot, works OK but is heavy and could be improved.

Take a look at the following companies if you want to buy a rack or get ideas for a build:

Westcott Designs
RIG'D Supply
Wilco Offroad

4xInnovations has a lot of good bumper/rack parts under their DIY Parts page if you go the route of building yourself.

Here is a pic of my rack that I added some attachments to bring the motorcycle carrier up and closer to the truck body. I also built a support arm to attached to the outer hitch frame to support the swingout when open (and closed) as my dirt bike is close to exceeding the swingout capacity.

 

[runnerxa]

Very elegant solution.
I went with a less elegant solution:
Chop down a harbor freight carrier, bolt a hitch riser into the center of it, and mount it backwards on a wilco.

I can also run an extra hitch mounted carrier/bike rack under the high and tight basket since the ride I used includes an extra hitch mount…and if I want to go full 200 series redneck ute, I can also add some waffle boards on the back

View attachment 2816019

View attachment 2816020

View attachment 2816022

View attachment 2816023

That's some massive carrying capacity you have there. I need to figure out how to integrate a 4 bike carrier with my swing away cargo basket and may use the dual hitch method you have. Thanks for sharing.

 

[runnerxa]

yeah i'll have to fiddle with it. With all 4 bike trays it's pretty heavy already, but I might cut it and weld to the swing out to just eliminate a moveable joint. Maybe with one of these i can eliminate any sway in the actual hitch.

You need something like this for anti-rattle.
Anti-Rattle Clamp for 200 Series Landcruiser

I am making one out of my leftover 3" aluminum L joint following this example to see if it works to stop the rattle. My prototype was slight short by 1mm but I was able to gap it with a rubber. It reduced my rattle by ~90%, there is still a slight rattle if I pull hard so my next one will be cut from the beefier 3" aluminum L joint.

 

[highfructose]

That's some massive carrying capacity you have there. I need to figure out how to integrate a 4 bike carrier with my swing away cargo basket and may use the dual hitch method you have. Thanks for sharing.

Yes.
That bike carrier/basket works surprisingly well at holding bikes. Very versatile. I think it was around $250 on Amazon.

For the mini basket, I don’t know how to weld so I used a hitch riser, self tapping screws, shelf brackets, L brackets, and an anti rattle hitch to construct it. I also used a bunch of little brackets afterwards to tie the basket together. It is very very solid.

 

[RET2]

Yes.
That bike carrier/basket works surprisingly well at holding bikes. Very versatile. I think it was around $250 on Amazon.

For the mini basket, I don’t know how to weld so I used a hitch riser, self tapping screws, shelf brackets, L brackets, and an anti rattle hitch to construct it. I also used a bunch of little brackets afterwards to tie the basket together. It is very very solid.

View attachment 2816802I'd suggest periodically check the screws as they can and will vibrate loose.