Thule Vertex XT Swing 4-Bike Hitch Rack
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The Thule Vertex XT Swing 4-bike hitch rack takes the hassle out of loading and unloading bikes, while ample ground clearance offers safe transport. A swing design allows easy access to your trunk.
Shop similar products- Swing-away design allows a fully loaded hitch rack to swing away from the vehicle for rear access and trunk use without removing your bikes
- Heavy-duty integrated cable lock lets you secure your bikes to the rack and stores inside the hitch rack when not in use
- Cradle fasteners cushion your bike and provide maximum security for your ride
- Unique arc design allows easier bike loading
- Fits 2 in. receiver hitch
- Integrated handle for easy carrying
Made in USA.
| Best Use | Cycling |
|---|---|
| Number of Bikes | 4-bike |
| Max Weight Per Bike (lbs) | 35 pounds |
| Hitch Receiver (in.) | Fits 2 inches |
| Integrated Lock | Yes |
| Weight | 53 pounds |
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Weakest Link...BUNGIES
I would have given this rack a 1 Star, but then no one would read it (: Rack - great Swing action - great BUNGIES - REALLY? Bungie cords have been around for decades. I have regularly used bungies that are 30 years old that are still in tact. When I made contact with Thule the response received was that they warranty the straps for 2 years. Oh gosh, that's kind of them. The $1 product that holds my bikes on the rack is warrantied? They could not offer any reassurance that the design or materials have changed. Extremely disappointed with Thule customer service. They mailed me two new bungies, but despite my efforts to communicate via email, talk-back was limited, and sometimes written in all lower case with no punctuation. I purchased the rack in April. One snapped in mid-July, the other half way the next day, and on Aug 10 I noticed a third was tearing. No rugged trails or excessive tightening or distances traveled. primarily carrying kids bikes from my house to mom's house in town. About to return to REI and purchase a Kuat or Yakima tray mount.
Great Bike Rack
I decided to go with this rack on my Jeep Wrangler because it offered the ability for me to leave the rack on my vehicle throughout the summer and I would still be able to access the rear door. I have the Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock - the tire is a little larger and one of the locking knobs rubs the bottom of the wheel when I am unscrewing and screwing it back on. This is a small problem, just takes a little longer to screw/unscrew - make sure when you tighten you don't leave the knob rubbing on the tire. I haven't had a problem with this. I also think the rack looks great on the back of the Jeep. Loads easily and easy to attach and tie down the bikes. I have the 4-bike version but have only ever had two bikes on it with no problems. Easy assembly. Easy to attache/remove from vehicle, if needed. Overall, I like this bike rack and am glad I sprung for the extra cost.
The best all-around rack for me!
The Apex didn't work for me; my hitch is slightly under my bumper, and I couldn't access the angled adjustment hitch knob the Apex uses. I've also heard the system the Apex uses to fit both the 1 1/2 inch and the 2 inch hitches also allows the Apex to make noise and sway...so, the Vertex for me! I love my Vertex. I have a couple of small gripes about it, but they are minimal. In the big picture, this is a great rack. I have a Subaru Outback and use my rear cargo area regularly, so the convenience the swingaway feature provides, to me, is well worth the extra price over the standard tilt down rack. I completed a 10 day driveabout through SE British Columbia and SW Alberta, and being able to just swing the bikes out of the way to access the back was invaluable. Also, at highway speeds and on logging roads the bike rack was stable and didn't sway. My small gripes: I wish there were a way to lock the bikes to the rack without using the integral cable. Also, sometimes the locking bolt wants to cross-thread, and it sometimes requires a bit of a 'hunt' to align the bolt with the threads. These are very small gripes, and in the scope of things don't materially affect my perspective on this rack. Well-built product that functions as it should. Five stars.
The weakest link...bungies - no solution
The mechanics of the hitch mount and swing arm are sound, no problem there. Certainly seems like it will hold up for quite some time with regular use. Like any of these 'arm' style bike holders, getting 4 bikes on there is quite a challenge. Three is not an issue. Four road bikes would probably work, but I am a mountain biker, and getting 4 full suspension bikes on there is quite a feat. WEAKEST LINK - bungies that hold the bikes on! I purchased the bike mount in late April 2017, but mid-July two of the bungies had snapped in two. One while attaching it, the other on the road. And now a third is splitting. Thule Customer Service Response - We will replace any broken bungies for the first two years of ownership. Naah, that's ok Thule, you can have your $400 rack back; I plan on using my bike rack for more than two years, and carrying $3-$8k worth of bikes. I asked them in several emails if they could convince me to keep the rack, they did not respond to that question. Below is the response to me when I told them about the breaks. Not comforting or consoling to a customer. That's all, Steve As a side note to customer service: (pardon me being so picky) please write in full sentences, use capitals and punctuation when writing to customers, especially! At one point they wrote back to me using all lower caps, including his name, and not a hint of punctuation. Just saying. "Thank you for contacting Thule Customer Service. We warranty strap within the first 2 years of the products life please send me your shipping information Best Wishes, Tyler Thule Customer Service Team"
Nearly Perfect
We needed a rack for four bikes and I wanted one that would allow me access to our trunk space. This rack allowed for both and it met these needs in a exceedingly efficient way. The assembly was easy and the functionality was intuitive. We love Thule products and this rack lives up to the brand reputation. Only a few drawbacks: (1) The locking pin for locking the rack in the swing-out position sometimes gets in the way. It’s actually the lanyard that holds the pin that sometimes gets in the elbow of the swing joint. I actually sheared the lanyard because of this, but it’s not really a big deal. (2) The bolt that secures the hitch to the receiver must be ratcheted down making it a bit cumbersome to install and remove. This could be seen as a positive for those who would leave the rack installed for long periods of time since it somewhat deters a person from stealing the rack. I would prefer something a bit more quick personally.
Solid and Convenient for 4 Bikes
Purchased in 2017 so this is a long-term review. Pros: On the Plus side it has done its job wonderfully for many family and fun events, almost always being left outside in the elements. There is no rust anywhere except the surfaces that interface with the hitch. I had a concern when it was new that the T-handle screw threads (used to tighten the swing-arm for traveling) would become cross-threaded over time... that has not occurred, in fact it's much better now than when it was new. I've also learned that by tightening the hitch bolt with a long wrench the wobbling (rhythmic axially rotation around the hitch itself) is minimized to imperceptible levels. The high torque has likely stretched the bolt slightly but there's no sign of impending failure yet. IF that bolt were to break while driving AND bikes were on the rack, it would take a few miles of a decently bumpy road to work the rack loose and it would be making a racket (IF that were to happen). The rubber straps are very simple and there are generic brands that make replacements simple and cheap. I love the integrated lock, it helps keep peace of mind when driving around in crummy cities. Cons: The rubber straps can be lost, stolen, or break. When installed on a minivan, be very careful opening the right-side sliding door when the rack is extended with bikes on it... the tires will often touch the painted surface of the door. This is a common position when parked at a campsite. Overall - I love this bike rack and recommend it to friends.