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Allen Deluxe Swing Away 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver) | 
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| Brand: Allen Bike Racks
Category: Sports
List Price: $569.99
Buy New: $239.95
You Save: $330.04 (58%)
New (7) from $239.95
Rating:  9 reviews
Color: Blk/ Silver
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0
Dimensions (in): 0.4 x 0.3 x 0.3
MPN: 740rr
Model: 740RR
UPC: 076527740002
EAN: 0076527740002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Model 740RR | | • | Bicycles swing completely out of the way for eazsy lift-gate access. | | • | Patented folding arm system. | | • | Patented tie-down system indivi- dually secures and protects bicycles | | • | Lifetime on workmanship and materials |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Swing away allows for easy access to the vehicles lift-gate w/out having to remove bicycles. Rigid control arms guide bicycles through a 90 deg arc when opening and closing. Spring loaded pop-up pins secure rack in open or closed position. Zero counter of gravity (centered around hitch).
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 Best rack ever! October 12, 2008
Mrs. Vonie M. Gass (ca.)
I love this bike rack. I don't need my husbands help loading the bikes. It's great!
 overly complicated design prone to failure September 1, 2007
Tim Ault (DC Area)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
The 740RR (MSRP: $400) is a swing-away hitch-mount bike carrier that permits access to the rear of a vehicle without first dismounting the rack or its load of bikes, a convenience that you'll wonder how you ever got along without. The 740RR folding design is unique from other competing swing-away bike carriers, admittedly very cool to see in action though it provides no obvious advantages. An animated video of the 740RR movement is available on the manufacturer's website.
However, the 740RR seems to suffer from a few design flaws that quickly become apparent during typical use, raise concerns about the product's safety, and may eventually render the rack unusable. My observations after using the 740RR:
1) Unnecessarily complicated swing-arm.
The 740RR folding swing-arm requires more component hardware and pivot points than competing single-hinge swing-away carriers. More pivot points mean over a half-dozen lubrication spots, more mechanical points of failure, and several exposed and potentially serious pinch hazards.
2) Swing-arm flex.
The 740RR swing-arm flexes considerably when it is swung out from the vehicle under a full load of bikes. The flex can cause permanent misalignment of the locking mechanisms that hold the rack safely closed. When this happens, the 740RR is unusable.
3) Poorly designed locking and safety mechanism.
The locking mechanism is the most significant problem with the rack. The 740RR clicks closed by use of a spring-pin. However, this pin does not secure the carrier to the vehicle. Instead, the owner must subsequently hand-tighten an ordinary threaded bolt before the rack is safe for transport. Forget to tighten that bolt and the carrier will swing away from the rear of the vehicle at the first bump regardless if the rack is empty or carrying bikes, an unnerving thing to experience.
Note that securing the rack with a threaded bolt appears to be a typical safety feature of most swing-away bike carriers. However, the 740RR's implementation seems poorly applied:
- The long threaded bolt must be tightened from the front of the swing-arm, access to which is difficult and awkward when the rack is loaded with bicycles;
- The bolt threads become stripped under normal use and eventually can no longer be tightened, making the rack unusable;
- Neither the spring-pin or the bolt will engage if the swing-arm is misaligned, again rendering the rack unusable.
4) Significant weight.
The 740RR is heavy and cumbersome to attach/remove from the receiver hitch, and awkward and bulky to move when detached. The carrier does not stand up on its own when not mounted. As an alternative to hefting the thing up onto wall hooks, the manufacturer sells a stand which allows upright storage of the 740RR.
5) Instructions contain errors.
The 740RR design has apparently changed since the instructions were last updated. A few images do not match actual rack components, and some parts are mislabeled.
Great Warranty.
The manufacturer warrants their products as such: "If one of our products fails to function properly due to defect in materials or workmanship over the lifetime of the original purchaser, return the product and we will repair it or replace it free of charge." Indeed, to my satisfaction, the manufacturer replaced my first problematic 740RR (on which this review is based) without any hassle and free of charge including shipping. The replacement rack has lasted longer than its predecessor, but the threaded bolt again shows signs of eminent failure.
Buying a Used 740RR.
It is probably a very bad idea to purchase the 740RR used. The original owner may be unburdening themselves of a rack afflicted with one of the many inherent problems I mentioned above. Also, you would loose the protection of the manufacturer's warranty.
A good rack for the physically able July 9, 2007
Daniel R. Amundson
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
We bought this type of swing out rack for easier access to the rear hatch of our SUV. Once attached the rack works very well, although we have not used it yet fully loaded with 4 bikes. We have only had this rack a few weeks so it has not been extensively tested by us. The rack swings out easily under load and locks in place as it should. Everything seems heavily constructed and very solid. For small frame mountain bikes you may want to buy an adjustable bar in place of the existing top bar since it can be hard to get small frame mountain bikes on the the rack. The bikes seem to be held securely on the rack and with everything anchored they do not swing around.
Cons -- the heavy construction makes for a very heavy rack. If you have back issues or other problems carrying a heavy load you might want to leave the rack on your car. It is also not an easy load to get a hold of when moving it. While the overall construction was very good, two of the holes that should allow the mounting bolts to fold into the swing arm were misaligned slightly. A little grinding on the holes brought everything into alignment.
Overall a very good rack for the price and it seems solid enough to provide years of service.
It's a Winner! June 27, 2007
M. Houck (San Antonio, TX USA)
I am very happy with this bike rack. We have a van, and it swings away from the doors very nicely. Neither the rack or the bikes when loaded ever touch the van doors, so no scratches! The rack is very solid when mounted, and our bikes, when attached with extra strap (or bungee cords) are solid also. My only complaint is that it is too heavy for me to lift and mount to the van by myself. My husband has no trouble by himself. We have already traveled over 2000 miles with the bikes on this rack, and are really pleased with it!
Excellent Rack! Great design & quality. Very heavy. January 7, 2007
Jimmy (New Jersey)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
This is a great rack and the price is even greater. Super heavy duty construction. Easy to operate. Great design. The only negative thing is it's heavy because it's made from such heavy gauge steel. That's the only reason for 4 stars. If it was lighter I would give it 5 stars.
I have an Expedition which is very wide. I was concerned that when the rack swings to the side it may not swing out wide enough and the bikes may hit the truck. Not a problem. The rack swings out plenty wide to clear the truck.
I usually buy Thule racks but I'm tired of the high prices and the quality keeps getting worse & worse. I am very happy with this Allen rack. Not only do I get exercise riding my bike. I get a work out carrying the rack as well ;-)
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