Review of Allen Deluxe Swing Away 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver)

Allen Deluxe Swing Away 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver)
By: Allen Bike Racks Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 8
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overly complicated design prone to failure

On: 2007-09-01

Based on my practical experience with the 740RR I would not recommend it. I believe the 740RR suffers from some significant design flaws which quickly become apparent during normal use and raise concerns about the products safety. These flaws eventually render the rack unusable.

The 740RR is designed to provide access to the rear of a vehicle without having to first remove the rack, a particularly useful feature for travelers who wish to open the tailgate of their vehicle. The 740RR (MSRP: $400) competes in this concept with similar swing away bike racks from other well-known brands, though the 740RR is usually available at a lower cost than competing products.

1) Unnecessarily complicated swing-arm.
The swing-arm of the 740RR features a unique "folding" design to move the rack out of the way, rather than a using a single hinge typical of competing products. However, there is no discernible value-add to the "folding" swing-arm design. Instead, this design requires more individual mechanical components, bracing, and connection hardware than is required of a simple hinge design. Three pivot points mean over a half-dozen lubrication spots, provide more mechanical points of failure, and create several potentially serious pinch hazards. (An animated video of the swing-arm movement is available on the manufacturers website.)

2) Swing-arm flex.
With so many pivot points the 740RR swing-arm flexes when under normal load in the open position. The flex causes permanent misalignment of the locking mechanisms that hold the rack safely closed, rendering the 740RR unusable.

3) Poorly designed locking and safety mechanism.
The 740RR locks into a closed position by use of a spring-pin. The owner must subsequently hand-tighten an ordinary bolt (incorrectly labeled in the assembly instructions as a "wing nut") before the rack is safe for transport. While this design is similar to other competing products, the 740RRs implementation seems poorly applied.
- The long 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--the bolt can no longer be tightened and the rack is unusable;
- Neither the locking spring-pin or the bolt will engage if the swing-arm is misaligned, again rendering the rack unusable.

4) Significant weight.
The folding design swing-arm requires relatively more material than a hinge design rack. The additional steel in the 740RR adds considerable weight and makes it cumbersome to attach/remove from the receiver hitch. (The weight is likely a contributing factor in the flex issue mentioned above.) The 740RR is awkward to move when detached, and does not stand up on its own due to the position of the receiver hitch insert. The manufacturer sells a stand which allows upright storage of the 740RR when detached from the vehicle.

5) Instructions contain errors.
The 740RR arrives in a surprisingly compact box, and requires the assembly of just four pieces. However, the instructions contain errors.
- an image and text describe the swing-arm mounts to the receiver hitch insert with two bolts. The actual swing-arm comes pre-drilled with only one hole;
- the bolt used to secure the swing-arm to the receiver hitch is incorrectly label as a "wing nut".

A good rack for the physically able

On: 2007-07-09

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!

On: 2007-06-27

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.

On: 2007-01-07

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 its heavy because its made from such heavy gauge steel. Thats 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 Im 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 ;-)

Allen Swing Away 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack

On: 2007-01-04

Starting with the good. The rack was very easy to assemble & is very sturdy. The rack will hold securely 4 different style of bikes if you alternate handlebars. It locks and unlocks easily with the push of a lever & twist of a heavy duty, rubber coated wingnut. It does swing & lock out allowing access to a tailgate or lift gate. I can also access my liftgate glass while the rack is not swung out. The bike mounting arm (which I have used as a surfboard platform at the beach while changing)can be collapsed when not in use.

Now the downside. The rack fits a standard 2" receiver but I had to enlarge the hole on the rack hitchpost to accept my locking bolt for my hitch. The rack is very heavy. When not mounted, the rack has to be laid down, it will not stand up by itself. I would buy this item again but I would do a more thorough search for a swing out rack that allows you to place the wheels of the bikes on a mounting platform in wheel racks.

Mr. TB

On: 2006-12-05

Having owned another Allen hitch rack, I wanted to get one of their racks that would allow me to access the back of my SUV without having to remove my bicycles from the rack. Although took a little bit of assembly, once it was put together the 740 worked awesome. The rack locks in both the open and closed positions, and it has a couple of arms that rotate your bicycles for you while its opening. Definitely a great swing-away design!

Mr. TB

On: 2006-12-04

Having owned another Allen hitch rack, I wanted to get one of their racks that would allow me to access the back of my SUV without having to remove my bicycles from the rack. Although took a little bit of assembly, once it was put together the 740 worked awesome. The rack locks in both the open and closed positions, and it has a couple of arms that rotate your bicycles for you while its opening. Definitely a great swing-away design!

unhappy with purchase - Allen bike rack

On: 2006-11-06

Once the bikes were on the rack, it didnt close easily. Also the item came rusty and got further rusted in the first rainstorm. I wouldnt recommend this for the difference in price the Yakima or Thule are much better.

unhappy with purchase - Allen bike rack

On: 2006-11-05

Once the bikes were on the rack, it didnt close easily. Also the item came rusty and got further rusted in the first rainstorm. I wouldnt recommend this for the difference in price the Yakima or Thule are much better.

Great Rack

On: 2006-01-31

I just took my out of the box and installed it. It is fantastic. The swing out works great. The arms seem to be a little wide which requires some ingenuity to place my kids bikes on the rack.

Great Rack

On: 2006-01-30

I just took my out of the box and installed it. It is fantastic. The swing out works great. The arms seem to be a little wide which requires some ingenuity to place my kids bikes on the rack.