Yakima Swingback

t2canoe · Jun 1, 2022

We travel with a lot of stuff plus two dogs, and want to add two bicycles to the mix.

One option is to add a 2" trailer hitch and buy a Yakima EXO Swingbase plus bike rack for 2 bikes. We like the Swingbase as it lets us have easy access to the dog crates in back.

I am concerned if the Odyssey rear end can handle the extra weight.

Swingbase 68 lbs, Bike Rack 37 lbs, (2) bikes 30 lbs each: Total = 165 lbs

Any one have any experience - good or bad - with this arrangement.

Swingback

0dyfamily · Jun 1, 2022

Seems like a really neat concept. I don't have the EXO Swingbase, but I've used this type of arrangement (Yakima Holdup +2):

I had to install Air Lift 1000 bags into my rear coil springs to "give the rear end a boost," as this caused a little bit of sag.

Your setup will not be cantilevered out back like mine is, but if it does cause the rear to squat, the Air Lift 1000 system is not a tremendously difficult item to install yourself.

OF

Pjones · Jun 3, 2022

0dyfamily said:
Seems like a really neat concept. I don't have the EXO Swingbase, but I've used this type of arrangement (Yakima Holdup +2):
View attachment 168543
I had to install Air Lift 1000 bags into my rear coil springs to "give the rear end a boost," as this caused a little bit of sag.

Your setup will not be cantilevered out back like mine is, but if it does cause the rear to squat, the Air Lift 1000 system is not a tremendously difficult item to install yourself.

OF

I know you are not recommending the bike rack you have for this particular application but I will add this note for others that may consider it.

The odyssey has a very low ground clearance so a platform style bike rack is not recommended for this van because it can cause ground clearance issues. I have previously been instructed by my dealer to get a rack that hangs the bikes.

Alternatively you could look at one that suspends the bikes from the crossbar but be aware that a Y frame bike and one with an angled crossbar will result in one wheel hanging much lower than you may want.

0dyfamily · Jun 3, 2022

My Yakima Holdup Plus 2 never, ever gets close enough to scrape. The Thule T2, and platform racks by Saris and Kuat also sit fairly high, and do not scrape in general use.

Previously, I owned a Thule 964 that could hang four bikes. Before getting Air Lift 1000's and Monroe Sensa-Trac Load Adjusting shock absorbers (rear, only), it scraped if I scaled a shallow driveway and my kids were in the back seat.

Scraping was the reason I went with a platform rack.

The Yakima Swingdaddy is elevated above the hitch, more so than the Thule 964 I owned, and does not scrape, even on steep driveways.

@Pjones , your dealer needs to actually fit the rack in question before giving you a yay or nay. I bought a hanging rack based on the dealer's recommendation, and he was wrong. Turns out he never actually fitted that particular Thule rack to an Odyssey with an OEM hitch. I bought the Yakima platform rack based on the recommendation of the person selling it to me (not a Honda dealer), and he was right, it had adequate clearance.

OF

marmaladeboy · Jun 7, 2022

One thing to note here is with the swinging bike racks, you need sufficient clearance for the swinging arm and bicycles. If you are in an urban environment, with parking lots or parallel parking spaces, you might not have enough room. We use the tilt feature for our bike racks often when accessing the rear of the Odyssey (dogs, luggage, dogs' luggage). It can be a bear when loaded with bikes, but it comes down to the trade-offs you are willing to live with. I run a 1Up tray-style bike rack most of the time, and a Yakima hanging-cradle style if we have to lug the kids' bikes.

On a side note, many years ago I had a Yakima SwingDaddy bike rack. The arm of that unit started to sag near the pivot. It drooped so much that the whole assembly looked tilted. It was still 100% functional, but aesthetically odd. When I reached out to Yakima, they shipped me a new one for free. I do not know if that is still the way they do warranty requests, but it was comforting to know they stand behind their product.

0dyfamily · Jun 7, 2022

All good stuff...

...and getting back to OP @t2canoe , given what I've seen with trailer tongue weights and stuff on the Odyssey hitch, he should be fine and "scrape free" by my estimation with his estimated loadout.

I really like how Yakima did this, because tilting an entire Yakima Holdup with Plus 2 attachment is a burly task.

If it's too heavy, with too much squat, right now only Timbren makes a product for the latest Odyssey. Air Lift 1000 is not available yet, neither is a Firestone Coil-Rite setup.

OF

t2canoe · Jun 7, 2022

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. It is great to get info from people who have actually used these products, rather than someone who wants to sell me something. Anyone else who sees this and has something to add, please keep the comments coming. The SwingDaddy mentioned above is, unfortunately, no longer made.

One more note, I was at a bike shop this morning and asked them about racks when you have a y frame or step through bike. You can buy an adapter bar... which clamps on and allows you to mount it just like a conventional frame bike.Extra money, but allows you to avoid a platfrom mount if preferred.

Yakima Swingback

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