Assembly
Note: The nuts supplied with this rack are equipped with nylon thread locks. Once the threads of the bolt reach the thread lock, you will feel resistance as you tighten the nut and bolt. This is normal, continue tightening the nut and bolt until it is securely fastened.
- Locate the lower mast tube and the “L” shaped hitch connection. Slide the hitch connection over the lower mast tube and line up the holes on both tubes.
- Locate the 3" bolt and nut, and insert the bolt through the hole at the bottom of the hitch connector and lower mast. Thread the nut onto the bolt and tighten, leaving just enough room for the mast to pivot away from the hitch connector.
3. Locate the clevis pin (attached by a small cable to the middle of the lower mast). Insert the pin through the upper hole in the hitch connector. Rotate the locking clip to the end of the pin, and press onto the pin until the clip snaps into the groove at the end of the pin.
4. Insert the upper mast into the lower mast. Line up the two sets of holes and insert a 2½" bolt through each hole. Thread the nuts onto each bolt and tighten.
5. Insert the shock-absorbing bracket into the square tube.
6. Install the rack onto the car by inserting the hitch connector into the 2" hitch receiver on the car. Line up the holes in the hitch connector with the holes in the receiver. Insert the large 3½" bolt through the holes in the receiver and the rack connection, then tighten securely using a wrench.
WARNING: Failure to properly install and tighten the hitch bolt could allow the rack to separate from the vehicle and fall onto the roadway, potentially causing a serious accident.
1. To fold down the rack arms when not in use, remove the upper clevis pin and fold the rack arms down. Reinstall the clevis pin and secure with the safety clip, making sure the clip fits into the groove on the pin. To raise the arms for use, reverse the procedure.
2. Before loading bikes onto the hitch rack, rotate the mounting saddles to their upright position. Use the supplied hex wrench to tighten the saddle mount on the arm if necessary.
Do not overtighten! The saddles should be able to rotate and slide back and forth with minimal effort to allow optimum positioning of the bikes on the rack.
Tips For Use
- Removing the lower pin when the rack is not loaded with bikes will allow the rack to rotate away from the back of the car, allowing the tailgate to be opened.
- When using this feature for the first time, open the tailgate slowly and check to make sure there is enough clearance between the tailgate and the rack before fully opening the tailgate.
- Do not attempt to use this feature with bikes loaded on the rack as the unit may be too heavy to safely lift back to position.
