For me, I like to keep the back end of my truck bike free which leaves room for other things such as fire wood, coolers and usually a couple scooters for the girls. This Swagman around the spare tire bike rack was the perfect solution for my travel trailer which is a 23IKSS Shamrock / Roo by Forest River.
The Swagman around the spare tire system is super easy to install and it is the perfect answer to carrying the kids bikes. How do we get the adult bikes to our destination? We really like the jack-it double bike carrier system which combined with this Swagman system allows us to carry four bikes in total.
The installation and how to can be found here. Enough about the bikes on the front of the camper and back to how to install a Swagman around the spare tire back rack system.
What Size Bumper Can the Around the Spare Rack Accommodate
The Swagman around the spare tire bike rack is designed to be held on to the travel trailer with two U-bolts. These U-bolts are designed to clamp on to a 4 – 4 1/2″ continuous welded square bumper.
You should ensure that your bumper is is welded. If not, you run the risk of the bumper falling off and being dragged behind the camper. Make sure the rear bumper of your camper is designed to hold more weight than just a spare tire.
Swagman Around the Spare Tire Bike Rack Features
Per Swagman, the around the spare tire bike rack comes with the following features;
- Includes 2 nylon straps to secure the bikes by the top tubes which prevents excess rattling
- 2 release pins designed to allow you to remove the top half of the rack which allows easy access to the spare tire
- The anti-sway cradles comes with 3 points that have durable rubber straps that are used for the following
- Won’t scratch the bike’s finish
- Accepts bike frames up to 1 1/2″ in diameter
- Prevents bike to bike contact during transportation
- Swagman around the spare tire bike rack is designed to carry 2 bikes
- Bike rack mounts to the square bumper with 2 U-bolts and brackets
- Swagman bike rack is constructed with corrosion resistant black powder coating
Swagman Around the Spare Tire Bike Rack Specs
- The maximum bike frame diameter is designed for 1 1/2″
- The spare tire has a clearance of 12 3/4″
- The distance from the edge of the cradle to the edge of the other cradle is 18″
- 35 lbs per bike maximum weight capacity
- Designed for 4 – 4 1/2″ square continuously welded steel bumpers
The depth clearance from the bumper to the inside of the lower bike rack is 12″. The bike rack does slope out a little giving you another 1/4 – 1/2″ clearance as it goes up to the top.
From the top of the bottom of the bike rack to the under side of the bike support rails is 24″.
The Swagman’s around the spare tire bike support rails stick out 12″.
The width of the bike racks support rail center to center is 14 1/4″. This dimension can change a little depending on the width to bottom U-bolts are bolted apart from one another.
Tools Needed to Install Swagman Around the Spare Bike Rack
- (2) 1/2″ sockets or ratchets
- 15mm socket or ratchet
How to Assemble & Install Swagman Around the Spare Bike Rack
Start out by placing the U-Bolt around the bumper.
Place the lower around the spare bike rack assembly on the U-Bolt. Put one locking washer followed by the nut on the top and bottom thread of the U-Bolt.
Just finger tighten until the end so adjustments can be made.
Repeat this process on the other side of the spare tire.
Grab the Upper arms of the around the spare tire assembly and place them in the lower assembly that was just assembled on the rear bumper of the travel trailer. The upper arms should be pointing away from each other.
Insert the two pins between the the top and bottom of the bike rack in the pre-drilled hole. This is a pin instead of a bolt so that the rack can easily be removed should access to the spare tire be needed.
Install the stabilizer bar on one side with the provided bolt. Ensure you place the locking washer on prior to putting the nut on.
Repeat the same process on the other side of the stabilizer bar.
Once all connections are finger tight and everything aligns it is time to tighten everything down. Start with the two stabilizer bolts and get them good and snug.
Repeat this process with the four bolts at the bottom of the Swagman’s around spare tire rack. Enjoy your camping season!
How to Install Swagman Around the Spare Tire Bike Rack on RV
For me, I like to keep the back end of my truck bike free which leaves room for other things such as fire wood, coolers and usually a couple scooters for the girls. This Swagman around the spare tire bike rack was the perfect solution for my travel trailer which is a 23IKSS Shamrock / Roo by Forest River.
Materials
- Swagman Around the Spare Tire Bike Rack
Tools
- (2) 1/2″ sockets or ratchets
- 15mm socket or ratchet
Instructions
- Start out by placing the U-Bolt around the bumper.
- Place the lower bike rack support on the U-Bolt. Add the locking nut and then finger tighten the nut on. Repeat this process on the other side of the spare tire.
- Insert the upper vertical bike rack support system into the lower base support. The bars should be bowing away from one another. Insert the safety locking pin.
- Install the stabilizer bar on one side and then the other side of the bike rack tying the two together. Ensure a locking washer is install prior to the nut.
- Make minor adjustments to square everything up then tighten down the stabilizer bracket followed by the four u-bolt nuts.
- Enjoy the camping season!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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