The Yakima Fullswing 4 delivered the convenience expected however; all claims made this site may not be true. After a 3,600-mile trip (all highway miles) to the Florida Keys, the bike rack has sagged or twisted where the rack installs in the hitch. The rack now lists about 15 degrees off center. We carried 4 lightweight bikes of different makes. They all ended up with bare metal scratches where they made contact with each other during transit. Two bikes were brand new so this was very disheartening. There is simply not enough room on the rack to keep 4 bikes apart without skin damage. When the rack’s swing arm is fully extended, it sags miserably so that extra care must be taken to prevent twisting damage to the part that install in the hitch. Great functionality but Yakima must beef up the metal to justify the price!

Don't buy this rack!!! Bottom line, it's a defective design. The top bolt that bears all of the weight bends (bows) with 3-4 bikes on it. I've had two of these racks and both failed, thus were returned. Sure it's only a bolt but this could be disasterous on the road if it gives.

I'm now going to the Thule system.

We have a 2000 Odyssey and first tried the Thule version. I did think that the Thule was more durable but it sat low to the ground in our van. So, we tried the Yakima and so far so good. The clearance is much better...so, if you have any steep inclines, you'll be better off with the Yakima.

the concept for this rack is great, and the swing system works to perfection...smooth swing action and gets completley out of the way of our 2004 tahoes back hatch, it is also very easy to install and uninstall and both can be done by one person in a matter of minutes (after about a 30 min initial assembly). the built in lock is a nice feature too. this basically does exactly what it says it does, holds 4 bikes and swings out of the way when you want to to get into the hatch (bikes can be on rack or off when swung open, wow)...now the bad parts, theres a few. the worst part is the devastatingly hard process of loading the bikes, putting that first bike on easy easy, putting the second bike on after it is difficult, then the third, its like trying to fit the square peg in the circle hole! and then once you try to get the fourth bike on you're dripping with sweat, screaming at the rack, and taking all the bikes back off to find a way to fit em on at once, and its probably about the 3rd or 4th time youve done that!. the reason why is because all the pedals and handlebars conflict with eachother and make it impossible to fit 4 bikes one there, especially since there's only about 5 inches of space between each bike...if none of that made sence then heres a shorter version: after first spending 2 hours finding an order and way to fit just 3 bikes on there, it still takes me a half hour EVERY time after each bike ride to load the three bikes, lots of putting bikes on, taking them back off, rejiggering them to fit, and praying...granted its nice for the other two people who are waiting in the car (loading the bikes can only be a 1 man job, poeple would get in the way really)...but after you are done loading you just wish you didnt go on the ride. bottom line is that i cant reccomend this to anyone because of the horrible loading process...but if you need the swinging capability, then its ur funeral

I nearly forgot this problem. Because my mountain bike has a non-standard frame, after 6 months one of arms of the top tube adapter came loose -- while carrying my bike. My loose bike rubbed paint off my SUV, to the tune of $350 to repaint the entire back. Be careful.

Though this bike rack has worked pretty well in carrying 4 full-sized mountain bikes, 3 problems manifested. Not only did I have to buy a tube top adapter for my non-standard bike frame, but my new bike was no longer lockable with Yakima's built-in lock. I added my own portable lock. Also, when as few as 2 lightweight mountain bikes are onboard, the whole arrangement needs to be manually lifted so that the piece locking the bottom together can be removed when swinging the bikes out of the way to access the SUV rear door or window.

Honestly, I bought this rack at a local bike shop before Backcountry started selling bike stuff. This rack came through on chainlove yesterday (at a much better price than I paid for it wish I could take my other back for a refund and get this one of chainlove but oh well). After reading some of the reviews I had to post a review/reply. First of all I have had no complaints with this rack. It has been great from day one. I have been able to put it on my van or my truck and haul 4 adult size full suspension mountain bikes on it. I love the swing away feature particularly for my van so that I can get in and out of the back without unloading the bikes. And having a lock to lock your bikes up is nice as well. If you want a hitch rack this is the best one out there.

Now, if I could reply to some of the reviews:

mtbgirl just because your individual bike has a non-standard bike frame it is not the racks fault that it doesnt fit your bike and that you needed to buy an adapter. I have a non standard bike frame as well and whether I use this rack, my old thule trunk mount rack on my car, or load it on a friends rack on their vehicle, I still have to use my adapter. That deals with your bike, not the bike rack. And just because your individual bike needs an adapter and the adapter itself came loose dont blame the rack again. That would be your adapters fault (and maybe yours for not securing the bikes properly).

Cyrus Baumgarten Any rack out there that says it holds 4 bikes makes it for a tight fit to get all 4 bikes on. I have also had to get a system down on mine to fit all 4 bikes. Sometimes adjusting seatpost heights help. But just because it is hard for you to figure out your puzzle dont blame the rack. It isnt its fault you cant put a round peg in a round hole. Like I said above, I have had 4 adult size full suspension bikes (some are big downhill bikes) on my rack and havenât had a problem fitting them.

Overall this is the best hitch rack out there. If you are looking for one spend a little extra money and get this one. It will be worth it for years to come.

This is a great product. To be able to open the back door of truck or car and not take your bikes off is wonderful. Everyone should have one. Maria

The designers put a lot of thought into the Fullswing4. When used with our Yakima "RocketBox", we can camp in the back of the Suburban and go where-ever, when-ever.

I was hesitant to spend $430 on a bike rack, but it was well worth it and it almost paid for itself in just one trip. The quality is superb, but the thing that really sets it apart from the others is the swing gate. If you do any traveling at all, buy a rack with a swing gate. I have now traveled over a 1,000 miles with bikes on the Fullswing 4 and have had no problems. It's a perfect 10.

I read the reviews before purchasing the Yakima FullSwing4 and decided that I would pay the extra money rather than buy the less expensive regular hitch rack. I have a 2004 Ford Supercrew and figured if I tried to open the tailgate and chipped the paint I would wish I had bought the FullSwing 4. I am so pleased and happy with the product. I compared it to other brands and felt that the construction was better. The hitch bolt screws into the hitch for a tight fit against the receiver so the rack does not flop back and forth. The bikes ride secure and are easy to load and unload and it is so nice to be able to swing the loaded rack out to clear the tailgate. I sure am glad that I didn't cheap out and buy the less expensive model. This one is well worth the price.

Good product, reliable delivery, all as promised. Easy to install. Works great with our two adult bikes and two trailer children bikes. We're very happy with the ease of use. No regrets on spending the money, it’s definitely worth the cost.

The bike rack exceeds expectations. Very well designed and built (sturdy). Comes with a lock for the supplied hitch bolt/pin and a cable lock built in the rack to lock the last bike. Bikes stay in place with versatile holders. I use it with a 2003 Suburban. The glass still lifts without moving the rack and the rack easily moves out of the way to lift the entire lift gate (great for dog access). Locks in open position to permit keeping the rack stationary on a hill when swung to the open position. Had it at a Triathlon this weekend (6/27) and several people were asking me about it when I was loading my SUV and had the bikes swung out of the way. Seems Yakima addressed the convenience issues many people have. Only complaint - wish it held 5 bikes. Worth the money.