Allen Sports Premier Hitch Mounted 2-Bike Carrier, Model S525, Black

You know: to really get to know a product, reading reviews will not suffice. You need to read the reviews before you buy the product, then buy and install the product, use it, then re-read the reviews. So here's where I am at: Yes I installed the rack on my 2016 Mercedes GLE which came with a 2 inch hitch but I had a very small ratchet (1/4th?) and not even the right socket for the big bolt and so I used pliers-type-of-tools. Result: it did install but I know it's not in all the way (the big bolt). There is a wobble, as others have stated. I then read the reviews and someone talked about getting 3/4th ratchets, and that the wobble went away after he really tightened the big bolt. But when I saw the price for 3/4th ratchets I said no way and went and ordered two Crescent half inch ones. Plus a set of sockets. I did this cos it was obvious to me that these are necessary tools for this rack. Not only because of the first time you install them but because of the times you will need to unscrew and rescrew the big bolt. For the winter I wont need to go bikeriding so I will take the rack off. However the wiggle is not an issue. Meaning I take two bikes places and drove with the rack with no bikes on and I heard no noises coming because of a wiggle. So the product is sturdy enough even when there is wobble. The new rachets just arrived so I will go and tighten the big bolt and see if that helped. I also bought a hitch tightener but I am not sure I will be installing it because even as is the rack is on OK I believe. I have used it for about a week only so I may be updating this review. Regarding the rest of the rack, I feel it's a quality product overall. Yes, it would be great to have a quick release feature like others have mentioned but I live in a very safe area so I dont anticipate issues with theft etc. Anything is possible but this is not an expensive item to worry much.

I am an avid cyclist, road and MB. I had been using a different rack that I liked, but I am also an amateur radio operator, and wanted something to support an 11 m telescoping antenna mast. I support annual fundraisers for projects such as diabetes and MS in New England. The forest and terrain interfere with communications. Some of the rides are 100 miles. The mast raises the antenna high enough into the forest canopy that I can communicate with others. For the mast, I place the bottom of the mast, before I extend it, on a small board. Then I secure the mast to the rack, with the bike bars in the raised position. Then I mount the antenna and coax, and extend the antenna. I can do that In 15 minutes by myself. As a bike rack, it works great. Assembled easily, and fits my trailer hitch. It wobbles a bit unless you use the no-wobble bolt. One of the nice features of the bike rack is that I can easily remove it in the mountains and stash it in my vehicle for the day while I am mountain biking.

I really wanted a Yakima light weight aluminum at 18 pounds but costs $350 at REI. Needed a better price so bought this Allen all steel one at 23 lbs. I tell you there is so much bad information on Amazon Allen reviews as well as hitch adapter reviews I want to gag. Most of the sizing information you read is all wrong conceptually. The wobble people complain about is normal. Hitch Glove fits are not practical with trailer hitches and they are not designed that way, think about it. A trailer needs extra space to guide home and engaget and its so massive, wobble is never noticed. The 5/8" hitch pin requires a 11/16" hole. I know! I purchased a hitch adapter and a drill bit enlarged the 1/2" hole.TRICK is to use a MaxxHaul 70033 2" to 1-1/4 Hitch Adaptor, took off the Allen 2" aluminum adapter and then drilled the 1/2" hole larger to fit a 5/8" hitch pin on both the Allen and the Maxxhaul side making way more universal and easy to deal with. The Allen part is 1/8" steel way beefy enough for a couple of bikes. I would have given a 5 stars, but I think Allen could do a way better design on their hitch adapter, they could have an option to do what I did. If you don't like any wobble simply buy the anti wobble hitch clamps sold on Amazon. BE SURE to engage rack flip down red lever completely when returning to locked position, it is a tight fit and seems tight even when it is not fully engaged in slot.Roll over image to zoom inaxxHaulMaxxHaul 70033 2" to 1-1/4" Hitch Adaptor

Just got this bike rack two days ago , i installed it and used it yesterday. I went with this rack because it had a 2 inch slug that fit my 2 inch receiver on my truck with out any adaptors. The rack slug thrubolts to the receiver with a blot thats to thick just below the head of the bolt to go threw the slug so it catches the slug and pulls it tight to the nut side of the receiver, this takes all the wobble out of it so theres no shaking of the bikes while your on the road. The rubber peices work well at holding the bike frame in the cradel and it comes with a nylon strap to keep the front tire from flip floping wile underway. The cradel folds down when not in use and it is removeable with one bolt so its easy to take off and store. This is a well thought out bike rack and the threw bolt makes it safer than the expanding slug type that i fear could fail which could result in looseing the hole rack.

Purchased a Allen bike hitch, install not a problem. Had a question regarding the 2'' size attachment, I emailed several times and tried their customer service phone# But NO RESPONSE. Hard to believe once you make a purchase your on your own!!