Best 1985 Dodge Ram Pickup Bike Racks

After one year of using our swagman, we are very happy. We own RAM 1500 with ram boxes and mounted the swagman at the back end of the bed. We mounted the skewers on the bottom side of the bar, to mount the bar upside down. This let the end brackets mount perfectly on the side walls just in front of the end gate. Our bikes when mounted face the rear. Works great!

This rack fits and functions perfectly in my 2018 Ram Rebel. I have the Ram Box cargo management system and I set it up as recommended and it was great! Then I reversed it, as some other folks have done, and mounted it near the tailgate just off the bed floor. This allows me to load and unload from the ground and it keeps the bikes below the cab roof line. So wherever the truck can go the bikes can go without snagging on anything. Went out for a varied terrain test drive and it didn't budge. Package came clean and undamaged with a completely functional inventory of parts. Every part was machined properly and the lock works as well as the release button. No problems at all with anything! Just rotated the fork mounts 90 degrees for the low mounting position and it was done. Etrailer really came through on this one! I will continue to do business with this company!

Very easy to assemble, even easier if you read the directions first and look closely at the diagram to install the tire loop brackets correctly. Excellent solid mounting for the bikes and the rack. Especially like the screw-in hitch pin. Locks it up tight. Even better, it is easy to load the bikes. Much easier than my old one. I can load/unload my bike is less than 30 seconds, my older carrier took several minutes untying straps, loosening a top clamp plate, putting parts away. This one folds up quite well for storage and is lighter too. Great carrier.

Product has been used a few times, very easy to set up and adjust, works well and securely holds two bicycles in place. I would highly recommend this rack for anyone with one or two bikes. also note it folds up when not used. I would purchase from this company again. unit was well packaged and company did exactly as promised...

The fit for a 2014 Ram was spot on, no issue with the wide style tailgate top and the access flap for the tailgate handle lined up perfectly. Material is durable and easy to clean, the only thing holding it from a 5 stars is if it had the padded dividers on top to keep the bikes separated. But for the price, the fit and finish was exceptional, great value !!!

Doesn't seem to fit the 2024 Chevrolet High Country tailgate as the straps aren't long enough. Also, the padding doesn't go far enough down the outside of the tailgate. Could be because I have the factory bed protection which covers the top of the tailgate.

Rack is very sturdy and heavy duty. Instructions were terrible. Locking hitch pin would not thread correctly and ended up damaging it. Thankfully the threads on rack were fine and I was able to use the non-locking threaded pin. Would like a replacement locking pin ASAP

For the price, it's a good-quality, sturdy bike rack. I have used it about 5-7 times with no issues. I only used it for one adult and two kids' bikes, but I am sure it can handle four bikes as advertised. It's great that the rack folds upwards when it's not required.

Using this as a front mounted bike rack since I'm hauling a camper in the back. Fits perfectly on my ram 1500. Feels very sturdy so I don't have to worry about anything coming loose. This plus a front mount hitch receiver costs less than a swing arm hitch attachment by itself so I would recommend this combo over a swing arm in the back for anyone looking to bring bikes with their truck camper or fifth wheel.

Easy to use Would have liked it to have a 5/8s hitch pin hole

Great product for the price. Pretty easy to set up. Only issue I have is my mountain bike, which is an XL frame with 27 inch wheels, is pushing the limits of the base. Wish this rack was just 4-5 inches longer that way you have the perfect overlap amount in the middle without pushing the current frame to the limits. With that said it does hold my bike just have to find the sweet spot. But this fits my son’s youth bike perfectly!

As always with products I buy from e-Trailer, this item is exactly as advertised and works perfectly. Easy assembly, I bought 2 but only installed one until I check the fit with my rooftop carrier.

Good people to deal with,good service,very helpful with any questions,very fast delivery, highly recommended

Fantastic bike rack. Switch it between a Honda Ridgeline and a Subaru Outback Wilderness and it works perfectly. Accidentally lost the locking pin that secures the rack to the trailer hitch and when I inquired with Kurt about ordering a replacement lock keyed to match the locking cables on the rack and the Kuat rep sent one to me for free. (I removed the rack and left the lock sitting on my car bumper. Later that day I drove off and lost the lock on the highway).

Had bought three of these a year ago and placed it on a cut 2" x 4" for three bikes. All three bikes (2 MTB and 1 Road) now easily fit the 5'7" bed of my Ram 1500. No worries with the quick release and no more stress taking the whole family to the trails. So glad I got these.

Love this product! I built a great bike carrying system for my F-150 using two of these fork clamps. They are easy to install and extremely well made. No more tangled bikes and lots more room in the bed for other stuff! Best way to go for a nice bike rack system. Thanks, Phil T.

My order arrived from eTrailer in two days and the container was in great shape. I received great assistance from Julie, she is very professional and provided great info about my prospective purchase. The Swagman Chinook is very well constructed, heavy duty and heavy. The basic assembly took about 45 minutes with more time making adjustments to fit my bikes. It is very stable when connected to my 2015 Ram 1500 Crew Cab, I noticed very minimal wobble or shake on a test drive after I connected it. I would definitely recommend it to others.

Works for my fat tire bike. Once it's set up, it's easy to install and remove. I had to cut out some of the plastic cladding on the underside of my bumper on my 2014 Subaru Outback. Good value. I've had no issues.

Very helpful and knowledgeable. Quick service and delivery got exactly what I ordered thank you

I purchased the 3500 model for a 2-inch hitch for my 2004 Toyota 4Runner. I've had it for a month now and it has worked well. It took just over an hour to assemble it and the instructions for the most part were easy to follow although it would behoove you to read it through once before you even start putting parts together. The rack has pretty much stayed on the vehicle for the past month and I use it two to three times a week to commute to work. The bike is on the rack for the 26 miles roundtrip to the ferry terminal and it hasn't given me any problems. Service and prompt delivery was much appreciated. I even noted that the link for installation instructions was broken and Anna responded immediately and I now see that it is there! One thing that my photos will show is that if you have a flat handlebar bike in the position closest to the vehicle the hatch may not fully open because the handlebar will prevent it. Not an issue with me since I use it for commuting and don't need to access the hatch. I think the price is worth it since I wanted this type of rack and it was difficult to find anything with this quality and features in the range. Four stars only because I've only had it for only a month so not sure how well it will hold up in the months to come. I also much appreciate the videos of the rack on the etrailer website. Thanks, etrailer! Arthur

I installed this rack onto a Curt trailer hitch which is mounted onto a 2017 Honda Fit. I have been using it intermittently for several months, probably about 5 times with one bike and twice with two bikes. I give some pros and cons below and then elaborate. Pros: easy to assemble, easy to mount and dismount bikes, easy to lock and unlock, how to put the rack into different positions is intuitive Cons: inconvenient to put the rack into different positions, inconvenient to mount the rack onto the hitch, rack protrudes about 15 inches from bumper when in flipped up position (seems very vulnerable to someone backing into it in a parking lot, very inelegant looking I say the repositioning is intuitive because there is really only one way you could possibly place the pins for each position. But removing and replacing two pins is much less convenient than turning a knob or a lever, like some racks do. Also many racks fold and flip in such a way as to look very unobtrusive when in non-use mode. This one looks like kind of a monstrosity. That does not really bother me but it might bother some owners. The part that does bother me is how far it protrudes from the car. I back into parking spaces whenever possible to avoid someone bumping into the rack and damaging it (which happened to a friend). My number one suggestion for Curt is related to mounting the rack onto the hitch. Make it easier to tell when the holes are lined up so that the bolt/pin will fit and thread. As it is now, if you insert the rack as far as it can go it is way too far in. Ideally, it would be exactly lined up. Failing that, maybe some kind of click or other feedback to know at least that you are in the neighborhood. It would also be great to have an attaching device that is easier to fasten and unfasten than is the bolt/pin. Tip for mounting the rack onto the hitch: I assumed that it would be awkward to hold, what is it 46 pounds?, while trying to line up the rack probe with the receiver. If you have a garage with exposed collar ties, my solution could work well for you. I looped a cargo strap over a collar tie. Then I hooked both hooks of a bungie onto that loop. The idea is that you hook one of the bike frame holders of the rack onto the bungie, suspending the rack a few inches off the garage floor. This takes most of the weight of the rack so that you can just pull up or down and forward until you line up with the receiver. Tip for mounting bikes. Don't put the little screw into the post that prevents you from completely removing the bike frame holders. Remove both holders. Position the first bike, slide the holder into place, position the second bike, slide the holder into place. I found this makes it much easier, because you avoid parts of the bike hitting the holder as you are trying to get the wheels into place. The trick is that if you are mounting only one bike, don't forget to put the second holder back on - or maybe just stick it inside the car right away.

Have used mine several times in the past 2 years on the back of a ‘21 Honda Pilot and a ‘19 Ram 1500 Classic. I really like that the platform will tilt downward allowing the Pilot rear hatch to open with no interference. The tailgate on the Ram doesnt open fully even with the platform tilted downward, but that is a Ram problem & not a Curt problem. Was well worth the money.

This bike rack has worked well for our family of 4. It allows us to safely and securely carry all 4 bikes through the mountains of Colorado with our Hallmark Milner truck camper. Strong and durable rack that barely moves when driving. etrailer's customer service was outstanding. The rack was initially delayed and after one phone call to check status a warehouse manager quickly solved a minor issue and got the rack shipped. etrailer was fantastic in managing this transaction with extremely limited staffing. etrailer is the first place I check for anything recreation as I've never had anything but stellar service.

Excellent rack, a year later still in great condition. No movement at hitch when driving like other racks. Love the extra bar to work on bike in parking lot. Cracked a part on the rack when backing up accidentally hit it, I called the company and they immediately sent out new part no questions asked and rack is like new. Easy to access the drop and raise bar even with bikes on .A note that with larger mountain bikes only three really fit on the four rack without adjusting handle bars. Thanks to etrailer for stocking a great product and providing excellent post purchase service

It broke, (the tension handle snapped off) the first time I used it, which was 45-60 days after I purchased it. Nether Curt nor etrailer provided any warranty relief since it was 30 days post sale. It's in a landfill now, and I won't buy from either company again.

A frustrating experience. I bought this bike rack hoping that it would be a really good fit for our needs. We went on a road trip where we were going to camp as we went. Towing a small trailer I mounted the rack on the back of our Honda Element. I had trouble getting the bikes (two) to ride high enough off the road. On the first day of the trip I had to stop at a bike shop to replace a tire that had melted as it had been rubbing on the tailpipe along the way. I also had a major challenge connecting the rubber straps because they were so stiff. Now, I am getting older and just don't have the strength I had in my younger days, but still I just think they are too stiff (I wasn't the only one that had trouble getting these things on...we finally got them on between me, my wife, and the bike tech). It ended up being a frustrating trip. We ended up not using the bikes due to the difficulty we had adjusting the rack. Sorry for a poor review. It is partially my own fault because I could have chosen a different rack in the first place.

This is a very solid product! I have used it for over a year now and love it! I have had up to 3 bikes on this without a problem and have traveled over 8 hours in the car one way with absolutely no issues. Many other bike racks like this one that I see on other cars look unstable this is not unstable in anyway. I did have to file some of the paint off of the rack to get it to fit in my 1 and 1/4" hitch but once that was done it has been perfect. I also bought the locking hitch bolt which is awesome too.

Well built and good quality. So glad I can haul bikes easier with our Honda Pilot now!