Hollywood Racks Swing Away User Manual

Hollywood Swing Away 2 and 4 Bike Racks

Assembly and Installation Guide

Tools Required: two adjustable wrenches, pliers,

¾” socket wrench recommended

Note: please do assembly near your vehicle as you

Can use your 2” receiver hitch as an assembly aid

When you open the Hollywood Swing Away,
you should find the following parts:

1. Inside frame (Fig. 1)

2. Outside frame (Fig. 1)

3. Top Plate with locking knob (Fig. 2).

4. Tie-down straps (3 for 2-bike, 5 for 4-bike)

5. Parts bags with the following parts: (fig. 3)
5a. Threaded Hitch Pin

5b. “R” Clip and Padlock for Hitch Pin
5c. Hinge hardware (fig. 3) including: 4-1/2” bolt,

washer and crown nut, two cotter pins (one extra)

5d. 6mm allen wrench

6. For 4 bike rack only: add on kit & hardware (see page 6)

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

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Step 1: Prepare Frames:

ASSEMBLY OF SWING AWAY RACK

Step 3: Hinge Assembly:

workbench or other available flat worksp

ace.

STEP IS DONE CORRECTLY.

Place the Inside and Outside
frames of the rack on the floor or work table. The hinge
sections on the frames should be next to each other as
shown in Fig. 4. Next, align the hinge sections so a bolt
may pass through their holes.

Step 2: Secure large “T” handle bolt: Insert the large

“T” Handle bolt (fig. 4) located on the back of the Inside
frame into the Outside frame. LOOSELY tighten the
handle one or two threads so that the upper and lower
frames are joined but not tight. This will make the rest of
the assembly easier. Next, prepare the hinge hardware
(Nut, bolt, washer, cotter pin) and tools.

Place bolt end inside the hole in
the hinge. Tap the bolt through the hinges of the Inside
and Outside frames as shown in Fig. 5. After the bolt
passes through both hinge sections, install the nut onto the
bolt. Tighten until the end of the nut is flush with the end
of the bolt and the hole for the cotter pin is visible.

Step 4: Insert Cotter Pin: The swinging action of the
rack is designed to be snug to avoid rapid opening if you
are parked uphill. Insert the cotter pin through the nut,
and hole in the end of the bolt. Using pliers, spread the
ends of the cotter pin so that it cannot slip backwards.
This will prevent the nut from unscrewing; yet allow the

bolt to be free enough to allow proper “Swing Away”
action. See Fig. 6. Complete tightening of large T handle.
An extra cotter pin has been included.

NOTE: PROPER INSTALLATION AND

BENDING OF THE COTTER PIN’S LEGS
ARE CRITICAL! PLEASE ENSURE THIS

Fig. 4

Step 5: Insert receiver tube into trailer
hitch: Slide the receiver tube into the trailer

hitch far enough so that the hole for the hitch
pin in the insert tube lines up with the hitch pin
hole on your receiver. If you intend to use the
rack after assembly, insert and thread the hitch
pin bolt into the rack, tighten securely with
adjustable wrench or ¾” socket. Note: If you
can not use your vehicle to help with the
assembly process, place rack pieces on floor,

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

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Fig. 7

Step 6: Rotate the pivot plate:

The pivot plate has been

e way around, so that it faces you ).

Note that there will be one locking top plate with knob for

from your vehicle, please use the following procedure.

Note also that when closing the rack, the rod below

attached for shipping in a position (facing towards the right
side of the car) that is not functional for rack use. You will
need to loosen and remove the two allen head bolts
(attached to the pivot plate), rotate the upper pivot plate
section 90 degrees (all th
Reinstall the bolts and nuts using the 6mm allen wrench
(provided) and an adjustable wrench . The washer must be
placed between the plate & nut before tightening. See fig. 8
Note: These bolts should not be over-tightened! Tighten
them so there is only enough play so that the plates can
rotate about each other when the spring loaded knob is
loosened and pulled up.

Step 7: Attach locking top plate: The final assembly step
is to attach the locking top plate to the upper pivoting plate.

the Swing Away 2, and two locking top plates with knobs
for the Swing Away 4. Use the key in the locking knob to
engage the bolt (the threaded section under the knob), and
thread it into the corresponding threaded connector into the
bike holder tube on the pivoting plate. See Fig. 9

Fig. 8

Using the “Swing Away” feature to access the
cargo area of your vehicle

To get your Swing Away rack to “Swing Away”

Note: Never use the Swing Away feature when the

vehicle is moving.

1. Loosen the Large “T” handle bolt located on the
Inside frame. This is a “safety” device and should

always be securely tightened when you are not using
the Swing Away feature, and when your vehicle is in

motion. Do not attempt to remove this “T” handle,
only loosen it until the threads are no longer engaged.
See Fig. 10

2. Pull up on the long spring loaded “T” handle a
about ½” to release the Outside frame, and allow it to
“Swing Away.” The tension on this spring has been

adjusted to be tight to ensure safety, so you may have

to pull up with a small degree of strength.

Fig. 9

this small straight “T” handle will slide up the ramp,

causing it to “lock” into place. The rack can now
“swing” open about 180 degrees. This will be enough
to access your luggage compartment if you don’t have
bikes on the rack.

Fig. 10

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Using the “Swing Away” feature to access the cargo area of your vehicle continued

3. If you DO have bikes loaded, you will need to
unlock and rotate the upper pivot plate. See fig. 11

Loosen (unscrew counter clockwise) then pull up on the
small curved “T” knob on the top of the upper pivoting
section. When it is unscrewed, and pulled up, you will
be able to rotate the upper pivot plate around so that the
bikes will not touch the side of your vehicle.

Fig. 11

Fig. 11

Fig. 10

4. When the rack swings open, the outside

frame should “catch” on the spring loaded
“T” knob at the very bottom of the rack (see
fig. 12). This will prevent the rack from
swinging back if bumped, or if you are
parked uphill. Be sure to pull up on this

lever before attempting to “close” the rack.

Fig. 12

To close the Swing Away Rack:

1. Start by pulling upward on the spring loaded “T”
knob of Fig. 11 and rotate the pivot plate with bikes.

2. Next, pull up on the spring loaded “T” knob of
Fig. 12 and push the rack back into the “closed”
position.

3. As the outside frame returns to the closed
position, the rod with the straight “T” handle
(fig. 10) should “snap” into place against the inside
frame.

4. Be sure the spring loaded T knob on the top pivot
plate rotates into position and tighten the knob.

5. Finally, secure the large safety “T” handle until
snug.

6. The top pivot plate can be pivoted to the left
(driver’s side) for easy storage while on your vehicle
or in the garage.

Mounting Bicycles on your Swing Away Rack

After assembly of the Swing Away rack and installation on your vehicle, you are ready to

carry bicycles. Before attaching bicycles, be certain that the rack is secured on your vehicle

correctly. With the threaded hitch pin tightened into your trailer hitch and the “R” clip or padlock
inserted into the hole on the hitch pin.

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Loosen the locking knob of the top plate by inserting the key provided. Remove key.

and turn key. The knob should rotate freely without threading up or down. This indicates that

The

Rotate the knob(s) in a counter-clockwise direction to remove. Remove locking top plate
assembly. Mount the top tube of the bicycle on the lower rubber pad provided. Balance the
bike(s) as much as possible.

Important Note: When carrying one bike, place that bike closest to vehicle. When

installing more than one bike, face the bikes in opposite directions to facilitate saddle &
handlebar clearance. Whenever possible, place bikes of similar top tube diameter on same
pad group to equalize clamping pressure on the top tubes.

Place top plate over bicycles, and replace locking knob in vertical threaded coupling
nut. Thread the locking knob(s) into the coupling nut, and turn in a clockwise direction to
secure bike(s) onto your rack. Tighten locking knob securely, but do not over-tighten. Insert

the bikes have been successfully locked.

If you are carrying a ladies’ frame bicycle, or a mountain bike with a non-standard frame
design configuration (esp. “V,” “X,” and “Y” frame mountain bikes), it may be necessary

to use a Hollywood “Boomer Bar” or similar “replacement top tube” to use the Swing

Away type rack. This accessory
attaches to the stem and the seat post of the
subject bike, and clamps into place between
the upper pivoting plate and the locking top plate

Pull the black pin out and turn the anti-sway bar 90 degrees in the channel, then re-

insert the pin. Once the bikes have been secured by the locking top plate(s), place the 86”
straps through both front and rear wheels of each bike and through the eyelet loops on the

anti-sway bar. Thread end of strap through buckle provided at end of strap and tighten. This

will prevent the bikes from swaying as you drive, and MUST BE USED at all times.

additional strap should be placed around the main boom and the bike wheels to further
stabilize the bikes on the rack. The anti-sway bar may be rotated to the side when the rack is
not in use.

Using Anti-Sway Bar: The anti-sway bar

is the horizontal “arm” at the bottom of the rack that
that prevents the bikes from swaying on the rack
during transport. The bar will “rotate” as the rack
is opened and closed by pulling the small pin at the
base of the brace. There is one tie-down strap
provided for each bike. Simply thread the strap
through the eyelet on the lower brace, then through
both wheels of the bike, and back to the eyelet. Pull
until snug. Since there are three eyelets, there will

be one unused on the Swing Away 2, where as the

third and fourth bikes will share an eyelet on the
Swing Away 4.

Final Tie-down strap: There is one extra
tie-down strap provided with the rack for
extra holding security. Wrap this strap
around the back of the rack and through
the bikes, then insert strap end through
buckle and tighten securely.

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Limited One Year Warranty

: This rack is warranted for a period of one year against defects in materials and

workmanship, effective from the date of purchase to the original purchaser. The manufacturer will repair or replace any

materials or workmanship. The manufacturer of this product shall not extend the warranty to 1)

any failure or malfunction of the product due to any modifications to the product; or 2) damages not attributable to

damages resulting from improper installation on vehicle and / or attachment

: The manufacturer shall not be liable for any consequential or incidental

: Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of consequential or incidental damages, and

ave other rights,

YOUR ROOF RACK!

Tip: The top pivot plate can be

pivoted to the left (driver’s side) for

2 Bike Add-on kit includes:

a. telescoping extension tube
b. locking top plate with locking knob and key
c. carriage bolt and nut

Attaching Add-on kit to convert from a two bike
carrier to a four bike carrier:

1. Remove cap, place on end of the 2 bike extension

2. Insert extension tube on to end of rack

3. Insert carriage bolt through top and bottom holes

4. Install nut, tighten securely

easy storage while on your vehicle or
in the garage.

WARNINGS:

1. Do not use this product on a trailer or a vehicle being towed behind another vehicle.

2. Drive very slowly on bumpy or dirt roads when using rack.

3. This product is intended for use on 2’ class 3 receivers only, NOT 1 ¼”

4. IF YOU HAVE A 1 ¼” HITCH, Do NOT use a 1 ¼” – 2” converter/adapter!

5. DO NOT USES THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE FRAMES AS A STEP TO ACCESS

defective parts due to

defects in materials or workmanship; or 3)
of skis / snowboards on rack.

Consequential or Incidental Damages

damages in connection with the purchase, use or handling of this bike rack.

Purchaser’s Rights

the above limitations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you h
which vary from state to state.

Hollywood Engineering, Inc. Customer Service Hours: M-F 8:00AM to 3:00 PM PST
PO Box 627 Gardena, CA 90248 US Patent# 6,123, 498
800-747-4085 FAX [phone] Made in USA and Taiwan
Email: [e-mail] www.hollywoodracks.com 2/04 V5

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