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Hey Folks,
First post here. Nice forum!
I picked up a Kuat Pivot 2 for my 1Up single and double racks. The swinging door on the Defender makes an arm attachment a close to "must have". Overall I've got to say I'm really impressed with the Pivot 2. Its locking mechanism (Pivot 2 itself to the hitch mount itself ) is very similar to the 1Up design so it locks in VERY securely. I drove some very rough roads with the single rack on the Pivot 2 (with my bike on it) and there was essentially zero shake, wobble, clang or bang, etc. Its a very nice solution. It looks to be very similar to the Rack Attach. The big difference is that I was able to get it from REI in a few days vs a month from Rack Attach. Cost is essentially the same between the two.
The Pivot 2 opens 90 and 120 degrees with a positive stop at 90. I'm not sure how this differs from the Rack Attach. Its also available in drivers or passenger swing. For what its worth I decided to go with the passenger side option. If you get the drivers side option you may want to be on rather friendly terms with any friend you share the space between the door and rack with. I just get the idea that it could be rather close quarters. Thats my $0.02 so TIFWIW. Sharing that space with my teenaged son would be very tight. I swear I blinked and he went from a skinny weed to a giant of a kid (almost adult).
Here are some pictures showing what you'll end up with. (Please excuse the dirty Defender and the post ride bike)
Pedal clearance open at 90deg (This is mounted as close into the Defender as possible - You could give the setup more room if you wanted to) Open at 120deg. No sag and very stable. There is no positive stop at 120deg Single rack folded up Double rack open Double rack folded up
Thanks for this great post. The pictures answer all my concerns. I have a Kuat Base and add on for a 4 bike rack total. Looking at the Pivot to serve two purposes; extend beyond the spare and open to allow rear access as needed. Great to see the Pivot do exactly what I want it to do.
I have the Thule Apex XT Swing 4, and I really only need 2” more to clear the tire. Has anyone come across an extension less than 6”? I’m trying to make this as compact as possible.
Thanks to all the helpful members and their posts on this thread. Figured I'd add my 2c to the pile
First day using our Kuat rack on the new Defender with the HiLo Pro extension from Kuat. Works very nicely. I didn't want the extra weight and cost of a pivot as it will rarely if ever be needed by me. This checks all the boxes for us.
Kuat 2.0 Access to trunk with 4 bikes Ready for evening-wear A trail-train picture (because who doesn't like trains?)
Last edited by GavinC; Oct 16, 2021 at 10:06 PM.
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