The RakAttach Swing-Away Hitch Mount: Unboxing, Installation, and Review

In this video we discuss the RakAttach which is a hitch swing arm system that allows you to swing whatever you have attached to your 2” hitch away from the rear of the vehicle so you have access to the trunk, rear door, etc. without needing to unload/remove your cargo.
I have the large version of the RakAttach that swings away to the driver side.
Topics and timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:47 - Unboxing
5:43 - Assembly and installation
13:09 - Clearance checks and review
All Adventure Van videos in a single playlist ( • Adventure Van )
#VanLife #VanConversion

Пікірлер: 59

  • @ChristopherLum
    @ChristopherLum3 жыл бұрын

    In case it is helpful, here are all my van videos in a single playlist kzread.info/head/PLxdnSsBqCrrF5nO7cmNTc4cct0miFWdO6. Please let me know what you think in the comments. Thanks for watching!

  • @robbergstrom943
    @robbergstrom9433 жыл бұрын

    Nice review. The downside that I see to the driver side swing out is it putting you in traffic while parallel parked (at least in North America). Another note: The anti rattle clamp would work upside down.

  • @robertthe13th82
    @robertthe13th823 жыл бұрын

    Hi Christopher, That was a great review of the RakAttach hitch mount...!!!!!

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad it helped, thanks for watching!

  • @donkeykong516
    @donkeykong5162 жыл бұрын

    Awesome review, very critically detailed & helpful

  • @ecarlson991
    @ecarlson9913 жыл бұрын

    very helpful, you address a lot of considerations: height, length, ground clearance, thank you

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!

  • @kingbrad89
    @kingbrad893 жыл бұрын

    Great review, a lot of really good points. Thanks

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

  • @karlconnolly425
    @karlconnolly4253 жыл бұрын

    Really good review. Thanks for this.

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!

  • @mobileempire5522
    @mobileempire55222 жыл бұрын

    Good job on the video , thumbs up

  • @izzimichaels2892
    @izzimichaels2892 Жыл бұрын

    im looking into one of these, or a similar unit, thank you for the information / video!

  • @joelong8181
    @joelong81812 ай бұрын

    You either get to open your doors or you get ground clearance not both. Put a 1” lift on your rear springs. It would probably make your attachment 2 or more inches higher

  • @michaelharris4503
    @michaelharris45032 жыл бұрын

    Great Video! Really enjoyed seeing all the details of how the Rak Attach som es the issue. Would you be so kind as to attach the website you purchased the Rak Attach from? Subbed!!!

  • @Lweirday
    @Lweirday3 жыл бұрын

    Mr Lum could you offer a set of lessons about unstable and uncontrolled systems?

  • @PopsGG
    @PopsGG3 жыл бұрын

    12:10 Couldn't you attach it upside down? The flat plate on top.

  • @user-vj5kb4gr6v

    @user-vj5kb4gr6v

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great idea, BUT I hate the idea of that plate altogether since it makes it that you have to use a tool to remove the rack and it is more work. A good quality rack will come with an anti-rattle bolt and then all of this is a non-issue.

  • @JMPC90

    @JMPC90

    3 жыл бұрын

    It’ll destroy it

  • @julierehoric3856
    @julierehoric38563 жыл бұрын

    My hitch receiver scrapes on a slight incline- they do make a spring assist device to "lift" the suspension. My hitch guy could install it. I think swinging towards drivers side is good because my passenger door opens first, but must me careful in traffic.

  • @JKUadventures
    @JKUadventures Жыл бұрын

    Great video. This is an old video, but I'm pretty sure you could have just turned the ubolt upwards and clamp it from the top, would have worked just the same.

  • @tlv5591
    @tlv55912 жыл бұрын

    Would you recommend a large for a Mercedes sprinter van 2500? Nice review. Very helpful!

  • @LolaandPooch
    @LolaandPooch9 ай бұрын

    I want my cargo carrier as close to the van as possible. Could you have installed the cargo carrier directly to the swing arm, eliminating the part that folds it up?

  • @wendystuart6913
    @wendystuart69135 ай бұрын

    Hi Christopher, I just came across your video today, very helpful thank you. My RakAttach came with my fan without instructions. I must have an older generation as mine did not come with the low profile handle. Do you happen to know who makes these swing away hitches? I want to see if I can buy an aftermarket low profile handle from them but my Google search for RakAttach hasn't been very successful. Thanks. ws

  • @superbinbin08
    @superbinbin083 жыл бұрын

    Excellent review! I just got one myself and ran into the same issue with the hitch tightener not fitting. How’s the CURT anti rattle pin working out for you? I saw some reviews on Amazon stating that it might strip on bumpy roads. Do you have any other pins you might recommend?

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Dennis, I'm glad it was helpful. I'm sure you'll be happy with the RakAttach, I really enjoy mine. The Curt anti-rattle pin has not given me any issues (I've used it for about a year now). Of course, I'm not taking my van down any bumpy trails, so I can't speak to the long term durability in that scenario. That being said, I think as long as you don't over tighten it, you won't have any issues. Thanks for watching!

  • @superbinbin08

    @superbinbin08

    3 жыл бұрын

    Christopher Lum Great! Thanks for the prompt reply. Wishing you the best on all your future road trips!

  • @ciprianorivera8063
    @ciprianorivera80632 жыл бұрын

    Do you have a link to the anti rattle unbolt contraption?

  • @Joenoblocks
    @Joenoblocks Жыл бұрын

    All you had to do is put the black plate on the top and the U bolt from the bottom and the nuts on top and install it up side down the pressure woulda pushed the rack down instead of up

  • @solosaga5091
    @solosaga50913 жыл бұрын

    I saw a picture of someone carrying a full size dirtbike with one of these. I don't know that I'd trust it with that load going down the road, lol

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ha, that sounds super sketchy 😀! I use this motorcycle carrier when carrying a full sized motorcycle kzread.info/dash/bejne/eaR1mNdse7WddbQ.html. Thanks for watching!

  • @solosaga5091

    @solosaga5091

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@ChristopherLum I wrote to the RakAttach folks about that photo. Here's their response: "Thanks for checking out the RakAttach! We offer two versions, a standard tube set that is rated to #275 in open or closed position and a moto version that is rated to #375. The moto is only available in passenger side swing and utilizes an accessory support bracket that works to distribute the weight. Moto is $599 with shipping, standard is $359 + shipping (about $20 depending on zip code). If you decide on the moto, we will need to know what make/model/year vehicle and if the hitch is factory install or aftermarket. This will help us determine if the bracket will work. Please reach out if you have other questions. Thanks! Walter"

  • @mia-pham
    @mia-pham3 жыл бұрын

    Could you please do a tour of your van? We're interested in getting a Ford Transit 15-passenger van to convert into an adventure van for our family of four as well. I'm considering the high roof to put in a bunk bed in the rear for sleeping (like how the WanderVans company does it). Interested in seeing how you have the sleeping arrangement in the van for your family of four. Thank you for all the helpful videos!

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm working on putting a van tour video together but it is a slow process given how much material there is. I've got a all my Ford Transit van videos at kzread.info/head/PLxdnSsBqCrrF5nO7cmNTc4cct0miFWdO6. Please feel free to check them out. I think you'll be very happy with the Transit (I've loved mine so far). Thanks for watching and I hope to hear from you at another video!

  • @sandrakramer1520
    @sandrakramer15202 жыл бұрын

    Could you write the name of where you bought yours please. The one that has the dimensions. I didn’t see it in your description with links section.

  • @garystraus8241
    @garystraus82413 жыл бұрын

    Can't you put the anti wobble upside down so the u-bolt points up. Basically put it on upside down and it looks like it will fit.

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    No, unfortunately there is no space, even in the upside down configuration. A minor design flaw but not a big deal.

  • @bikebudha01
    @bikebudha012 жыл бұрын

    For the "U" tightener that didn't work... Could you not have just installed it upside down???

  • @aaronhjohnston

    @aaronhjohnston

    2 жыл бұрын

    I was wondering the same thing?????

  • @bikebudha01
    @bikebudha012 жыл бұрын

    Be honest, how many time did you ding your shins on this rack???

  • @jeffdigiovanni2139
    @jeffdigiovanni21392 жыл бұрын

    watching this in 5/22 - boy their prices went up!! They only sell the M and L now and they're both $459. Also, the warranty is only 1 year, which is not much. It looks very well built, but a 1 year warranty isn't inspiring

  • @JRat47
    @JRat473 жыл бұрын

    Did you install a roof fan in your passenger transit xlt?

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    No, I decided not to install a fan. I don't cook inside and don't really need the extra ventilation.

  • @wesobrien2706
    @wesobrien27062 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing. Does anyone know the load capacity? Can it handle a 250 lb dirt bike with a 30 lb tray rack? Thank you

  • @iamkevinmccarthy

    @iamkevinmccarthy

    2 жыл бұрын

    He said it's 275lbs, so your setup (as stated) would go over the max recommended weight by 5lbs. May be fine in practice, may not be. That said, it's possible the large unit (which he's reviewing) has a higher load capacity compared to the small & medium units. If you can't find the data on the RakAttach site, you may wish to email them before buying.

  • @bobbya3865
    @bobbya38653 жыл бұрын

    What are the dimensions of the Cargo rack. What is the length, width and side rail height? Thanks

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    I've got a video with these dimensions at kzread.info/dash/bejne/aa1sq8aEncnXlbg.html, thanks for watching.

  • @michaelbutler8615
    @michaelbutler86153 жыл бұрын

    Anyone know what company makes the ladder Christopher has on his van?

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    Here's a video I made on the ladder I use kzread.info/dash/bejne/enV5pKxsqpeYh8o.html . Thanks for watching!

  • @martaescobar7625
    @martaescobar76253 жыл бұрын

    Can you use this with a truck with a tailgate?

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    The large version of the RakAttach swings away pretty far out of the way so it shouldn't be a problem with a tailgate.

  • @markrobinson1896
    @markrobinson18963 жыл бұрын

    Why did you choose it over its competitors?

  • @ChristopherLum

    @ChristopherLum

    3 жыл бұрын

    I really liked how low profile the hitch was as my doors were very close to the hitch so there wasn't much vertical clearance. I also liked that it would swing away to the driver side of the vehicle.

  • @deandelgado4594
    @deandelgado45949 ай бұрын

    Damn, you can talk

  • @DavesCoolCustomBikes
    @DavesCoolCustomBikes Жыл бұрын

    U can use that same one just install it upside down 😮😂

  • @pakistanigamer3887
    @pakistanigamer38873 жыл бұрын

    shout out for me plz big fan

  • @donkeykong516
    @donkeykong5162 жыл бұрын

    Boring box - definitely American…lol

  • @greycanopysafari96
    @greycanopysafari962 жыл бұрын

    $459 what a joke I will buy one made in china less money