Rig’d UltraSwing vs Rambleswing Pro

[Lazynorse]

I see one big difference is the UltraSwing accommodates departure angle better, as the whole contraption is placed up above the vehicle hitch height. This is a good thing.

My use will predominantly be for e-bike rack swing away. My spare fits in the stock location (2019+ Ford Ranger). For price, weight capacity and non spare tiring storing purposes, the RambleSwing Pro looks better on paper. However, the swing away sits at vehicle hitch height, below the bumper, a reduction of departure angle by a notable amount.

Does it make any sense to use the UltraSwing for just bikes, due to better departure angle? I’ve got a heavy duty fat e-bike rated rack which has been been solid, and x2 fat tire Rad e-bikes, which weigh 60ish pounds each (less on the rack, I don’t transport them with their batteries attached).

Then again, if I’m toting bikes, I’m probably de-emphasizing moderately more difficult trails. My truck has a 3” suspension lift on 32” skinny AT tires. So, an ‘overlander’ and not a rock crawler. Been all over OR, NV, UT and WA with it. I know for a fact some moderate trails would’ve made contact with the RambleSwing, had I had it mounted.

Bonus points, I believe the Ultra is sized for mid and full size trucks. I wonder if its a bad idea to mount a full size Ultra on a midsize truck.. just thinking possible vehicle changes or future selling.

 

[smritte]

I just bought a 4runner with an Ultra Swing and my buddy has had his for years. We both have mountain bikes, he has a standard bike and I have two e-bikes. We both use the 1up bike carrier. Obviously he has way more off road time with his. I agree with the better departure angle but more than anything, it's the first hitch mounted swing out I've seen that doesn't move all over when you drive.

If you don't need a tire carrier and just wanted to haul bikes, the Ramble would be the one to get. The ultra does have a tow rating and a higher mounted second receiver but, its going to weigh more. The ramble opens on the driver side. I would rather have mine swing passenger side but in their picture on the site, it shows a Wrangler with the tailgate opening to the passenger side. If you wanted or needed the carrier to go the other way the Ramble would be it. vehicle change wise, I think its all down to whether or not you want a tire carrier. If you added the tire carrier to the Ramble, you could remove it if you didnt want it where the Ultra your stuck with it if you don't need it.

I wonder if its a bad idea to mount a full size Ultra on a midsize truck

The site didn't seem to have any dimensions. I couldn't tell if the full size was actually bigger. It did say it wouldn't fit my 4Runner. The Toyota 6 lug wheel pattern is used on full sized so I dont think its a lug pattern issue. That would be a question for them

 

[Lazynorse]

I just bought a 4runner with an Ultra Swing and my buddy has had his for years. We both have mountain bikes, he has a standard bike and I have two e-bikes. We both use the 1up bike carrier. Obviously he has way more off road time with his. I agree with the better departure angle but more than anything, it's the first hitch mounted swing out I've seen that doesn't move all over when you drive.

If you don't need a tire carrier and just wanted to haul bikes, the Ramble would be the one to get. The ultra does have a tow rating and a higher mounted second receiver but, its going to weigh more. The ramble opens on the driver side. I would rather have mine swing passenger side but in their picture on the site, it shows a Wrangler with the tailgate opening to the passenger side. If you wanted or needed the carrier to go the other way the Ramble would be it. vehicle change wise, I think its all down to whether or not you want a tire carrier. If you added the tire carrier to the Ramble, you could remove it if you didnt want it where the Ultra your stuck with it if you don't need it.

The site didn't seem to have any dimensions. I couldn't tell if the full size was actually bigger. It did say it wouldn't fit my 4Runner. The Toyota 6 lug wheel pattern is used on full sized so I dont think its a lug pattern issue. That would be a question for them

Good guidance, thank you! While I assumed the UltraSwing is heavier, I guess I didn't compare that directly. That is also important to me. The Rambleswing Pro is 74 pounds. That plus my e bike rack, which is near 50 pounds (nearly identical to Hollywood Racks double e bike rack) gets me to 130 pounds before any bike gets added. That's a huge chunk of GVWR, hanging like a lever in the worst part of put weight. Once I remove the batteries from two Rad Rover fat tire e bikes, I'm probably adding 110 pounds (2x55ish). Now there's nearly 250 pounds hanging off the hitch.

My Ford Ranger has a GVWR of just over 1500 pounds. I've got a ~250 pound Snugtop Rebel canopy on it now, about to replace it with a ~350-375 pound Tune M1L. I use bins to pack for 2 week trips and don't plan an interior 'build,' as I feel midsizes just can't accommodate that very well. Crappy thing about my current bike rack is that you can't actually lay the tailgate down flat. There's a piece that hits it at the nearly down position. I could just use what I have, get to camp and remove the bikes and the rack, but that sucks. The penalty for avoiding that is the cost of the Rambleswing plus the addition of 73 pounds.

Have to think really hard about that, lol. Not to mention reduced departure angle as the cherry on top. Damn bikes, I do love them but sheesh. Universe is against us here.

 

[smritte]

Without the bikes on it, my carrier on the Tacoma will fold down about 45 degrees. That's the only way my tailgate opens. Its just easier to remove it. The Ultra Swing eliminates that issue all together. On the Tacoma the Ramble would be ideal because I don't need a tire carrier.