Hello, trailer hitch issue!

[susan]

View attachment 5423I put my Sherpa on today to test it out. I had to remove the additional plastic trim to be able to insert the pin, but then put it back on after. The Kuat pin that comes with the rack worked great. Able to lock it with wiggle room to spare. I would reach out to Kuat about getting a newer/different pin than the one you have.

And for what it’s worth, the rack doesn’t insert very far into the receiver compared to my old truck. This is actually really nice because there’s plenty of room to get between the truck and the rack and open the glass. And with the rack tipped back the whole hatch opens easily without hitting the bikes.

Thanks. I’ve already called Kuat but they can’t help It’s a threaded pin and that’s all that works on my particular rack. They don’t have a pin that’s long enough. Yours looks to be a lot longer than my threaded one. I’m out of town and heading to a bike store today to see if they can help. So far nothing works. Thanks for your reply.

 

[TFlyfisher]

Thanks. I’ve already called Kuat but they can’t help It’s a threaded pin and that’s all that works on my particular rack. They don’t have a pin that’s long enough. Yours looks to be a lot longer than my threaded one. I’m out of town and heading to a bike store today to see if they can help. So far nothing works. Thanks for your reply.

Let us know. This must be frustrating. E-trailer has several extended threaded ones for Thule and other brands. (Threads can vary) I’m disappointed Kuat didn’t try to help - I am sure they could machine one for you - or get some to do so. Luckily my non-threaded Kuat works but I would much prefer to do business with a company that tries to solve customer issues.

 

[susan]

Let us know. This must be frustrating. E-trailer has several extended threaded ones for Thule and other brands. (Threads can vary) I’m disappointed Kuat didn’t try to help - I am sure they could machine one for you - or get some to do so. Luckily my non-threaded Kuat works but I would much prefer to do business with a company that tries to solve customer issues.

Hi thank you! I’ll call e trailer. I have yet to reach out to them! I am so frustrated. I’m driving around with my bike and a cable lock. I’m mostly worried about the pin becoming loose but so far so good. Just really want to get this taken care of. Really appreciate your suggestion!!

 

[susan]

Hi thank you! I’ll call e trailer. I have yet to reach out to them! I am so frustrated. I’m driving around with my bike and a cable lock. I’m mostly worried about the pin becoming loose but so far so good. Just really want to get this taken care of. Really appreciate your suggestion!!

 

[susan]

Update on bike rack issue!!

The hitch pin is too short and no one actually makes this longer. I cannot simply replace it with another hitch pin because of the threading. Apparently my rack has a specific, outdated, hitch in general meaning it has to be tightened down with the threads in order for it to sit tightly within the actual receiver. So I can sell my rack to someone with a normal receiver box buy another one or ratchet the pin down and use a cable to lock it onto the car. I’m told this should never rattle out of the box soooo that’s what I’m doing for now!!!

Thanks to all of you for your help! It has been extremely frustrating!

 

[Sharky]

View attachment 5423I put my Sherpa on today to test it out. I had to remove the additional plastic trim to be able to insert the pin, but then put it back on after. The Kuat pin that comes with the rack worked great. Able to lock it with wiggle room to spare. I would reach out to Kuat about getting a newer/different pin than the one you have.

And for what it’s worth, the rack doesn’t insert very far into the receiver compared to my old truck. This is actually really nice because there’s plenty of room to get between the truck and the rack and open the glass. And with the rack tipped back the whole hatch opens easily without hitting the bikes.

My Sherpa pin needs no more than 4" and the GX 550 Overtrail that I am picking up soon hopefully has no more than that distance of required travel for the pin for the lock to fit on to it. Does this sound right to you?

 

[susan]

My Sherpa pin needs no more than 4" and the GX 550 Overtrail that I am picking up soon hopefully has no more than that distance of required travel for the pin for the lock to fit on to it. Does this sound right to you?

Hello so mine did not fit at that length but it’s because I have the older style threaded pin. They don’t make them longer so my lock could not fit on the end of the pin. I tightened down the actual pin and put a cable lock on my rack to secure it to the car. I have called Kuat and worked with multiple bike shops and even worked with a machinist. Nothing really worked so this is the best option for my specific rack. Hope you have better luck!!

 

[JustinB]

Hello so mine did not fit at that length but it’s because I have the older style threaded pin. They don’t make them longer so my lock could not fit on the end of the pin. I tightened down the actual pin and put a cable lock on my rack to secure it to the car. I have called Kuat and worked with multiple bike shops and even worked with a machinist. Nothing really worked so this is the best option for my specific rack. Hope you have better luck!!

I’m still not sure why you can’t swap the threaded pin for a newer style pin from Kuat like the one that came with my Kuat Sherpa. I have an extra 1/4”-1/2” of play after the lock is on and secured.

Is it an issue with the diameter of the hole that the threaded pin fits through?

 

[JustinB]

Hello so mine did not fit at that length but it’s because I have the older style threaded pin. They don’t make them longer so my lock could not fit on the end of the pin. I tightened down the actual pin and put a cable lock on my rack to secure it to the car. I have called Kuat and worked with multiple bike shops and even worked with a machinist. Nothing really worked so this is the best option for my specific rack. Hope you have better luck!!

Kuat Locking Hitch Pin - Ski

Available in 1 1/4” or 2” version

My Sherpa pin needs no more than 4" and the GX 550 Overtrail that I am picking up soon hopefully has no more than that distance of required travel for the pin for the lock to fit on to it. Does this sound right to you?

it sounds like the user that’s having trouble has a threaded pin for her rack. Mine doesn’t have the threaded pin and fits fine with rook to spare. I believe that Kuat sells the pin similar to mine in 2 different lengths.

 

[susan]

I’m still not sure why you can’t swap the threaded pin for a newer style pin from Kuat like the one that came with my Kuat Sherpa. I have an extra 1/4”-1/2” of play after the lock is on and secured.

Is it an issue with the diameter of the hole that the threaded pin fits through?

Yes it doesn’t fit. Ive tried that and called Kuat as well as went to a bike shop. The shop opened a new rack to see if the pin would fit and nope it’s all new so nothing fits. My rack is probably 5 years old. The answer is to either do what I’m doing or buy a new bike rack. I’ll just live with it for now.

 

[JustinB]

@susan I’m sorry to hear that and that they don’t have a solution.

 

[JPE]

@susan , are regular hitch pins too thick to go through the threaded hole on the Kuat? If so can you just drill out the threaded hole to accept a thicker "normal" hitch pin?

 

[susan]

@susan I’m sorry to hear that and that they don’t have a solution.

Thanks! I’ll just keep it locked with a cable lock. Its annoying but I can live with it for a little while.

 

[susan]

@susan , are regular hitch pins too thick to go through the threaded hole on the Kuat? If so can you just drill out the threaded hole to accept a thicker "normal" hitch pin?

So with the threaded pin the more you tighten it the actual hitch has tabs internally that tighten on the inside of the receiver so you have to have a threaded pin to activate this system. So nothing but an actual longer version of what came with the rack will work and they don’t make them nor is there anything on the market that works.

 

[JPE]

So with the threaded pin the more you tighten it the actual hitch has tabs internally that tighten on the inside of the receiver so you have to have a threaded pin to activate this system. So nothing but an actual longer version of what came with the rack will work and they don’t make them nor is there anything on the market that works.

Are the threads on the pin a standard size? If so could you buy a piece of all-thread with that thread size, cut the all-thread to the length you need, weld a nut on one end, and use that?

 

[JPE]

I think I see the problem. His is what your pin looks like, right?

Kuat Locking Hitch Pin (Threaded)

The Kuat threaded locking hitch pin for the is designed to work with the Kuat Transfer and NV Core racks. Compatible with 12mm threaded Kuat products... HLT011

www.performancebike.com

 

[TFlyfisher]

I think I see the problem. His is what your pin looks like, right?

Kuat Locking Hitch Pin (Threaded)

The Kuat threaded locking hitch pin for the is designed to work with the Kuat Transfer and NV Core racks. Compatible with 12mm threaded Kuat products... HLT011

www.performancebike.com

 

[TFlyfisher]

XL Hitch Bolt

Are you ready for your next outdoor adventure? From car bike racks to locks, RockyMounts makes premium bike mounts and accessories fit for any adventures.

rockymounts.com

Wonder if these threads would work?