New Bike hitch bolt not long enough.

Anyone have any experience with this? Currently got a Swagman XTC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack and the bolt isnt long enough for me to put the pin into the other side.
It's an anti-sway bolt so it is threaded and can be tightened, but for extra security I can't fit the pin.
My Taco has the tow package. I don't plan on any long road trips, maybe 20-30 miles max at this time.

Do you think if I tighten it up with a ratchet I should be good without using the pin?

 

why risk your bike. Just go buy the right bolt or complain to the place you bought it from that the bolt is not long enough. pretty easy fix and with it being so easy i would not risk it.

 

How close to fitting is it? Could you ditch a washer or something to give ya the extra space needed? I have a Thule hitch rack but its bolt is very long as you fit a lock on the end of it...maybe you get lucky and the thule bolt/lock will work in yours?

 

There is a washer on the other side, I will check when I get a chance and see if it gives me more room to play.

 

You're supposed to snug those down pretty tight. Maybe if you get a couple of turns on it with a wrench you'll be able to get the pin in?

 

I wouldn't risk my bike. You can pick up a longer pin at a lot of places(Walmart, advanced, etc.) Or switch racks. That looks like a 1" stem with an adapter.

 

Don't use the pin. I use a small combination lock like you use on a suitcase. No key needed and a thief can't steal the bike rack.

 

Or buy this. It will give you some extra length as well. I have a similar setup on my wife's Yakima rack.

$38 Swagman Anti-Wobble 1/2" Threaded Hitch Pin, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Anti-Wobble-Threaded-Universal-2-Inch/dp/B004J0O6S4

 

my T2 is from 2009, anti-sway. In the years since, it's been off my vehicle less than a week total, with close to 100,000mi. It has never loosened to the point of falling off. when it did loosen, the play was obvious.

that said, call Swagman. They likely have longer hitch pins.

 

https://www.etrailer.com/question-40542.html

 

So according to them a longer bolt isn't available, unless you get the longer (pay more money) locking pin. But they also state it isn't needed if you tighten it down.

I did try it without the washer, I was able to get the pin in one side, but not all the way through.

 

I bought a locking anti-rattle pin for mine and found that our receivers aren't standard dimensionally and the pin wasn't long enough to work. I tried lots of filing to get it to fit, but it never would. I ended up using some of the parts and making a pin.

 

Yeah, I think I will just order the longer pin with lock. Kinda peed the contraption wasn't fully functional out of the box and I have to order more to get it to properly work.

 

Tacomas just have a beefy receiver. You run into the same problems with some regular trailer hitch pins/ locks. If you want to go cheap, just match the threads and buy a good bolt at a hardware store and be done with it.

 

Can you get a small key ring on?

 

Yakima and Thule also sell this as an option and it's not included, if it makes you feel any better.

 

Okay I'm going to be "that guy." I have a similar set up. In my experience, the pin serves no purpose other than to annoy you when you forget to take it out. I use a lock washer and have NEVER had an issue with it coming loose... and I've driven from Wichita to Kansas City to Sioux Falls to Rapid City and back without an issue.

 

Yep! Just discovered this myself when I went to put on my old hitch lock on ball. Went to Lowes and picked up a 3.5" pin/lock. I have an older Yakama bike rack that fits the hitch similar to yours. It has a locking pin and I bet it won't be long enough?

 

Just a bolt with a 3/4 head on it. Doesn't come loose. It won't stop theves from lifting the entire rack though.

 

Yes! Same issue I had with a threaded locking pin. It was too short. Fit fine on other hitch receivers but on my Tacoma the bin was too short. Don't have a fix to recommend other than recommending getting a new pin that fits but it is a little annoying for sure. I also tried to ratchet it up with a decent amount of torque but could never get the other end to attach. Definitely would not recommend using it w/out a pin. My threaded anti-rattle pin would come loose all the time. If it weren't or the pin/cap on the other side, the pin would've fallen out and bye-bye bike rack.