Chinook RV

I am also waiting for the Thule Access. I already have a Kuat NV bike rack. I needed to make a 7 in hitch extension so I could carry bikes with the Kuat. I believe the extension will not be required once I get the thule product. If anybody is wondering why the Thule Access vs the other competitors swing solutions, I will summarize. Kuat's lateral arm will sit 2 inches below hitch, yakima has a lot of plastic decorative parts. Thule built in an antiwobble and lock with a 5/8 locking bar.

I agree about the Access vs. the Yakima (back swing?). Thule looks to be better made and specialist at REI agreed with that.

The Thule Access Rack being described here sounds like a very good solution for mounting bikes on the back of our rigs and still allowing for door access. When someone has one mounted with bikes, I'd love to see some pictures. And then, perhaps, I'll kick myself for not doing same!
As per previous posts on this thread, augmented by the info I have been posting on the "Engine and Drivetrain" Topic under the Scan Gauge II thread, I opted for mounting the bikes on the front...and yes, the covers did block enough air flow to grill to cause Transmission Fluid and some Water Temp issues. I doggedly worked through those (fans on the Trans Cooler, and adjusting the positioning of the bikes and covers to open up air flow...BUT, the new positioning of my covered bikes blocked the headlights. So now I am working on installing a pair of high-quality DOT approved snow plow lights that will project light out over the top of the bikes. The brackets holding each light are 3/8" steel L-brackets that I had fabricated. The short end bolts to the solid cross beam in the front of the engine compartment, and the longer arm rests on the front "shelf" that sits over the grill and projects out from under the hood. 3/8" steel was the beefiest I could go that would still allow the hood to close over it. I'll post pics of it all when fully assembled and wired.

As promised, here are some pictures of the mounting brackets and Snow Plow Headlight Assembly that I have installed so that I can have DOT certified headlights when I am running with my bicycles covered and mounted on the front rack. I'll have the wiring done by one of the local Snow Plow Supply and Service Companies...or my local Ford mechanic (can't decide which).

Now you can make money plowing in the off-season Kidding aside, those look nifty! And very purposeful.

I completed the wiring (had a local aftermarket company do the work--excellent job, only $160 bucks) and took the Rig out for a test drive yesterday...very happy with the results. The bikes are now mounted up front with the covered rear wheels outboard and Skinz Bike Covers covering the back wheel and crank so as to leave air flow corridor to grill open. All of my temperature readings are good (192-197 water and 175-190 on the transmission fluid temp). Vision with mounted plow lights is also excellent...actually better than with the regular lights. So, it has taken a while to get here--having to deal with cooling and lighting issues along the way, but I am ready for our next cross-country trip to Idaho and Oregon in September. I am attaching three pics (one with regular lights, one with plow lights, and one with bikes mounted shot from front) to give you all an idea of how things turned out.
David

Thule finally shipped the Access Swing away. Small modification and removal of folding step, the Access works as advertised.

That Thule Access Swing looks really solid. Nice job on coming up with a good solution to a nagging problem.
Have you taken any trips with bikes mounted on it yet? Are you happy with the access provided when bikes are mounted. Would love to see some pics with bikes on in both the "open" and "closed" positions.
David

Finally took photos with one of the bikes on.