Allen Sports 400QR Bicycle Rack Instructions

Product Registration

Make sure to register your purchase at http://allensportsusa.com/about/product-registration to qualify for product warranty and to receive important product notifications.

Warnings

• Bikes or rack falling on the road can cause serious accidents resulting in bodily injury. Do not use the rack on any vehicle on which it cannot be properly mounted as described in this instruction sheet.
• Rack should only be used on vehicles with Class III or IV 2-inch receiver hitches.
• Never use on a trailer or the front of vehicles.
• Bikes must be tied to the rack using tie-downs or additional straps if necessary.
• Check periodically during use that all bolts and pins are tight, and that the rack and bicycles are secure.
• Never carry more than 4 bicycles (Maximum capacity: 140 lb) – no tandems, mopeds, or recumbents.
• Car tail lights must remain visible.
• Bikes must be securely tied to the rack. Use bike tie-downs or additional straps if necessary.
• Drive conservatively, especially over bumps. Never use off-road.
• Do not use if any part of the rack is damaged, worn, or missing. Contact R. A. Allen Co., Inc. for replacement parts.

Caution

• Use Allen 400QR only in accordance with local motor vehicle and traffic regulations.
• Install rack and load bicycles only at a safe distance away from moving traffic.
• Make sure that the rack and bicycles are kept at a safe distance from the road and hot exhaust.
• Only operate the vehicle with the rack in an upright, locked position.
• Bicycles should never extend beyond the sides of the vehicle.
• Remove the rack from the car, or fold carry arms down when not in use.

Assembly

Parts

The 400QR box should contain the following items:

• 1 x Hitch Insert
• 1 x Carry Arm Assembly
• 1 x RR Post
• 1 x Spine Shield
• 1 x Hardware Kit, containing:
  • 2 x 3/8-inch x 2.5-inch bolt
  • 1 x 3/8-inch x 4-inch bolt
  • 3 x 3/8-inch lock nut
  • 1 x Keychain
  • 2 x Keys
  • 1 x 70-inch Sure Strap

Visual representation of the components: Hitch Insert, Carry Arm Assembly, RR Post, Spine Shield, and a Hardware Kit.

Assembly Steps

Step 1: Assembling the RR Post

Insert the lower portion of the RR Post into the Hitch Insert so that the holes at the bottom of each part line up. Insert the 3/8-inch x 4-inch bolt through the hole and thread one 3/8-inch lock nut onto the end of the bolt. Pivot the RR Post into the upright position, so that the securing latch snaps into place. Tighten the nut and bolt firmly using two wrenches.

Tools Required: Two 9/16-inch wrenches or two adjustable wrenches.

Diagram showing the RR Post being inserted into the Hitch Insert, with a 3/8-inch x 4-inch bolt and 3/8-inch lock nut indicated for securing. A securing latch is also shown.

Step 2: Attaching the Carry Arm Assembly

Insert the Carry Arm Assembly into the upper portion of the RR Post, lining up the holes in each part. Insert the two 3/8-inch x 2.5-inch bolts through each hole and thread one 3/8-inch lock nut onto the end of the bolts. Tighten each nut and bolt firmly using two wrenches. Note: Upon completion, both parts should be firmly joined together.

Diagram illustrating the Carry Arm Assembly being attached to the RR Post, with 3/8-inch x 2.5-inch bolts and 3/8-inch lock nuts shown for connection.

Step 3: Installing the Spine Pad

With "Allen Sports" in the upper position, line up the recesses for the nut and bolt heads, and snap the spine pad into place onto the receiver rack's vertical post.

Diagram showing the Spine Pad being aligned with and snapped onto the receiver rack's vertical post, indicating recesses for bolt and nut heads.

Important Note

When the rack is in an upright position, the securing latch must be fully engaged for the rack to function properly.

Diagram highlighting the securing latch on the RR Post, emphasizing its engagement for proper function.

Installation onto Vehicle

This rack should only be used on 2-inch receiver hitches professionally installed on automobiles. Never use this rack on a trailer of any kind.

Installation Steps

Step 1: Unlock the Hitch Mechanism

Insert the key into the lock and turn the key counter-clockwise so that the locking knob can tighten/loosen the hitch insert wedge.

Diagram showing a hand inserting a key into a lock and turning it counter-clockwise to operate a locking knob.

Step 2: Loosen the Hitch Wedge

Rotate the locking knob counter-clockwise to loosen the hitch insert wedge.

Diagram showing the locking knob being rotated counter-clockwise.

Step 3: Insert Rack into Receiver

Depress the hitch spring pin and insert the rack into the receiver hitch until the hitch spring pin engages the hole in the vehicle receiver hitch.

Diagram illustrating the hitch spring pin being depressed and the rack being inserted into the vehicle's receiver hitch.

Step 4: Tighten the Rack

Turn the locking knob clockwise to tighten the rack inside of the receiver hitch. Be careful not to overtighten; a properly secured rack should be free of any movement inside of the receiver hitch.

Step 5: Lock the Rack to Vehicle (Optional)

Insert the key and rotate clockwise so that the locking knob can spin freely. This will lock your rack to your vehicle. To remove the rack from the vehicle, follow steps 1 through 3 above.

Loading Bicycles on Rack

Remove all loose items from bicycles (pumps, bags, etc.), and check that all quick release hubs are tight. Load the first bicycle with its chain and gears facing away from the rack. Make sure that bicycles do not come in contact with the vehicle. Load subsequent bicycles in alternating directions. For best weight distribution, load heaviest bicycles first, with lighter bicycles on the outside. Add padding between bicycle contact points, if necessary. After bicycles are loaded, check that the entire rack is secure and tight, and that the rack is still firmly in place. Vision out of the rear window may be restricted – use side mirrors accordingly when backing up.

Special Note on Installing Women's Style Frames

Place one carry arm under the front top tube. With the other carry arm, rotate the tie-down cradle, and place the carry arm in the space behind the seat tube and below the rear down-stay. The Allen 900B Adaptor Bar is also recommended for this application.

Diagram illustrating the placement of carry arms for a women's style bicycle frame, showing placement under the top tube and behind the seat tube.

Securing Bikes to Rack

All bikes must be securely tied to the rack. Use individual tie-down straps or additional straps if necessary.

1. Place bicycle in cradle.
2. Lock down tie-down strap.
3. Use the 70-inch Sure Strap to pull all bicycles together around the bottom brackets. The strap should also secure the wheels.

Diagram showing a bicycle being placed into a cradle on the rack, with a tie-down strap ready to be used.

Diagram showing multiple bicycles secured in cradles, with tie-down straps and a 70-inch strap holding them together and securing wheels.

Folding Up Carry Arms

To fold up carry arms, squeeze together the two red tabs on the back of the carry arm assembly and swing the carry arms into the upright position. The pins connected to these tabs should "snap" into place to hold the carry arms in an upright position. Reversing this process will keep the carry arms locked in a down position. If both pins on your rack do not properly engage the carry arms in the upright position, do not use your rack, and contact R. A. Allen Co.

Diagram showing two red tabs on the back of the carry arm assembly being squeezed, and the carry arms being swung into an upright position.

Allen Lifetime Warranty

If an Allen bike rack is found to have a defect in workmanship or material over the lifetime of the original purchaser, Allen will repair or replace the rack free of charge. The warranty does not cover damage or wear which occurs as a result of day-to-day use or general wear and tear.

Connect with Allen Sports

Get the latest news, info, give-a-ways, and pictures on our social media sites!

• Facebook: /AllenSportsGlobal
• Twitter: @GoAllenGlobal
• Instagram: @Allen.Global

For more product information and a list of dealers, visit www.allensportsusa.com.

Contact Customer Service: customerservice@allensportsusa.com

R. A. Allen Co., Inc. / Allen Sports USA
36 Maplewood Ave
Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA

©2018 R. A. Allen Co., Inc., All Rights Reserved