Allen Sports Model 542RR Instructions
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WARNING
- Bikes or rack falling in road can cause serious accidents resulting in bodily injury—do not use rack on any vehicle on which it can not be properly mounted as described in this instruction sheet.
- Rack should only be used on vehicles with 2” receiver hitches.
- NEVER use on trailers or front of vehicles.
- Bikes must be tied to rack using tie-downs, or additional straps if necessary.
- Check periodically during use that all bolts and pins are tight, and that rack and bicycles are secure.
- Never carry more than 4 bikes (max capacity 140 LB) - no tandems, mopeds, or recumbents. Car tail lights must remain visible.
- 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 542RR 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 all of rack and bicycles are kept at a safe distance from road and hot exhaust.
- Only operate vehicle with rack in an upright, locked position.
- Bicycles should never extend beyond sides of vehicle.
- Remove rack from car, or fold carry arms down when not in use.
- Never exceed the receiver hitch manufacturer's tongue load rating.
A. Parts
The 542RR box should contain the following items:
- 1 - Hitch Insert w/ Filler Plates: A metal piece designed to fit into a vehicle's receiver hitch, with slots for filler plates.
- 1 - Carry Arm Assembly: A set of arms that hold the bicycles.
- 1 - RR Post: A vertical post that connects the hitch insert to the carry arm assembly.
- 1 - Hardware Kit, containing:
- 2 - 3/8" x 2 1/2" Bolt
- 1 - 3/8" x 3" Bolt
- 4 - 3/8" Lock Nut
- 1 - 1/2" Lock Nut
- 1 - 1/2" No-Wobble Bolt
B. Assembling Rack
Step 1: Connect RR Post to Hitch Insert
Insert the lower portion of the RR Post into the Hitch Insert, aligning the holes at the bottom of each part.
Insert the 3/8" x 3" bolt through the aligned holes and thread a 3/8" lock nut onto the end of the bolt.
Pivot the RR Post into the upright position, so that the upper holes line up.
Insert the QR Clip through these upper holes and secure it with the wire retainer clip.
Tighten the nut and bolt firmly using two wrenches.
Important: When the rack is in an upright position, the wire retainer on the QR Clip should always be in a closed position to keep the rack from falling over during use.
Step 2: Attach 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" x 2 1/2" bolts through the aligned holes and thread a 3/8" lock nut onto the end of each bolt.
Tighten the nuts and bolts firmly using two wrenches.
Note: Upon completion, both parts should be firmly joined together.
Tools Required: 2 - 9/16" wrench & 2 - 3/4" wrench; or 2 - adjustable wrenches.
C. Installing Rack onto Vehicle
The Model 542RR should only be used on 2" receiver hitches installed on automobiles. Never use this rack on a trailer.
- With carry arms in the folded position, insert the rack into the vehicle's receiver hitch.
- Line up the hole in the base of the rack with the hole of the receiver hitch.
- Insert the 1/2" No-Wobble Bolt into the hole, making sure that the shoulder of the bolt comes against the receiver rack inside of the hitch.
- Tighten firmly using two 3/4" wrenches. There should not be any movement of the rack inside of the hitch when done.
D. Folding Up Carry Arms
- To fold up carry arms, remove the QR Clip from the carry arm assembly and swing the carry arms into the upright position.
- Re-install the QR Clip, making sure to properly close the wire retainer on the QR Clip.
- Important: The wire retainer must be fully closed to keep the carry arms in an upright position during use.
E. 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 that the No-Wobble Bolt is 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 it in the space behind the seat tube and below the rear down-stay. The Allen 900B Adaptor Bar is also recommended for this application.
F. Securing Bikes to Rack
All bikes must be securely tied to the rack. Use individual tie-down straps, or additional straps if necessary.
- Place bicycle in cradle.
- Thread straps.
- Pull strap tight.
- Use a 70" strap (not included) to pull all bicycles together around the bottom brackets. The strap should also secure the wheels.
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.
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