Frequently Asked Questions

Vertical hitch racks carry bikes by their front wheels, suspended vertically. The design fits more bikes in less space than traditional horizontal trays, keeps frames protected from contact, and dramatically reduces loading effort. ALTA pioneered durable, made-in-Utah vertical racks built for trail crews, families, and bike shops.

ALTA delivers heavier-duty welded construction, fully serviceable parts, and the modular Swinger system competitors can’t match. While Thule ReVert and VelociRAX offer vertical carrying, ALTA’s product line spans 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8-bike configurations, plus motorbike and winter-sport adapters — all built and shipped from Utah.

Yes. GROM baskets are designed to carry your 18″ to 20″ wheels. Smaller bikes may need to be strapped to the main beam/center post, the gussets, or the table if they don’t reach the low bar. Swap a general basket for a GROM basket during order placement to get the correct baskets for your kids/smaller bikes.

Full clearance diagrams — height and offset — are published in our official PDF. Dimensions vary by rack size and hitch type (Short, General, or XL). Use the diagrams to ensure fitment before purchasing a rack.

We believe that anyone can learn new skills and do hard things, but we do encourage those that are skeptical to watch our assembly videos to determine for themselves whether the assembly process is something they are comfortable with.

We cannot determine the clearance of your fender. They may come in contact with the baskets, but there are some workarounds that may effectively prevent this. For example, removing the fender or placing padding between the fender and basket.

To carry road bikes, we use a pool noodle sliced lengthwise and stuffed into the basket to protect the tire from contact. The number of drop bar bikes may be limited due to handle bar interference. This could be addressed by loosening the handlebar stem and spinning the bar perpendicular to the top bar to increase spacing.

Main beam (vertical post) color options can be selected directly on the rack pages — pick your powder-coat finish from the drop-down during ordering. Besides the main beam, the rest of the rack comes in black. Custom colors are available September to April and can be requested by leaving a note in customer note section during checkout.

Yes. Our Rack Conversion Kits can be purchased to upgrade your existing ALTA to a larger capacity or to a Superior model. Additional baskets are not included with conversion kits and must be purchased separately.

Any modification made to the rack will void your warranty. We do consider custom work for highly specific set ups. Place a request here. 

The ALTA Swinger is only compatible with the Short Hitch at this time.

For third party installation, we recommend PARDS if you are located in the Salt Lake area. If not, we recommend an online search for “hitch receiver installation in my area”. If you are wanting to do it yourself we recommend checking on etrailer. Avoid purchasing anything recessed, look for a round tube receiver, and use loctite during installation. 

Short hitches keep weight close to the vehicle (best for small SUVs). General (Gen) hitches add reach for larger racks. XL hitches handle full-size trucks, vans, and our 7 & 8-pack racks. The SIX Extender adds extra clearance for tailgates and rear doors.

At Alta Racks we have created quite a few different baskets to accommodate different tire widths and dimensions. Use your tire specifications and the video/chart on the following page to ensure you are purchasing the basket with the best fit for your bikes.

One-size baskets are a shortsighted compromise. A basket sized correctly for your tire width grips the wheel securely, prevents shifting on bumpy trails, and protects your rims. We custom-spec baskets per setup because vertical racks demand precise fit — no compromises.

The ALTA Swinger swings your entire rack out of the way, giving you full access to your tailgate, hatch, or van doors without unloading bikes. Welded steel construction, a reinforced pivot, and integrated locking pins make it the most durable swing-away on the market.

The Swinger uses a precision-machined interface engineered specifically to handle the weight and leverage of fully loaded ALTA racks. Competitor racks don’t share the same mounting geometry or load tolerances, so we won’t risk customer safety by claiming compatibility we haven’t tested.

Yes. Our racks mount on the hitch — not in the bed — so Decked drawers, BedSlide systems, and tonneau covers remain fully accessible. The Swinger gives you complete tailgate access even when loaded with bikes.

Yes, with the rack tilted back or with the Swinger installed. Side-swing doors require a Swinger setup for full clearance when loaded. Without the Swinger, you’ll have partial door access depending on your hitch length.

Sprinters and double-door vans require the Swinger combined with an XL hitch for full door clearance. We’ve tested this extensively on Sprinter, Transit, and ProMaster builds. Contact us with your van model for exact specs.

Ford Transits work best with an XL hitch plus the Swinger to fully clear the cargo doors. The Swinger Hodapter is required to mate the Swinger to your ALTA rack. Reach out with your Transit year and configuration for a confirmed spec.

Most hitch-mounted bike racks — including ours — are not rated for Class A, B, or C motorhomes. The vibration, leverage, and travel speeds of RVs exceed the design parameters of standard hitch racks. Contact us before purchasing for RV use so we can discuss alternatives.

Yes. Local pickup is available at our Murray, Utah facility (346 W 6100 S). Choose “Local Pickup” at checkout to skip shipping fees. We’ll email you when your order is ready — typically within 1–3 business days for in-stock items.

Take photos of the packaging and the damage before unboxing further, then file a shipping claim with us within 48 hours of delivery. We handle the carrier dispute and ship replacements as quickly as possible.

ALTA racks carry a structural warranty on welded frames. Baskets and consumable parts (straps, brake engagers, knobs) carry a separate warranty against defects. See the full warranty page for exact terms, coverage windows, and claim procedures.

No. Continuous improvement is core to who we are. Existing racks remain compatible with future upgrades through our Conversion program — older frames can be updated to current spec rather than replaced.

Racks can be returned within 30 days of purchase for a partial refund. For a full understanding of the return and refund policy please click the link below.

Because we don’t compromise. Every ALTA rack is welded in-house in Utah from heavy-gauge steel, powder-coated for durability, and fully serviceable for life. We build racks meant to outlast your vehicles — not get replaced every few seasons.

Our Quick User Guide covers daily loading, locking, hitch installation, and basic care. It’s linked on every product page and available as a PDF. For full video walkthroughs, visit our Videos page or YouTube channel @altaracks.