Van life is all about freedom. Freedom to roam, park, cook breakfast with a view, and maybe even take a nap in a national forest. But if you've ever tried to access your back doors with a cargo carrier or bike rack in place, you know the struggle. Enter the Mockins Swing Away Hitch Adapter, the unsung hero of every well-outfitted camper van or RV setup.
Here’s why a swing away hitch might be the smartest upgrade you make this year.
🚪 Full Access to Rear Doors
Most vans—Sprinters, Promasters, Transits—have rear doors that swing wide open. That’s great for airflow, gear access, or turning your back bumper into a camp kitchen. But slap a cargo carrier or bike rack on your hitch, and those doors turn into decoration.
A swing away hitch changes the game. With a quick pull of a locking pin, your entire rack system swings out to the side. You get full access to the back of your rig without unloading anything.
🏕️ Perfect for Camp Life
Need to grab your camp stove? Restock the fridge? Pull out the lawn chairs? With a swing away adapter, you can open your back doors anytime, whether you’re boondocking in the desert or parked at a trailhead.
The swing-out function even turns your cargo rack into a mobile prep table or gear platform. Swing it aside, open the doors, and you’ve got a two-sided kitchen with a view.
🚲 Haul Bikes, Coolers, and Storage Boxes Without Sacrifice
Without a swing away extension, you have to choose. Rear access or rear storage. With one installed, you can have both. Mount a cargo basket, cooler platform, or hitch rack and still get to your trunk or bed storage without removing a thing.
It’s a small mechanical pivot that delivers major convenience.
🔐 Secure, Strong, and Built for Adventure
Quality swing away hitches like the one from Mockins are made from heavy-duty steel and include locking mechanisms to keep your gear stable while driving. The best ones support up to 450 lbs. and are compatible with most standard 2" hitch accessories.
You’re not giving up strength for flexibility. You’re gaining both.
⚙️ Easy Installation (and Even Easier Use)
If you can install a hitch carrier, you can install a swing away adapter. It fits right into your 2" receiver, and your bike rack or hitch carrier installs into the swing arm. A locking pin or latch mechanism secures it closed while driving. When you’re parked, it only takes seconds to swing it open.
Many models swing a full 90-120 degrees to the passenger side, clearing the doors completely.
TL;DR – Why Swing Away Hitches Are a Van Life Essential
✅ Open rear doors anytime, even with a rack or carrier installed
✅ Keep your outdoor kitchen or gear platform setup intact
✅ No more removing bikes or bins to access the van
✅ Adds flexibility without losing strength or security
✅ Makes camp life smoother, faster, and way more convenient
Final Thoughts
Van life is about making the most of your space and your time. A swing away hitch might not be the flashiest accessory, but it’s the kind of upgrade that makes everyday tasks easier and keeps your adventure rolling smoothly. Once you install the Mockins Swing Away Hitch Extender, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it.
Go anywhere. Open anything. Stay outside longer.
