Küat’s New Pivot XD Swing-Away Hitch Carrier Handles Full-Size Spares and Bike Racks With Premium Engineering

Küat has subtly been bolstering their overlanding product ecosystem over the last few years, and I’ve had nothing but great experiences testing and running their IBEX bed rack since 2023.

With the release of the all-new Pivot XD, I was eager to test the quality and engineering expertise that I’ve come to expect from the brand that specializes in premium bike racks and transport systems.

What Is the Küat Pivot XD Swing-Away Hitch Carrier?

For truck and SUV owners seeking a removable alternative to permanent swing-out bumpers, hitch-mounted spare tire carriers offer versatility without modification. The Pivot XD addresses this need while doubling as a bike rack platform—a unique combination in the 2-inch hitch receiver market.

The Pivot XD is Küat’s latest swing-away hitch, a heavy duty iteration of their previous Pivot V2 design. In addition to accommodating existing 2-inch hitch bike racks and most platform and tray-style bike racks, the product is designed to work with their Accessory Molle Hoop and Spare Tire Adapter.

With a significant 350 lb max weight capacity and noted 250 lbs maximum weight capacity for off-road use, the swing-away can run a full-size spare up to a 37-inch tire.

Unlike welded rear bumper systems that require professional installation and permanent vehicle modification, the Pivot XD installs in minutes using your existing 2-inch hitch receiver. This removable design allows the carrier to transfer between vehicles—a significant advantage for multi-vehicle households.

Freeing Up Truck Bed Space: Why a Hitch-Mounted Spare Tire Carrier Makes Sense

Running a full size spare, I’ve always stored it vertically in the bed of the truck, but with a 5’8” short bed, a 34-inch tire and mount takes up far more space than I’d like. I’ve been searching for a setup that solves that problem without committing to a permanent swing-out bumper and instead, relocating the spare to a hitch-mounted position.

I currently run Toyo Tires Open Country A/T III 305/70R17 tires, with an overall inflated diameter of 33.9”, mounted on Black Rhino Wheels Rapid in 17x8.5. The tire fully inflated weighs roughly 64 lbs, combined with a 22.50 lb wheel, it’s well under the maximum weight capacity of the swing-away. 

With the Pivot XD’s 90-120-degree swing-away design, I’d still have full access to the bed, while freeing up what feels like nearly a quarter of the usable space from relocating the spare tire.

Why not a 180-degree swing option? Well, the Pivot XD is not just for spare tire mounting, it’s made to adapt your static 2-inch hitch mounted bike rack into a more versatile swing-away system.

Regardless of your vehicle, if you were to mount a hitch mounted bike carrier onto the Pivot XD, load up a bike, and swing it 180 degrees, you would most likely ram the bike rack into the rear quarter panel and taillight of your vehicle, something I’m sure you’d want to avoid.

The two options at 90- and 120-degrees, give you plenty of space to drop your tailgate and climb into your rig, and with the addition of the integrated molle on the accessory hoop that offers 16.5 x 12 inches of usable molle space, there’s an endless amount of configuration options. From mounting Rotopax, to recovery boards, or storage cases, the possibilities are endless.

One thing to note: the molle panel is recessed from the tailgate side of the hoop, so mounting additional accessories when a spare tire is mounted on the opposite side, may require some creativity to clear the 1.5-inch steel tubing.

The Pivot XD is compatible with most 2-inch hitch receivers and works with full-size spare tires up to 37 inches. It accommodates standard 5-lug and 6-lug bolt patterns through the universal spare tire adapter. The system is not rated for RVs, trailers, or use while towing.

How to Install the Spare Tire Adapter: Fitment and Hardware Considerations

The universal spare tire adapter is fairly straightforward to install. Flipping the spare tire over makes it easy to line up your specific bolt pattern. My one issue with the universal design (understandably chosen for manufacturing simplicity) is that the supplied hardware doesn’t match the factory lug diameter on my 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500.

This creates two issues: first, you won’t be able to use spare locking lug nuts you may already have on hand; and second, the included lug nuts don’t properly center the wheel on the plate, which could lead to unwanted wear or rubbing over time if you do not self-center the spare.

A second set of hands helps eliminate this issue by holding the spare in the desired location, something to be cognizant of when mounting.

A potential workaround is to source locking lug nuts that match the provided studs, but you may run into issues with them bottoming out before fully seating. If you go this route, matching the shank length will be critical.

Alternatively, you could source studs with a specific length custom to your wheel and tire package or purchase splined open-end lug nuts.

The supplied lug nuts are fairly large in diameter and sit close to the edges of the wheel’s lug holes, so using a thin-wall deep socket is recommended to properly torque everything down. For reference, the provided hardware for the spare tire adapter includes 3 studs (75mm) and 3 lug nuts (M12 x 1.5).

On-Road and Off-Road Performance: Real-World Testing Results

With a wheel and tire package weighing at around 86 lbs, I assumed there would be some audible and visual jostling of the swing-away while on the road, but this is where the patented flatlock hitch cam really shines.

With my cargo well under the manufacturer’s suggested weight capacity of 350 lbs, the Pivot XD provides a rattle-free experience, eliminating unwanted movement within the vehicle’s receiver.

When quality in construction is combined with durability, you are left with a product that is meant to withstand years of use without failing. After testing this for a month on a variety of terrain from on- and off-road, I have encountered zero issues.

There is little to no rattle at the hitch, giving you an extra layer of confidence when hoisting up and mounting your full-size spare. Combined with the conical ball bearing pivot that sits 27 inches from the center of the vehicle’s receiver, the swing-away still operates smoothly after more than a hundred tested openings and closures.

Security Features: Locking Mechanisms and Theft Protection

I like when a company designs with real-world use in mind, anticipating the need for features like a secure way to lock the swing-away, without additional accessory purchases needed.

The Pivot XD ships with a locking hitch pin that has a keyed end that faces down rather than sideways off the locking pin, a little detail that makes accessing the lock from underneath the swing-away easier to operate. 

The custom-machined safety pin that holds the swing-away at one of the two open positions is thoughtfully designed with a 90-degree pivot joint that deters the pin from falling out.

The entry hole at the top of the swing-away arm is square, allowing you to easily line up the bottom hole to drop the pin through. A nice future change would be to add an entry hole in the safety pin to accept a TSA lock for added theft protection.

Heavy-Duty Construction: Built for Overlanding and Off-Road Durability

The substantial weight of the swing-away is crucial to the strength and overall integrity of the product. With the pivot joint 27 inches away from the hitch which is acting as the fulcrum point, the product needs to be robust, and this is where Küat knocked it out of the park. The quality of materials combined with the conical ball bearing pivot make for a smooth operating experience.

Leave it to engineers with a credible background in mounting and carrying bikes for decades to apply that same attention to detail for their off-road and overlanding product ecosystems.

A huge benefit of a hitch mounted spare tire carrier is that it’s not permanent. When I don’t need to run my spare off the back of my truck, I simply have the option to remove my spare, strap it down in the bed of my truck, and move the Pivot XD to my 1979 Jeep CJ5. It’s versatile, well made, and allows me to configure my truck based on the activity.

The Küat Pivot XD represents a premium solution in the hitch-mounted spare tire carrier market. Its heavy-duty construction, 350-lb capacity, and dual-purpose design make it ideal for overlanders and outdoor enthusiasts who need versatile gear transport without permanent vehicle modification. While the $798 price point positions it as a premium option, the engineering quality and multi-vehicle transferability justify the investment for serious adventurers.

Küat Pivot XD & Accessories Pricing

• Pivot XD - $798
• Accessory Molle Hoop with Molle - $289
• Spare Tire Adapter (200mm) - $109

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