Photo Cred: @fotornr
We've seen a growing need for a swing-out tucked in closer to the back of the 4Runner that could be used to swing a tire and a bike rack.
Tapping years of practical experience with similar types of products, we set out to design an all-new carrier from the ground up.
Besides a spare tire, people were asking for a platform to attach Rotopax, traction pads, shovel, jack, and pieces of gear.
THE DESIGN CHALLENGE
- Make a hitch-mounted carrier that fits as tight in as possible on the 4Runner's super short hitch
- It had to be strong enough to support up to a 35-inch tire, bikes, and accessories
- Keep a receiver available for towing/recovery
- Include a hitch that allows the tire and bikes to swing-out
- Provide tons of mounting points for fuel/water containers, shovel, ax, jack
- While still keeping the weight of the carrier to a minimum
INTRODUCING THE RIGd ULTRASWING™
FOR TOYOTA 4RUNNER (4th & 5th Gen)
- Specifically designed for Toyota 4Runner 2003 to Current (Will not fit 1st-3rd gen)
- Hitch-mounted
- Tire and bikes swing out to access rear hatch
- Carries tires up to 35-inches
- Supports a combined weight of 250lbs
- Multiple mounting options for hitch accessories
Overlanders and off-roaders have such innovative minds when it comes to their rigs. That’s why we created an open product platform that allows unlimited customization.
THE BACKSTORY
As RIGd Supply’s president and founder, and the former General Manager of Wilco Offroad, I wanted to say a bit more about the relationship between this new RIGd product and Wilco.
Working at Wilco gave me a huge appreciation for what it takes to build a quality product. As Wilco’s GM and marketing guy, I was a huge advocate for the development of their hitch-mounted product line. Landing at Wilco fresh out of college and being hired as General Manager was an amazing opportunity. Paul Wilkins, (Wilco’s founder), gave me the freedom to run with my ideas, and challenged me to figure out customer’s needs, and how to create demand for products.
Developing the Wilco brand, going to events, and getting outdoors, instilled a deeper passion for the off-road industry and overland community.
After 35 years of manufacturing, Paul was looking for new challenges (flying jets!), and decided to sell the company, while my career was just beginning to take off.
Through open dialogue, Paul and I worked out a plan for me to leave Wilco but continue managing Wilco’s marketing efforts until he could sell the company. Soon after, Jason Denney (@tacodust) joined the RIGd team to continue supporting Wilco’s social media as we also began the process of building RIGd. Our work with Wilco officially ended early 2018 as their buyout became imminent.
Designing the UltraSwing™ was a process of re-thinking the goals from the ground up. We started with two objectives, make the best product for the 4th and 5th Gen 4Runner, and allow it to swing out a tire and a bike rack. To accomplish these goals we started over, building each piece with a very specific end user in mind. Our goal is to continue to push the envelope of what a removable tire carrier can be.
COLLABORATION
Collaboration is a core tenant of RIGd Supply. Companies like VTX Wheels, C4 Fab, Deadman Off-Road, Warn, Off The Grid Surplus, Expedition Essentials, OC Overland, and many others have been incredibly supportive of our journey, and we feel blessed to call these companies and communities our friends.
We're stoked to get our RIGd product out to the 4Runner community, and we are on track to ship by the end of the year.
Help us get this to the community by supporting our pre-order launch.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND PRE-ORDER.
We'd love to hear your questions and comments below.
Dave MacNeil
October 29, 2018
Will you ship a preorder to Canada?