If you've spent any time around a Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, or basically any midsize off-road SUV, you will be keenly aware of their lack of storage space. It's difficult enough to fit a properly sized cooler in the back of a modern Wrangler, let alone enough camping gear for a family weekend adventure. To remedy the situation, one would either need to pack lighter, leave a kid at home, or find an alternative way to lug around the gear. This is where the good folks at Pakmule come in.
Founded in 2017, Pakmule was built on the foundational idea that if the gear was easier to load people would spend more time out adventuring. The original Pakmule carrier, constructed in 2012, was inspired by the rigging of a coastal fishing boat. The rounded edges are easy to be around, the aluminum construction meant that it wouldn't be harmed by the elements, and it was lightweight while also remaining sturdy enough to carry large loads. Today, Pakmule offers four different models of cargo carriers: The Scout, Pro Original, Pro Swayback, and Pro Ridgeline. The company still builds all of its products right here in America utilizing recycled aluminum, and gives back a portion of its profits to organizations that help with wildland conservation.
When we took delivery of Four Wheeler's new long-term 2022 Jeep Wrangler 392, we knew we needed to address the vehicle's lack of storage space. We quickly reached out to Pakmule and ordered one of the company's Pro Swayback cargo carriers. Why the Swayback, you ask? Well, Pakmule has designed the Swayback specifically for Wranglers, Broncos, adventure vans, and anything else with a rear-mounted spare tire. Though the Swayback features the same cargo-carrying footprint as the Original, it comes with a much lower siderail height to accommodate up to a 35-inch tire on the tailgate (Bronco owners have reported fitting a 37-inch tire with the Swayback).
Related: 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor vs. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392
After traveling thousands of miles with our Pakmule Pro Swayback hanging off the rear of our Wrangler, we're happy to report that we have been made believers. With the company's patented anti-wobble pin system, the Swayback stays locked tight in the receiver even after hundreds of miles. We've found incredible versatility in the rack's ability to carry large and dirty items from the home improvement store, loads of firewood to the campground, large coolers of all different sizes (including a Dometic fridge or two), and even a motorcycle. At just 40 pounds the Swayback is easy to move around, and with the rack unloaded the Jeep's rear hatch opens with no interference (though it is a bit tough to reach over the large rack).
Overall, we would highly recommend Pakmule and its line of cargo carriers to anyone who owns a vehicle with a receiver hitch, not just Wrangler and Bronco folks. These racks are versatile, lightweight, incredibly strong, and built to last a lifetime. Sure, they aren't free—the Swayback checks in at $945—however, the quality and American craftsmanship are worth the price of admission.
The Pakmule Pro Swayback is built with a solid 2-inch aluminum bar at its core, which slides into the vehicle's receiver. This is just one of the features that make the Swayback able to haul up to 650 pounds of cargo over the gnarliest of roads (and trails). It's important to pay attention to the vehicle's tongue-weight rating, however, as a Jeep Wrangler's is limited to just 350 pounds.
All of Pakmule's Pro Series racks are constructed of recycled aluminum and are fully TIG-welded by hand in Texas. After welding, the racks are heat-treated for added strength, which is a step you're not going to find with bargain-store overseas racks.
One of the more subtle niceties of the Pakmule Pro Swayback are these small threaded holes. What are they for, you ask? Well, we couldn't really tell you. Pakmule sells accessories such as decking, a stirrup step, fishing rod holders, and even a taillight, but none use these attachment points. Best we can figure, something new is coming. Or, use your creativity and fashion a license plate relocation bracket—that's what we'll be using them for. Still, we love the thoughtfulness; if there's going to be a hole, it may as well be threaded.
Included with the Pakmule Pro Swayback is the company's patented anti-wobbly connection that bolts the Pakmule directly to the hitch. How it works is simple: Instead of a standard smooth hitch-pin, the Pakmule's solid aluminum main bar is threaded, allowing the pin to tighten the rack securely to the vehicle. The upside of this system is the rack stays secure and doesn't wobble. The downside is you must use Pakmule's pin and can't replace it with anything else if it gets lost.
Our one quibble with the Pakmule Pro Swayback isn't that it requires a ⅞-inch socket to tighten the anti-wobble pin; rather, it's that for nearly $1,000, it's not included. Nonetheless, you can purchase the proper size deep socket and 8-inch ratchet, made by Paramount Products, from Pakmule.
Though the Pakmule Swayback is useful for carrying darn near anything that'll fit between its rails, we found that three of the now ubiquitous black-and-yellow 27-gallon storage totes fit perfectly on the back of a Jeep Wrangler. Specifically, the Greenmade-brand bins sold by Costco fit perfectly on either side of the spare tire. If you're feeling extra spunky, these bins can be stacked two-high for a total of six on the rack.
Securing cargo to the Swayback is simple, and even more so when using the company's MULEstraps. These straps are constructed of 1-inch-wide polyester webbing and are secured by a fully stainless-steel cam and buckle assembly. Each strap is capable of securing 500 pounds of gear, and comes in either orange or gray and in lengths of 4, 6, 8, or 12 feet. And, of course, they are made in the USA.
Pakmule sells an accessory for all of its racks called the Bike Bit, which enables them to hold up to three (sometimes four) bicycles. When the need arose (craigslist finds are going to drag themselves home) it allowed us to easily secure a midsize (140cc) Kawasaki motorcycle to the Swayback with little fuss.
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