thule bike rack won t tighten

CAPACITY: 2 or 4 with up to 5 wide tires. At the Thule Test Center, we load bike racks with twice the recommended maximum weight and then simulate them going twice around the world, complete with bumps! Once the oil reaches the entire locks surface, try to unlock the hitch. Kindly go through how bike lock to hitch rack, and youll be thoroughly enlightened about the types of different hitch-mounted racks and of course, know how to lock your bikes properly. A friend with an older Thule rack is experiencing just what you describe. Thank you! Thieves wont be able to release the lever because of the lock. Also, if the wobbling culminates into the rack swaying and rubbing against the cars body, thats another cause for concern. Almost any vehicle is a capable of towing a trailer. They may be at a high price point but it surely wont be a bad investment. This carrier was brand new and could not have been damaged in any way prior to the failure. That means that the rack responds to the cars movement, which includes turning and speeding. Push down on the lever of the hub adjuster to stabilize the position of the bike holding arms. Thule Raceway Pro Rack - 3 Bike. We are an international group of people united by our own passion for helping active families and outdoor enthusiasts. A wobbling bike rack is annoying, but thats not the worst thing. A trailer coupler is a device that connects the hitch of the tow vehicle to a trailer. And, some of them come in cheaper even. A career newspaper journalist and author, Paul Andrews has ridden and written about bikes most of his life. . Even worse, the rack could hit . Our Price: $ 271.84. view all Hitch Bike Racks; Hanging Rack; Tilt-Away Rack; Fold-Up Rack; Frame Mount; Locks Not Included; 4 Bikes; Class 1; Class 2; Class 3; Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch; Fits 2 Inch Hitch; And so, users need to re-align it perfectly to address the issue. Thule master keys are universal, so use one from another Thule product (if you have one) or borrow one from a friend. I must say that this thing is pretty easy to use. Some, however, sway due to poor installation and failing straps, and they end up scratching the car. You need to worry if the wobbling is due to slack connections, unsecured straps, or a wider receiver distance. Thule bike racks are expertly designed to make it safe and easy to transport your bike. It is one of the most asked questions often found in the riders community. Or not, considering then it probably wont fail. To rely on friction, no matter how tightly bolted, is an act of faith in potentially life-threatening situations. The presenter in the video, Tim Cook, has filed a claim with Thule for two bikes damaged when his rear tray slid off on an Interstate highway just before Christmas. Keep in mind, that youll also have to buy the tow hitch and other parts separately (which can easily run you another $150$200). Previous image. Remember, a bike rack is supposed to transport your bike safely. ), Are Subrosa BMX Bikes Good Quality Brand? The rack itself is made of steel which is powder coated to ensure the metal is protected from corrosion. Contributions are the best form of support for our blog, for two reasons: They not only give us resources to continue the work we do, they also say you, the donor, appreciate our work. I was able to put the cylinder in place, however, the other key does not lock or unlock. The wobbling, however, usually is short-lived. I'm very happy with my purchase. There should be a treaded nut welded to the inside the shank of the Thule Vertex. A major drawback is it is not cost-effective in terms of saving fuel. So, double-check everything before hitting the road and in the course of your road trip. It can be because of riding aggressively while the bicycle rack is on the car or an issue of not tightening the hitch correctly. Re-apply this technique several times. Copyright 2022 Bike Finest | All Rights Reserved. Here are the main reasons why most bike racks wobble: 1. Hello, sign in. Donations may be made through PayPal by clicking on the button below. I worked for etrailer for 3 years during college so I knew of the hard work the company puts into provide great product testing, education on use and amazing fast shipping to its customers. Thule was established in Sweden in 1942. The possible cause for such trouble can be dirt and debris that the lock picks up and gets jammed when you go off-road. Open the wheel ratchet strap. In the absence of a bike rack, you can fit the bike in your cars trunk. If you don't secure your rack on the bike, it's likely to get loose and wobble when riding. Side straps for increased lateral stability. Honestly, it has been a complete pleasure to thoroughly explain to you about this wonderful brand and how safe it is to use the products for your bikes security. How Do You Tighten A Thule Bike Rack? (Quick Answer! What Type Of Hitch For Bike Rack Do You Need? They all work by clamping around the trailer hitch ball. Jun 16, 2012 Bought a Thule bike rack which has an integrated lock. Use your locking key to unlock the mechanism (via a quarter-turn counterclockwise) before proceeding to your work on the back side. Thule racks cannot have integrated cable locks added onto the rack. like your 2019 Honda Ridgeline as that's hard to do given the nature of the strap setup but what . This will be a brief explanation but quite the necessary one in case you are a newbie. Step two: Place the bike on the cradles at the top arm of your bike firmly. Secure transit of bikes at all speeds and road conditions. thankfully and very luckily we were on a deserted road and no one was injured. Check Price. Ive definitely lost confidence in Thule. The tilt bike racks are comparatively cheaper than the swing-away bike racks. How to Use a Thule Bike Rack Place a palm on the lever and pull the rack out. In some cases, you will only be able to tow a very small trailer. If the problem is the jammed locks, you need to put some oil inside and around the key lock to fix it, and if it is the straps problem, you should secure them tightly or replace them with new ones. He is also a historian who holds a PhD from The University of Notre Dame and has taught at universities in and around Pittsburgh, PA. His scholarly publications and presentations focus on his research interests in early American history, but Chris also enjoys the challenges and rewards of writing wikiHow articles on a wide range of subjects. Price: $180 Weight: 1 lb. I also spent the 2 minutes and tapped a small 6mm bolt in the back ZERO chance of this happening. So, let us go through the simple steps to install Thule bike racks. Christopher Osborne has been a wikiHow Content Creator since 2015. But once you get to ride on a moderate speed and a straight path, the wobbling should stop. Generally, while its normal for bike racks to wobble a little, it shouldnt be for long or too frequent. Its obvious to me, an owner of a T2 bike rack, that the demonstrator in the video did not adequately tighten the allen head bolts. Overall, such offenses could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and you dont want that. Thule brand bike racks are known for their high quality and durability. Also Read: Thule 450 Vs 450r: What Are The Key Differences? Just use a small screwdriver to push this tab in the the lock will slide out. Open them and tighten them correctly. Thank you for sharing your experience. And the best fact is that with a bit of care and maintenance, anyone can eliminate bike rack problems and extend its lifespan. As a reader-supported site, when you click through any of our links, we may earn a small commission as an affiliate partner. The presenter in the video, Tim Cook, has filed a claim with Thule for two bikes damaged when his rear tray slid off on an Interstate highway just before Christmas. First-time buyer? Sea Otter Classic 2015: Orange is the new black, If Mountain Bikes Could Review Their Riders, Xanadu: Mountain bikings stately pleasure dome, The New Soquel Demo Flow Trail: A contrarian view. If you already own a roof rack, a roof bicycle rack for cars could be the simplest solution, however a trunk or hitch mounted rack is often easier to load and unload and suits heavier bikes. How do you install Rhode Gear Super Cycle shuttle? Locking a bike on a rack is a deterrent that adds more time and effort to a possible theft, says Chris Ritchie from Thule. Thule Car Bike Racks 3 Bike Capacity, Thule Car Bike Racks 1 Bike Capacity, Tow-Trust Car Tow Bars, Over time, that flex will stretch the steel. Some roof racks have no way of permanently securing to your vehicle; some have built-in locks. I met a rider in Park City, Utah at the trailhead who experienced an identical failure. Bring your gear in a cargo carrier. To avoid that, fit them correctly. Bike Trailers and Bike Seats. BEST FOR: Anyone, but especially those who need to haul a wide range of bike sizes. Next, place the bike rack against the wall in the desired location. For the hitch-mounted bike racks, I have something dedicated for you in it. Expert Reply: If you need truck access often, I have a solution for you, but bike rack manufacturers do not recommend opening the rear hatch or trunk with a bike rack installed. You can obtain it by contacting Customer Service. But you should never leave your bike on a car rack unattended for long periods of time or overnighteven if the rack is locked. Also, you should get that high-performance cable locks and wrap them around the two wheels. Many hitch racks come with locks or can be easily secured to a hitch with a cable lock, so security is not an issue. The 10 Best Hitch Bike Racks of 2021 Best Overall: Kuat Sherpa 2.0 at Amazon. One of the most premium tier brands out there for bike lifestyle products, you cannot skip talking about this brand whenever there is a conversation related to biking, traveling, and bike racks. You would think for 4 large these companies could produce a decent and safe product. Ans: Yes, there are quite a few actually. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Use-and-Remove-a-Thule-Lock-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-and-Remove-a-Thule-Lock-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Use-and-Remove-a-Thule-Lock-Step-1.jpg\/aid9374977-v4-728px-Use-and-Remove-a-Thule-Lock-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"