Will the Thule Helium Trailer Hitch Mount Bike Racks Fit a Subaru Impreza 5-Door

Question:

I have an impreza subaru 5 door car and just had a a hitch1 hitch installed. We bought a thule 970XT bike rack for 3 bikes, but the pin hole do not match up with the hole on the hitch itself. Do you know if the helium bike rack for 2 bikes will fit?

asked by: Marianne

Expert Reply:

On the older version of the Helium bike racks, they would not fit a Class I trailer hitch because of the built-in safety device in the hitch and the fact that the bike rack was for Class II and III hitches. The newer versions should fit in a Class I trailer hitch. Check to make sure your anti-rattle knob is loosened so that it is flush with the shank on the bike rack.

Both the # TH970XT and # TH971XT are Class I compatible. The hitch pin, which is tethered to the bike rack, only goes in on the driver side of the hitch. It is a unique design, a keyhole hitch pin hole and pin, that you insert and turn to more or less lock into place. Take a look at the video I have linked at the 1:41 mark to see a demonstration of how it is supposed to work.

expert reply by: Michael H