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Thule Epos Bike Rack w/ Lights for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel or Frame Mount
Thule

Thule Epos Bike Rack w/ Lights for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel or Frame Mount

Part Number: TH49XE
In Stock
$1,599.95
Hitch Bike Racks
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In Use/Installed

This 2-bike rack with tail lights is perfect for carrying bikes of nearly any style, including heavy electric bikes with fenders. Integrated wheels let you roll the rack, so you don't have to carry it to your vehicle. Tilts with bikes loaded. 1-800-940-8924 to order Thule hitch bike racks part number TH49XE or order online at etrailer.com. Free expert support on all Thule products. Great prices and Fastest Shipping for Thule Epos Bike Rack w/ Lights for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel or Frame Mount. Hitch Bike Racks reviews from real customers.
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  • Reviews (39)
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Thule Hitch Bike Racks - TH49XE

Highlights

  • Carry Heavy E-Bikes Confidently: Holds 2 bikes up to 140 lbs total or 75 lbs each for secure travel.
  • Load Any Frame Style Safely: Telescoping arms grip by wheel or frame—ideal for fenders and carbon builds.
  • Reach Cargo Without Unloading: Foot pedal tilts rack with bikes loaded for easy trunk or hatch access.
  • Stay Visible on the Road: Built-in incandescent running, brake, and turn lights plug into a 4-way flat for safety.
  • Store and Move It Easily: Rack folds compact and rolls on integrated wheels to and from your vehicle.
  • Lock Bikes and Rack Together: One-Key System secures both rack and bikes with keyed-alike locks.

Features to know about

Heavy E-Bikes Made Easy: 75 lb Capacity Per Bike

Carrying powerful electric rides doesn’t have to be a workout. The Thule Epos handles two bikes with a total capacity of 140 lbs and supports up to 75 lbs per bike. Telescoping masts with rotating, padded heads let you secure each bike by the rear wheel or frame, protecting finishes and fitting virtually any frame style, including bikes with fenders. Aluminum construction keeps overall rack weight to 40.8 lbs, so getting it on and off the hitch isn’t a chore.

Thule Epos bike rack wheel mount clamps with rotating head and ratchet strap securing rear wheel

Thule Epos bike rack frame mount clamp with padded rotating head securing bicycle frame

Quick Loading Without Heavy Lifting: Optional Aluminum Ramp

When bikes tip the scale past 60 lbs, lifting them onto a rack can be tough. The optional aluminum ramp (sold separately) rolls each bike right into place, taking the strain out of loading. Integrated wheels and a handle mean you can roll the rack to your vehicle instead of carrying it. Once in the hitch, a hand-tightening lever locks it down tool-free, and an internal anti-rattle wedge keeps things quiet on the road.

Thule aluminum ramp accessory for Epos bike rack enabling easy roll-on bike loading

Thule Epos bike rack installation showing SnugTite hitch pin and hand-tightening lever in use

Thule Epos hitch-mounted bike rack installation into 2-inch receiver with anti-rattle lever engaged

Thule Epos bike rack folded up showing removable adapter sleeve for 1-1/4 or 2-inch hitches

Access Gear Without Unloading: Front Foot Pedal Tilt

Grabbing something from the back shouldn’t mean taking your bikes off. A spring-loaded front-mounted foot pedal tilts the rack down even when loaded, giving you full cargo access. The pedal location lets you hold the rack steady with both hands instead of reaching through bikes, keeping control and preventing bumps. When you’re done, fold the trays and masts down for compact storage.

Thule Epos bike rack tilted downward with bikes loaded for rear cargo access

Thule Epos rear wheel cradle and foot pedal for easy rack tilting access

Thule Epos bike rack folded upright into compact storage position with arms retracted

Stay Seen and Street-Legal: Built-In Incandescent Tail Lights and Plate Holder

The Epos keeps you visible day or night with integrated incandescent running, brake, and turn lights powered through a standard 4-way flat connector. A license-plate holder with its own light stays in view so it meets road requirements while avoiding tickets. The lighting works whether the rack is loaded or stowed, adding safety in every position.

Thule Epos built-in incandescent tail lights illuminated on rear of platform bike rack

Secure Setup from Start to Finish: One-Key System Locks

Peace of mind comes built in. The One-Key System locks secure both the bikes and the rack itself. Locking masts prevent strap release, while the lever lock stops the rack from being removed from the hitch. All locks are keyed alike, so one key covers the whole setup. Durable aluminum and ABS construction with a black powder coat resists corrosion ride after ride.

Thule Epos integrated One-Key System locks on telescoping mast securing bikes to rack

Close-up of Thule Epos locking lever securing bike rack to hitch receiver

ABUS cable lock accessory compatible with Thule Epos rack for extra bike security

Specs

Application

  • Hitch receiver size: 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" and 2" x 2"

Weight and Capacity

  • Carrying capacity: 2 bikes
  • Weight capacity: 140 lbs
  • Weight capacity (for 1 bike): 75 lbs

Tire and Wheel Specifications

  • Maximum tire width: 3-3/16"
  • Maximum wheelbase: 53-1/8"
  • Distance between bikes: 9-13/16"

Dimensions

  • Overall dimensions: 27-3/16" long x 49-5/8" wide x 8-11/16 tall
  • Dimensions when folded: 27-3/16" tall x 10-5/8" wide x 29-1/2" deep
  • Distance from center of hitch pin hole to nearest edge of carrier: 6"
  • Distance from center of hitch pin hole to farthest edge of carrier: 33"

Weight

  • Carrier weight: 40.8 lbs

Warranty

  • Limited lifetime warranty

Note

  • Requirement: The distance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the face of the hitch must be 1-1/2" or greater to use this rack.

903211 Thule Epos Platform Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4 Inch and 2 Inch Trailer Hitches - Tail Lights

Installation Details TH49XE Installation instructions



Customer Satisfaction Score:

Ratings & Reviews

4.6

39 reviews
Review sort icon
This 2-bike rack with tail lights is perfect for carrying bikes of nearly any style, including heavy electric bikes with fenders. Integrated wheels let you roll the rack, so you don't have to carry it to your vehicle. Tilts with bikes loaded.

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The carrier is well made and extremely sturdy. But it does not fold up close to the back of the vehicle. The wheel trays fold up to the center. But the whole rig sticks out the full length of the tack 3+ feet from bumper



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It is worth every penny!!!



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Very well built .



by:

Great service. The perfect e-bike rack.



by:

Arrived ok, box was opened and taped with blue security tape, probably transport security but all was there nothing missing, instructions unopened.
I would buy from this company again.Easy install, I viewed the YouTube video ahead of time. I never opened the instructions.
Good job!



by:

Awesome design and build quality. No issues after 1 year. Also, I use it for e-bikes that weigh around 75 lbs. it handles it easily.



by:

I purchased the Thule Epos bike rack to replace a defective Thule Easyfold XT2 bike rack. This rack is a significant improvement and after using it for a month now really like it's design and performance.

I use it to carry two Riese & Muller ebikes (combined weighing over 100 lbs) and the rack is very stable with the two bikes installed; virtually no lateral movement of the rack while driving and the ratcheting strap that is the primary attachment is rock solid in design and application. The Epos is a little wider than the Easyfold rack which allows the two wheels to be in more contact with the rack. I also noticed the spacing between two bikes was fat better on the Epos versus the Easyfold. There is no concern for contact of the two bikes which also makes it easier to remove each bike off the rack.
Although we only use the Epos for two ebikes, having the ability to transport a third bike is a nice bonus when having a solo friend to join on a ride.

Our ebikes both have full fenders and the Thule Epos rack provides a super secure frame connection that works great on bikes fitted with fenders. I was skeptical of the racks that secure the bike using ratcheting arms on the front/rear wheels with fenders.

The one addition that Thule offers is an optional lighting accessory that is a nice add on if you need it.

Overall, this is a great rack!



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I'm so happy with this rack and docked it a star because of issues I had with Thule - NOT with eTrailer

I purchased this rack to hold 2 e-bikes and a third child's bike. I watched all of the videos and knew this is what I needed. Ordered and it was out of stock - of course with it being so new. I had to wait about a month to get it.

Once I received it, I took it out the box and it sat for a week before I could use it. Went to install it on to my truck and one of the wheels fell off. Upon inspection, the hole for the screw was stripped, so the screw just fell out. Used the chat feature on eTrailer and a new one was on the way in less than a day. (OUTSTANDING Customer Service)

Got the second rack, and one of the pads was missing from the third holding bar. Again - not eTrailer's fought. I contacted Thule and a they sent over a replacement part right away.

I get it. These are very popular and Thule is trying to meet that demand. I just wish they had some better "pre-flight" inspections.

Overall, this rack is dang near perfect. Bikes go on easily, they are secure and you can lock them down - no need for that extra cable that they sell.

Buy with confidence - but check you unit right away!!



by:

It is solid and holds two ebikes nicely. Once I figured out some logistics and positioning, hitching up the rack and loading the bikes go very smoothly. The bike locks, however, are flimsy. Both no longer lock the bikes. Also I wish Thule made this rack so it could fold up against the car when not in use. Driving around, backing up, when no bikes on the rack, is problemmatic and I have already damaged the rack ( my fault) when backing the car into a tight space because the rack sticks out.



by:

Great bike rack. Super strung and sturdy. Folds for storage and wheels make it easy to move and install on truck. Safely carries our two ebikes. Etrailer shipped fast and ordering was easy. Very happy with my Etrailer purchase and will definitely use again.



by:

Thule rack is great ,,,the box it was shipped in was badly ripped and dented in ?? I thought the small extra items packed with the rack would have fallen out it transit . All items were inside and un damaged .



by:

Initially it was a great bike rack. However after owning it a year I’ve noticed that it’s taking on way more wear and tear than it should. A lot of places are starting to show rust. It still functions the way it should, just don’t know how long it will.



by:

Great hitch rack. Sturdy and can carry my 70lbs e-bikes. I dislike the fact that it doesn't have a feature to lock in the upright position so it is always down adding 4 feet of length to my car.



by:

Great rack! It's easy to attach to the car and tightens securely in the hitch receiver so that there is no play. I love that I can fold it up very easily and store it in a utility closet in my garage. Having the wheels on it makes moving it around in the garage simple.
I do wish that I could fold it up when driving without a bike on it. Thule's rationale for why they don't provide this feature is that it would block visibility of tail lights and license plate. In my case, that argument doesn't hold water. It does fold up, but won't latch into that position. On my Toyota 4Runner it does NOT block the tail lights at all. As for blocking the license plate - so what? You can't see it with bikes on the rack or if you were towing a trailer.
Come on Thule, provide us the ability to fold it up. That would make it a LOT safer driving around, especially in parking lots.



by:

Super nice rack, addresses every shortcoming I’ve experienced in owning three racks before this one. We’ve gone to e-bikes exclusively, so I needed something that could handle the weight. Incredibly useful and well-designed; tool-less installation, easy loading (I bought the ramp), simple and rock-solid bike attachment, folds up compactly for storage, and the wheels are real plus. No more lifting of my 65lb e-bike, and rolling the rack on the ground to storage is great too. Easily the best rack I’ve owned, and that includes 1Up, Hollywood, and Yakima racks. Highly recommended. Ordered from etrailer on Saturday, delivered Tuesday … great experience with etrailer once again.

One cautionary note: be sure to measure the distance from the outer edge of your receiver to the center of your hitch pin hole. On my 2020 Volvo V60 CC with a retractable 1.25” receiver, the stinger rod did not reach the hitch pin hole. On my wife’s 2026 Volvo XC90 with retractable 2” receiver, it worked fine.



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To expansive qualifié price



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Linda profile picture

Linda

8/11/2025

Great



by:

See ramp review.


25
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See what our Experts say about this Thule Hitch Bike Racks

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Info for this part was:

Employee Jameson C
Expert Research:
Jameson C
Employee Dustin K
Video Edited:
Dustin K
Employee Wilson B
Updated by:
Wilson B
Employee Matthew S
Written by:
Matthew S
Employee Daron K
Edited by:
Daron K
Employee Evangeline M
Test Fit:
Evangeline M
Employee Thomas T
Video by:
Thomas T
Employee Evan R
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