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Installing a bike rack shouldn’t feel like a workout. The Thule Helium Pro 3 weighs only 20 lbs thanks to its aluminum build, so one person can lift and mount it without strain. The SnugTite system tightens inside the hitch to cut down on rattle and noise, while the removable sleeve lets you switch between 1-1/4" and 2" hitches. It’s a quick, tool-free install that stays rock solid once tightened.
This rack is built to handle weekend rides and road trips alike. It carries up to three bikes, each up to 37.5 lbs, on dual 21" arms that keep frames secure and evenly spaced. The HideAway anti-sway cradles use ratchet straps to hold your bikes by the top tube and seat post, helping prevent sway and scratches while you drive. Grooved cradles keep cables protected, so nothing gets pinched or rubbed on the ride.
When it’s time to grab your gear or groceries, the Helium Pro tilts down for easy access to the cargo area with the bikes removed. A simple pull of the HitchSwitch lever at the base of the mast drops the rack out of the way, then locks back upright with an audible click when you’re ready to roll again.
When the trip’s done, pull the upper HitchSwitch lever and fold the arms down to reduce the footprint. It stays mounted without blocking space, whether you’re parking in the garage or storing it off the car between rides. The sloped arm design also improves ground clearance over uneven drives.
The Helium Pro keeps everything locked together with Thule’s One-Key System. The integrated cable lock threads through all your bike frames, and a locking knob secures the rack to your hitch. Both locks are keyed alike for convenience. Soft-touch cradles, corrosion-resistant aluminum, and a limited lifetime warranty round out a rack that’s built for daily use and long trips alike.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
94% were satisfied with this product
6% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
This is a great bike rack. It’s extremely easy to use and holds bikes securely!! I highly recommend it!
super rack and great price that included shipping and bc it was shipped to DE there was no sales tax. the item was shipped promptly, arriving in 3 days time; Odelia the customer service rep in Mizzou was outstanding in helping me with the transaction.
very light, it takes seconds to assemble. I would of given 5 stars if straps to secure bike were designed better. I have to use additional straps to secure it.
This bike rack is nice. Very easy & quick to attach or remove from the vehicle. Only complaint is that the bikes sit very high, and that makes it difficult to load on rack.
It performs as advertised. It is light for a 3-bike rack and is easy to install. The bikes seem secure and stable when attached.
Works pretty good. Difficult to fit 3 different bikes
Lightweight and easy to use. Exactly what I was looking for! Love the locks as well so I can leave my bike on the rack overnight without worry.
I have used this for a year and I love it. I bought it primarily because of the lighter weight and it does not disappoint. And the shape is fantastic for storing in the corner of the garage. Having the built-in straps is also a fantastic convenience. I read some that complain about them but that is user error. All that's needed to release a strap that doesn't loosen when the release is pressed is to adjust the angle of the tight side of the strap (move the bike) so that the release lever can be fully pressed.
Great product! Especially like the lock function so that I can enjoy the bike ride without worrying of losing my bike rack.
I appreciate the fact that etrailer.com had a video on this product which helped me evaluate it and understand how to install it. They accurately represented the bike rack and its installation. I love it! They provided customer service way beyond the sale! A rare happening in today's world.
The unboxing and installation was very simple. Thule is a quality manufacturer and the Helium Pro 3 is no exception. Only one small thing I noticed was after loading the rack onto my 2” hitch and locking it down, I did notice a small bit of wiggle where the tilt-up hinge locks. But I’ll be placing the nicks on the rack today and going for a ride. I’m sure it will work great.
I received my THULE Helium Pro 3 today and I installed it and the only disappointing part of the Bike Rack is the Weight. Thule makes its sound like it so light because it’s aluminum and it’s not.
The directions for installing could be a bit better. I used a third party's YouTube instructions and it took me less than 45 minutes to install. What I like about this rack in practice is how easily it folds, both to fold down the bike holding portion or to lean away for tailgate clearance. It's also lightweight and easy to attach to a trailer hitch receiver. In use, a rack that hangs bikes is never going to be as stable as a platform rack, but it holds the bikes just fine. I haven't tried 3 bikes yet but that's a nice feature if you do need it. All in all, this is an excellent lightweight bike rack for everyday use.
The rack has worked fairly well for us, but it has a disturbing tendency to bounce, and at one point, one of the straps got loose and a bike came part way off on the highway, causing the kick stand to get ground down to a fine point before we noticed. We now use extra care to make sure the straps are positioned so they won't come loose, but just how to do that is not clear from the pictures-only instruction manual.
I love this bike rack. A woman can easily put it on and off and carry it to wherever it's stored between usage. It's easy to get bikes on and off and I love the easy tilt to open my hatchback when bikes are not on it. I studied many options before purchasing this and am very happy with the product. etrailer videos and assistance made me feel pretty certain before it arrived that it would be perfect. I have not tried to put 3 bikes on it, but purchased the 3 bike option since it was only a bit more expensive and gives plenty of room for 2 bikes and at least I have the option of getting a 3rd on there if needed.
Great product ultimately!
It took 2 of us 3-4 hours to install the hitch and the new bike rack... overall, it wasn’t complicated, but a little nerve wracking on a new car (so a lot of checking and re-checking instructions), and we had to run to the hardware store to buy a torque wrench.
Also, you have to sort of pry off the bumper from the clips. Apparently there are tools for it, but we used an old plastic spatula knife that worked well (metal will scratch the bumper).
As I got older, installing heavy bike racks is too difficult. This Thule Helium Pro is much lighter and easy to install. There was some fairly easy assembly and then it’s ready to go. I haven’t used it yet so I can’t judge how stable the bikes are and how easy it is to tighten the straps. However, both my wife and I are very pleased with its construction, size and weight.
I recently purchased the Thule Helium Pro 3 Bike Rack and love how simple it is to operate once put together. I've only had it for about a week and have used it twice. It is great not to worry about pins any longer.
My only beef is with the instructions to put it together. I took all the parts out of the box and started to read the instructions. The rack comes in two parts - the hitch part and the rack part. In handling the hitch part, I noticed there was tape on it and didn't think twice about removing the tape. I found out the hard way the tape was keeping a metal bar in place (where the rack can be reclined to open your tailgate). There was also tape to keep the locking mechanism in place. After I removed the tape, the parts fell out and I had one heck of time adjusting the hook to the bar. I ended up taking it to a local bike shop to fix and connect the rack piece to the hitch piece. In the end, I'm not sure if this was supposed to be like this or not. Either way, I wish instructions came with words along with the pictures and told me not to remove the tape.
Since 2011 this is the 3rd time I have shopped at etrailer. The reason I purchased this new Thule Helium model 9043PRObike rack is that the old Thule Helium model 971XT I bought back in 2011 broke (tightening lock knob mechanism inside the stinger assembly - 2nd time it has broken on me) and I needed a new rack quickly. etrailer.com indeed delivered swiftly! In the meantime I have put in a warrantee claim with Thule on my old rack. I’m sure this will take a while to resolve.
I have already used this new 9043PRO rack and am really please with the rack’s functionality as compared to the old one! Specifically the ease and speed to place and lock it onto the hitch itself. Also like the new design straps as well as the bike locking cable design.
Over the years I really appreciate the efficient, consistent and great customer service I have received in all my interactions etrailer!
Ken
6/28/2021
After many uses this 9043PRO performs as well as ever. Also I am considering getting a carbon bike and per Thules web site, this rack is compatible with carbon frames. Very pleased with this purchase.
Great bike rack. The new straps are a bit difficult to undo and take a bit of getting used to. Otherwise, very happy with rack.
The main reason for my lukewarm review of the Thule Helium Pro hitch bike rack are the very small anti-sway cages which are incompatible with my particular bike frame. The frame is carbon and has a radius at the intersection of the top tube and the seat tube. This prevents the cage from contacting the seat tube when the bike top tube is placed flatly on the arm saddles and all the ratchet straps tightened. The cages are thus rendered completely useless. I tried to upload a photo illustrating this but it failed multiple times.
I never had an issue mounting these bikes securely on my 12 year old Thule (I think Apex 4) bike rack which has much larger cages with the rubber restraining straps. I also much prefer the rubber straps to the new ratchet straps.
There seems to be several possible paths forward:
1) do not use the anti-sway cages at all and figure out a way to strap or bungee the bikes so that they are secured well
2) MacGyver something with the large anti-sway cages from the old Thule rack so that they can be used with the new rack. The arm tube diameter is larger on the new rack.
3) return the new rack and exchange for the Thule 4 bike Apex assuming the arms are the same diameter as my old rack so I can use the old anti-sway cages. This option pushes the tongue weight closer to my Honda CR-V Hybrid wimpy limit of 100 pounds. Also, since I have rear bag racks mounted on my bikes, I have to use positions 1 and 3 on the Thule rack as there is not sufficient separation between positions 1 and 2. This is the same leverage consideration with the Helium Pro rack.
Gwendolyn Y.
4/9/2026
Hey, Richard. I'm sorry to hear what's going on. Thule has updated their Apex rack, part # TH9025XT, and anti-sway cradles are the same between the new Apex and the Thule Helium that you have now. Thought I'd share in case it would help you make your decision on what to do.
Excellent bike rack in itself, just a little difficult for my wife to lift her bike onto it. However once done it’s great
Pare product is fine certain [assembly] instructions
The Thule Helium Pro Bike Rack for 3 Bikes is a great bike rack, that I use on the rear of my 2018 Audi 2018 Audi Q5. Attached to the trailer hitch also purchased from “etrailer”.
Highly recommended product and great company to deal with. Thank you.
For one you had the item in stock one of the big box stores near me, said I would have to order it same thing at the local bike shop and it was much more. I saved quite a bit with deals through you.. the best part of the item was shipped that day the sad part as I got it a little later than the date that was given to me, but it’s not your fault. We had a big blizzard here so riding will definitely have to wait until spring soon as we got 3 feet of snow here!!! thanks again if I need anything else, I look forward to doing business with you again
Mike L.
2/26/2026
Thanks for checking in, Norman! Stay warm!
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Amy
1/29/2022
Great! I love this bike rack.