Do Arms on Thule T2 Pro XTR 2 Bike Platform Rack Lock Into Place when Not In Use

Updated 02/18/2025 | Published 05/22/2018

Question:

Do the arms lock down when not in use, either when the rack is folded up or down but dont have a bike in the rack? It seems like they would bang around and potentially damage themselves or the vehicle if the rack is folded up. Thanks

asked by: Brian

Expert Reply:

The arms on the Thule T2 Pro XTR # TH83JV don't have a lock per se but they also won't move when they are down. It requires enough force to move the arms that just normal driving around cannot move the arms. I have never heard of an issue with this bike rack where the arms have moved out of position.

expert reply by: Michael H

Glen

2/16/2025

My Aventon Aventure fat tire bike was recently destroyed when apparently the front tire lost air during transport on my Thule pro rack. Ford 150 with a shell precludes visual monitoring of bikes. While driving at night on highway 1 in Monterey CA, we were alerted by a Good Samaritan driver that something was wrong with our bikes. We pulled on to the shoulder. The bike was held in the rear wheel mount but the entire front of the bike; having been dragged at 60mph for an unknown amount of time. It was damaged beyond the replacement value. I subsequently bought the exact manufacture and model . I found no failed parts on the trailer. My wife and I have put thousands of miles on our truck and that trailer . We are meticulous on mounting the bikes and cross check each other prior to leaving our location. My conclusion is that for unknown reasons the front tire lost air and the rachet pressure on the front wheel no longer was sufficient to hold the wheel in place. I am unable to prove my premise because the front tire was shredded from the wheel and the wheel itself distorted. I’ve written this because other should be aware of the potential for them. Had the bike lost its mooring in the rear of the rack and hit a vehicle behind us the results would have likely been catastrophic.

Kate F.

2/17/2025

@Glen Hello Glen, Wow, I am really sorry to hear this, but glad that it did not result in any one getting hurt but am very sorry that your bike was destroyed. I really do appreciate you taking the time to let us know what happened. I am going to forward this information over to Thule to see what they have to say about it. I will let you know what I find out. If you have any questions in the meantime, please let me know.

Kate F.

2/18/2025

@Glen Hello again Glen. Dominic at Thule got back to me, I forwarded what you said over to him and he pointed out how the Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount # TH83JV is not rated for behind a trailer. The rack is ok behind a vehicle or a motorhome, but not a travel trailer or 5th wheel or behind a vehicle that is being flat towed. The issue is that behind a trailer or 5th wheel it is just way too bouncy. I do have a bike rack that is rated behind a travel trailer that will work with your fat tires, the Lets Go Aero V-Lectric VFR Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount # LGA25VR. Another option would be to get a dual receiver like the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter - 2" Hitch - 4" Drop or Rise - 10,000 lb # RM83SR so that you can put the rack between the truck and your trailer. Dominic had a few other things that I feel is worth mentioning as well: A few things to note: Thule recommends frequent inspection of the bikes to ensure they are held correctly. The bike the customer was hauling weighs 77lbs (without any accessories), and the weight limit of the rack is 60 lbs. I know that telling you this stuff now does not bring your bike back, I am truly very sorry that you had to experience that, I am just happy that no one got hurt.

Helpful Links

tv-demo-roadmaster-hitch-adapters-dual-hitch-receiver-adapter-2-inch-hitch-rm83sr.aspx

tv-review-lets-go-aero-v-lectric-vfr-bike-rack-lga25vr.aspx