Fit of Thule Outway Trunk Mounted Bike Rack Part TH45JV on 2011 Lexus ES350

Updated 11/28/2011 | Published 11/25/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Thule OutWay Trunk Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - Adjustable Arms

(19)

$371.45

Thule Bike Adapter Bar for Women's and Alternative Frame Bikes

(355)

$59.90

Question:

Two questions: 1. Will it fit on a 2011 Lexus ES 350? Amazon says it wont, but says it will fit on a 2010 ES 350. I think this is incorrect, since the 2011 and 2010 ES 350 models are virtually identical. 2. I currently have a Saris bonesinch bike rack. The rubber mounts at the base of the feet have dulled the clear coat finish on my previous car a 2007 Lexus ES 350 where they came in contact with the trunk lid. Will this bike rack also dull the clear coat finish of the trunk lid?

asked by: Byron G

Expert Reply:

According to our friends at Thule, the OutWay Two Bike Rack, part # TH45JV is a fit for your 2011 Lexus ES350.

In order to prevent the rack from dulling or damaging the finish of the vehicle, it is very important that the surfaces that the rack will touch as well as the feet and the inside of the mounting clips are perfectly clean, with no grit or dirt. Keeping any contact surfaces waxed would not be a bad idea. You will also want to remove the rack when it is not being used. This should not present a problem with the OutWay, it can be installed and removed in seconds due to the ratcheting cable system.

For women's bikes or bikes with sharply angled top tubes or step-through frames, using a frame adapter like the Thule Bike Adapter Bar, part # TH982XT is recommended. The adapter spans the distance between the seat post and the handle bar gooseneck, and provides a level attachment point to the bike rack so the bike is not carried at an angle.

I have provided links to the installation instructions for the OutWay, as well as a product demonstration video featuring the 3-Bike version of this rack.

expert reply by: Mike L