Why Doesn't Hitch Pin on Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack Lock In Place

Updated 10/28/2024 | Published 09/05/2022

Question:

Pin doesnt lock into reciever

asked by: Pat

Expert Reply:

The AutoAttach pin on the Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack # TH903202 is essentially just a guide for ensuring that the shank of the rack is far enough into the hitch receiver that the rack is secured.

Once the AutoAttach system is lined up with the hitch pin hole and it snaps in place then you use the anti-rattle knob to expand the shank to take all of the wobble out of the rack. The anti-rattle knob can then be locked which prevents the bike rack from being removed even if that AutoAttach pin is pulled open.

If the problem is that the anti-rattle knob isn't locking properly (it should freely spin when locked) then that sounds like a warranty issue that you'll want to pursue.

Attached is a review video for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jon G

Richard

10/28/2024

I have epos thule 2 bike rack. I tighten the anti rattle knob and lock it but the curved pin moves in and out. Shouldn’t that lock in place as well?

Jon G.

10/28/2024

@Richard The Auto Latch will still be able to pull back away from the hitch pin hole even when the rack is secured and locked. As weird as it sounds, the Auto Pin is only there to properly align the shank of the bike rack into the hitch receiver, and kind of sort of latch into the hitch pin hole? Thule says the anti-rattle device inside the hitch receiver prevents it from being removed. I've had doubts about that in the past (because we are all so used to having a hitch pin), but I have yet to hear about one of their rack flying off the end of a vehicle when the rack is properly installed and isn't being misused. So, while it feels really counterintuitive, your bike rack isn't broken - it's working just as Thule designed it to work.