Thule tow bar bike carrier platform

[Be4dawn]

Hi guys

 

Im in the market for a platform rack and found one. the rack is second hand. Since I have never owned one before I was hoping you guys can help me out a bit.

 

upon inspecting the rack before purchase what should I look at etc to make sure everything is still in good condition?

 

Regards

 

Be4

[GLuvsMtb]

Hi guys

 

Im in the market for a platform rack and found one. the rack is second hand. Since I have never owned one before I was hoping you guys can help me out a bit.

 

upon inspecting the rack before purchase what should I look at etc to make sure everything is still in good condition?

 

Regards

 

Be4

1. Check that all the lights work by fitting the bike rack on your car and tow bar and doing a brake and indicator test.

2. Get the model number and look on the interwebs as to what should be supplied with the rack. If some of the clamps/straps were replaced with cheap non-thule parts the bike rack may be compromised.

3. Make sure you get the keys for the lockable clamps and tow bar mount.

4. Inspect the plastic wheel clamps. Some of the older models’ plastic wheel guides/clamps were prone to cracking / breaking.

 

 

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[Be4dawn]

Thanks bud apreciate the advise i will look at the above????

[Cippo]

Check clearance wrt exhaust on ypur vehicle. There are deflector plates available.

[Grease_Monkey]

Check clearance wrt exhaust on ypur vehicle. There are deflector plates available.

 

^^This. I know with some Fortuners the exhaust blows straight onto the rack causing some damage (melted carbon rims and tyres), one some guy's bikes. But that is not really a rack issue, it's a car issue - like Cippo mentioned, you get deflector plates for this.

 

As for the rack itself, GLuvsMtb pretty much mentioned everything there is to mention. Make sure about the key story, it's expensive to replace all the locks if there are no keys.

[ChrisF]

Things that you can look at :

 

 

- the lever and mechanism that locks the unit onto the towbar.

* does it come with the key, and does it lock ?

* check the angle of the rack when the platform is locked in place (the mechanism locks relative to the shaft below the towball, on some towbars this shaft is tilted and then the platform leans back..)

* do the four spigots move freely when you move the locking arm (these spigots must open when you lift the arm, it then goes over the towball, when you lower the arms the spigots tighten around the towball)

 

- is it the platform that tils ?  Do the tilt mechanism and catches work ?

 

- check each arm and mechanism that clips onto the rack and tightens onto the bike frame  (you undo the grip unit, fold closed with your hand, then pull on the arm, it moves away and you can open the clip that goes around the rack-frame)

 

- do you have the keys for the arms, and do they work ?

 

- rubber strips that hold the bike wheels (check condition)

 

- do the ratchets work (tightening and loosening) for holding the wheels ?

 

- check the lights, cables ... though this could be a cheap fix

 

 

ENJOY !

 

 

[Be4dawn]

Hey guys

 

So i checked everything you guys suggested accept the exaust issue.

 

Here is a link to my rack mounted and the exaust position.

 

Do you guys think I will be ok? 

 

https://imgur.com/a/jCjlmdV

 

ps. sorry dont know ho to paste images direct

[GLuvsMtb]

Hey guys

 

So i checked everything you guys suggested accept the exaust issue.

 

Here is a link to my rack mounted and the exaust position.

 

Do you guys think I will be ok?

 

https://imgur.com/a/jCjlmdV

 

ps. sorry dont know ho to paste images direct

That seems fine. I trust that you’ll travel many care-free kms transporting your bike with your new bike rack.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Be4dawn]

Awesome thanks.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys I apreciate it.

[ChrisF]

ENJOY !!

[Be4dawn]

Thanks cant wait till the weekend to test it , and then go for a lekker MTB ride somewhere.