2 bike platform trunk mount carrier delivering the ultimate in safety, strength, convenience and style
The Thule 9003 raceway platform 2-bike carrier is a rear mounted platform bike rack that takes the ease of transporting bikes to new heights by blending the stability of features commonly found in a platform hitch rack, with the ease of use options found in a trunk mount carrier. Features include: a bike tray mount design that allows for fast, easy bike loading, Sure-Tight ratcheting cables with locks that provide maximum fastening security to your vehicle trunk or rear hatch, adjustable bike frame clamps to keep bikes separated and secure, the ability to fold the rack flat when not in use and locks for piece of mind when leaving bikes and your rack on your vehicle.
Rear mounted design that combines the best elements of platform and trunk mount rack models.
View larger
Revolutionary New Rear Mounted Platform Carrier Design
The Thule 9003 raceway platform 2-Bike Trunk carrier represents a revolutionary new rack concept that merges the ultra-easy bicycle loading convenience of a trunk mount rack with the transport stability of platform-style hitch mount rack. The raceway 9003 includes Thule's patented FitDial technology, which allows for fast, easy use with a wide range of vehicles. To fit the carrier to varying trunk configurations simply lift the unit's release lever and open the frame position to the desired opening, locking it into place with a push of the release lever. Molded rubber pads at the ends of arms provide firm hold to vehicle and protect against scratches. Each possible position of the frame opening is marked by a number. Noting this makes future fittings of the carrier even faster. Next the 9003 raceway secures to the trunk of vehicles via Sure-Tight high strength cable attachments that provide a hold that is much better than anything possible with the straps commonly used in trunk mount carriers. Four cables extend from the core of the rack, two at the top and two at the bottom. Cable tension is released at the flip of upper and lower levers. Cables can be pulled out to the exact length needed for your vehicle configuration and once hooks at the end of cables are in place, they are then tightened using the side-by-side large and smaller dials at the side of the carrier. Although rigid, cables are padded, meaning they will not scratch vehicles.
Once the rack is securely mounted on a vehicle, the loading of bikes is easy. The Raceway 9003 holds up to two bicycles, securing each via the combination of an integrated bike tray from below, and an adjustable frame clamp from above. The bike trays are compatible with all kinds of bikes with tires up to 3" in width and ensure effortless bike loading and unloading by way of their lower level, compared to many other trunk mount bike carriers. Once bikes are placed in the rack's wheel trays, they are secured to with a wheel strap at each wheel. Stability is further ensured for each bike with an adjustable frame clamp, located on the upper bike rack arms. These clamps are lowered down to make secure contact with bike frames and then are locked in place. Final security comes as arms close firmly around bike frames using an ergonomic knob that can be locked. When bikes are removed, the Raceway 9003 can also fold up and out of the way, with clamp arms folding down until inline with the main body of the rack and the bike trays folded up.
Retractable bike frame clamps keep bikes stationary, well-separated and can be locked.
View larger
Folds up flat for convenient storage and ease of driving and parking when not in use.
View larger
Two-way Locking for Security
The Thule 9003 raceway platform 2-bike carrier features locking security on two levels. First, it is packaged with a Thule lock integrated into each bike clamp to secure bikes to the carrier and protect them from theft when bikes are loaded and users are away from their vehicle. The carrier itself is also protected by the inclusion of locks and keys for securing the Sure-Tight ratcheting cables in place, which locks the entire bike carrier to your trunk or hatchback.
Key Features
- Convenient tray mount design allows for fast, easy and lower bike loading
- Sure-Tight ratcheting cables with locks provide maximum fastening security to your vehicle
- Patented FitDial guarantees a "perfect fit" to your vehicle
- Molded rubber pads provide firm hold to vehicle and protect against scratches
- Adjustable bike frame clamps with integrated locks keep bikes well separated and secure for ultimate stability
- Bike arms and bike trays fold vertically against the back of your for convenient storage when not in use
- Stylish, but durable injection molded construction ensures long life of the rack
Specifications
- Capacity - Two bikes
- Fits tire dimensions - Up to 3"
- One Key system compatible - No
- Fits bikes with disc brakes - Yes
- For tandem bikes - No
What's in the Box
- Thule 9003 raceway platform 2-bike carrier (including integrated locks for cables and knob clamps)
- Instruction guide and warranty information
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Thule will warranty all Thule brand car rack systems and its accessories manufactured by Thule during the time that an original retail purchaser owns the product. This warranty terminates if a purchaser transfers the product to any other person. No warranty is given for defects caused by normal wear and tear, cosmetic rust, scratches, accidents, unlawful vehicle operation, or modification of, or any types of repair of a load carrier system other than those authorized by Thule.
About Thule
Thule was founded in 1942 by the Thulin family, when Eric Thulin, a true lover of the outdoors, put the Thule name on a pike trap he designed and began to sell in Scandinavia. It wasn't long before he added other practical items to the company's portfolio. By the 1960s, the company began to concentrate on car-related products, including its first roof rack. The Thulin family sold Thule to the publicly listed company Eldon in 1979, and it has continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions ever since. The Thule Group is a world leader in providing transport solutions for an active life.
With so many on offer these days, it is great to have a name you can trust. This item is certainly that and will be a perfect buy. The distributor have added some great touches and this equals great value.
You can trust this review, i hope you can try to buy this product and then you know this product good or no. Next time you can make a review for another people.
No more clean and jerkMy wife and I had a rooftop Thule rack. It worked fine. As time went by, however, our bikes seemed to get heavier and heavier. When mine got away from me and draped itself across the roof, we decided it was time for a change.
After looking at several rear-mounted racks, and deciding we didn't want the expense of installing a trailer hitch, we went with the Thule 9003. A hanging rack like the 9001 was no good, since my wife had a bike with a strangly angled top tube; we needed something that supported the wheels.
The 9003 fit perfectly on a 2006 Toyota Camry. Once installed, it was so solid it seemed to be part of the car. We'll probably just leave it there for the summer, but it really isn't a big deal to take on and off, once you've done it the first time. Once out of the box it weighs 36 lbs.
Our combined bikes are near the 70 pound weight limit, but nothing seems to be stressed (yes, the heavy one goes on first). Since the same mounting system is used for the...
Works on my Prius!I drive a 2008 Prius, and my wife and I have 29" wheel mountain bikes. I'm happy to say that this rack handles them both, and holds them tight and secure. The rack is a bit larger than I initially thought it would be, and installing it is almost a 2-person job, but based on other racks I've seen and on the alternative tray systems which involve hitch modifications to a Prius, this is an excellent option. I'm sure I'll get the hang of installing it by myself after a few times! Our plan is to travel cross-country with this on the Prius, so I'll revise this review once I can provide details of that experience!
Worst Experience EVER! DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!I purchased this bike rack only 3 weeks ago and it is now in the process of being returned to Amazon. Let's start at the beginning: I received the rack and the first thing that I noticed was that it was EXTREMELY heavy. I have only owned Yakima products to date and this was by far the heaviest rack across the board (I would like to note that it is even heavier than my Yakima Megawarrior Extension rack on the top of my Jeep). I installed the rack on my 2011 Jetta TDI in just a few minutes as it's pretty straightforward. The first time I attempted to lock the bikes to the rack for our first outing, one of the locking mechanisms did not work, eventhough the key and the lock have matching id's. I called Thule and they sent me a new locking mechanism minus the install instructions, which was a pain. Also, they have very limited customer service availability (Tuesday through Friday) so I had to wait a couple days before even notifying them of this problem, UGH! Locked fixed, my wife...
Product Features :
- Super stable 2-bike platform and frame clamp for ultimate bike security and telescopic aluminum wheel trays for custom fit to bike
- SureTight ratcheting cable system provides superior mounting force vs. traditional nylon straps, plus no loose straps to manage
- Quick release bike arm assembly allows them to be lowered when not in use
- Independent, anti-sway bike cradles for maximum bike stability
- Integrated cable system lock secures carrier to vehicle while bike arm locks secure bikes to carrier
Rating : 4.3
List Price : $349.95
