Can 1 Bike Be Placed in the Last Bike Position on a Thule OutWay Trunk Mount Bike Rack

Question:

If I only want to load and carry 1 bike, can I use the outer bike position? The one that locks to the bike? I will be travelling 2500 miles across country and want to make sure I can lock the bike for the trip. I drive a 2006 Honda Civic, 4 door sedan. Also, wondering why you dont have locks on both the right and left side of the mechanism that turns to adjust the length of the cords Ive read some reviews saying you can jimmy the left side off while the right side is locked because the left side does not lock. Thanks for your help!

asked by: Jacob

Expert Reply:

First, you can use the last bike position if you wanted to but the preferred method is to have it closest to the vehicle which puts less stress on the rack and vehicle.

Thule, the manufacturer, did not put locks on both sides because they are really not needed. When locked, the right side cables cannot be released so if the left side is removed, they still cannot get the rack off of the vehicle. The locks are meant as a deterrent rather than a fool-proof method of locking the rack to the vehicle.

If you will carrying any bikes that do not have a top frame bar that goes straight across (like a typical mens bike would) then I recommend using bike adapter bar # TH982XT. This will allow you to carry those bikes more level and will provide better ground clearance. I have to use these adapters and without them my wifes bike would be at a severe angle and I would not be able to load my sons bike at all. i have linked a video showing how the adapter works.

expert reply by: Michael H