Will Thule Passage Bike Rack Fit a 2014 Ford Explorer with Automatic Lift Gate

Question:

Will this work with a 2014 ford explorer with automatic lift gate? Is it recomended to leave in place or take on and off as needed.

asked by: Katrina

Expert Reply:

The Thule Passage # TH910XT is a fit for the 2014 Ford Explorer with or without the automatic lift gate. However you would want to exercise caution NOT to trigger the automatic lift gate because doing so could cause some problems (hatch could fall unexpectedly, it may not open, changing geometry between vehicle and bike rack hooks could deform metal on the vehicle).

It is recommended to remove the bike rack when not in use.

If you will be carrying any bikes that do not have a top frame bar that goes straight across (like a typical men's bike would) then I recommend using bike adapter bar # 64005. This will allow you to carry those bikes more level and will provide better ground clearance. I have linked a video showing how the adapter works.

expert reply by: Michael H