Do Trunk-Mounted Bike Racks Like Thule Passage 2 TH910XT Have a Travel Distance Limit

Question:

I am looking at a product of yours, code #: TH910XT At max. load, what is the max. allowed travel time and distance? Is the product limited that way? It will be going on the back of a 2017 VW Golf not GTI.

asked by: Marco

Expert Reply:

Bike racks like the Thule Passage 2 # TH910XT are rated for weight capacity but they are not rated with a specific travel time or distance limitation. But you raise a good point.

In practical terms an important thing to consider when taking any length of trip with any trunk-mount bike rack installed on the car is keeping the vehicle and rack surfaces clean and free or grit that could (over time) scuff the clear coat finish on your paint job. Even a securely-mounted rack will shift slightly as you drive and this small amount of motion on the car's painted surface means you want to avoid having anything abrasive (like road dirt) in between those mating surfaces.

The heavier the loaded rack is the more this matters. The Passage 2 # TH910XT has a 70-lb total bike weight capacity and the rack itself weighs right around 10-lbs so that could mean 80-lbs total force spread across the rack's 4 mounting pads (two on the trunk and two on the bumper cover).

expert reply by: Adam R