Should the AutoAttach Pin on the Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack Lock In Place

Question:

I have the Thule EasyFold XT bike rack. Is the safety pin that goes into the hitch pin hole supposed to lock into the hole when the knob is tightened and locked or is it supposed to be able to freely pull out at all times? I just want to make sure that the rack is completely secured in the receiver despite the pin not being firmly held in.

asked by: Janice

Expert Reply:

The AutoAttach (hitch) pin on the Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack # TH903202 is not designed to lock in place. It is essentially just a guide to ensure that the shank of the rack is far enough into the hitch receiver that the rack is secured.

Once the AutoAttach system is lined up with the hitch pin hole and it snaps in place, you then use the anti-rattle knob to expand the shank to take the wobble out of the rack. The anti-rattle knob can then be locked which prevents the bike rack from being removed even if that AutoAttach pin is pulled open.

expert reply by: Scott S