Thule T2 Pro XT 2-Bike Add-On Black 9036XTB

The 2-bike rack is excellent but the add on is a disaster. I tried every possible way to attach the handle so that I could tilt the rack up, but like many, many other reviewers, I could not get the hidden screw to line up with the hole. So now whenever I need to transport more than 2 bikes, I have to leave the rack in the down position. I was able to remove the add-on after much difficulty but then re-installing the handle on the 2-bike rack was a nightmare for the same reason - getting the hidden screw to line up with the hole. If I had to do it over again, I would just buy a 4 bike rack and a 2 bike rack and change them out. But I already wasted $500+ on this awful add on. And when I reached out to Thule’s customer service, all they did was send me the (completely ... MoreThe 2-bike rack is excellent but the add on is a disaster. I tried every possible way to attach the handle so that I could tilt the rack up, but like many, many other reviewers, I could not get the hidden screw to line up with the hole. So now whenever I need to transport more than 2 bikes, I have to leave the rack in the down position. I was able to remove the add-on after much difficulty but then re-installing the handle on the 2-bike rack was a nightmare for the same reason - getting the hidden screw to line up with the hole. If I had to do it over again, I would just buy a 4 bike rack and a 2 bike rack and change them out. But I already wasted $500+ on this awful add on. And when I reached out to Thule’s customer service, all they did was send me the (completely useless!) user manuals. When I wrote back to say I understood how to install it but there did not seem to be any way to get the hidden screw to line up with the hole on the handle, they told me to fill out a warranty claim. I wish I had returned the whole thing to REI when I had the chance. Save yourself the frustration and choose a different bike rack.

You need to know that this is not a modular system that will allow you to go back and forth between a 2 bike and 4 bike rack. Once assembled, it will remain exclusively a 4 bike set up. Installation was crazy frustrating. Very unclear instructions. Had to put together and take apart several times to get everything to line up and work. I now have a $1100+ bike rack that is virtually unusable unless I get someone to help me mount it to my car sine it weighs about 80-90 pounds. Just moving it around the garage is a nightmare. The newer XT Pro has integrated wheels for easy maneuverability which is great, but they don't offer a retrofit solution for the previous generation. This scenario is not what I expected at all. I reached out to Thule for some help. They ... MoreYou need to know that this is not a modular system that will allow you to go back and forth between a 2 bike and 4 bike rack. Once assembled, it will remain exclusively a 4 bike set up. Installation was crazy frustrating. Very unclear instructions. Had to put together and take apart several times to get everything to line up and work. I now have a $1100+ bike rack that is virtually unusable unless I get someone to help me mount it to my car sine it weighs about 80-90 pounds. Just moving it around the garage is a nightmare. The newer XT Pro has integrated wheels for easy maneuverability which is great, but they don't offer a retrofit solution for the previous generation. This scenario is not what I expected at all. I reached out to Thule for some help. They essentially told me I was on my own and to reach out to a local bike shop for ideas of how to move this thing around and store it and deal with it in general. They followed up with an email survey, I used the opportunity to express my dissatisfaction with the product and lack of help from the Thule representative...no response. This is just adding insult to injury. Don't send me a survey if you are not going to read it and respond when appropriate. I have been a big Thule fan for many years, but this experience has me looking to the competition. Doesn't matter how good the product is if the company is unresponsive and unwilling to help find solutions.

Pro: permanently changes your T2 Pro XT from 2-bike mode to 4-bike mode, if you need to transport 4 bikes.Con: as others have said, the manufacturing tolerances on this product are very poor, and this was one of the most difficult and frustrating product installations I've ever done in my life. That said, I was able to get it installed, but most people I know would not have been able to do it themselves.The add-on's steel frame would not slide nicely into the steel frame of the T2 Pro XT. I had to use a 2x4 and a hammer to hammer it in place. (Add-on was too large and the original unit's receiving hole was too small). This makes it absolutely impossible to ever remove it without damaging, and it made the install very difficult.Then, the screw holes did not ... MorePro: permanently changes your T2 Pro XT from 2-bike mode to 4-bike mode, if you need to transport 4 bikes.Con: as others have said, the manufacturing tolerances on this product are very poor, and this was one of the most difficult and frustrating product installations I've ever done in my life. That said, I was able to get it installed, but most people I know would not have been able to do it themselves.The add-on's steel frame would not slide nicely into the steel frame of the T2 Pro XT. I had to use a 2x4 and a hammer to hammer it in place. (Add-on was too large and the original unit's receiving hole was too small). This makes it absolutely impossible to ever remove it without damaging, and it made the install very difficult.Then, the screw holes did not line up well, meaning I had to hammer the thing back and forth repeatedly just to get the screws to even be able to thread in. Finally, for the mechanism that attaches to the handle, there are 2 blind screws inside deep holes, you have to stick your allen wrench in there and pray for screw engagement, there is no way to see anything. You can't back out the screw at all. That step alone took 30 minutes of jiggling, banging, cursing, etc, in order to get the screws to magically line up with their threaded holes. The worst part? If you fail at this step of installing the add-on kit, you won't be able to use the original bike rack anymore either because you have already detached these screws, and the mechanism won't work anymore.My recommendation is to get this installed at a professional bike shop where they do the hard work for you. Only get this if you absolutely need 4 bikes on your already-owned T2 Pro XT.