Thule easyfold xt2 933 and T6.1

[Nathz]

Hello ,
We are new to the forum and find it great.
We have ordered a T6.1 Coast Cali in France where we live, Brittany actually, and should hopefully receive it early September. Can't wait.
We used to own a T4 way back in the 1990's. Loved it.
The new one has been ordered with the removable tow bar factory build in option.
Have read several posts on bike rack but could not quite find a straightforward answer to our simple question. Sorry if we missed it.

Will a Thule easyfold xt2 933 https://www.thule.com/fr-fr/bike-rack/towbar-bike-racks/thule-easyfold-xt-2-_-933100 allow boot access with two e-bikes?

Thanks to all for your answers.

 

[rupertpoon]

Thule EasyFold XT will not allow easy access to the boot out of the box. It would need a small modification which you can do yourself. If you like stuff that just works, I would not bother. If you like DIY, go ahead.


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[subthree]

Bonjour! We have a T6.1 Ocean with the factory fitted tow bar. We have a Thule Velospace and they all work perfectly. Tail gate can be opened with the rack loaded and tilted. Brilliant bit of kit.

 

[Nathz]

Hello,
Thank you for your replies.
Have finally ordered a Uebler i21 90°.

Expensive, but light and will allow boot access.
Hope this can be somehow useful to others.
The good news is that we should get our California next month!
Take care

 

[GollyOlly]

The Thule Easyfold XT2 DOES WORK right out of the box. You don't need to do any DIY. But, you need to drop the tow bar ball hitch to the lowest setting on the tow bar. There are usually four holes in the tow bar mount so mount the ball to the lowest two hole settings. Secondly, when mounting the XT2 put downward pressure on the carrier to ensure it is not tilted toward the tailgate. There is minimal clearance (2mm) out of the box and if the XT2 has any tilt toward the tailgate, the tailgate, when raised, will not clear the carrier. Lastly, use a 10mm spacer in the tow bar and that will allow significant clearance between the tailgate and the XT2. I don't call any of the above DIY unless you call turning a couple of bolts DIY, but it is pretty easy to do.

 

[andyinluton]

The Thule Easyfold XT2 DOES WORK right out of the box. You don't need to do any DIY. But, you need to drop the tow bar ball hitch to the lowest setting on the tow bar. There are usually four holes in the tow bar mount so mount the ball to the lowest two hole settings…….. Lastly, use a 10mm spacer in the tow bar and that will allow significant clearance between the tailgate and the XT2.

The problem is that probably 99% of calis with tow bars have the removable one not the fixed one like you have.
With the removable one there is no option to mount it lower or add a spacer plate.

 

[TheRellims]

I have just bought the Thule Easyfold XT3 and can confirm it does not work right out the box.

It does work however, with a 5 minutes modification to remove the stoppers.

I will cut them down and put them back into the rack, but for now, they are in the garage and I am happy.

Hope this confirmation helps someone.

 

[dgbeale]

I have just bought the Thule Easyfold XT3 and can confirm it does not work right out the box.

It does work however, with a 5 minutes modification to remove the stoppers.

I will cut them down and put them back into the rack, but for now, they are in the garage and I am happy.

Hope this confirmation helps someone.

Good info - thanks.

Just before I commit to the purchase - can you tell me a bit more about these 'stoppers', are they part of the rack or the tow-bar.

Cheers.

 

[TheRellims]

Good info - thanks.

Just before I commit to the purchase - can you tell me a bit more about these 'stoppers', are they part of the rack or the tow-bar.

Cheers.

Hey. Sorry for the late reply.

Its, part of the rack itself. I can take some additional photos but there is a great few photos from a lovely Frenchman on here which explains it well.

Thanks, Andy

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Good info - thanks.

Just before I commit to the purchase - can you tell me a bit more about these 'stoppers', are they part of the rack or the tow-bar.

Cheers.

Jumping in here @dgbeale . I have a Thule Velospace XT3 and it does work out of the box. However, if one wants to ensure the tailgate can fully open with bikes loaded, then the wire cables that limit the amount of tilt need to be moved to the second position (holes for this are already in the frame of the rack). Simple 5 minute job. No cutting required as suggested above by @TheRellims ??

 

[TheRellims]

Jumping in here @dgbeale . I have a Thule Velospace XT3 and it does work out of the box. However, if one wants to ensure the tailgate can fully open with bikes loaded, then the wire cables that limit the amount of tilt need to be moved to the second position (holes for this are already in the frame of the rack). Simple 5 minute job. No cutting required as suggested above by @TheRellims ??

Are we talking about different bike racks?

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Are we talking about different bike racks?

Apologies @TheRellims yes we are. Just noticed you were talking about the Easyfold. My mistake.

 

[Nina Harry]

I have just bought the Thule Easyfold XT3 and can confirm it does not work right out the box.

It does work however, with a 5 minutes modification to remove the stoppers.

I will cut them down and put them back into the rack, but for now, they are in the garage and I am happy.

Hope this confirmation helps someone.

Hi we’ve also bought the easy fold xt3 and we’re going to make the alteration. However can’t seem to attach the tow ball to the rack. The lever won’t push down. There are some other posts where people with the detachable towbar say it doesn’t clamp down. I’ve tried raising and lowering the angle a bit and fiddling with the screw on the right that seems to be an adjuster. Just wondering if you had any issues or tips.

 

[Stu@rt]

Hi we’ve also bought the easy fold xt3 and we’re going to make the alteration. However can’t seem to attach the tow ball to the rack. The lever won’t push down. There are some other posts where people with the detachable towbar say it doesn’t clamp down. I’ve tried raising and lowering the angle a bit and fiddling with the screw on the right that seems to be an adjuster. Just wondering if you had any issues or tips.

No experience of Tow bars or Bike Racks, but does this video from Will (@itguy ) help at all?

 

[Nina Harry]

Used this exact video this morning to fit the tow bar but he goes on to attach a Thule xt2 rack and the clamp is in different direction. Even so, it just goes whooomp and clamps on no probs in his video.

 

[Nina Harry]

No experience of Tow bars or Bike Racks, but does this video from Will (@itguy ) help at all?

Ps big thanks for replying

 

[Jimbologo7409]

I couldn’t get the bungs out , how did others manage it please ? Thanks

 

[phil keegan]

I couldn’t get the bungs out , how did others manage it please ? Thanks

After removing the bolts I just used a series of increasing sized screw drivers to make a gap between the bung and the tubing and levered them out. One popped straight out the other took a little longer.


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[Jimbologo7409]

After removing the bolts I just used a series of increasing sized screw drivers to make a gap between the bung and the tubing and levered them out. One popped straight out the other took a little longer.


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Thank you , did you need to remove the 2 bolts holding the bungs in or or all 4?

 

[phil keegan]

Thank you , did you need to remove the 2 bolts holding the bungs in or or all 4?

I’m away from home and can’t check which model of tilting Thule x3

bike rack I have but there were only two bolts that needed removing.


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[The Saint Essex]

I'm just wondering if one of our clever 3D printer people on here could make a replacement bung which allows the rack to move back enough to clear the boot but not hit the ground?

 

[phil keegan]

I'm just wondering if one of our clever 3D printer people on here could make a replacement bung which allows the rack to move back enough to clear the boot but not hit the ground?

There probably isn’t a one size fits all solution as the height of the bike and width of the handle bars also need consideration. In most situations with tilting Thule racks or similar models my bet is having no bungs and gently resting the bikes on the ground will be the way to go.


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[cryptomapcali]

Sorry to ressurect an old thread..... I have a Velospace XT 2 938 and I am unable to get the tailgate open on my '22 Ocean with a detachable Westfalia towbar. This rack does not have the rubber stoppers like the Easyfold and instead has some a wire cable on each side that are fitted with an allen screw/bolt and nut. If I remove these cables then it does rotate all the way parallel to the ground and the handle for the hitch is close but does not stop it from opening. On to my question, I do not have any other pre drilled holes as @GrumpyGranddad suggested. Does anyone have any advice/info or a possible solution to this? I've had a quick search and cannot find anyone that makes any custom length wire cables to allow it to move further back so the boot can open. For now I have removed these cables altogether but I feel like it might damage the rack as the weight of the rack is resting on a tube section when it is fully rotated. It works but not great.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Sorry to ressurect an old thread..... I have a Velospace XT 2 938 and I am unable to get the tailgate open on my '22 Ocean with a detachable Westfalia towbar. This rack does not have the rubber stoppers like the Easyfold and instead has some a wire cable on each side that are fitted with an allen screw/bolt and nut. If I remove these cables then it does rotate all the way parallel to the ground and the handle for the hitch is close but does not stop it from opening. On to my question, I do not have any other pre drilled holes as @GrumpyGranddad suggested. Does anyone have any advice/info or a possible solution to this? I've had a quick search and cannot find anyone that makes any custom length wire cables to allow it to move further back so the boot can open. For now I have removed these cables altogether but I feel like it might damage the rack as the weight of the rack is resting on a tube section when it is fully rotated. It works but not great.

Hi @cryptomapcali
Mine was the XT3 so did have the additional holes. Don’t know what the XT2 looks like but potentially you could tilt the rack to the desired position (testing on something to give required ground clearance) and then mark the position for the additional holes using the wires as a guide. Drill a hole each side to fix the cables and you should be fine. As I say I don’t know what the XT2 looks like.

 

[cryptomapcali]

Appreciate the reply, I’m a bit worried about drilling new holes in case I mess it up or weaken it. It’ll work the way it is I just need to be really careful when rotating it so not to damage it. Thanks.


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