I just got a 2-bike trunk mounted Thule speedway. The first time I used it, the sidestraps loosened and unhooked. This was after a short drive. The next few times I used it and mounted the sides tightly, they still came loose but did not unhook. These were all after short 5 mile drives. I've been reluctant to drive farther with the bikes hitched.
I can tie the straps differently to make sure they don't come loose, but wasn't it supposed to be easy to mount? I'm thinking of returning it for a Yakima Mojo instead. Is that any better?
In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...
Quoted message said:
I just got a 2-bike trunk mounted Thule speedway. The first time I used it, the sidestraps loosened and unhooked. This was after a short drive. The next few times I used it and mounted the sides tightly, they still came loose but did not unhook. These were all after short 5 mile drives. I've been reluctant to drive farther with the bikes hitched.
I can tie the straps differently to make sure they don't come loose, but wasn't it supposed to be easy to mount? I'm thinking of returning it for a Yakima Mojo instead. Is that any better?
OR, are the side straps supposed to be loose?
You need to cinch them down tight with the buckles as you have been doing, then put some weight on the rack, tighten again, then loop the slack end of the strap around the taught strap and pull it tight against the buckle. It should not slip after you do this. You will find that there is not a nylon strap supported rack on the planet that does not require you to do this. Hitch mounted racks are a lot less hassle. -- _________________________ Chris Phillipo - Cape Breton, Nova Scotia ramsays-online.comramsays-online.comOpen ↗
I have the 3-bike Thule model 962. I don't have any problems with side straps loosening. They should be tight. Make sure the straps are threaded correctly through the buckles and you have the loose strap ends tied with the rubber hold-downs that Thule supplies. Check for anything slippery on the nylon strap fabric. You did not mention the bottom straps. These straps are the other end of the side straps and they hook onto the bottom edge of my trunk lid. Similarly examine them. There are six clamps on my 962. Two for the sides, two for the bottom of the trunk lid, and two for the top of the trunk lid. I get the straps nearly, but not quite, tight enough to vibrate like a guitar string when I strum them. (Try playing Jimi Hendrix's Star-Spangled Banner... just kidding, Nomad 🙂
rick
Nomad <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
I just got a 2-bike trunk mounted Thule speedway. The first time I used it, the sidestraps loosened and unhooked. This was after a short drive. The next few times I used it and mounted the sides tightly, they still came loose but did not unhook. These were all after short 5 mile drives. I've been reluctant to drive farther with the bikes hitched.
I can tie the straps differently to make sure they don't come loose, but wasn't it supposed to be easy to mount? I'm thinking of returning it for a Yakima Mojo instead. Is that any better?
Thanks Rick and Chris. I just tried to follow the instruction drawings. The bottom hooks are fine, it's just the sidestrap buckles that loosen.
On 7/21/03 12:36 PM, in article
Quoted post said:
I have the 3-bike Thule model 962. I don't have any problems with side straps loosening. They should be tight. Make sure the straps are threaded correctly through the buckles and you have the loose strap ends tied with the rubber hold-downs that Thule supplies. Check for anything slippery on the nylon strap fabric. You did not mention the bottom straps. These straps are the other end of the side straps and they hook onto the bottom edge of my trunk lid. Similarly examine them. There are six clamps on my 962. Two for the sides, two for the bottom of the trunk lid, and two for the top of the trunk lid. I get the straps nearly, but not quite, tight enough to vibrate like a guitar string when I strum them. (Try playing Jimi Hendrix's Star-Spangled Banner... just kidding, Nomad 🙂
rick
Nomad <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
I just got a 2-bike trunk mounted Thule speedway. The first time I used it, the sidestraps loosened and unhooked. This was after a short drive. The next few times I used it and mounted the sides tightly, they still came loose but did not unhook. These were all after short 5 mile drives. I've been reluctant to drive farther with the bikes hitched.
I can tie the straps differently to make sure they don't come loose, but wasn't it supposed to be easy to mount? I'm thinking of returning it for a Yakima Mojo instead. Is that any better?
In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...
Quoted message said:
Thanks Rick and Chris. I just tried to follow the instruction drawings. The bottom hooks are fine, it's just the sidestrap buckles that loosen.
Being nylon they do have a little stretch in them which will probably go away as they get used more. Also make sure they are perpendicular to the end of the trunk lid, if the strap is on an angle it's gong to work it's way along the edge of the lid until it's pulling straight.
