The BEST Subaru Bike Rack: Thule T2 Pro XTR

[@alexpmo]

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[@0x3DL]

I just bought a 2024 Forester Wilderness, green color and golden features…the best car I have ever owned. I find your channel the best to maximize my Subaru functionality.

[@alexpmo]

Happy to help!

[@dacajun5522]

Hey Alex i have the same all most as this one meaning 2023 forester same rack minus the wheels to push it and i luv this set up

[@alexpmo]

@@dacajun5522 that’s the version just before this one. Still a great bike rack! The wheels are just an added bonus 😃

[@m3rdpwr]

When I bought my Outback 2 months ago, I had the dealer installed the factory hitch. That being said, I have an 80 plus pound cargo e-bike. So that reduces the number of bike racks that I can use. Some people are using motorcycle or moped carriers, they can be had on sale for about $100 and are meant to hold much heavier bikes. Granted it's only for one bike, but for my case that may be okay.

[@WilliamIsCool15]

With the Thule Apex XT 4 bike rack it can swing to the side and can open the tail gate and can lock the bikes to the rack too.

[@robertcunningham1944]

I always like your videos, but this one was especially good, since I learned so much about this great bike rack. Thank you.

[@kensvilduchatellier5117]

Your page is the absolute best for Subaru owners and potential buyers! Every vid you make is thorough. I greatly appreciate you and this channel. You answered questions about this bike rack that I didn't even know I needed answers to. Lol. My wife and I tried buying one back at the beginning of the pandemic and they were sold out for almost a year. We just gave up trying. I don't think our '24 Crosstrek Premium has a hitch though. SMH

[@kevintordoff1423]

Too ironic. I watch your channel regularly for insights on my 2023 Ascent. Just ordered this rack and got delivery today. Searched YT for help installing and voila! There’s your video recommending. Thanks for the validation!

[@alexpmo]

Congrats! It’s a great choice 😁

[@stevepaul1190]

Love the content when you’re out in the world away from Bachman. Makes it more personal, especially when you’re at home. Great video and super informative, thanks Alex!

[@alexpmo]

Thank you!

[@jasonm7121]

I love my Thule crossbar set & Thule kayak carrier I ordered with my 2024 Forester. Makes life alot easier as opposed to trying to fit a kayak in the trunk of a 2019 Ford Mustang that I traded in for my Forester😂😂. Love as always your informative videos. But Alex, I was wondering.. Now that i have seen your own personal Subaru, I’m just curious.. Why didn’t you and the misses get the Wilderness model. To me, the both of you look like the type of people who are outdoors a lot. Great content as usual, keep em coming. ✌🏼

[@alexpmo]

Funny you say that because the wilderness is the next one she wants 😂 only reason we didn’t get it at the time was the additional cost.

[@joshhuber130]

Thank you very much for the video very informative if I get a bike rack for my Subaru Outback I will definitely get this one! Thanks again Alex love your channel

[@sura-quayarbon6055]

We actually went with the Yakima EXO system (multiple options: basket, gear box, bike rack, table and double decker too) because we can take it and use either on our Forester or our Ascent and tailor it to what we need at that time - we do a lot of camping. We also have two 100lb dogs so it's nice to be able to extend the rack system out of the way and be able to open the lift gate and let the dogs in and out or load boxes, bags and such in the back. Do really like the fix the Thule has to reduce the play, they do make a good product.

[@charliesamboy2034]

Great video, looks like an awesome bike rack. Very informative. Thank you!

[@alexpmo]

@@charliesamboy2034 it’s been great for us! Thanks!

[@soccer6946]

Ayye I like your Quills shirt! Best coffee in Lou. Also I just bought a 2024 crosstrek wilderness and your videos have helped me out a ton! Keep up the great content

[@alexpmo]

They’re my favorite!

[@mikestrow3823]

Hey, I'd like to ask a question, hoping maybe you could help out. I have a 24 outback onyx xt and i am considering getting the OEM receiver added to the car. From all the pictures I have seen, it is really hard to tell if there is room to put a standard bolt and cotter pin/lock from a bike rack through the receiver (i.e. the Young Electric Sole R rack). I know in this video there is the auto-locking pin on your rack and it works, but is there room to access the hole to use a more standard bolt/pin setup?

[@paulfitzpa]

This is a great review, thanks!

[@StrongidT]

Where did you buy the trim to cover the cutout in the bumper?

[@bb_lz9790]

What do you think of the Thule 4-bike carrier that appears in the Ascent Accessories catalog? Thanks!

[@robalexander7348]

Thank you Alex, a very nice cycle rack 👍 Au

[@noelways]

Great information. Thanks! One question, however: Are there any pros or cons to the 1.25" hitch vs. the 2" hitch?

[@Meerkatter]

As a new Subaru owner, I really appreciate your videos, Alex. Question: when I try to charge our 2023 Solterra at a level 3 charger (DC), the charge rate is no faster than when I charge on our level 2 charger. This is very frustrating and basically makes this car useless for trips >200 miles. Do you have thoughts about this? Apparently, I'm not the only one with this problem on the 2023 Solterra. Thanks.

[@jeffstandish1440]

The 1UP is the best bike rack in my opinion.

[@sporty5214]

Very helpful video, Alex! I'm planning to have an OEM hitch receiver installed to carry this Thule rack. How many inches of clearance would you recommend I request to have on the side of hitch receiver? I'd rather not have to widen the cutout after paying for the install. :)

[@alexpmo]

You may not need to cut anymore off. It depends on whether or not your Thule rack has the locking pin like mine does. If your rack has the locking pin, it's probably best to have them measure the cutout with your bike rack installed. I probably have about a 1/2" at least off each side since I wanted it to be symmetrical.

[@sporty5214]

@@alexpmo I'm planning to use the Thule T2 Pro XTR rack with the locking pin. Good idea to measure the cutoff with the rack installed. I'm assuming they'll need to have about 2" on each side.

[@onlineVanCity]

Great video, thank you. Do you have any suggestions for an aftermarket hitch for the Outback XT? Does the dual exhaust make the installation more difficult?

[@m3rdpwr]

When I bought my Outback 2 months ago, I had them add a factory hitch. Yes, it can be more involved, but I think it's cleaner and the better option and also keeps your ground clearance the same. It will be more expensive, but if you're handy you could do it yourself. Many of the hitches I've seen including the factory one, requires you to drop the exhaust. Some of those aftermarket ones, also require you to drill holes in part of the subframe. In any case, the factory hitch and some of the aftermarket ones, require you to notch the bumper.

[@daweed980]

​@@m3rdpwr was it a 2" or 1.25" hitch?

[@alexpmo]

I would not recommend an aftermarket hitch for a few reasons: structural integrity, warranty, and ground clearance. The OEM Subaru hitch is the only hitch that is crash test rated. It also looks a lot cleaner than the aftermarket hitches that tend to hang down lower. The OEM hitch is more expensive but it's well worth it. Should be able to get one installed for about $700-$800 after parts/labor. And yes, the exhaust must be dropped for install so it's a bit labor intensive.

[@m3rdpwr]

​@@daweed980I bought the factory 2-in receiver. I don't know if there is a different option for that model, but that seems to be the standard one.

[@m3rdpwr]

​@@alexpmowhen I bought my Outback 2 months ago, the dealer installed the factory trailer hitch and the factory remote start for $1,000 installed. Pretty good I think.

[@joshhuber130]

Can you put the link to the hitch extension in the description or in the comments thanks

[@ngathanyaggah3191]

Can you do a video on how to load a woman’s bike on the Thule bike rack for 2 bike please.

[@richroj]

I like it Alex, very nice 👍

[@Fergie__263]

Greetings, can you do some dedicated Impreza videos ?

[@kaiorafael429]

Hey Alex, can you please comment about this towing setup? If one has car under warranty and does this outside or dealer is there any warranty issue or this no matter warranty status should be set at the car dealer?

[@joshhuber130]

I love the bike rack only problem is I don’t have a hit hitch on my outback

[@alexpmo]

It’ll require a hitch for install. Can easily be done at any Subaru retailer. Should be about $700 or so for oem hitch parts/labor depending on the year and trim.

[@joshhuber130]

@@alexpmo my Outback is a 2021 Subaru Outback Limited! Not the XT Limited.

[@Soul2burn]

i have an electric trike and wish to bring it with my subaru any racks out there that will hold a trikeÉ

[@sura-quayarbon6055]

Sport Rider makes one

[@Soul2burn]

@@sura-quayarbon6055 its not on their website

[@mario.alberto]

I didn’t get that hitch option on my Forester Wilderness :/ Which ones would you recommend? Great video by the way. Very informative

[@alexpmo]

I’d recommend the oem hitch. It’s more expensive but worth it for the structural quality, warranty, and ground clearance. Not to mention the looks.

[@mario.alberto]

@@alexpmo Thank You!

[@LugsyTL]

I'd suggest after market Curt hitch. Few reasons: 1. Quality, OEM hitch likely made by Curt or Drawrite so no difference. 2. Looks, subjective but I've seen more than few butchered installs by Dealerships messing up bumper cutout. 3. Ground clearance, in real life this is a nothing burger. Having hitch underneath bumper allows it to act as a skid plate that protects bumper if your approach angle is ever that steep...and who cares if the steel hitch digs into dirt/grass/gravel or sparks on rocks. 4. Price, paid $300CAN ($220 US), install takes 20min. 5. Hitch extends slight 1" past bumper...I've been hit in parking lot, better the steel hitch zero damage vs single piece rear bumper needing replacing. Note: I drive Outback XT

[@MCSEDanny]

This is going to be the best comments section for the next several days. Let the warriors begin. I will say to the 1UP sheep the QuikR Stuff redesign is much better than the ancient 1UP! The Kuat Piston Pro X is better than both! While all of that may be considered opinion, the fact I have for you is the Piston Pro X in the upright position of the Crosstrek you can open the rear hatch without having to drop the rack. Enjoy.

[@K9Kampers]

QuikR may very well be better than 1UP but QuikR wasn't around when I bought my 1UP and no reason to replace it now when it's still working just fine. I have a Super Duty single with an add-on. I like the versatility of being able to leave on the single, which actually sits under bumper level when in upright position, or attach the add-on on if I want to carry a 2nd bike. I also have the Kuat pivot swingaway and Kuat was very good about replacing it under their lifetime warranty when it wasn't working properly. Does the Piston Pro X have a bunch of plastic though? That's one of the downfalls of the non-1UP/QuikR rack products

[@vedan304]

Also, new subaru owners beware!!, My old forester had the exhaust much lower. And my previous bike rack was fine with it. But when getting the new car! in. 2022 The new forester had the exhaust much higher.... Well when folded up, it roasted parts of the rack with the heat from the exhaust. So be sure to make sure your rack has clearance to avoid that isssue!

[@alexpmo]

Oh no! 😬

[@vedan304]

@@alexpmo I caught what was going on after it was melting it. And I sold that rack with the old car! And started to look for racks that had proper clearance for the new forester. The Tule you reviewed and then the stage two Yakima were the two best I came across and had plenty of clearance away from the exhaust heat. I saw someone on instagram with a rack that had the same heat issue. Worse melting tho!

[@Aikynbreusov]

Is this Thule bike rack made specifically for Subaru???? Will ot work for Lexus RX too???

[@alexpmo]

This will fit Lexus. Just make sure you get the right size for your hitch receiver. It comes in 2” or 1.25”

[@joshhuber130]

Were did you get the rubber piece? Thanks Josh

[@alexpmo]

From Subaru parts at the dealership. Just ask for the rubber trim piece that they put on the rear bumper when they cut the bumper

[@joshhuber130]

@@alexpmo ok thanks you don’t have the parts number

[@lisaodena1244]

What size hitch does a 2021 Forester Limited have?

[@alexpmo]

The oem hitch should be 2”

[@maryparson1224]

Is this the bike rack the Subaru dealer sells.

[@Zanderthelab]

Can you put two electric bikes back there?

[@wg2060]

Fixie w a flip flop hub and a BMX? 👍

[@alexpmo]

Yes! 😁

[@K9Kampers]

1UP racks are better and not made out of plastic

[@daweed980]

How much do they go for?

[@K9Kampers]

@@daweed980 they start at about $400. Different models depending on how many bikes you want to carry and how much weight capacity per bike you're looking for. Similar to 1UP are Quikr Rack, which I think are made by the inventor of the 1UP rack. Check out some videos and you'll see that bikers prefer 1UP! I've had mine over 5 years, it's been great. It even survived getting hit by cars twice directly and once when my car was totaled from the side, but the rack didn't actually get hit itself in that collision.

[@bergmanst]

Fender bike might not work with this rack.

[@osint6372]

If you have a carbon bike the tire locking mechanisms will ruin your frame

[@bugoutbart]

too much plastic , I will go with the 1up

[@alexpmo]

Almost the entire rack is metal including the base of the trays.

[@Geartooth90]

1up all the way! Good to any MTB trailhead and 95% of the racks are 1ups. Also they are built right here in the USA and if something was to break replacements are easy to get.