Thule Velospace XT 3 Review - Great Tilting Bike Rack for Cars and Campervans

Check the latest price of the superb Thule Velospace XT 3 bike rack here: campingsecrets...

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Check the latest UK price: Thule XT3 Bike Rack 👉 campingsecrets.co.uk/recommends/thule-easyfold-xt3-bike-rack/

[@anylookup]

This is an older rack that i have and will be selling to get the Velospace XT as my needs changed.

[@Warhamster55]

FYI - The bars that connect to the top tube or part of the bike has a torque wrench type device to get the correct tension. You tighten it until it clicks then lock it with the key.

[@SuperGfunk23]

Just bought a van conversion, I'm very green and in the market for a 3 bike towbar either the velo or the easy fold. I've found your reviews incredibly useful. Many thanks sir, absolutley class!

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Cheers mate! If you could buy through my link I'd be indebted to you!

[@anylookup]

I own a pre XT EasyFold 2 but now decided to upgrade to VeloSpace XT 3+1 in order to also get the cargo box (very expensive for what it is as it's almost the price of the rack!). Anyways, I unpacked and assembled it (U frame with two bolts). It fits nicely my Skoda Kodiaq (7 seater) and can open the tailgate without having to extend the tilt out (had no issues with EasyFold either). One compromise I had to make with this upgrade namely I knew it wouldn't fit in the car's boot like my EasyFold did as it's over 130cm wide and not fully foldable (only the U arm). I tried fitting in diagonally or at different angles but with no success - won't go in. However, it will fit when it's placed at 90 degrees and part of it is lifted thus rests on rear seats. There's still a bit of room above it so no damage will be done to the roof's upholstery. One thing I am not happy about is that Thule tried to improve the plug holder but it's still a joke and the plug falls out very easily when handling the rack which is quite awkward to carry around as opposed to EasyFold that's brilliant and like to heavier suitcase. I wish they did a 4 bike EasyFold and a cargo for it... that would be almost a perfect rack but am presuming their marketing would say no straight away to this idea.

[@CampingSecretsUK]

@@anylookup great post! I agree on all your points. For me the velospace works well but it is so heavy and awkward to handle. I'd be interested to hear how you get on with the storage box!

[@anylookup]

​@@CampingSecretsUK I'll let you know - am collecting the cargo box tomorrow (some reported minor issues but nothing major and we'll definitely use it 30-50kg tents or Thule trailers, FollowMe and ski stuff). I've watched some YT videos and it appears to be very waterproof with only some drops getting through inside when it's cleaned using pressure washer (one usually doesn't do it with stuff inside anyway). The rack is a heavy beast and I will miss my EasyFold's compactness easy handling but understand it won't be usable when switch my car for a van cause then won't be able to access my boot. The VeloSpace is a bit of a pain for my back to lift up and carry around but there's a wheel attachment (kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnK9emlnrd-JqJY) to make your life easier which will also collect tomorrow and leave feedback. For those struggling to load bikes there's a ramp and might get it at some point when can't load them onto the rack anymore ;) The whole setup is costing a fortune for what it is quite frankly but someone has to pay for their thorough RD and testing so rather support that than be sorry when cheap things fall off or apart (saw twice fallen off bikes that on motorways that damaged expensive cars and bikes - drivers weren't happy to say the least snd one even threw his damaged bike away over the barrier into the fields!).

[@CampingSecretsUK]

@@anylookup cheers, I look forward to your comprehensive report! Thanks for your great comments 👍

[@0ldw3lshm4n]

I had old version of this, I used to fit bungee cords between the wheels to keep them rigid, if you dont the wheels can rotate a bit you can damage frames with bars rubbing on adjacent bike

[@jamble7k]

great review very useful to see how a larger bike sits on it

[@davidbuedts1008]

Just bought one of these. You'd think they would improve their new products, but my old thule, which I bould 10 years ago, was a lot easier to use and A LOT cheaper.

[@Rachel-hy7gr]

No matter how we fit this, it leans backwards once the bikes are on. Never had this problem with an older version. Any tips?

[@dschingy]

I thought it was a little unfortunate that you didn't use the plug holder, which is very useful before the rack is connected to the electrical system. That way you have it dangling around what everyone using these types of racks probably hates.

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Yes, i should have used it!

[@cesarinho06]

Thanks for this useful and unbiased review. Helped me a lot to convince myself to get one of these.

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Glad I could help!

[@hanamisciova2146]

Thanks for the review. I have found out, that you can buy longer straps to fit fat bikes :)

[@CampingSecretsUK]

yes - that's what I did in the end! It's the best bike rack I've tested 100%

[@bluebaych]

Thanks a lot for the video. Cloud you have placed the Rail 7 bike as well to the closest position to you car? You have choosen the middle one, but I am wondering if it works as well with the closest to the car with this bike. Thanks and regards Claudio

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Claudio - great question. I think so, but will check and comment back. In the worst case you just have to rotate the handlebars of the bike so that they don't hit the campervan in the upright position. The tilt will not be a problem.

[@xmrichar]

Worth highlighting the option of longer straps for fat bikes, and as for the bike weight, isn't the battery removable on those? That'd reduce the weight you have to lift, and be one less thing that's easily nickable off the back...

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Yup, afterwards I bought the official longer straps from Thule which work well. Unfortunately KZbin does not allow the video to be updated. I also agree that taking the battery out of the ebike is very advisable. I was just demonstrating how to attach a bike. Thanks for your interest Martin 🙂

[@AndreiGlingeanu]

great video, very helpful

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheTimmyUK]

Great unbiased review thanks. What's the security overall like?

[@CampingSecretsUK]

It's a good question. Not too bad - the bikes are locked to the rack and the rack is locked to the towbar. However, I think they'd be easy to steal if you had time and tools.

[@lentakffm]

thanks for taking the time, really helpful

[@CampingSecretsUK]

No worries!

[@Tuborgsefu]

Thanks for the video ! I ve just ordered this bike rack. I m assuming I will need to order longer straps for my fat tyre electric bike

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Yes you will

[@MsQq2010]

Thank you for this very nice video. Do you think that with the max horizontal tilt and 4th bike mounted on the extender the rack would still work? Or would the 4th bike hit the ground and prevent the full tilt?

[@CampingSecretsUK]

That's a good question. You may find that the handlebars of that outer bike will hit the floor. I'll try and test it out for you...

[@maoanz]

Or you can take off the front wheel and put the 4th bike in the car as well ☺️

[@helderfernandes6283]

Thanks for the nice review!

[@svanhegan]

You had trouble with the Wheel straps, but i thought they were ratchet type straps. you put it in, then pull the mechanism up until tight?.

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Yes. I shot the video before i bought longer straps from Thule (about £15). The ebike has such thick tyres that the standard straps are not long enough for the biggest tyres. Cheers.

[@molhuwmartins9723]

I was very nervous putting my brand new beach cruiser on this rack. kzbin.infoUgkxG6JIgwJhur8_Rg8UeQ3EmePzi_wSncL8 But after reading many reviews I decided to get this one and take a chance. When arrived it was very simple to adjust and put together. I also added spike tape over the metal hooks before securing and tightening the straps, and no scratches. I also purchased the top bar made by the same company so that my cruiser sits straight on the rack without having to turn upside down. Extra bungee cords are used to secure the front wheel from flapping and even piece of mind knowing your bike is secure. Definitely recommend...

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Useful info - cheers!

[@edward9786]

Great review, thanks! Did you manage to try the Easyfold XT3? Was there not enough clearance for the backdoor of your campervan to open?

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Yes correct - the Easyfold does not tilt back very far and so the campervan door wouldn't open. The door also caught the top of the bike rack. Velospace better for campervans and big bikes

[@abean4]

Great review thanks - really informative.

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Cheers Andrew!

[@duppy4327]

Excellent review

[@sherenecurry4]

Very easy to use

[@sixthformbiology340]

Great review. Very honest. Thanks

[@CampingSecretsUK]

No problem 👍

[@allopeth]

great review! thanks

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Thanks Andres!

[@yashardeljoyesabeti6122]

Amazing review, thanks

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Glad it was helpful!

[@L77yma]

Very good review. Well done

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Thank you kindly!

[@steverose3860]

I wonder if this works with T6 barn doors?

[@CampingSecretsUK]

Yeah sorry I have no way of testing that unfortunately

[@steverose3860]

@@CampingSecretsUK I bought one today. It doesn't. Doors don't clear the towbar, but I'm hoping the removable tow bar could be swapped for a longer / lower one. Fingers crossed...

[@CampingSecretsUK]

@@steverose3860 ah that's a shame, but thanks very much for the update. Good luck on finding a longer towbar..

[@steverose3860]

@@CampingSecretsUK I managed to get a Nissan Westfalia towbar which was about 3 ins longer than the original. Still not able to fully open the barn doors, but a lot better and enough to turn the gas bottle on and off etc.

[@arthursmith2755]

electrical ties may work

[@heinrichmommsen7234]

Top!

[@danhamjam]

That wouldn't tilt low enough with the third bike

[@CampingSecretsUK]

It does. I've had three bikes on it, but only one XL ebike