The Thule 971XT Helium 3-Bike Hitch Carrier is a hitch carrier capable of supporting and transporting up to three bicycles weighing up to 35 lbs each conveniently at the rear of your vehicle using your trailer hitch receiver. It is tailor-made for small vehicles with limited towing capacity, as well as young cycling families with limited space and those that may be new to bike carriers and/or inexperienced with more elaborate installations of them.
Full-featured 3-bike carrier functionality via your hitch receiver.
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Hitch Switch folds arms up tight to your vehicle when not in use.
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Hitch Switch also tilts carrier away from vehicle for access to hatchbacks
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Retractable locking cable secures bikes to carrier, with an additional lock securing carrier to vehicle.
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Ultra-light but Heavy on Features
Designed with compatibility in mind, the Helium 3-Bike Hitch Carrier works with either 1¼ inch, or 2 inch hitch receivers by means of an included adapter. It is also incredibly strong, stable and full featured, as seen in its varied standard components, including: top-of-the-line T3 cradles set along the carrier arms for holding bikes in place for maximum frame protection and stability, patented No-Sway Cage technology that, working together with the cradles, dramatically reduces the chance of bike-to-bike and/or bike-to-vehicle contact that could result in scratches, an integrated retractable locking cable that secures bikes to the carrier and lock functionality that can be installed in the ergonomic lock knob that secures the hitch to the hitch receiver.
In addition, by way of its easy-to-use Hitch Switch lever, the Helium 3-Bike Hitch Carrier has the ability to fold its carrier arms down at the push of a button when not in use and even tilt the carrier away from vehicle allowing for trunk, hatch or tailgate access (bikes must be removed first). This means that you can get to every corner of your vehicle when you want to and makes it unnecessary to remove the unloaded carrier in order to perform everyday driving tasks like parking. Also impressive though is that the unit's aluminum based body makes it just half the weight of traditional hitch mounted bike carriers. This along with its virtually tool-free assembly make its installation a breeze and removal just as fast when the carrier is eventually removed.
Key Features
- Carries up to 3 bikes
- Ultra-light aluminum construction for easy handling, installation and removal
- No-tool installation � simply load into hitch and tighten receiver knob
- Narrow cradle arms hold a wider range of bike frames including smaller child frames
- T3 Cradles hold bikes in place for maximum frame protection and stability
- Patented No-Sway Cage prevents bike-to-bike contact
- Hitch Switch folds arms down when not in use and tilts carrier away from vehicle for trunk, hatch or tailgate access
- Integrated locking cable that stores conveniently in hitch rack and Snug-Tite Receiver Lock (#STL2) are included
- Hitch adapter included to accommodate 1¼ inch or 2 inch receivers with one product
Specifications
- Load Capacity - 3 bikes
- Fits 1¼ inch Hitch Receivers - Yes
- Fits 2 inch Hitch Receivers - 1
- One-Key System Compatible - Yes
- Fits Most Bikes with Disc Brakes - Yes
- For Tandem Bikes - No
What's in the Box
1-Thule Helium 3-Bike Hitch Rack, 2-lock cylinders with keys, all necessary straps and mounting hardware, and instruction guide and warranty information.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Thule will warranty all Thule brand car rack systems and its accessories manufactured by Thule during the time that an original retail purchaser owns the product. This warranty terminates if a purchaser transfers the product to any other person. No warranty is given for defects caused by normal wear and tear, cosmetic rust, scratches, accidents, unlawful vehicle operation, or modification of, or any types of repair of a load carrier system other than those authorized by Thule.
About Thule
Thule was founded in 1942 by the Thulin family, when Eric Thulin, a true lover of the outdoors, put the Thule name on a pike trap he designed and began to sell in Scandinavia. It wasn't long before he added other practical items to the company's portfolio. By the 1960s, the company began to concentrate on car-related products, including its first roof rack. The Thulin family sold Thule to the publicly listed company Eldon in 1979, and it has continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions ever since. The Thule Group is a world leader in providing transport solutions for an active life.
