🚲 Thule Gateway Bike Carrier: The Ultimate Solution for Easy and Secure Bike Transportation Review

Sufficiently strong sturdy luggage rack which I would rate higher if better suited to my Volvo XC60. Once installed it's fine but the brackets that attach it to the top of the tailgate are a bit small/tight. I also have to grapple with automatic lifting gates to install the brackets, a match I eventually won with some difficulty. The brackets don't work when the gate is fully open and they want to close when I lower them enough to attach the jamb. Not the quick process I'm used to with previous

Although Thule did not recommend this item for my 2012 BMW X5, the manual that came with the item recommends it for this car, even with the angle setting 8 (9 proved more appropriate). The top straps only work by wrapping them around the roof rails - it works, but it's tricky to set up for one person. The belt hooks do not fit the factory spoiler. The biggest disappointment is the stupid multi-hole rubber straps to attach the bike to the luggage rack. Very heavy on fingers/hands and not as…

This is by far the worst product I have ever bought. After assembly/configuration, which wasn't easy, I put the bike on and hit the road. I put 5 hours on an 8 hour ride and had to stop 4 times to keep my bike from falling off a crappy rack. I don't have to look at my bike through the rear window because it's about to come off again. Bike rack positions continue to move up and down the pole. The straps don't really hold the bike in place and will allow the bike to slide no matter how tight the…

Thule is a great brand. But this bike rack is terrible. Rubber straps are made of holes and you pull the strap onto your bike as tight as you can and then push the next rubber hole onto the pin to "buckle up" the bike. The rubber between the holes tears and breaks, causing the rubber bands to fly up and down as you ride. Your bike is now unsecured. After returning this I bought a $35 bike rack that does the same thing from another company. I won't name names because then you'll think I'm a…

I had an old Thule model that was much better. This one had a push button lock that allowed the two bike racks to be removed and stored. This model has some kind of godless gear attached to some sort of crank latch that is almost impossible to disassemble and adjust. It adds up, but it's a nightmare. I actually had to use the end of a hammer to pry it loose like a crowbar and then quickly abort the process. It works great and I will use it as long as it works but I have no idea why Thule would…

This carrier has more straps than shown in the photos. Written by an engineer, the instructions are difficult but not impossible to follow. A guide for all carrier models and all cars of all years including SUVs. You browse the tables to find the most appropriate setting. The kit does not include a bungee to stabilize the front wheel. When you install it, about 30 minutes the first time, 5-10 minutes after, you will have a lot of straps left. You need straps to control 4 straps or you can just…