NXOwner

Tonight, I assembled my new Thule Parkway 958 2-bike rack, as well as the Thule Tram 9033 snowboard/ski rack (which requires the bike rack).

Here's what they look like...



Thule Tram 9033 Snowboard/Ski Rack




Thule Parkway 2-Bike 958 Rack


By the way, the rack tilts back, out of the way, so that I can easily open the back hatch.

Steps:

1. Buy the racks

2. Assemble the snowboard/ski rack (it comes partially assembled). No additional tools are needed as it comes with an allen wrench.

2a. The instructions list all the parts that come with it, however, it's somewhat ambiguous as to which bolts and washers are which (they don't give the sizes/lengths). You have to dry-fit them to make sure you are using the proper ones.

3. Do not tighten these bolts until all the cross pieces are installed and checked for proper fit.

4. Assemble the bike rack (it comes partially assembled). You'll need a socket wrench with 13mm( 1/2"), 14mm (9/16"), and 19mm (3/4") sockets. You'll also need an adjustable wrench (6" or larger).

4b. As with the snowboard/ski rack instructions, they list all the parts that come with it, however, it's somewhat ambiguous as to which bolts and washers are which (they don't give the sizes/lengths). You have to dry-fit them to make sure you are using the proper ones.

By the way, the hitch used is this one, ordered with decent discount at AutoAnything.com. I easily installed the hitch myself. See how I did it here.

corradoMR2

Looks good and practical, especially the tilt feature. Any steps to add to complete this as a DIY thread like you did with the hitch?

typocl

I thought you had setup some funky pulley system for installation in the first picture, then I realized it's the garage door opener release rope.

You need a bigger garage, you're going to break something if you forget to put things on while outside the garage one day!

NXOwner

LOL! You're right. It's my one-car garage in my condo. It's a tight fit.

NXOwner

I added—to my original post—the steps required to assemble the racks.

corradoMR2

^^^ A+

"Step 1. Buy the racks " lol

NXOwner

So, I took my new rig out for a weekend of snowboarding. It held up really well, from winding mountain roads to open freeways at 80 mph (129 kph).

My only complaint is when the sun had set and I'm on that winding mountain road, I had many approaching cars flash their high beams at me. Evidently, I don't have auto-leveling headlamps, so the weight of a couple of suitcases, cooler of beer, and the snowboards & rack tended to elevate my headlamps onto oncoming traffic.

fishcak3s

Awesome, I was looking at the same set up from Thule. Will the setup be able to fit 2 snowboards on each side with the board side facing each other and the binding side away from each other so it can carry 4 boards in total?

NXOwner

Yes, the rack I have will hold up to four snowboards (or six pairs of skis) since it's on a 2" receiver hitch. If it's going on a 1-1/4" hitch, the max snowboards is two (or four pairs of skis).

typocl

I got a Lexus 2" hitch plug to fill mine in from Ebay.

part number to search for:

00228-60966

I ended up getting it from a Lexus dealership on Ebay. About $13 shipped.

NXOwner

If that is the type without a hitch bolt, what keeps it from eventually falling out (or being stolen)?

typocl

it has little protrusions to hold it in place with friction. So yeah, someone could steal it. It's in pretty well, so you'd have to spend a few seconds to yank it out.