Thule  Snug-Tite Lock II

In a recent move, the locking system was misplaced. The original version worked really well and the lock cover lid was actually made of metal and securely locked. So, a few weeks ago I purchased the newest version of the lock system, installed it in the hitch and tightened it down. In the process of locking and unlocking it, my hand hit the (now plastic) lock cover (which was open) and it broke off. Are you kidding me? A cheap cover on a $60.00 item? REI will replace it as I just bought it several weeks ago, but seriously Thule, you put a plastic cover on a device that will be opened and close countless times over the life of the ownership? What if the lid falls off? Water, dirt, salt will get into the lock and destroy it!!! Give me a break!!

This product stabilizes the rack quite well. There is very little wobble in the rack when it's installed. The lock will prevent "thefts of opportunity". However, someone with a crowbar or who strikes it with a few swift blows from a hammer will probably be able to break the lock off. The product is grossly overpriced--a more appropriate and fair cost would be about 1/2 what they are charging. That's a Thule issue, not an REI issue.

Use of this item gives me a secure feeling. Take care however, not to screw the doggone thing into your hitch, no matter how much the wrench tempts you. It just adds complexity to the whole affair. If you look at the pin that most receiver hitches come with, you won't see threads. Screw the Thule pin in, & you may forget to remove the thing & in two years or so, it'll rust into place--so just slip it in and attach the lock knob. For me, the pin came loose only with WD-40 and an arduous crank on a wrench. Much thanks to local auto parts store for their help.

I am sorry I have to point out the obvious. $60 for $3.00 worth of parts? Is it the logo? I bought my rack a year and a half ago. THe key hole on the lock was BARELY functioning after a spring and summer of use and by fall it had rattled off. The rest is what? Two washer and a bolt (10 cents). and aluminum key?

It is what it is, your basic hitch mount lock. It should come standard with the bike rack.

This is ridiculous that it is not already included with the Rack itself ! The rack advertises “ security, anti-theft”, so one assumes this lock included. But they only mean a bike lock. Additionaly, it is WAY over priced ! Much to expensive for what it is.

I was surprised that the shaft stuck out as far as it did on a 4" hitch. Thought they would have sized it to limit the distance between the lock body and the hitch frame. Plenty of room to insert a crowbar or a large bolt cutter.

While the product gives you the option of locking your rack onto your car, it definitely does not make the rack fit any more snug onto your car. It uses the exact same bolt as your rack comes with, but its slightly longer to allow a lock to be attached. In my opinion, my rack is not any more snug with this product than it was without the product. Also, it is quite expensive for being so basic.

I bought this a couple years ago to secure my hitch mount bike rack to the back of my travels trailer. Tried to remove it after the first season and couldn't get it to unlock, it was -10c so I assumed it was frozen and left it on the trailer for winter storage. Beginning of the next season I tried to remove it again but still could not. I needed the bike rack on our SUV this fall so spent an hour jiggling, oiling and heating with no luck so I resorted to brute force and popped the lock off the end of the bolt by simply wedging a wrench under the lock and unscrewing thee bolt from the rack... The way this is designed the lock hangs with the open hole toward the top so you are guaranteed to get water/dirt/salt inside causing it to seize. I was able to tap a bolt into he little cover plate and salvage my code-matched cylinder for something else. I will not be buying any more Thule standalone locks/cables.

I have taken this rack on and off multiple times until today. No one is able to use the key or change key to unlock. I have to pull a trailer tomorrow and need to remove my bike rack so looks like I will have to tray to break the lock off. Very frustrating.