Any more pics of this .. mostly looking for a side shot to determine the clearance between the front wheel- rear spoiler of the 4runner

thanks

Rocket, I can load up my bike in about an hour (after work...loading only takes 15 seconds). The clearance is 4-8" IIRC, but this all depends on your fork's axle to crown measurement, wheelsize, tiresize and rim profile (that dictates shape of the tire).

The rack has three variables in mounting to help accomodate for those variables.
1. setback adjust (p 2 of the manual) - has two sets of holes that dictate how far away from the hitch the mast is
2. angle of mast- there are 3 positions for the upright: 90* upright and two that are each a bit more obtuse. (figure 4 on p4 of the manual)
3. height adjust - moves mast up or down

Honestly, I've not played with it much, just mounted and ran with it - I've got it closest to the hitch on setback and running the most leaned back setting. I'm awaiting an email response from NSR about what is the optimal setup - if I can slide the setback out and run it closer to 90*, I'd imagine that is less stress, but they are the experts, not me.

I'll post up later.

If it is any comfort the bike was still attached to the rack by the rear wheel so I was dragging it. Luckily no damage since I was only going 10mph. I don't trust roof racks either. I lost a bike offroading while it was in a yakima king cobra and I have had multiple wheels fly off using those old single wheel holders.

I did have a friend roll a 4runner and he squished the bikes on the roof, but the two bikes on the T2 on the back were fine. Plus my rack managed to destroy the front of a mini that ran into the back of me.

They do specifically say on thule's website the rack is not for offroading. Keep it clean is my advice or maybe it is just the dust around here.

An NSR 6 is in my future!

Dammit .. NSR 2 or 4 looks like

Alright, here's some info:
setback is 0 closest to bumper, as advised, 1 is 1.75" away from bumper
pin position 1 is ~90* and 3 is most obtuse

Keep in mind that measurements contingent on my bike include a big fork - that is axle-to-crown measurement of 568mm and a large 2.3 high volume tire on there.

setup 1: rack setback 0 and pin position 3
top crossbar measures 39" from center of spoiler
tire measures 8" from center of spoiler
rear hatch opens without bikes mounted




setup 2: rack setback 0 and pin position 2
top crossbar measures 29.5" from center of spoiler
tire measures -2" from center of spoiler (guestimate) - almost fits on the 1st and 4th positions

setup 3: rack setback 0 and pin position 1:
top crossbar measures 21.5" from center of spoiler
tire measures: n/a

setup 4: rack setback 1 and pin position 2

top crossbar measures 36.5" (iirc)
tire won't fit in the middle, due to spoiler, but at the 1st/4th position, as an inch or so clearance.





setup 5: rack setback 1 and pin position 3
top crossbar measures 41" (iirc)
tire measures : way back! You can probably extrapolate,



hope that helps!

Are you using lock cylinders on the T2? You can't even press the release lever in with the lock cylinders engaged on mine. It feels like the lock cylinder eats up all the clearance and there isn't a way for the arm to pop loose.

Note to self: If I'll be doing many miles on unpaved roads, put a rubber strap over the T2's front wheel hook.

I'm also putting reflective tape on the back and sides of the T2. Four bikes can block a lot of taillight.

I did have locks engage when I lost the bike. Roads can get pretty dusty here in the intermountain west, not sure there are too many places left in the lower 48 where you can drive 100+ miles on dusty dirt roads. Throw in bumps and washboards and bikes can go flying.

Thanks for the additional pics (characterzero). Last question will be .. is this a noisy set up or does it have much free play? Looks solid enough. Thanks for your posts

Next thing I have to determine is will it have the clearance for my 2 kayaks on top along with bikes on the back.

Glad to help!

Noisy? with the rack folded down, I think I get an occasional rattle from the cotter pins.

Free play is nil - this thing has the locking anti-rattle hitch pin.

Clearance? ...Hmmm...check the manual, I know it says the mast can go lower, I just setup as is.

I'll also mention that assembly was super easy - all but the hitch bolt are 19mm!

thanks .. I might be sold on the NSR

Those of you that have the kuat NV...I have a couple questions for you. I just bought an NV myself, but I haven't had a chance to use it. Here goes:

1. Does your NV fit well in the receiver? When I have mine installed so the hitch pin holes are lined up, the anti-wobble wedge sits about a half inch outside the receiver.

2. Do you ever just jam the rack in as far as it will go, tighten the anti-wobble, and roll without using the pin?

3. Do you have any difficulty getting the hitch pin (with sleeve) inserted through the hole? I think my holes are not perfectly aligned, and I can't get the pin inserted and locked with the sleeve on it.

Again, for the kuat nv only. Thanks for your reply!

Mike

I love my Kuat NV. I haven't had a problem and the kuat reps have always been really responsive and easy to work with. Answered a few of your questions in red.

After almost loosing my gf's new bike on the hwy and the fact that I couldn't get the ratcheting arm to clamp down on the bikes front wheel today I went back to my dealer today and he was kind enough to refund me for my THULE 916XTR T2 and I ordered the NSR-2 at the same time.

I couldn't trust the the THULE. We take a lot of gravel roads to and from the cottage and other trail access roads and I would have to check the ratcheting arms too often.

also the lock cores you can buy for the arms proved to be useless as well. When in place and locked you could still manage to press hard enough to release the arms.

Cool.

I just did a trip from Austin to Angelfire, NM (1400mi round trip) with the NSR-4 on the back of a buddy's Tundra. 4 Bikes, all of them heavy for DH/FR riding...ended up on a "not for travel" road that was not paved and not graveled in all spots. NSR won the admiration of my buddies, no sweat, no sway...