Review

The Thule 963PRO Spare Me 2 is a unique rear mount 2-bike carrier that is specifically designed for use on vehicles that stow spare tires at the exterior, rear of the vehicle using a bolt system. The Spare Me 2 utilizes the existing mounting of the spare tire to secure the carrier and bikes transported, leaving the hitch receiver and roof racks of vehicles available for other purposes. Additional features include: Stay-Put cradles with detachable anti-sway cages at bike frame contact points, bike arms that fold down when not in use, and bike-to-carrier/carrier-to-vehicle locking functionality.

Stow Bikes on Spare Tires and Save Hitch and Rack Space

Drivers of Jeeps and many SUVs featuring rear mounted exterior stowage of spare tires, can sometimes experience recreational and conventional hauling conflicts due to the positioning of their spare tire which excludes the exterior rear of the vehicle as a bicycle stowage space. Without the ability to be placed atop the rear exterior of the vehicle, bikes may need to go on a roof rack or even monopolize the trailer hitch, both of which could be used for other items. The Thule 963PRO Spare Me 2 Carrier does away with this potential issue by utilizing the mounted spare tire itself to secure the carrier to the vehicle.*

The carrier has a 2-bike capacity, and features Stay-put cradles along the top of its two bike arms, and anti-sway cages that hang down from arms as well. The top horizontal tubes of bikes rest on the cradles, while the no-sway cages contact the vertical seat tubes of bike frames. At each of these points rubberized ripple straps wrap around the bike frame, resulting is a superior hold that isolates each bike in place. To attach the Thule 963PRO Spare Me 2 Carrier, remove any tire cover in use and the lug nuts of the spare. Then lift off the tire. The mounting plate of the Spare Me 2 goes directly onto the bolts designed to hold the spare tire, with the plate's square female threaded shaft pointing out. The tire goes back on over this and should be tightened back down using the lug nuts, with the shaft of the mounting plate extending through the tire's rim. Through this configuration the spare tire now serves as the base for securing the carrier to the vehicle. (In anticipation of larger than normal tires, the Spare Me 2 ships with both various sizes of extended mounting brackets and extenders.) The carrier can now be connected to the shaft of the mounting plate using a combination of a square mounting bracket which slides over the plate shaft at one end, and is screwed to the rear of the carrier at the other. This creates a reinforced conduit through which the locking knob is tightened. Rubber spacers at the back of the carrier are pressed into the spare tire as the locking knob is tightened, which creates even carrier stability without damaging the tire. During mounting, the body of the carrier can be centered over the spare, or to its right or left. This allows for even distribution of bicycle weight along the vehicle, regardless of the alignment of the spare on the vehicle. Bike arms fold flat when not in use, which makes for easy parking, and removes the need to ever remove the carrier.

Secure Dual Locking Functionality

The 963PRO Spare Me 2 features dual locking functionality that allows bikes to be secured to the carrier, and the carrier to be secured to the vehicle. The carrier ships with two locking cylinders. The first cylinder is inserted into the head of the unit's locking knob. Once the knob has been tightened down to secure the carrier to the spare tire, it and the entire carrier can be locked in place and only removed with a key. An added benefit to this is that the carrier can now be left on, over the spare tire, indefinitely. This provides a layer of security against tire theft. The second locking cylinder is inserted into the head of the integrated cable lock, found in the right upright tube section of the carrier. To lock bikes to the carrier pull the head of the cable lock up, and connect it with its opposite end, which extends from the extreme tip of the right bike arm.

Key Features

• Attaches to rear mounted spare tire and fits both regular and oversized tires
• Carries up to 2 bikes
• Stay-Put cradles with detachable anti-sway cages prevent bike-to-bike and bike-to-vehicle contact
• Integrated locking cable and locking knob secures bikes to carrier and carrier to vehicle
• Arms fold down when not in use
• Locking knob functionality adds an additional layer of security against spare tire theft

Technical Specifications

• Capacity - Two bikes
• Maximum total carrying capacity - 75 lbs. (34 kg)
• Bikes lock to carrier - Yes
• Carrier locks to vehicle - Yes
• One Key system compatible - Yes
• For use with tandem and recumbent bikes - No
• Recommended for off-road use - No

What's in the Box

• Thule 963PRO Spare Me 2-Bike Spare Tire Carrier with integrated locking cable
• Mounting plate, locking knob, optional carriage bolt, and other necessary hardware and hex key
• Four Stay-put cradles
• Two anti-sway cages
• Six ripple straps
• Two locking cylinders, with keys, and lock cylinder change key
• Two optional mounting bracket adjustments, and two optional standoff extension adjustments
• Strap assembly with plastic buckle
• Installation instructions 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.

* Your vehicle must be equipped with a spare tire to secure the carrier.