Thule HELIUM AERO 9042 User manual

QUICK START GUIDE for:
HELIUM AERO™ (2 BIKE CARRIER) 9042, (3 BIKE CARRIER) 9043
DO
DO NOT
• Loosen locking knob
completely before inserting
stinger into hitch receiver.
• Make sure Auto Pin engages
into receiver hole (STEP 3).
Use knob to tighten. Lock.
• Load heaviest bike first–front
to the right (STEP 8).
• Alternate bike direction.
• Secure bicycle to rack with
rubber straps and safety
strap through the frames and
around the mast of the rack
(STEPS 8-12).
• Check tightness of all bolts
and knobs periodically (every
6 months).
• Check rubber straps for wear
and replace if worn.
• Install on a trailer or other
towed vehicle.
• Put more than 2 bikes on a
class 1 hitch.
• Do not “overstretch” the
straps.
• Use the rack while traveling
on dirt roads.
• Use the rack to carry tandems
or recumbents.
• Put more than the intended
number of bikes on the rack.
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HELIUM AERO™9042 / 9043
part description
part number 9042 qty. 9043 qty.
Amast/arm assembly / - 1 1
Banti-sway cage with overmold
8523037001 2 3
Cripple strap / 8523006001 6 9
Danti-sway angled extension 8523108001 1 1
Estrap assembly with buckle / 753203007 1 1
F1/2 - 13 hex bolt / 853701202 1 1
Gwasher 12mm id 24mm od 951122454 2 2
H1/2 - 13 lock nut / 853558402 1 1
Ihitch tool / 8535524 2 2
Jhex key 5mm / 8530930 1 1
K2" hitch adapter sleeve 8523185001 1 1
LM8 x 30 flat head screw / 8523136001 2 2
Mcradle overmold / 8523503001 4 6
Nlock cylinder / - 2 2
Okey / - 2 2
Plock cylinder change key / 8531251 1 1
Qstinger assembly / - 1 1
Rside cap / 8523302001 2 2
PARTSINCLUDED
A Q
F
R
LN O P
M
G H I J K
B C D E

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WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS
• Number of bicycles should not exceed designated
carrying capacity for your specific Helium Aero™
model.
• Maxiumum bike weight = 35lbs. per bike.
• The maximum capacity for class 1 hitches is 100 lbs.
• Check tightness of all bolts and knobs periodically.
• Check straps for wear and replace if worn.
• Not intended for o-road use.
• Not intended for tandems or recumbents.
• Your vehicle must be equipped with a 2" or 1 1/4"
receiver hitch.
• Do not install on a trailer or other towed vehicle.
• Failure to use blue safety strap may result in loss of
bicycles.
1STINGER ASSEMBLY - LOCK CYLINDER INSTALLATION INTO LOCK KNOB
• Insert change key into lock cylinder.
• Insert cylinder into lock knob.
• Remove change key. Insert locking key to lock and unlock.
NOTE: In locked position the knob will spin freely.
2STINGER ASSEMBLY
• 2" RECEIVERS: Proceed to step 3.
• 1 1/4" RECEIVERS: Remove 2" adapter sleeve using provided
hex key.

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3STINGER INSTALLATION
• Loosen locking knob completely.
• Pull back gently on Auto Pin and slide stinger into receiver.
NOTE: Do not lift/carry hitch rack by Auto Pin.
• Once receiver lip is cleared, push Auto Pin so that it rests
against receiver.
• Push carrier in until Auto Pin engages with the receiver hole
as illustrated.
• Firmly tighten locking knob to secure carrier to receiver.
If rack moves within the hitch receiver, the knob should be
tightened more firmly.
NOTE: Knob will not tighten fully without lock cylinder
inserted. Refer to Step 1 for lock cylinder installation
instructions.
A
B
C
D

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4UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY
• Align bottom plate holes with stinger holes as illustrated. • Insert 1/2 - 13 bolt, (2) flat washers and 1/2 -13 lock nut as
illustrated. Note: Bolt may need to be threaded (twisted)
through stinger assembly.
• Tighten firmly using both provided hitch tools.
NOTE: It is also acceptable to fasten the mast to the stinger
assembly before attaching the rack to the vehicle
(i.e., on the ground).
• To confirm that proper tightness has been achieved, lower and
raise the rack using the bottom hitch switch. If the hitch switch
does not “click” into place when put in the upright position,
loosen the lock nut slightly and try again.
A
5CRADLE, ANTI-SWAY CAGE AND STRAP ASSEMBLY
• Raise arms by
pulling up on
upper Hitch
Switch.
• With your other hand,
lift bike arm assembly
upward until the Hitch
Switch “clicks” into
position.
A B
B
C

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6
• Attach anti-sway angled extension to the underside of cradle 1 as illustrated.
• Pivot down to the vertical position.
• Hold anti-sway cage horizontal with smooth edge facing down. Slide c-slot
opening into anti-sway extension.
• Swing down into vertical position.
• Repeat on alternating cradles (left to right) so there is a single cage for each bike
as illustrated.
• Attach (1) ripple strap to each cradle and anti-sway cage.
A
B
C
D
1

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7END CAP LOCK CORE INSTALLATION
• Insert change key into lock cylinder. • Insert cylinder into locking end cap. • Remove change key. Insert locking key
to lock and unlock.
A B C
8BIKE LOADING
• With the bike arms in the upright position, load the heaviest bike first onto the cradles that
are closest to the vehicle as illustrated.
NOTE: Bikes without traditional top tubes may require the Frame Adapter accessory
(#982XT, sold separately).
9
• Securely fasten both cradle straps around each bicycle frame.

CORRECT /
INCORRECT
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10
• Place smooth curved surface of anti-sway cage against seat tube and attach strap
as shown.
• Mount additional bicycle(s) in alternate directions.
11
NOTE: Do not allow
strap to be
positioned
below Hitch
Switch lever.
• Secure bikes to mast of carrier with included webbing strap.
12 INTEGRATED CABLE LOCK USE
• Once bikes are loaded, pull up
on cable lock located inside the
mast and place metal end into the
locking end cap.
• Use locking
key to
secure.
A B

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13 REAR COMPARTMENT ACCESS
NOTE: BIKES MUST BE REMOVED TO LOWER CARRIER.
• Firmly hold the upright assembly with one hand. Lift lever
to lower.
• Gently lower carrier to built-in stop position.
• Reverse operation to return to upright, secured position.