General Bak rak

[aintnopegion]

Hi just got this rack from the UK and have set myself a little project I have already got a box to fit on it but wanted to fit it on a sliding runner so that it will move back out of the way to let the hatch open.
Have already fitted the sliders they are from B&Q and will put the box on soon .
It should be easier to get to than a roof box and should still have room for other stuff behind.
I think the pic makes it look small but its a tough piece of kit and will take my weight which at this stage is heavy enough.

if you want to see more pics of this rack heres the link to they're site

http://www.bak-rak.com/index.htm

Aso here is a link to my Flickr page

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aintnopegion/page1/


copy and paste it into your browser.
PS box is now complete changed picture to finished item.

 

[JTDman]

Good idea looked on your flicker , boy thats a good chest wig you got.
How do the bars elongate when you slide it back or is it soley on the sliders?

 

[aintnopegion]

Sliders are fitted on top of rack and then box fitted onto top of slider. slider moves out in three sections so extends out over the rear of the rack almost doubling distance from car. I wouldn,t do this if box was fully loaded as weight might be too much. I would unload box first then slide it out to open hatch and unload back of car.

 

[johne]

I've always wondered if tow-bar systems are designed for supporting a cantilevered load like this. When you have a caravan or trailer attached to the tow ball it's free to pivot so you've got the nose weight acting at the tow ball, but with something like this the load acts somewhere near the middle of the rack/box, so it tends to bend the towbar more.
Before you think I'm out to be critical of your system, I'm really looking for reassurance as I've got a 4-bike rack that sits on my multi towball
John.

 

[widemouthfrog]

Thule make a towbar mounted Easybase system with all sorts of bolt-on bits (including a box similar to the one above) so I guess the answer is yes, but because the load is all cantilevered I would think the load limits will be pretty low.

 

[aintnopegion]

Once its secured it seems very firm and I did actually stand on the thing and it took my weight easily. The manufacturers say its TUV tested and the wieght loading is limited to the towbar and vehilcles recomended vertical loading (the tow bar has thes figure printed on a label next to the ball on mine. 70Kg that figure would be higher on say a 4x4. if the load is higher you can always add support straps to either the top of the hatch or a roof rack if you have one. I have left mine on the car all week and it hasnt shifted.

 

[aintnopegion]

I saw the Thule unit and was interested in it till I saw the price. As I said regarding cantilever loading I would not pull the box out on the sliders if it was fully loaded I think that would be asking for trouble. I would unload box first then pull it out on the sliders to unload the boot. The heavy stuff would go nearest the car always and the load balanced so it is centred, the 70kg limit on my bar seems low but thats the manufacturers covering their asses. imagine if you checked the recommended loads for roof boxes you would find it compares well and I am sure I wouldn't want that amount on my roof there would be stability issues.