Frequently Asked Questions

Boxes and Bags for use with bak-rak products.

We used to sell a giant plastic box that fitted perfectly on the base raks.  Unfortunately the manufacturing costs made it prohibitively expensive to sell and deliver.  We are always on the lookout for new suppliers, but have been unsuccessful so far.

The most common storage box used by our customers are the “garden chair cushion boxes” sold by the DIY chains.

The inside can be strengthened by adding a marine plywood base and it can then be bolted to to your base rak.  We’d suggest adding a ratchet strap over the top as well.

Other customers have used something like…

And this

Or

We do not endorse any of these products, this list is based on feedback from customers.

The Unirak has been designed to be used when the vehicle is static – so the Unirak isn’t subjected to the dynamic loading that occurs when the vehicle is in motion.  This has allowed us to keep the cost down.  

Using the Unirak with any load whilst the vehicle is moving is against our recommendations and will invalidate any warranty.   

Use the Unirak when the vehicle is stationary only.

Common uses of the Unirak by our customers include:-

• FIxing vices and other tooling fixtures.
• Mounting camera, flags and signs.
• Mounting steps/ramp for the back of vans.

For a Unirak type product to be used whilst the vehicle is in motion, and thus subject to dynamic loading, it would have to be significantly redesigned and tested – but this is not the purpose of the Unirak.

If you are looking to mount your own platform to your vehicle, we’d suggest you look at either the box rak, for lighter loads, or the Base Raks for heavier loads.

If you are looking to mount a bike rack, then either of or swan to flange adaptors might be useful to you.

Absolutely not.

It is for static loads only and will break if used for any fatigue load such as a carrier, or any load whilst the vehicle is in motion

bak-rak is the patented tow-ball mounting system, giving you infinite opportunities for your tow-ball – from bikes to bags to boxes to bins.

We offer a range of different rak types using our award-winning clamp system, offering users the ability to carry anything they like, safely mounted on their vehicle’s tow-ball.

Our most useful product, the base-rak, offers a rigid platform 800mm wide by 600mm long, onto which practically anything can be mounted, especially when using our wide variety of accessories.

UK

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Yes – if we have stock!

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Nose weight is the downward force exerted on a tow ball by a trailer, caravan, or other vehicle being towed. This is also the maximum load that can be used with a bak-rak product.

It’s an important factor in the stability of the vehicle and trailer while driving and must not be exceeded.

No!!

The noseweight is the maximum load that can be applied to your towball. This includes when using one of bak-rak’s products.

Remember to allow for the weight of your rak when checking your load limits.

e.g – Your noseweight limit is 75kg. Your G4 bak-rak weighs 8kg. This gives you a load capacity of 75-8kg = 67kg.

No

bak-rak is the patented tow-ball mounting system, giving you infinite opportunities for your tow-ball – from bikes to bags to boxes to bins. We offer a range of different rak types using our award-winning clamp system, offering users the ability to carry anything they like, safely mounted on their vehicle’s tow-ball. Our most useful product, the base-rak, offers a rigid platform 800mm wide by 600mm long, onto which practically anything can be mounted, especially when using our wide variety of accessories

We sell a large plastic box for bak-rak made to our design using particularly robust materials, however we no longer stock any lightweight or low-cost plastic boxes. A good range of plastic boxes are stocked by the big DIY stores and a large range of aluminium boxes are available on the Internet at such sites as https://www.thecaseshop.co.uk/shop/aluminium-cases.

Probably! If you’re unsure, get in touch and we’ll do our best to find you the right bak-rak for your needs.

For kids bikes, we recommend strapping them to the side of an adult bike as the dimensions do not allow fitting onto normal bike carriers. For electric bikes, putting roof-rack style bike carriers onto a base-rak may be appropriate. As always, we’re here to help if you need any advice.

it is unlikely you will damage a bak-rak in any normal usage, however if you do damage it (one customer reversed onto a bank until his car was supported on the bak-rak!) then contact us and we will be as supportive as possible in providing a replacement.

It has been a legal requirement for 20 years for tow balls to have a weight limit label – exceptions could be imported vehicles or very old vehicles in which case it is up to you to establish what the load capability is based on similar vehicles, any information manual or online.

The bak-rak base-rak will replace most small trailers and give lots of flexibility on how anything is carried.

if you mount a load behind the vehicle on Bak-rak it is unlikely to affect the fuel consumption. This is in contrast to loads on the roof rack which significantly worsen the fuel consumption.

We know that bak-rak products are strong and durable. That’s why we offer a five year warranty on all our products. If you ever have an issue, contact us at [email protected] and we’ll help you out.

If your bak-rak product or anything on your bak-rak product obscures your lights you’ll probably need a lighting board. These can be found at your local motor spares supplier or across the internet. If you’re attaching a lighting bar to a base-rak or bike-rak, we have brackets for that! For most products the load is narrow enough that the lights are visible either side and all that is needed is a new registration plate.

A bak-rak under normal use shouldn’t rotate – but if it does, check if the ball is clean, dry and isn’t worn, then reinstall the clamshell and casting and ensure it is tight. If the casting continues to rotate, consider our anti-rotation collar.

While using bak-rak, ensure you’re always carrying less than the rating of both your vehicle and your lights and registration plate aren’t obscured. Make sure your load is secured and you remember it is in position when you are reversing!.

bak-rak ships all products for free to mainland UK, but additional costs may apply for other locations. If you’re purchasing from Amazon or eBay, these sites may have different costs – check on the listing before purchase.

bak-rak products will fit all 50mm tow balls. this applies to flange, swan neck, and removable tow balls. The only tow balls it won’t fit are the US inch series.

bak-rak offers high strength lightweight carrying. With a tested capability over 600kg, bak-rak offers a much higher weight capability on most of our products. As a result of the modular construction, it is possible to carry nearly any item by combining different tools.

A stainless steel clamshell fits over the towball and a hi-tensile steel casting goes over that. A clamp bolt forces the clamshell parts together to grip the ball to stop any movement. The rack bolts onto the steel outer with two large hi-tensile bolts.