bak-rak tow-ball mounted carrier for anything - from bikes to bins

Legal

There are several legal limitations on the use of the rack.

The main areas are :-

Lighting - the lighting regulations related to trailers apply to a rear mounted rack. The detail of lighting legality is about as complicated as it can get - even the engineers at the DoT claim not to understand it in totality. However - in lay terms, you have to be able to see all the vehicle rear lights from all around the back of the vehicle. The rack on its own [whether up or down] does not obscure this view on any of the vehicles we have tried - but things you put on the rack may do. So if you have any bulky load on the rack you will need to fit a trailer lighting board to the rear of the rack or the load.    Here is a link to the DoT site relating to vehicle lighting - http://www.vca.gov.uk/faq/type-approval.shtm#answer5

Loading - the new EEC tow-bar requirements specify the vertical and horizontal loads that can be applied on the tow-bar. Our site has a list of most current vehicles with the vertical load and the resultant limit for bak-rak. As bak-rak weighs slightly less than 10kg the load can be calculated by subtracting 10kg from the maximum allowable vertical load [nose-weight] which you should find on a plate on the tow-bar. Bak-rak itself has a maximum loading of 125kg uniformly spread over the rack. In practice it is acceptable to concentrate this load close to the tow-ball, or along the centre-line of the rack. The optional load-straps supporting the outside of the rack from the top of the rear door/hatchback can allow the load to be increased, providing the load on the tow-bracket doesn't exceed the legal maximum. As the vehicle manufacturers won't give a figure for the acceptable loads on the rear hatch it is up to the user to 'load safely' and we recommend sticking to the 125kg max figure. For details of vehicle specific tow-ball loads click here.

Fastening - The police are in a position to enforce the loading criteria under a range of different legislation. However the area of which they will take most notice is the securing of loads [probably because they deal with lots of incidents involving loads 'escaping']. The legal definition of 'securely fastened' is hazy - however the best approach is to consider that anything that can jump-out  or fall-off, will jump or fall. So tie it all down securely and you will have no nasty surprises or court appearances. The relevant DoT document link is below [but be warned the government departments are continually stirring their web-sites on the grounds of efficiency - so a link that works today will probably dump you somewhere else tomorrow!!!]-    http://www.roads.dft.gov.uk/vehicle/standards/loadsonvehicles/index.htm with another more useful discussion document again from DoT http://www.roads.dft.gov.uk/consult/slvehicles/index.htm

Mounting - The bak-rak mounting capsules have been proven over a range of situations - both in the lab, on the computer and on the road. However they rely on being put on the vehicle carefully. Make sure the ball is clean and grease-free. When the rack is in position - tighten up the lock-clamp and bolt and give it a final 'wriggle' to check all is home and fully located. Repeat at regular intervals to ensure nothing is working loose.

Contact Details - Tel : LO-call Tel 0845 00 33 4 55    fax 0845 00 33 55 3   e-mail sales@bak-rak.com