30/12/2024
Over the last wee while, we have been busy developing another model to give our customers a second option. It is called the B.O.M. model (Bolt on Model).
What we have been finding with our customers is that a lot of people only have tow bars fitted to their Campers so they have something to fit their bike rack to and have no intention of towing anything with the camper tow bar, so we thought, why not just remove the tow ball altogether and bolt the Rak Rack directly onto the camper tow bar flat plate tongue, at the same time making things a lot more rigid, secure and lower overall height under the Van doors, so no step-down attachment needed in most cases.
With our new B.O.M. model, what we have done is taken the Standard Rak Rack, redesigned and removed the tube section that fits over the vehicle tow ball (that has the two Allen screws in it) and redesigned it with a simple end section, it has an externally and internally strengthened bolt hole through the main steel Box Section body in the same place where the tow ball tube used to be.
What this does is, lower the vertical height that the Rak Rack main beam takes up on top of your tow bar flat plate tongue, so leaving a lot more room for Van doors to swing open over top of the bolted-on Rak Rack body. Please see this comparison and reduction of measurements in photos with the measuring tape in the background of the Standard model and the new B.O.M. model. It also removes the need to purchase and install a step-down tow bar attachment in most cases.
The new BOM model comes with a ¾” x 5.5” High Tensile (grade Eight) Zinc plated bolt, washer & Locking nut, and two steel bushes, the bushes (you may not need them) are to take up the clearance between the new ¾” bolt and the tow bar flat plate tongue that may have either 7/8” or 1” bolt hole through it, as tow balls come with one of three different stem diameters in NZ (3/4”, 7/8”, 1” Stem diameter).
To install, remove your Two Ball, then fit the ¾” bolt through the Rak Rack and through your tow bar flat tongue,(install the bush into your vehicle tow bar flat tongue bolt hole if needed), and slide on the heavy flat washer between the Nyloc locking nut and the underside of your tow bar tongue. You then simply tighten the bolt very, very tight, and by tight, we mean, sit on the ground, put your feet up on the vehicle bumper bar and swing on your socket set long bar and give it all you’ve got. We intentionally supply a High Tensile Grage 8 bolt as they are very, very strong, so there is no risk of you over-tightening the bolt, and once tight, it will keep the Rak Rack in place at the back of your vehicle at all times without it moving around when you open and close your Rak Rack.
Hopefully, this all makes sense, and you find the benefits of this new model will be just what you need. Please just let me know if you would like to purchase a Rak Rack of either model as we have them in stock ready to deliver to you straight away.
