What can I mount on my Wheeliams Backrack?
What better way to carry extra gear on the back of your van? A Wheeliams Backrack is so flexible we thought we would write a short guide with some suggestions about ways to attach your gear.
Where to place loads
It's always best to load your Backrack evenly over the whole area if possible. If you do have an extra heavy single load, try to position it in the centre of the Backrack, in line with the panel bracket that attaches the Backrack to the face of the door.
Also it is good practice to keep loads as close as possible to the face of the Backrack so that the rear overhang is limited. This helps keep vehicle length to a minimum and also minimises the forces on the Backrack.
Useful Features
The horizontal rails on a Wheeliams Backrack are adjustable over almost the full height of the Backrack and have a range of slots and holes to make it easy to bolt on other accessories.
Slots are generally 9mm wide to allow you to use M8 fasteners and round holes are 7mm in diameter to accept M6 fasteners. the upper and lower faces have a pattern of rectangular slots 25mm x 10mm which can be used for 25mm ratchet straps or again for M8 fasteners.
If you want a flat load surface or want to attach MOLLE accessories then you can purchase an additional Backrack MOLLE Panel which gives you a full width load plate 300mm wide.
Storage Boxes
There are many excellent storage boxes available and two ranges that are our first choice when we buy boxes are:
Mounting storage boxes to Backrack rails is a simple matter of bolting through the mounting points provided in the backs of the boxes or drilling new mounting holes as required to suit Backrack rail positions.
Bicycles
Bicycles can always be strapped directly the Backrack, though that isn't the easiest or most convenient method. The simplest approach is to use our Universal Bike Fork Mount :
Bolt this towards the top of the Backrack - to suit the length of your bike - fit the front forks into the mount and strap the rear wheel to a Backrack rail lower down.
If you need a complete bike rack, then there are a couple of good options:
- Thule UpRide
- 1Up Range
These can be flexibly fitted to your Backrack.
Other Loads
We have a few other useful accessories that you can fit to your Backrack:
Jerry Can Holder
A really useful way to carry fuel or water, the Wheeliams Jerry Can Holder can be bolted to the Backrack Rails and takes a standard 20L Jerry Can. You will need to make sure that the can is strapped securely into the holder and the holder has plenty of slots to make strapping easy.
Lifesaver Jerry Can Water Filter Mount
Carrying a Lifesaver Water Filter means that you always have access to drinkable water. The Wheeliams mount can be bolted to the Backrack rails and leaves the pump and spout clear for easy access.
Whatever you carry you need to make sure that it is held securely in place and that you check fixings, straps and mounting points before, during and after your journey.
There are of course limits on how much loads can overhang your vehicle. Check the latest Department for Transport (DfT) information for the current rules. This PDF download is a useful DfT information sheet.
Have fun with your Backrack and if there are other accessories that you think we could add to our product range then drop us a line at support@wheeliams.co.uk.
