So what's the big deal about MaxxRaxx carriers? Apart from the clever design features (see below), you can

• adapt the racks to fit any type of tow bar
• adapt them for use on vehicles with or without a rear spare wheel
• tow a caravan or trailer and carry bikes at the same time, subject to nose weight considerations. This is true even if you move to a car with a swan neck towball, as the swan neck mounting system is available as a spare part.

In other words, they offer a degree of flexibility which other 'hang on' carriers can't match.

This particular carrier is a "4 x 4" 5 bike carrier designed for 4 x 4 vehicles with a rear mounted spare wheel.

This carrier holds a maximum 5 bikes, and we assume that you are only buying it because your vehicle has a maximum nose weight of 100kg or more. If there is any doubt, please check with your tow bar fitter to be on the safe side.

This is the version for 'bolt on' tow balls; click Back to find the 'swan neck' version.

It's basically a 4 bike "4 x 4" carrier (MaxxRaxx part no. 10M442) with the 4 bike top beam replaced with a 5 bike top beam (with a blue webbing strap), and an extra Bike Cradle. Note that the pictures show the 4 bike version.

The most frequently purchased accessories are shown below, including a Light Board Hanger, lighting board options (7 pin plug; check the accessories page for an adapter if you have a 13 pin socket), a Wall Mount Bracket which provides off the ground secure bike storage as well as a ready made work station, and an Artificial Cross Bar for Y-frame and ladies bikes. For the full accessories selection, including the Towing Height Extension (to clear jockey wheel winders etc.), and ski and snowboard carriers, please click here.

We also have a full spares programme, including the parts required to transfer your MaxxRaxx between different types of vehicle and / or different tow bars - click here for details.

Other design features / specifications:

• Weight 13.5kg (TBC)
• The bikes are carried in cycle cradles, held down with a ratchet strap which distributes the webbing tension evenly across all the bikes
• Although we have mentioned the Artificial Cross Bar, it's OK to hang the bike from the Y-frame cross bar, i.e. to fix the bike so that one wheel is higher than the other, or even to hang the bike from the seat post tube if there's sufficient ground clearance. (Please don't ever do any of this with a rear door mounting or "strap on" rack.)
• The carrier can be tilted without the need to remove the bikes, allowing access to the boot
• There's good clearance between the carrier and the bumper / bodywork, minimising the potential for damage to your vehicle
• An integral security cable and padlocks are included, locking the bike to the carrier and the carrier to the tow bar
• Longer bolts (M16 x 60mm) and Nyloc nuts are included for the tow bar mounting

Towing Warning: We sell MaxxRaxx products on the understanding that it is the User's responsibility to check the permitted nose weight, and to check that there is sufficient space for the bikes, particularly when turning or reversing on full lock. In other words, if you do something stupid, don't winge to us about the bikes, the car, third parties, or the bike carrier...

Special Offer! Buy a MaxxRaxx cycle carrier from us by 31st May 2008 and we'll give you, for a nominal charge of 10p, a FREE MaxxRaxx Light Board Hanger, worth £12.50; we've reduced the carrier price by 10p. Only 1 light board hanger per carrier purchased.