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I'm not surprised it's flexing.  The last bike is quite a way from the back of the car.

A lot of weight on the rear axle too.

Jim

Still too much overhang.  If I'm not mistaken, the maximum overhang, measured from the centre of the back wheel, is 60% of the wheelbase of the car.  The picture seems to exceed that.  I may be wrong..

Jim

Take off the pedals  and turn the bars flat to the frame. Then you'll be able to push the bikes MUCH closer together and nearer the towball. I've got a Thule rack that nominally takes 4 adult bikes too but we can only achieve this by using the above method.

This assumes you have a pedal spanner in your bike tool bag of course...? And remember that one pedal (can never remember which but it's obvious when you start) has a reverse thread and needs taken off backwards.

If you can't do this then try top and tailing them ie mount them with handlebars in opposite direction in turn. Fiddle the pedals round a bit to get things closer together. I'm sure you can get them oncloser than that. It usually takes Hubby three or four tries to get all our bikes on tight.

Quote: Originally posted by Campingnoobie on 05/8/2010

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I suppose it if it flexes it wont break LOL.

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It will if it's aluminium! Finite fatigue life, see...

I'm sure they've designed in some extra strength. Very efficient, your German.