A multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack system attachable to a vehicle for transporting a variety of items, said rack system made of multiple major pieces comprising:
- at least one “L” shaped member made of tubing having a shorter leg and a longer leg, said member having a right side and a left side, and either the right side or the left side having a multiplicity of holes which are larger in diameter than a series of matching and corresponding holes on the opposite side;
- both ends of the “L” shaped member being sized to fit within a receiver hitch and having the larger holes sized and placed to match the holes in either side of the receiver;
- at least one extension made of tubing to the at least one “L” shaped member, said extension having a larger end and a smaller end, in which the smaller end is sized to telescopically fit within either arm of the “L” shaped member;
- said extension having a larger end made of the same sized tubing as the “L” shaped member;
- said extension having larger holes on one side with matching and corresponding smaller holes on the opposite side, similar in size to, and capable of being lined up with similar larger and smaller holes in the “L” shaped member;
- at least one slidably removable crossbar made of tubing with a longer horizontal segment and a shorter vertical segment, said vertical segment being a slidable means made of tubing sized to slidably fit over either end of the “L” shaped member;
- said slidable means having larger holes on one side with matching and corresponding smaller holes on the other side, similar in size to, and capable of being lined up with similar larger and smaller holes in the “L” shaped member;
- at least two slidably removable elongate members made of tubing, each member comprised of a slidable segment attached to an elongate, weight-bearing segment, said slidable segment being sized to fit over said horizontal segment of said crossbar;
- said slidable segment including an attachment means for firmly attaching said at least two elongate members at multiple points along said horizontal segment of said crossbar;
- said weight-bearing segment of each elongate member being sized to slidably be inserted within either end of said horizontal segment of said crossbar;
- a folding platform having a proximal side and a distal side, said proximal side having at least one opening therein, said opening sized to slidably fit over said at least one “L” shaped member;
- said platform having a plurality of segments with each segment being attached to its neighbor by at least one hinge means;
- wherein said at least one “L” shaped member, said at least one extension, said at least one crossbar, said at least two elongate members, and said folding platform are rearrangable to form a multiplicity of rack configurations, including, but not limited to:
- a variable length bed extender for pickup trucks, vans, SUV's and cars, an entirely new type of rack which can safely and independently carry cargo several feet behind a vehicle to allow easy access to the rear of the vehicle, a pair of horizontal arms, which can be positioned at various heights and whose spacing can be varied horizontally, on which cargo can be loaded, an all-purpose cargo platform, a bike rack, a tail gate table, a pair of horizontal arms, which can be positioned at various heights and whose spacing can be varied horizontally, from which cargo can be suspended, the rear portion of a variable-height roof rack, and as a base for easily attaching accessories to transport specialty items.