A recreational equipment rack system, which includes an equipment rack
configured for exterior engagement on a vehicle. The equipment rack
including a rack tongue configured to be inserted into and secured within
a hitch receiver provided on the vehicle. A fastening mechanism configured
to tightly secure the rack tongue to the hitch receiver. The fastening
mechanism includes a bolt having a bolt head and a bolt post extending
from the head for extending through transverse holes in the hitch
receiver. The bolt post includes a threaded length and an unthreaded
length. A nut assembly including a nut configured to engage the threaded
length of the bolt enables selective clamping and releasing of the rack
tongue with the hitch receiver. The bolt post has a removable post lock on
its distal end to prevent removal of the rack from the vehicle without a
security key or combination code. The threaded length of the bolt post is
limited so that the threaded portion of the bolt exits the nut before the
post lock contacts the exterior surface of the hitch receiver.
