>Don't you need some kind of rail for each bike? Did you buy a fourth rail?

I purchased my Paulchen rack used via an Internet transaction.  It came
with four of the telescoping rails for mounting bikes, an extension to
the base rack for mounting the two additional rails, and the two
extensions that rest on the bumper to help support the weight.

I have used this setup to transport four bikes on many occasions and have
not noticed any damage to the vehicle from carrying this load.  The
previous owner of the rack also carried four bikes.

That being said, as Steve Lashley correctly points out, the Paulchen rack
is rated for a load of 40 kilos, or 88 pounds.  Unless you are carrying
high end road bikes, four bikes will exceed the manufacturer's load
rating.

Tony

Anthony L. Mourkas
Hampden, Maine, USA
1984 Vanagon Westfalia
1991 Jetta Eco Diesel
1991 Volvo 240 Sedan