New, Homemade Rail System, Bike Rack

kdrchuck · March 22, 2011

I priced "over the bed" rail systems to haul bikes and WOW, they are expensive. 600-800 dollars to carry 2 bikes above the rails. Well, i wasn't having that so i went to work. I built mine for... A LOT less. It is infinitly adjustable and i imagine It can be used for anything (like Plywood).

I used Super Strut from Lowes, 3/8 Hardware, 1" box Aluminum for the rear cross pieces, Diamond Locking Fork Mounts ($52 for 4) 1/4" Hardware on the crosses and mounts. 3/8 eye bolts, wing nuts for the rear crosses, and some 3/8 " 3M wheather stripping foam Runs the length of the main rails. 3/8 Toggle Bolts mount into the Stake Holes and i cut out the holes of the Strut to make a slot to move the rear crosses wherever you need to to meet the rear wheel of the bikes.

Superperv23 · March 22, 2011

Looks pretty good, will be interesting to see it in action

kdrchuck · March 22, 2011

Looks pretty good, will be interesting to see it in action

i will get some pics up when i load up the bikes and gear. I bet the first trip with it will be nerve racking for me, considering I will be hauling $4000-5000 worth of friends mountain bikes on a made up prototype. Defenitly gonna give it a test run with my huffy first.

TexasAl · March 22, 2011

Looks really well made. It should hold up pretty good. Only suggestion I have for you is to to put some rubber washers spacer between the truck and the rack. It will minimize vibrations, and will allow some necessary flex. Good luck, and I look forward to seeing the rack installed on the truck.

KMGZ400 · March 22, 2011

Looks pretty good, will be interesting to see it in action

i will get some pics up when i load up the bikes and gear. I bet the first trip with it will be nerve racking for me, considering I will be hauling $4000-5000 worth of friends mountain bikes on a made up prototype. Defenitly gonna give it a test run with my huffy first.

hahah. looks pretty legit though... well done. maybe you could start a bike rack buisness

Superperv23 · March 22, 2011

Looks pretty good, will be interesting to see it in action

i will get some pics up when i load up the bikes and gear. I bet the first trip with it will be nerve racking for me, considering I will be hauling $4000-5000 worth of friends mountain bikes on a made up prototype. Defenitly gonna give it a test run with my huffy first.

Would you like me to draw up a liability waiver for you? hahaha

Wolfmansbrudda · March 22, 2011

looks awesome. we have two trek mountain bikes that I will be hauling in the back from time-to-time, this has piqued my interest.

Brogan · March 22, 2011

Looks great! I only see on potential problem... whats to stop the rear wheels on the bikes from bouncing around? I guess velcro strips would do the trick!

Looking forward to seeing it mounted on the truck, I just got my bike out of the shed this weekend. Time to start spinning!

kdrchuck · March 22, 2011

Looks great! I only see on potential problem... whats to stop the rear wheels on the bikes from bouncing around? I guess velcro strips would do the trick!

Looking forward to seeing it mounted on the truck, I just got my bike out of the shed this weekend. Time to start spinning!

The velcro straps is a great idea and i will probably be employing that one. My plan was just to run a ratchet strap over the rear of the frames and to the rails or the eye bolt I put in the middle. I like the velcro Idea!

I have been riding a little but the weather has been crap. Now i am sick again. I have never been sick this often in my life. Its like i am up a week down a week. We are going on a trip riding 3 days, april 8, and riding in a race may 14. Definitly gonna have to get some spinning in.

I would have it on already but I usually take my bike to work and it won't fit in the garage on top in the bed so i have been hauling in the bed like always.

beave84 · March 23, 2011

Nicely done. You have some skills there man . Next Project.... Garage door turkey guard?

mercenarygod · March 23, 2011

To legit!

kdrchuck · March 23, 2011

Nicely done. You have some skills there man . Next Project.... Garage door turkey guard?

lol. yeah i believe a new door is on the agenda for this weekend.

Trujeepr · March 23, 2011

Nice Work, but you have to change from Homemade to Custom made, homemade sounds funny.

kdrchuck · March 23, 2011

Nice Work, but you have to change from Homemade to Custom made, homemade sounds funny.

NAH it is just Home Made. Some day one of my creations will make me some money.

I have made a few things that are very useful for me, and then a year later i will see it on an infomercial for a couple payments of 49.95....oh well.

kdrchuck · March 23, 2011

Looks really well made. It should hold up pretty good. Only suggestion I have for you is to to put some rubber washers spacer between the truck and the rack. It will minimize vibrations, and will allow some necessary flex. Good luck, and I look forward to seeing the rack installed on the truck.

Good Idea.

Looks pretty good, will be interesting to see it in action

i will get some pics up when i load up the bikes and gear. I bet the first trip with it will be nerve racking for me, considering I will be hauling $4000-5000 worth of friends mountain bikes on a made up prototype. Defenitly gonna give it a test run with my huffy first.

Would you like me to draw up a liability waiver for you? hahaha

HaHa. That's OK, my wife is a lawyer.