Bike Racks for Bed of Trucks?

HydrogenCyanide · March 31, 2015

What is everyone using for bike rack's in the bed of your truck? I have an RV so a hitch mount is out and I need to carry 2 children's bikes and 2 adult bikes. I had just been throwing them back there but I got a new bike this year that I would like to take better care of.

What are you guys using?

Blue2500CC · March 31, 2015

Do any of the bikes have quick release wheels? If so, just buy a fork mount for each bike that does and mount them to a 2x10(or 12). BUT... don't forget the front wheel at home!!!

I usually flip our boys bikes over (20" full suspension)and 69 them together with a small bungee around the touching pedals to keep them from falling over. When they get larger bikes not sure what I will do! Lol

There is a DIY bike rack made out of pvc pipe for a truck bed. Uses bungees or straps to secure it in the bed, then strap the bikes also if I remember correctly.

timber74wolf · March 31, 2015

Tiedowns

Trza · March 31, 2015

I use a tail gate pad. I try to get out quite a bit during the summers so the pad makes it extremely easy to load and unload. Zero time wasted messing with quick releases/axles...pull up to the trailhead and ride away. The bikes are secure, (new models have a downtube strap) you free up more room in the bed and you should be able to tow still.

disenfranchised01 · April 1, 2015

Here is a video on my bike rack....couple of rachet straps ...

fastxr · April 1, 2015

Tailgate pads are OK and a good easy option for quick load, unload. I went with Bed Rider from Thule and really like it, it does require removing the front wheel, but I also get to keep my tailgate free to open and close as required and the bikes are in there really solidly and can get adapters for 15/20mm axles as well. Its 30 seconds to install and remove the rack plus both the rack and the bike mounts have locks built in so no one is going easily walk away with your bikes. I use this with my travel trailer all the time. A third mounting position can be added as well with the purchase of an extra bike mount.

http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/truck-bed-bike-carriers/thule-bed-rider-822xt-_-5786509

Note: You can also mount this rack near the tailgate and the bike would sit in the opposite direction but in most cases allow you to leave a tri fold tonneau (folded up of course) still on the truck.

9tango · April 1, 2015

Did you ever think about carring the bikes up front? That's what we did. Bought a receiver that mounts on the front of my pick up, used the bike rack I had (that slides into the receiver) and Worked out good for me, plus depending on the bike carrier you get, you can carry 1 - 4 bikes, no problem.

Dan

thefishhawk · April 1, 2015

Depends on if you also want to use the bed for gear or don't mind it being taking up by bikes. cheap and easy, use the 2x board cargo management in the front slots and just mount fork mounts to it. like this:

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2014/lt/2014_chevrolet_silverado-1500_det_lt_42914_600.jpg

the hitch mount racks are a pain and beat the crap out of bikes if you are carrying a families worth. if you want the bed space then mount up two bars with something like the Yakima bedrock's and mount upright bike carriers to those. the style that clamp to the frame. I can do four bikes, two on each side, with room to still walk in between them in the middle. Bikes can't touch and rock solid, easy on/off. here's mine getting ready for Moab last week with a week's worth of camping gear under the bikes.

f8l vnm · April 1, 2015

anyone make something custom? I know a good woodsman can do something here

HydrogenCyanide · April 2, 2015

Depends on if you also want to use the bed for gear or don't mind it being taking up by bikes. cheap and easy, use the 2x board cargo management in the front slots and just mount fork mounts to it. like this:

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2014/lt/2014_chevrolet_silverado-1500_det_lt_42914_600.jpg

the hitch mount racks are a pain and beat the crap out of bikes if you are carrying a families worth. if you want the bed space then mount up two bars with something like the Yakima bedrock's and mount upright bike carriers to those. the style that clamp to the frame. I can do four bikes, two on each side, with room to still walk in between them in the middle. Bikes can't touch and rock solid, easy on/off. here's mine getting ready for Moab last week with a week's worth of camping gear under the bikes.

I love this. I cannot seem to get the link to load but would be interested in what was purchased to make this work.

Blue2500CC · April 2, 2015

This is what I, and Fishhawk, referred to mounting to a 2x board, http://www.amazon.com/SunLite-45347-Bike-Block-Mount/dp/B0006JHU5I/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XAZVFFG2TH3ZW0S38SF.

I just lay the 2x12 in the bed, don't have a pic of the board w/ the mounts though. The pic you can't load shows Fishhawk sliding the board into the 2x slots in the bed.

Not all hitch racks allow the bikes to bang into each other. There is a couple other brands that allow the front wheel to stay on while clamping the wheel in place. This is the rack I have had for years, also have the 2 bike add on kit. Made brake/tail light set up for when we drove the 'Nox.

I have considered a front hitch mount for the bike rack myself when towing the tt, just haven't decided to go for it yet.

Horacio · April 2, 2015

I'd sell this one.

It's called a Red October from MWE. The wheel cradles are adjustable and it swings out to access the rear of the vehicle.

thefishhawk · April 2, 2015

here was the picture I tried to link if this helps, it was just the board with the mounts Blue linked. (I think I just googled silverado bike rack to find it.) doesn't get much easier than that. which setup were you referring to?

that's true on the hitch racks, I didn't think about the newer ones that you set the bikes on versus the ones where you hang them, which is what I was using before I got the upright ones. bikes are somewhat of an awkward hassle no matter what you do, especially for a whole family plus gear, camping, etc. etc.