DIY truck bed bike rack

Here's a little different version of the PVC rack I just finished last week.
Load bar is from harbor freight.

 

Nice info on using PVC, I would have never thought of using it, so simple.

 

great idea. what about using ABS instead of PVC? it's already black!

 

Racks look good.

Just remember it's the drivers responsibility to secure their load.

 

You did a good job on that rack!!!

 

I like this a lot!! Might be an excuse to sell my tow hitch rack to fund my lift.

 

Unfortunately, ABS breaks down from UV as well if unprotected. Even worse than PVC IIRC. Might work okay for a while, but also might be something you'd have to rebuild every year if it gets a lot of sun exposure.

 

Did you build this to exact specs of those plans? If so, it looks like there is some room between the sides of the rack and the bed. Do you know exactly how much extra room there is on either side? I'd probably want to make the rack wider just to fill that extra space.

Thanks!

 

our family friend built one of these and it's his favorite part about his truck

 

Great rack. I was thinking of making this rack but with sliding bars (the bars that hold the tires), this way it can be adjusted to fit different size tires and fit 2-5 bikes. So instead of threaded T-fittings, it would have oversize T's that can slid on the 1" PVC. I'll be making a trip to the local Lowes to figure this out.

 

I know this is an old thread, but I'm trying to build one of these for my bikes, & want to bump this thread I hope to get some blueprints/build breakdowns.

The one I'm most interested in is post #21.
Maybe I'll pm the member and who posted the pic too.

Cheers!

 

Sorry for the bump, but I want to build one of these for my truck.
Does anyone have a parts list for this build?

Cheers.

 

On the PVC topic, I used PVC to construct a bed divider. I have T's on the sides and I push the bed cleats for the track system into either side of the T and then I have a series of T's and spacers that go across the bed with pieces dropping down and a cross piece on the bottom built of T's and extenders. It works great! I still need to glue it together and paint it though!

 

Pics/details when you get a chance.
I'm trying to work one out using angle iron, thought about doing a rack with the angle iron, but wasn't sure how much weight it would add, & my questionable gas mileage.

 

now that my kid has a bike we are a 3 bike family and I need to build one of these...any updated pics on modified builds before I just go with the default? Looks like an excellent weekend project and a solid bike solution...I had 3 bikes all on their sides creatively stacked to avoid derailleurs, pedals and sprockets..

 

I had a request for dimensions, so here they are. And here's the latest version. I cut the upper section off. It will fit 27.5 and 29er wheels better this way.

I'm using a little bungee cord w/ a ball attached to hold the wheel now. I leave it wrapped around one side post. When I put the wheel in, I just pull the bungee thru the wheel and loop it around the other post; quick, easy, and works great.

 

Two more questions: How do the 1" PVC Tee joints sit on the storage bar? Are they snug or did you have to glue them. Also, the measurements in the PDF are for A 27.5, not a 29er right?

Thanks!

 

On the load bar there is a black plastic cap that has the knob to tighten the bar to length. Loosen the knob, the twist the whole plastic cap and it will slide off of the bar. The PVC tees will slide right on the bar now.

I have a 1/4-1/2 in PVC spacer between the tees to keep them separated a little. I left the spacer loose and put a 1in strip of mtb tube around the tees; it keeps the tees pulled together, but lets is expand to fit wider tires. This way it actually grips the tire when I load the bike.

The tees aren't snug, but they don't wobble around. I put a thread insert in w/ a set screw to hold them from sliding, but I don't think it's really needed.

The dimensions are from the original 26in that I made this for. All I really did was cut the crossbar off of the upper end and replace it w/ caps. I've been loading a 27.5 w/o problems since last year. Don't have a 29er to test, but I don't think it will be a problem. I can get some pics later of a loaded wheel if you need them.

 

That's a beautiful rack. I'm going to be building one today. Would those dimensions you have fit into the front of the bed, or did you just put it in the back because of the D Rings? Also, I noticed its high enough to possible fit in the bed of the truck if you had a tonneau cover. I'm asking because I have one, you think it would close nicely with the rack inside?

 

I forgot these were originally intended for the bed if a truck. I made one years ago and use it in my garage to hold a couple of bikes. You can make the hold as many as you want, just by altering the plans to add or subtract fittings. Works great, I just caution people about large diameter disc brake rotors possibly getting bent. Hasn't happened to me. But it's possible.