Tonneau cover Bike rack DIY

This all started as I wanted to be able to quickly carry one or two bikes on my truck without the loss of bed-space and without having to put a rack into the hitch every time I just wanted to carry one or two bikes. I also wanted to be able to drive into my garage and not worry about taking a bike out with the garage door or not fitting with the rear hitch mount rack attached.

So for about $60 I came up with this setup (some parts I already had floating around so I am not 100% sure on cost)

Supplies
2

$31 Bike Hitch Pro Truck Bed Bike Mount by Delta Cycle - Lockable Hitch Securely Holds All 9 x 100mm Bicycle Fork Dropouts & Fits Any Flat Surface - Heavy Mountain, Road & eBikes Aluminum

locking fork mounts - these mounts barely allow the trifold to open all the way shorter would be better.
4 Bolt down anchor mounts from home depot
12 1.5 inch stainless 1/4 bolts, nuts and fender washers
1 tube black RTV adhesive sealant
1 1 inch square 4 foot long Aluminium tube
2 10 inch velcro straps or bungee cords - These just strap through the anchor mounts over the rear the tire to hold it down.

Step 1 locate your fork mounts each 12.5 inches from the edge and 5.5 inches from the front of the tonneau (close to the cab) to the trailing edge of the fork mounts. Mark holes and drill the 4 1/4 holes you need. Now match up your aluminum tube to those holes and drill holes in those. To assemble use black RTV on all surfaces that will mate with the cover - the bottoms of the fork mounts and the top of the aluminum tube, as well as the holes that the bolts go through. Now just assemble with the Fork mounts on top and the Aluminum tube under the tonneau and tighten stuff together (my 11 year old was perfect for holding the bolts up top while I snugged up everything inside the bed).

Now for the rear wheel tie downs I went with what ended up the simplest solution on each side I mounted 2 anchor mounts 42 inches back from the top of the mount straight back with about 3 inches separating them. drill holes, RTV and tighten bolts.





Here is your under side view



Been using this for about 4 weeks with no issues at all

 

I've been thinking about that! Thanks! Any pictures with the bikes on?

 

I can get one for you tomorrow

I originally had it set up without the aluminium bar on the underside.. it held up fine but was just a bit more wiggly that I wanted so I figured for a couple bucks why not make it a bit more secure

 

Absolutely. It would be so nice to throw the bikes up there and then be able to keep all my other stuff under!

 

Sorry for the delay in pics.. got a foot of snow yesterday so riding the bike wasn't gonna happen... I will see if I get unlazy today and stick it on there and get a pic in the garage

 

Update.. Drove from Salt Lake to Vegas and back with no issues and two bikes on the rack.. I still suck at getting a picture with bikes on it though

 

And now I have finally taken a picture with my bike on the truck

 

Boom! Looks great! Thanks for the pictures!

 

Just an Update.. 4000 miles with bikes on this and it is still working like a charm

 

any problems with it moving around or swaying side to side when traveling on the freeway? or is your bike route just close to home? I actually haven't thought of this. thanks for sharing the pics!

 

No problems at all.. I have end up on the freeway almost every time I take my bike out and have very little movement (less than most roof mounted racks). Just drove 400 miles with it on there last weekend with no worries at all including some high speed canyons .

 

whoa! an even more genius idea!.. I was going to do it this weekend.. Now I'll have to order a bed rail.. Being able to move the fork mounts can be helpful. Thanks!

 

Don't mean to bring this back from the dead, but can you still latch the tonneau open with this rail? I guess it depends on what mounts you use, but I'll probably be jumping on the Rocky Mounts like you've got.

 

@DOSS @JR SoCal Tacoma @2016TacomaTRD Have any of you guys successfully mounted 3 bikes this way? Thinking 2 roadies on the outside and the wife's hybrid in the middle or 3x roadies when with friends. Thanks!

 

I haven't but if you put the outer 2 as far out as you could and centered the third I don't see why it wouldn't fit.. Honestly I would just flip the 3 bikes upside down on top of the bed to check the widths of your handlebars to double check but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

This makes sense and I think it's another reason to go with a bed rail. Maybe tonneau-wide to allow a multitude of mounting options. Thanks!!

 

Whew. Took me long enough but I got it. 3 bikes even. Went with eyelets in the back with bunjees.

 

I see you have a 4x4. Have you tried this setup off roading? I am looking for the most effective way to haul my mountain bike on my adventures. I don't really want to have to get a hitch rack and most of them say to never use off roading. I am curious how something like this would hold up when it isn't on paved roads.

Also, can you post a picture of how well the cover folds up with these attached?

 

Check out kbvoodoo.com

 

I'll see if I can snap a picture in the morning. I have the Rocky Mounts TA on the drivers side and it sits higher than the RM 9mm QR (the middle and pass. side mounts). With the 9mm QR mount, I can still buckle the tonneau open. I just buckle one side when I'm running around town like that.

As for off road, I have not taken it beyond some unmaintained fire roads. If you trust your bike on any sort of fork mount, this set up will be no different. It's 4' of aluminum tubing underneath the tonneau to spread the force across. I've taken it through the WV mountains at 75-80 with nary a hint of movement. I only ride road, so I doubt I'll do much hardcore off-roading with the setup in the future.