Think this bike rack can be modded?

I have a 09 DC short bed and need a bed rack that will hold three bikes. I want to leave the tires on the bikes...

I also have a tonneau cover that has a lip that extends off the bed rail all the way around and rolled up the cover does not lay flush on the rail.

I saw this rack and think it will be nice but it is too wide for the tacoma bed with the flairs inside...... I think with a little cutting a re-welding it could be modded to fit nicely in the tacoma...??

what say you??

Thanks

 

Ever consider a hitch mount rack?

To your point, with enough cutting/rewelding, I'm sure you could make anything fit. Question is, is it worth the hassle?

 

Sno:

I love your rack and pm'd you about it. The problem is I cannot slip/clamp it over my bed rail in the front because of my tonneau cover. Think we/you can come up with a mod with yours so it will work for me?

Pm me...

Steve

 

What about a simpler option?

 

Genius. Simple, yet effective.

Great for those with double cabs or a toolbox.

One way I would improve upon that design would be by adding some (velcro?) loops on the top for extra security. Something simple to actually hold the bikes in one place.

 

I find that if I put the first bike in at the far left (like shown) you can lean a pedal against the side of the bed and the bike will pretty much stay put through anything. Any additional bikes (4 fit pretty easily this way) can just be leaned up against the first.

I've used this for all sorts of mountain bikes (rigid to full DH), bmx, and others.

The only bikes that don't really work are road bikes. It still kinda works, but I don't feel as comfortable about it.

 

I didn't know that. Do you have any pictures??

 

I am seriously considering that.......

 

I have a DC short bed, but there is no way to put bikes in the back with both wheels on and the tailgate up. At least not for 29er's unless they are diagonal, and then only one can fit.

 

Can you post a link for where to get a tail gate cover like that? Please and thank you!

 

Its made by Dakine and called simply a "pick-up pad"

http://www.dakine.com/bike/accessories/pick-up-pads/

You can actually find them at some bike stores (especially ones that specialize in mountain bikes). Otherwise, just Google it. They're all over the place.

The 2nd Gen trucks use the Small size. It doesn't quite cover the entire tailgate, but the large size is a little too big and overlaps the lights.

 

Friend of mine uses one on his Tundra and it was his only complaint. He got minor scratching from several days of shuttling on dirt roads.

He suggested if I got one to take it off regularly and clean the pad & tailgate.

 

Yeah, clean underneath it often if that's a concern for you. I pretty much leave mine on 24/7 so I don't really think about what's going on under there.

 

A couple of things to add about the pickup pads.

You CAN run the large version on the 2nd gen tacomas, yes, it's too big, but you're talking about 1cm over overlap on each side, this is a way better option than not covering the entire tailgate which WILL eventually result in scratches when you shake the bikes out of position on bumpy fireroads.

Also, the dakine pickup pad is too thin, and prone to wear to the point where the padding is virtually non existent in places if you actually use it. I'd strongly recommend considering a little extra padding underneath it. I run pipe insulation over the top of the tailgate to protect the down tube on my bikes, and I put a couple of towels, or a padded moving blanket under the pad for a little extra padding to protect the tail gate.

and yes, wash the under side of the pad, and the tailgate periodically or it will scratch your tail gate.

It's not perfect, but it's cheap, works well, and I've fit 6 mountain bikes in the back of my old short bed, there's no other way you can possibly do that with all the wheels still on the bikes.

oh, and I'd consider taking the pad in at night unless you garage your truck. Mine was stolen right off the truck while it sat in front of my house, and I live in a pretty quiet/safe neighbourhood.

 

oh, and as for securing the bikes to keep them from bouncing/sliding around, I find a bungie cord wrapped around the down/top tube and secured to the bed D-rings works beautifully.

And one final note, if you have multiple bikes in the bed, and you are going up bumpy fireroads, the bikes will try to kill eachother, place something inbetween them like armour or camel backs or whatever to protect your shiny bikes.