All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Man I will say one thing I do like about the north is we ain’t got snakes and big ass spiders and such.

 

How are you guys transporting your bikes?
Right now I’m just throwing it in the bed. I really like the simplicity of a tailgate pad but I don’t want to risk scratching the shit out of the truck. That said I was looking at this one, https://shop.ridefox.com/products/overland-tailgate-pad

The 1 Up hitch racks are really nice. Pricey, but maybe worth it.

 

ah. the perpetual question. lol.

I have an EVOC tailgate pad AND a 1-up hitch rack. I primarily use the rack. I can put up to 4 bikes on it if I need to. But usually I leave the tailgate pad on during the summer. I can then put 2 bikes on the tailgate pad and 2 bikes on the hitch rack and carry 4 very comfortably. but that's just me.

 

Haha I’m sure there has been much talk about it in this thread, but I’m too lazy

Have you noticed any scratching on your tailgate from the EVOC pad? My taco is black so I feel like any scratches might stand out.

 

ticks are my biggest concern. spider...eh...the worst ones aren't really on the trails. snakes...can see them, usually.

ticks, hate em. somehow me cruising a trail at 20+mph catch one itty bitty twig and end up with a tick in my armpit. like wtf.

 

I had one scratch show up but that was because of user error. Put the camera hole cover in the wrong way.

super technically, you'll get little micro scratches from dirt and grime moving around with the felt on the backside.
ALSO, the straps tend to dig into the paint on the bottom. I remedy that by putting a microfiber towel between the strap and the tailgate.

 

I'll take a tick over a chigger any day of the week. I can't tell you how many times I've been blown up with chiggers, mostly during hunting season though, not as bad riding.

 

Thanks for that info, doesn’t sound like anything too concerning.

 

i run a tailgate pad. left it on after riding this weekend and it snowed this morning, oops lol. but no scratching. i did notice little black spots on my paint after leaving it on for like 3 weeks in a row. so i only put it on if i plan on using it that day or a day or two later.

theres also this thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mountain-bike-carrier-ideas.688081/

 

I use two old, cut-down grips (with lock ring, cut to about 1.5" long) and a hacksaw for carbon bars. First wrap with paint tape, put your two old grips on with lock rings facing each other and tighten...those are your guide for a nice, straight hacksaw cut. I use a light sandpaper to clean up any hanger-on carbon pieces. FYI - this won't work so well if you're doing a small trim of the bars...no room to clamp the 2nd lockring.

For alloy bars, I use a pipe cutting tool.

 

I have 2 Thule sidearms that I got cheap and used. A little rusty but they're quick and easy. I used a hitch rack before.

Edit: If I had to buy another hitch rack, it would be platform. My gf has some hitch rack that holds the frame and it manages to scratch every bike.

 

Thats reassuring. A part of me keeps thinking “it’s a truck and it’s supposed to be used”, but the other part thinks it’s too new

thos side carriers look awesome.

 

I really like that setup, unfortunately the carport where I park would make something like that a pain in the ass. Roof is too low and other cars too close.

 

Happens to me all the time up here - RI is pretty bad for ticks actually. Dog has meds for 'em, my dog growing up used frontline and we would pull one or two off her a month usually. I let my dog now run off leash all the time, with her meds - we haven't pulled any off her. Magic.

 

If you leave the bed open, stick with the tailgate pad. It's so easy and plenty secure (for driving). This is one of the best reasons to own a truck IMO.

If you camp a lot, have a RTT setup, or shell then there are a myriad of other options depending on your desired setup. Many of us are partial to the 1up because it's easy to load and bombproof but there are plenty of other good hitch racks (and roof racks) out there.

 

Surprisingly have not had any run ins with chiggers.

 

Good points. I currently have an open bed, but am looking at some sort of cover down the line. I actually like the idea of a Softopper with a bed rack, which would still allow me to use the tailgate pad by rolling up the rear window.

 

Yeah, i've definitely seen that around plenty. even with hardshell toppers, i've seen plenty of tailgate pad usage.

 

Right now - hope and a prayer. I do have a 2 bike hitch mount rack I do use.

I do have a soft topper though, currently not on but it goes on and off easy - plan is this.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/can-a-bike-fit-under-a-softopper.582070/page-2#post-19373725

That way it's "hidden" from the outside view, not to leave it in there all the time but if I go on a trip I can pull up to a camp site, I have sleeping arrangements in the cab, leave the bike out back, kip up for the night - not worried about thievery, etc. AND it's protected from the elements on a 900 mile drive from Providence to Knoxville

 

are you the guy that sleeps diagonally in the cab? from the passenger seat to behind the driver seat?