Transporting Bicycles, What do you use?

Can you tell us how much further your bike hangs out (beyond where the tailgate would be closed)? What bike(s) do you have?

Know if a large 26" FS will fit with these in the track and tailgate closed? Just trying to get an idea of size.

 

I bolted my two fork mounts directly to the front of the bed (SB) below the rail. My Trek Top Fuel FS (large frame) and my wife's Specialized S-Works 29er hardtail both fit with the tailgate closed. I didn't know it at the time, but I think by mounting directly to the flat part of the bed it moves the bikes forward about 1" - just enough to close the tailgate.

 

As someone who loves biking, and goes fairly often, i figured i would find a way to transport as many as i could.. without using bed space.
So on the roof of my topper, i have a mix of thule and yakima racks, able to hold three bikes, and then a hitch mount rack that can carry two more. Nice to be able to carry as many as i can, without sacrificing space in the bed. I'll see if i can't get photos later.

 

I have 2 Thule Instagators when transporting just 2 bikes. For a third I will use the Thules plus tie downs. 4 or more I have a Dakine pad.

 

Anyone remember who made the small aluminum blocks that were threaded so you could bolt the fork mounts straight, instead of reverse mount?

 

Thule receiver hitch mount.

 

yes. me too.

 

I like the OEM accessory. They lock with a key and are well made. I would recommend them.

 

heres mine, its made out of pvc bike, i followed some directions from a link i found on here.


Bike rack by S.Mshots, on Flickr

it is now painted black

 

pvc rack pretty nice. how did u fix it to the bed floor?

 

this is how you do it! get a bike mat!

 

i didnt and it doesnt look like pogiboy did either. i just you a strap around the bikes and nothing moves

 

I use a Yakima hitch rack for the three bikes I have to carry. I also have a Yakima roof rack with Rocky Mount bike trays that I don't have set up for the Tacoma yet.

 

I bolted my bike mounts to the bed to keep the bike out of the wind when on the highway, unfortunately Nebraska doesn't have to many mountains. I went to Lowes and got self tapping bolts, made sure they were long enough to go all the way through but not too far. Bolted it down with a lock washer and washer, drove down to Texas and back with no problems.

 

I squared the rounded head of elevator bolts so they slid into the front rail and wouldn't turn when tightened. Bolted a couple of bike fork clamps to the bolts in the rail. Pretty cheap. Will post a picture when I get home.

Now I need to make an adapter for my new 15mm front axle.

Yamabiker

 

Older picture of my setup as I now have a new bike and three trays. This is the Tacoma bed bars with Thule trays. Works great for me since I use the space under the bikes when I go camping. Would like a hard toneau though with the tracks like someone else posted though so I could lock up my gear.



Found my newer photo...

 

I built myself some crossbars at work that utilize the factory side channels.

 

I have a hard tonneau cover, so in the bed is out of the question. I bought a Saris Thelma 2 hitch rack and its awesome. Easy to take on-and-off and easy to load the bike with wheels on. Ride both road and mountain bikes and they I can load them both without a problem and I can run a cable through the frames and lock them to the holes in the hitch mount. It only touches the wheels, so leaves the bike frame untouched. Works great and leaves the bed empty for other stuff that I need to cover and lock. ONly problem is that is does block the rear camera, but I don't use it that much anyway, so not a big deal.

 

I just installed a

$240 Thule 822XT Bed-Rider Fork Mount Carrier

Thule 822XT i love it and the best thing is you can lock it up.

 

Swagman