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Anyone Make a PVC Bike Rack for the Bed?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by tacomtn, Aug 7, 2011.

  1. Aug 7, 2011 at 8:22 PM
    #1
    tacomtn

    tacomtn [OP] Well-Known Member

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    One of my friends made one and it worked very well. Inexpensive and sturdy enough to transport 3-4 heavy duty 40lb downhill bikes. It just takes a bit of engineering figuring out all the elbows and lengths.

    I was wondering if anyone has done this and maybe has the pieces figured out.
     
  2. Aug 7, 2011 at 8:53 PM
    #2
    gozar

    gozar Well-Known Member

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    Solution: ride your bike UP the hill.
     
  3. Aug 7, 2011 at 11:07 PM
    #3
    tacomtn

    tacomtn [OP] Well-Known Member

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  4. Aug 7, 2011 at 11:18 PM
    #4
    acdronin

    acdronin Well-Known Member

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    Piece of cake to build
     
  5. Aug 7, 2011 at 11:21 PM
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    Uncle Cliffy

    Uncle Cliffy Never tell me the odds.

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    [​IMG]
     
  6. Aug 7, 2011 at 11:25 PM
    #6
    acdronin

    acdronin Well-Known Member

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    That's one inch pipe, probably sch 40, I think the anchor points where it get's tied to the bed could be better. The front tire on my bike would barely fit in those slots. I think some eye-bolts in the pipe would make it easier to bungees down the bikes.
     
  7. Aug 7, 2011 at 11:37 PM
    #7
    Canadian Girl

    Canadian Girl Well-Known Member

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  8. Aug 7, 2011 at 11:40 PM
    #8
    Sabre

    Sabre Well-Known Member

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    subb'd ill probly try this
     
  9. Aug 7, 2011 at 11:46 PM
    #9
    tacomtn

    tacomtn [OP] Well-Known Member

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  10. Aug 7, 2011 at 11:48 PM
    #10
    acdronin

    acdronin Well-Known Member

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    I would recommend sch 80 pipe, it's more expensive but it won't flex as much, I would use WELD-ON 711 heavy grey glue and primer too. The sch 80 would be strong enough to drill through and hang eye-bolts or hooks. I would want to sand and rough it pretty good so that paint will stick to it and protect the pipe from UV. I think I would build it without the tees three quarters down the front bars and instead make it more of a frame instead of a cantilever, also the knobs on the tires wouldn't get hung up on the tees either.
     
  11. Aug 8, 2011 at 12:07 AM
    #11
    tacomtn

    tacomtn [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, that's it acdronin.

    Copied from our ideas:
    I was thinking there might be a way to make the tire rack pipes adjustable (like just have the pipes slide on the lateral pieces), for different tire widths, and then secure the sliding pipes so the bikes don't slip around when the truck is moving. Then I'm also thinking of a good place to put a lock onto for the bikes (doesn't have to lock the rack, just the bikes). Maybe the large star nut that attaches the bed to the frame? Attach a thick piece of steel to that so I could use my New York Kryptonite chain lock. it would be nice to replace that star nut though to really make it effective. A carriage bolt would be great, but where to attach it to? Not just through the laminate bed but to the frame itself. That would be very theft proof.
     
  12. Aug 8, 2011 at 12:53 AM
    #12
    derekAV

    derekAV Well-Known Member

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    my bike is too long to fit with the tail gate closed.. I dont think pvc is strong enough to support the bikes without tie downs
     
  13. Aug 8, 2011 at 1:08 AM
    #13
    tacomtn

    tacomtn [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Oh, yes for sure they'd still need to be tied down to keep them from shifting around when the truck is in motion. And to fit the bikes, the front wheels would have to be turned or the gate could be down. Here's where a bed extender would come in handy too.

    Right now we're (acdronin and I) are thinking of a super strong attachment point for a lock. those bed frame hooks aren't going to cut it. i'm thinking maybe a steel plate "sandwich" with a carriage bolt through the bed and a steel anchor may just work.

    post some other ideas if you got 'em.
     
  14. Aug 8, 2011 at 11:47 AM
    #14
    derekAV

    derekAV Well-Known Member

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    oh ok. then it will work good i think. I just through a big moving blanket over my tail gate then put my forks over the tailgate. works great, i can fit 4 bikes.
     
  15. Aug 8, 2011 at 11:21 PM
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    tacomtn

    tacomtn [OP] Well-Known Member

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    yeah, i used to do that too. but the bikes still shift around and the last time i did this, my gate and bumper still got scratched. plus the brake lights end up getting blocked.

    im trying to get everything in the bed with the rack
     
  16. Oct 18, 2011 at 10:46 AM
    #16
    sockmonkey

    sockmonkey Well-Known Member

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  17. Oct 18, 2011 at 11:44 AM
    #17
    mattg43

    mattg43 Well-Known Member

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    SwingCase, driver side. PVC Bike rack. Aftermarket stereo.
    I have made one for my F150, and for the Tacoma.

    I based it on the Utah MTB site that Sock Monkey linked above, but modified it so height would match with the rails in the bed:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    I was tying down using the D-rings in the front of the bed that I added, or the bed cleats on the side.

    I recently began testing this design:

    [​IMG]

    I prefer bikes facing forward, so this spaces them out enough that bars dont touch.

    Also gives a tie down in the middle of the bikes
    Keeps it easy to get to from one side, no need to climb into bed



    FWIW - I have found that Schedule 40 tubes flex a bit more than I would want, but I always tie them down. I dont need that many thousands of dollars unsecured.

    They hold tight enough to roll without tie downs, I just dont trust it.

    Also, I use a bed extender, so fitting them in the bed is not an issue for me.
     
  18. Oct 18, 2011 at 11:47 AM
    #18
    Uncle Cliffy

    Uncle Cliffy Never tell me the odds.

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    Nice bike! ;)
     
  19. Oct 18, 2011 at 12:40 PM
    #19
    sockmonkey

    sockmonkey Well-Known Member

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    my layout of the rack.....my next one i will prob mod to fit to rail like Matt has

    i may try to "wing nut" attach it to the back wall for now

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Oct 18, 2011 at 12:55 PM
    #20
    mattg43

    mattg43 Well-Known Member

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    SwingCase, driver side. PVC Bike rack. Aftermarket stereo.
    Thanks Uncle Cliffy. I imagine you see a few more of their products up there. I have actually ran into 1 person that knows what the company/brand is here in TX. And he worked in a bike shop and was building a DH rig.
     

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