Bike Rack, Pickup Bed (custom build):

I have searched high and low for low cost bike rack options. I found a few youtube videos that have a few ideas so I made one out of 1 2x6 and 2 2x4's with a few angle brackets and collar hooks. $35 dollars + a can of spray paint. What a relief to not drop $200 bucks for something that basically does the same.

Started raw to test setup then painted for final installation. pops in and out quickly, very secure. Regular Cab, 2dr, 4WD.

 

Another great inexpensive option is the Rocky Mounts that with some modification will fit in the tracks and you mount them with the fork. Very stable and cheap.

 

My real reason for doing with this was a "Roll in" type of rack, without having to remove a wheel. I did this partly for my wife can easily load her bike in and out as well. The roll-in racks seem to have a lot of customization and cutting into the bed for installation. Thule makes one that connects to the channel on the back but only holds one bike at $139. Pipeline racks for roll-in start at 200. For me, no modification to the truck in any form and not having to remove the front wheel was key.

 

I like it!
Great idea and props for thinking about your wife using it!
I'm trying to do a cost saving mod for my camping/biking/kayaking loading without breaking the bank so like ideas that are out of the box.
+1

 

Nicely done. Functional and priced right.

 

Nicely done.

 

Nice!
Thanks for reminding me to finish mine for the mopeds.

 

Yea, the hardest part for me was not "over designing" one that was fully adjustable, etc. Unfortunately for me, the width of the channels are specifically wide for a tight fit for the bicycles in my house (fixed width), I also wanted to keep the height down so it still fits under tonneau cover. If it was higher, you could do a cinch clamp at the top to tighten the wheel spacing - since it is only 24 inches high, this "quick" solution was just a quick solution - but it would be easy enough to make it adjustable for sure.

 

Pete, nice job...do you find the bikes stay in place, or do you strap them down too?

 

both - they stay in securely on short trips, I strap them down simplistically from the sides of the bed and over the frames for longer trips. The only thing that is a must (the bikes slide in from the back tire) - I use a short bungee to keep the front tire secure to the frame front. Thats it. Once the bike is secure (tires to frame) - a simple drop in on short trips keep the bike upright. Surprisingly a 2x4 on the top channels of the bed, with the tires on the lower channels, get you a solid 4" for securing the tires. The second photo (raw before paint with bike loaded) - its very solid. Don't even think about it now.

 

Great idea and outcome of the project

 

Oh my goodness, I totally forgot about that - I bet you slept in a Holiday Inn Express last night ! haha

 

Not to take away from anything you did because you did a good job for getting your bikes secure.

But you could have just purchased 2

RockyMounts 9mm Clutch

of these and left them installed all the time.

Who am I to talk? I spent over $650 on mine












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That's a little overkill there buddy and a little bit too pretty IMO

 

NICE!! I salute your ingenuity!

 

Depends on what you're hauling. 2 multiple thousand dollar bikes makes the rack seem cheap and the basket works perfect for traveling

 

steeds...how would you strap them so they stay upright? Motorcycle style? I think Pete's rack keeps them up

 

I like it.
I had thought about something similar with some pieces of aluminum angle pieces that are just laying around in my shed.