Bicycle carrying options for Tacomas

There aren't many things that go together as well as bikes and Tacomas. In fact, the entire reason I bought my first Tacoma was to run shuttles at my local downhill track. Since then, I've personally tried about every combination of hitch racks, tailgate pads, and roof racks.

As my truck build has progressed, I've been coming up with different solutions that fit my needs. In doing so, I've done a lot of research and spent a lot of time reading reviews and looking at different products. I was inspired by @abacall and his awesome writeup HERE to dig out my old spreadsheets of racks and what not and compile them into 1 source for Tacoma Owners.

*Note - I'll add my personal reviews on the products that I've used or owned at some point as well.

Bed Bar / Roof Rack Style Racks - front wheel on

• 1up USA
• Yakima Highroad
• Yakima Frontloader
• Thule Sidearm
• Thule UpRide
• Inno Tire Hole II
• MORE TO ADD

Bed Bar / Roof Rack Style Racks - front wheel on frame mounted

• Yakima RaptorAero
• Swagman UpRight
• MORE TO ADD

Bed Bar / Roof Rack Style Racks - front wheel off fork mounted

• Yakima HighSpeed Rack
• RockyMounts Jetline
• RockyMounts TieRod
• RhinoRack MountainTrail
• Kuat Trio
• Thule Prologue XT
• MORE TO ADD

Hitch Mount Bike Racks - Wheel holding

• Thule T2

Hitch Mount Bike Racks - Frame holding

Hitch Mount Bike Racks - Swinging out

Tailgate Pads

Misc:

SideRide Bike Mounts





Swingout Hitch add on


WORK IN PROGRESS! STILL HAVE A LOT TO ADD

 

Mine

 

I use a older version of this Rocky Mounts mount that sits in the track of the bed:

https://www.rockymounts.com/collections/adaptor-and-truck-mounts/products/loball-track

 

@victory4x4 has a bracket you can add to their bed rack. I'll be picking up a set soon

 

Does anyone know of a fork mount that will fit these holes? They are 6mm bolt holes i believe. The holes are about 2.5 inches apart.

 

I just bought a new Trek, and since it has axle "thru-bolts," I needed a new mount...so I bought this:



https://www.rockymounts.com/collections/truck-mounts-adaptors/products/driveshaft-track

Guess I like the sturdy construction of these mounts.

 

This is awesome!! I'm in the market for a roof rack style so I don't have to keep taking my bike apart and putting it back together. Do you have a recommendation from your list or are the brands listed in order based on what you preferred?

 

No order, but it all depends on your needs. Is this for the roof of your Tacoma?

 

I have a diamondback cover and I'm picking up a front runner bed rack for it, so it would go on that.

 

I’ll shamelessly plug this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diamondback-covers-sideride-thread.692905/

it’s something I’m testing currently, and the benefits are you can open and close the DB cover when a bike isn’t mounted. Traditionally with a bike rack spanning bars across you lose that ability.

For bike racks though, 1up is great, as is Thule Side arms. I have both as well as a few others and that’s what I’d recommend

 

Thanks man!! Yeah I actually saw that post! I asked how much for both

 

Last question, in your experience what is better for transporting bikes? A hitch mounted or a roof rack mount? I'm very torn haha

 

must’ve missed it!! Whoops lol

 

Roof rack is a PITA to carry a bike up that high (especially if you’re lifted) and after a long ride, and hitch mounts block the tail gate and add considerable length to your vehicle, and your bikes are More at risk from being rear ended.

If I had to choose between those I’d go hitch, as I hated putting bikes on the top of my lifted Tacoma’s roof rack.

for my car I prefer roof rack, as it doesn’t block my rear hatch and it’s not too tall.

 

I run the Rocky mountain tomahawk. I like it but I do agree it sucks loading after a tiring ride, hence the step stool!

 

I started experimenting with pvc and made a few versions which worked perfectly till I upgraded bikes and required a bit more structural rigidity..I acquired the help of a local fabricator and he made one for me . Can even use the factory bed rail system to secure it

 

Quoting myself from the 3rd gen thread, but another less well known hitch rack option is ISI out of Australia. Removes the bad departure angle you get with most hitch racks, and you can lower it down to the ground with bikes mounted to get into the tailgate.

 

OP, don't forget simply laying the bike down in the bed. I know people on this forum like unnecessarily expensive and elaborate setups but if your bed is empty and you're solo this is by far the easiest way to carry a bike. Works best with long bed but can work on a short bed if you have a small/med and 26" or 27.5 wheel size. A longer bike can stand up diagonally, strapped down to the bed rails or tie downs. No need to overcomplicate things.

Tailgate pad also missing from the list. That's the easiest way to carry multiple bikes if you have a truck.

I've had the Rockymounts that @EdgemanVA mentioned. Works great. Works best if you buy a rail for the front of the bed. Remove and flip around the bed rail cap @Warpig9k took a pic of. I would use this mount when I was on my own but had stuff in the bed. I could carry the bike plus my dual sport moto back there on road trips. Solid mount, and lockable to slow down a thief. For the front wheel you can mount to the side bed rail using the Wheel Deal from TW member TCM Makes https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-name-this-thing.711725/page-13#post-25883274

For road trips I often use my old Thule T2 classic. Super solid and easy to use. FWIW I can put the tailgate down with a bike on the rack. Sure there is risk of getting rear ended but how often does that happen? It did happen to me once. The other driver's insurance bought my friends and I each a new fork and front wheel. I was stoked, it was time for an upgrade anyways : )

I would never use a roof rack on any vehicle. It's not a matter of if, but when I'd drive into something. YMMV.

 

Im also curious if anyone has tried bolting something here?? Seems like it would be perfect for one bike mount