Bike Mounting Options (w/tonneau cover)

I have an aluminum bakflip tonneau cover on my 3rd Gen short bed. I am looking at ways to carry my mountain bike. I have been looking into the tailgate covers (used them before and they work well) but I was also considering doing a fork mount on the underside of my tonneau cover. Have any of you tried this before? Is it a dumb idea? I haven't been able to see much on the topic. I don't want to do a rack on top of my cover either (seems like a pain in the ass...) Thanks guys!

 

Any reason you're against a hitch rack?

 

Mostly trying to stay budget friendly and keep hassle down. I just want to throw the bike in the bed and go when I can. I also don't have much space to store the rack either.

 

I would suggest a hitch rack as well. However, can you partially open the cover from the tailgate end and just lay the bike on the bed?

 

Have you looked at @Nimble9 ‘s product?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/squareone-creations-sideride-bike-mounts.694315/

 

Hmm that is pretty cool. Straightforward too, I didn't see that one. I saw RockyMount had a mount that bolts into the sire rails in the bed but they discontinued it so I am on the hunt for more. It even allowed you to mount the bike sideways in the bed. I guess options like that would be better than potentially having to drill into my cover (which I don't really want to do if I can't seal it)

 

@TCB2020 I typically just lay it down in the bed with the wheel off and I can keep the cover closed when I do. I was just looking for ideas for something a little more stable that will allow me to use more of the bed with the bike in it if I need to.

 

I have a Rockymounts Driveshaft I can't use anymore that I could send you for $60 shipped. Mounts to the side rails or the front if you buy the bedrail and clamps the front thru axle. This might be the mount you're looking for. DM if interested.

Otherwise, when I had an open bed I used to just lay the MTB down in the bed. Short bike or 6 ft bed required. A friend has folding tonneau cover and does the same thing, just leaves the last section of cover folded up so the handlebar end can stick up.

 

@evdog Does it require the thru-axel? I just have a regular spindle for mine. Otherwise that might work.

 

I have to try some measurements but I'm thinking this might work in the side channels to run my bike sideways.

$20 MUQZI Quick Release Fork Mount, Bike Fork Mount Block Holder, Car Carry Rack for Mountain Bikes, Road Bicycles & eBikes, Red

https://www.amazon.com/MUQZI-Releas...-38-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

 

With you having a short bed... I'd suggest a budget hitch mount if you dont want to lay the bike down, with a wheel removed. Tailgate pad will require you to drive with the cover opened, blocking your rear window, leaving the bike out of view.
Mounting an axle mount may tear the alu cover long term.

 

I may just be trying to make this more difficult than it needs to be but it's nice to drive up some conversation around it anyway. I may experiment with a few things too and see what works. @[TACOMA] I agree, I don't want to damage the cover at all so that's off the table. Just trying to flex my creative muscles and see if I can come up with anything even if it's DIY

 

Bed width is smaller than the length. Are you riding a BMX bike?
I tried a triangle fork mount hitch on the header rail of a short bed, but my mtb bike is too long (sz medium) by an inch or so. I had to cock the bike diagonal to close the tailgate. I have the OEM tonneau so I'm not familiar with the Backflip. With the folded tonneau taking up 1/3 of the bed I'm not sure it would work without keeping the tailgate open. I supposed if your mount raised the bike high enough you'd have enough room provided the down tube can clear the tonneau.
I decided I prefer my hitch mount rack better.

This is what I purchased for a fork mount.


There's side mounts on Amazon that I looked at but never tried.

$113 INNO RT202 Truck Bed Bike Rack - Bike Mount for Pickup Truck with C-Channel Track Systems

Amazon.com : INNO RT202 Truck Bed Bike Rack - Bike Mount for Pickup Truck with C-Channel Track Systems : Automotive Bike Racks : Sports & Outdoors

 

Hey, more power to ya! I'm big on keeping my bikes IN the bed, but I know it's the more difficult route... and that's with a 6ft bed.

Edit: images for reference.

Before bed cover.



Extended to clear the bed cover header panel.




Current setup.



Tri-fold cover had to be opened with either set up.

 

Sportrack (Thule) Folds down for access to the bed, holds the bikes securely and are reasonably priced. You can take brackets off if you only want to carry one bike.

 

If you troll around your local REIs they generally get some pretty consistent returns of hitch racks. If you change your mind and go that direction you can usually pick up a decent rack for a few hundred bucks off.

 

@[TACOMA] Thanks for the pictures, that's really helpful. I had seen someone do a road bike. sideways in the bed pretty snug but I think my MTB will be too long as well. it just BARELY fits with the wheel off laying down in the bed. Smol bed life is tough sometimes.

Thanks everyone for the options! I might have to end up doing a hitch eventually but I'll see if I can get creative and update the post if I figure something out or accept defeat

 

Just for an example of the hitch mount on a Tacoma. Easy on, easy off.

 

Oh yeah that doesn't look too bad at all. I'll get my wife on FB market place to do some hunting too. I'm sure she would love that hahaha

 

Get an actual hitch rack. Problem solved. I have a bakflip and use a Kuat 2" receiver bike rack.