Drilling a bike mount directly into the bottom of the bed?

Has anyone drilled a bike mount directly into the bed of a Tacoma? If so, how'd it work out? I'm wondering if there is ample room under the bed to use nuts and bolts for something like this:

https://rockymounts.com/collections/adaptor-and-truck-mounts/products/tomahawk-floor-mount

I currently use fork mounts on the front rail, but I have a bolt-through front axle that makes taking the wheel off pretty annoying. I bike enough that bolting something directly to the bed seems pretty appealing...

 

First will your bike fit with both wheels on and the tailgate closed in your bed. My 29er trail bike is really close with a long bed without having it diagonal. If you are riding a lot a tailgate pad is the way go. Check out the bomber strap. https://bomberstrap.com. seems like a cool idea that still keeps use of the back up camera and stores neatly when not in use.

 

So I actually have a Bomber Strap ready to go for this season, ha. Was looking at something else so that I could keep the bed extender in place. With the strap, I'll have to take it in and out all the time... fully realize I'm just being impatient.

 

@stec06 I just had a crazy idea.

You could use the bed side rails to mount a bracket that extends to the floor and spans the width of the bed. Almost like one of those OEM cargo dividers but just the bottom part.

Then mount your bike holster of choice to that, no drilling of the truck bed required.

Good luck.

 

Interesting idea. Was wondering if it'd be easier to just secure a 2x6 to the floor and mount the base to that...but not sure how best to secure the board to the bed...so back to the same problem I guess.

 

Honestly I like having my bike in the bed, but since I bought a Thule T2 Ill never try to wrangle another bike in the bed again.

Only Pic I have of the T2 on my truck.

 

I used a 2x4 on my last truck. Set the lumber in the notches on the bed and used a ratchet strap to secure it.

 

I made this one and bolted it directly to the bed. The composite material is actually quite thick.

 

I drilled through to mount a fridge and a jack mount direct to the bed. Look underneath, and as long as you aren't gonna send a drill bit through a frame rail, or the gas tank, you should be fine.

 

Uh, its a TRUCK. Put the bike in the bed of the truck and call it a day. You don't need any stupid "bike mount".

 

Yeah but you don’t know if he has a really nice bike. Maybe securing it is better.

 

Assuming for a moment that gravity suddenly turned off, (a) a bungee cord would be more than adequate, and (b) there would be worse things to worry about than a "really nice bike" floating away.

 

I concur. Just double check and send it on through. Just don't get the bed dust on your bare skin. Shit will make you really itchy. I used 1/4" hardware and some large washers and it worked great.

 

Make an Outboard Bike Mount

 

*Choosing to ignore Mr. Cardboard*

I like the idea of a bike rack mounting in the bed. How easy would it be to remove if you want to put other things in your bed?
I built a small lightweight wooden box I can easy take in and out in my bed. Two 2x6's that stand up and just wide enough to hold the front tire. Then just a few straps to hold her in. I have a short bed so I have to keep the bed down.

I made two slots on each side so I can easily drop in street bikes or mountain bikes. The frame is super light and can be taken in and out anytime or even left in there.

 

Here’s it in the bed. Ignore the cheap ass mongoose lol I’m buying a KTM this spring

 

If you've got the bed rail system, you can buy/build a mount to hook the front fork up to that. This isn't a picture of mine, but this is how its been in my, uhm, Nissan, for like a decade now. Works great, non permanent, and does a great job of holding the bike down.

 

I was outside, so I grabbed a couple of pictures. I could probably use a thicker backing plate, and maybe clearanced my undercover mount a little...buuuuut oh well. Track systems are so underrated.