Most solid way mount bikes while off-roading?

Did a quick search and didn't really find the answers I was looking for...so I thought I would post this up here.

I am looking into doing some off-roading and back country camping with my Tacoma. I would like to take my mountain bike with me so after I stop and setup camp if I want to ride around in the evening and scout things out I can.

Out of these choices below that I have been considering, what do you think would be the most stable and strong way to mount your bike in the bed of the truck that would handle some easy to moderate off-road trails?

Option 1:
Rockymounts bike fork track mounts that attach into the header rail up against the cab, with the rear tire just setting on the floor of the bed

Option 2:
over the tonneau cover bed bars with say a Thule big mouth style mountain bike carrier that allows you to keep the front wheel on and has a tray for the rear wheel to sit in also?

My gut tells me locking the fork in to a Rockymounts fork mount in the bed header rail would be more secure and handle the rigors of some light rock crawling better, but that is just my gut.

Anyone out there have some real work experience off-roading with either of these setups and how stable the bikes made it through the trip?

Any options or experiences give are appreciated.

 

@Mobtown Offroad

@KB Voodoo

 

I have regular fork mounts and wheel mounts bolted to the front bedrail on my "11 trd OR and the back wheel just sits on the floor. Solid as a rock. however, it looks as if the 16-17 doesn't have rail system on the front, only on the sides. I plan on buying a strip for the front of the bed when and if my 17 comes in.

 

Yeah thanks for the feedback. Like i said my gut tells me this would be the most solid mount for driving on rough trails with bikes. Keeps the center of gravity low.....unlike if you put them on top of bed bars they are going to be up high and swinging back and forth once the truck starts rocking over moguls and rock gardens.

Your right the 3rd gens don't come with the header rail, so I will have to buy one along with the mounts if I go this route.

 

I have a rocky mounts bike fork setup like option 1. The rear tire could bounce around and if you are worried about that you could secure it with a bungie cord. I think option 1 is the cheaper and a viable solution.

You can also use a truck pad. This is my primary way of transporting my bike, and have done so up 4x4 required roads. Just get a pad that includes straps that secure your bike in place. I didnt have one and loaded up 6 bikes(which is too many really) and mine came off the pad and rubbed against my tailgate. That was primarily because it was a very rough road.

 

I bought the fork mounts from Toyota when I had a '10 tundra. it was expensive and awkward to mount. buy the mounts from performance or Bike Nashbar. You can get wheel mounts from one of them, also.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Good points about the rear tire bouncing around. I agree I think a bungee chord or tie out would take care of the rear on real rough trails.

 

When you say wheel mounts do you mean for the front wheel?

 

yes. front wheel. wheel skewers slide into slot and then tighten the skewer. then I run a chain through the wheel, the back frame triangle and the tire and then to a tie down. I don't use the Toyota tie downs. they are too easy to remove. I can't remember what it is called but there is a fitting that will slide perfectly into the bedrail that has a female fitting that a metal ring with a male fitting screws into.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the clarification

 

I went with the Mobtown Bars & Thule Sidearm Racks. Haven't done anything too crazy but I've had the truck rocking side to side a few times and the bike is locked in tightly enough that the only movement I've seen is the bike suspension compressing on occasion. I've used Thule Bigmouths as well and they are hit or miss depending on the bike. Not really a fan of the fork mount racks as they really only work well with 15mm QR forks, plus the hassle of putting the wheel on/off each time you want to move the bike, as well as having a bad experience with having a bike that was attached to one get tossed. Here's a picture of my setup:

 

Bike is rock solid, and elevated above the bed so you have room for other gear.

I've been using this system since June. Every place I ride has a rough dirt road to get to it. Over 80 rides this season. It's an awesome system, and it looks phenomenal.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I do like the convenience of your setup. Not having to remove the wheel all the time would be nice, and you still have full use of your bed. You have the same tonneau cover as I do too so that is a plus. Glad to hear the setup has been rock solid on rough surface for you as well.

 

thanks for the pictures. I do like that setup as well....unfortunately it won't work with my roll up tonneau cover. I thought I saw a post where KB Voodoo was coming out with bed bars that work with roll up tonneau covers? Is that true and if so when would they be available for purchase?

 

That is true.

We will be making brackets that allow the use of our bed rack with covers.

We are also redesigning our crossbars that go over tonneau covers.

Mountain biking season is coming to end in my area (at least for after work rides), so I'll be releasing a mountain of new products really soon.

 

Terrific. Thanks for the update. I might have to wait as it sounds like your bed rack with brackets to allow for use of a roll up cover might be the best of all worlds for me. Would allow me to mount bikes, rotopax and maybe even a hi lift jack? And still use my roll up tonneau? That would be to perfect.

 

Yes they will!!

 

Check out softopper over the rail mount. Still have full use of the bed with it. Also I am using rockymounts with them.

 

Can this outboard bike mount be used with the Toyota tonneau cover?

 

Not sure. I don't have one