Mountain Bike Short Bed Setups

Hey everyone so my wife and I have a brand new 22 Tacoma short bed. Even though I turn 60 next week, I mountain bike a lot. I have a Thule hitch rack which fits in a smaller receiver we had in the Mazda traded in. I’m sure I could get a hitch adapter to run the Thule but I’d rather use the bed if the truck. My trail bike is pretty long so I’d likely need to leave tailgate dropped. I know I could hang it off the back with a tailgate protector. I’d like to see pictures of other options that look pro. Like where’s I can stand two bikes up side by side in the bed and have front wheel go into a fixture secured. Does anybody else ride and not use a hitch mount? Any cool fixtures I can buy they look and work well? Thanks again!

 

Here's my setup. You have to take the front wheel off and then the axle clamps into a fixed piece on the bedrail. Could easily do 2 maybe 3 bikes side to side like this but you'd need two of the mounts. Also, it's very likely you'll have to keep the tailgate down. I have a medium frame 26er and it just barely fits with the tailgate closed.

Here's a link to the mount. It's also worth mentioning Tacoma's don't come with a rear bedrail these days. You have to buy that too for this to work.

https://rockymounts.com/products/driveshaft-track.html

The picture isn't really great for showing it but it's all I have on my phone.

 

@Nimble9 has a nifty setup that clears up the bed for gear.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/squareone-creations-sideride-bike-mounts.694312/


https://squareonecreations.com/collections/sideride-bike-mounts

 

If you aren't opposed to pulling the front wheel you can get the header rail and any number of mounts - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tacoma+front+bed+rail&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

 

Peep this thread, tons of ideas in here;

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mountain-bike-carrier-ideas.688081/

And Welcome!

 

I was hoping someone would link this thread.
(Mostly because I lost my link to it, lol)


I very much like the side mount idea later in the thread.

 

some other people have posted some good links. this is a fun thread we talk about all kinda of bikes/cycling things. its pretty active too
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/all-things-bikes-and-tacos.445155/

 

Found it!

INNO RT202

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

$118 INNO RT202 Truck Bed Bike Rack - Bike Mount for Pickup Truck with C-Channel Track Systems

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002N0013G

 

Mine was last minute, but it’s been working really well for me. I cut a 2x8 to the width of the bed and then mounted a couple fork mounts to it. Then just take the front tire off and mount both bikes in the bed with the tailgate closed.

 

www.exodux.com

 

I have 2 Rocky fork mounts in my bed and a Thule EZ-Fold XT that I got later when I was biking multiple times a week.

 

This is exactly what I did too. Super simple and super stable when you strap the bikes down. And when you don't need the board-fork mount assembly, you just take it out of the bed and throw it in the garage.

 

I have 2 of the inno racks I'll sell, I'm not using them since I swapped to rago mounts

 

Thanks all for the helpful replies. I’ll evaluate a bit. Appreciate the assist.

 

Don't overthink this. Buy an adapter and use the hitch mounted rack you already have.

 

Here’s what I do: https://imgur.com/gallery/EfIEPXo

 

I use a dual option when traveling. Thule T2 Pro XT 2 Bike with Thule Access swing-away hitch adaptor and a tailgate pad. I can use the bed when needed. Fits my medium MTBs on the tailgate pad even with a UWS low profile toolbox. I have about 2-3 inches before the rear tire hits the toolbox. But...the Thule Access is only for 2" receivers.

 

Personally I’m a fan of the tailgate pad. Very quick and easy to load. I don’t like fiddling around with racks.

 

Tailgate pad can’t be any easier. Not fusing around without messing with racks and you can take it off and on in 2 min. I’ve had 4 bikes no problem.