Short Bed MTB Configuration Help

Hi there, I've been pouring over the forums to try to find guidance for what I'm trying to accomplish with my truck bed, with regard to carrying mountain bikes, as well as weather protection, and roof-top-tent capabilities.

I have a '21 Double Cab Short Bed. I am going to be using a Race Face tailgate pad to carry mountain bikes, which I do most often in my truck. In the summer, this will get used 2-3 times a week, so I don't plan on taking the tailgate pad on and off very much.

I also need something to get some weather coverage over the bed. My options there would be a hard shell, a Softopper, or a tonneau. I don't like the hard shell idea - it will be hard to fit multiple bikes through that window over the tailgate, and I am not sure I will always be OK without access to carry larger objects that wouldn't fit in the bed. Maybe it would work ok with a mid-height cap? Anyone have experience with that? I also don't think I could latch the cap with a tailgate pad on.

I don't think a tonneau would work well, it would have to be a roll-up as opposed to flip to make sure large bikes can fit in the bed, and I'd have to take the tailgate pad off to latch it every time I wanted it closed, which isn't a great solution for me.

I'm leaning Softopper right now, because it would enable me to collapse the topper when needed, and even give partial weather coverage over the bed, while carrying bikes out the back.

BUT if I go with a Softopper, I'm a little stuck with not being able to support a roof top tent. I have been looking at all the bed racks that are Softopper compatible, but they all either don't allow you to fold the softopper down, or require partial disassembly to do so. At that point I don't see the benefit of having the Softopper flexibility if it can't easily be put up or down.

Could someone set me straight? Am I being a baby about not taking the tailgate pad on or off? Are there any caps out there that would fit my needs? I'd love to hear people's experience or feedback on what I'm trying to go for. Thanks!

 

We have a 3rd gen DCSB. For several years we used an ARE Z Series hard shell with RTT mounted on the shell. Bikes went inside, just fitting height and length-wise but plenty of room for other gear. Front wheels off, droppers down, forks mounted to Kuat Dirtbag mounts screwed to a piece of plywood spanning the bed floor by the tailgate. Note this was with 2015-vintage short travel 29-er’s; more modern longer and slacker bikes might be a tight fit. The Z Series has a fairly sloping rear window, as does a Softopper, so handle bar clearance was tight but manageable.

Decided to get rid of the RTT and then the shell. Currently have a Dakine tailgate pad and a Tyger soft rollup tonneau. Combo works great. Takes one minute to roll back the tonneau AND secure it, plenty of length for big bikes (have carried 5) and no problem closing the tailgate with tonneau cover on. Just need to latch the soft tonneau first, with the tailgate open, then close the gate. I’ve had the Tyger rollup several years and it’s the best sub-$200 solution I’ve seen.

 

This is super helpful - thank you. I'm definitely going to look into the Tyger tonneau, sounds like a great solution. I have a race face tailgate pad which is a little bulky, but I'm hopeful I can MacGyver it all together. I'm also looking towards a Max Modular bed rack with tonneau mounting brackets to support a RTT in the future. Appreciate the input!

 

My tailgate with Dakine pad which has a thicker top, but no foam blocks, definitely requires a firm slam to close under the tonneau, but no visible damage for a couple of years now.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHyhNRai-e9/

I have this exact same setup on my short bed with a leer 100. Works great and is pretty secure. Downsides are longer bike like my santa cruz nomad will have to be a bit diagonal and you will realistically only fit 2-3 bikes like this.

 

That’s pretty clever. Not sure it would have worked with my ARE Z Series as the clearance around the rear window hinges and struts was marginal even without the lift -and-pivot action of this design.