Carrying bikes in your pickup

Triathlon Forum
1

I just bought a new pickup today after trading in my Expedition. I had built a bicycle holder for the expedition but now with the pickup I have to devise a new system. I am planning on putting a cap over the bed, so all the carriers that keep the bike high won’t do.

Anyone have any ideas/suggestions?

I have looked at www.biketote.com and it seems like they have a really interesting idea. Anyone have experiences with these?

Any information would be very helpful.

Thanks,

Neal Dunn

2

  1. buy/appropriate a 2"x4" longer then 4.5 ft.

  2. cut to length so that it can be easily, but securely wedged between the walls of the truck bed parallel to the tailgate.

  3. purchase and bolt to the 2x4 an appropriate number of these or something similar- along with bolts, nuts, and washers. countersinking the bolts is a good idea.
    http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=20107&lsubcat_id=1524&lcat_id=7604&referpage=

  4. transport bicycles securely and safely, even under a bed cap.

Ken

3

After thinking a few moments, it occurs to me that if you are really tall (and ride an appropriately sized frame), or the cap you select is relatively low-ceilinged, no matter what sort of fork mount you use, you might not be able to get your bike(s) in without removing the seat/post, which is a pain. I’m not sure what you could do about it, other than to be aware of the potential problem when you select your cap.

Ken

4

I have an F-150 with an 8’ bed and a bed cap. The bed cap is about 4" or 5" higher than the roof of the cab.

Cheap and simple works for me. If it’s just 1 bike and not too much stuff, I lay it on it’s side. To put 1 or 2 bikes out of the way I stand them against the side of the bed/cap and secure them with bungee cords wrapping an old towel around anyplace that’s likely to rub. A rack just seems to me that it limits the options.

Larry

5

Neal,
I recently ordered a Thule rack for my van from a site called www.rackattack.com. They have several pick-up mounts shown. They all stand the bike up. But there is one that is just a bolt-on platform that creates a 9mm skewer that you can attach your front fork to. Perhaps that could be put ON TOP of the cap, or even screwed somewhere into the side of the truck (maybe a wheelwhell or somewhere where you wouldn’t pierce the outside of the truck)? Or maybe right behind the cab of the truck, if there is room between the glass window and the cap?

Jeff

7

Thanks for the information everyone. All good ideas, I think that the 2x4 is my backup position.

Anyone try biketote.com?

Neal Dunn

8

I use the board with the front wheel mount carriers. The carrier is a quick release attached to a piece of metal. They are available from bike shops for about $12. Delta is one brand. Bolt this to a board. I duct tape the board to the bed. My bed is exposed to the elements so I usually re-tape for each race. This may leave duct tape residue on the bed. Not a problem for me but I don’t drive a new truck.