Transport Bike in Pickup

Triathlon Forum
1

What method have any of you found to be the best way to transport your bike in a pick up truck? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

2

Buy a 2X6 cut it to length for the bed of the truck and then mount 1-4 (maybe up to 6) of the fork thingys and walla.

3

I got this bed rack from thule -lots of companies make similar racks.

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/product.asp?dept_id=22&sku=822

4

This came up recently. Type “pickup bike rack” into the search bar at the bottom of the page and you’ll get some other ideas. Personally, I think you’ve gotten the best one already, but look around.

Ken

5

I made one of the 2x6 racks works great when I am transporting two bikes. When it is just the one bike I just lay it down on it’s side under my tonneau cover. Keeps bugs and road debris off of it that way.

6

Thanks for the replies! It seems that the Thule Low Rider or Yakima Blockhead bolted to a 2x4 or 2x6 seems to be the method of choice and it is the most cost efficient. My only problem with this method is that it’s not very secure if you don’t bolt it to the bed, which I don’t care to do since I lease the truck. Is there a way to secure without bolting to the bed? Has anyone tried the Sportsworks InstaGator or Rec Rak?

7

If you have a plastic bed liner the 2X6 will fit very snug. I have an F-150 and the cab protects the bikes from the bugs and wind. So far I have been lucky and not had to worry about rain and associated road grime. I would say greater than 90% of the road grime is behind the truck anyway and doesn’t get in the bed. I don’t know what the bed looks like without a bedliner so unknown what your options are there.

8

I use the Thule Bed Rider and it works great. It doesn’t come with locking skewers but you can get those aftermarket. I just bought a 7-8’ length of wire cable and wrap it around the bike and lock it to the truck.

I know somebody who has the Rec Rak and it also looks and works good although they had to buy the longer arms for it. You do need to be able to fit the entire bike in the bed of the truck w/o removing the front wheel (wouldn’t work for my truck). I would probably prefer the Rec Rak would I have been able to use it.

Joe

9

If your truck has a topper, a Yakima BettyJo will work. You might have to lower your seatpost if you are a taller person.

10

Here’s what I use in the back of my Avalanche. Works great! Very secure. And the price was right. Bike Nashbar.com - Delta Stableloader Truck Rack

11

I’ve used a Yakima “Beddy Jo” for years. Check it out - no install needed, easily removed when you don’t need it, and you don’t have to worry about your bike sliding around back there.