Bike rack?

[mastercycleman]

i guess not really a rack, but i need to figure out whats the best way to put the quick release clamp in the bed. I mountain bike, and need a way to probably hold 3-4 bikes. I need it to be really sturdy, because i dont want 15k worth of bikes flying out the bed of the truck. Can I just put some srews into the bed through a yakima QR clamp, or will that not be strong enough?

Thanks

[MoosePond]

Have you considered on of the Thule hitch-mount units? We had one on our Subaru Forester (unfortunately with a 1 1/4" receiver so it won't trannsport over to our RL) and they're pretty darned convenient and easy to install or remove. They make them for up to 4 bikes as I recall and that way you've still got the entire bed of your RL for your other gear.

[mastercycleman]

i sort of want to just have it in the bed, cause its just easyier,also, people wont rear end it and hit the bikes, or i wont back it into crap. Also, I wont have to take it off the days i dont use it.

[mtrotman]

This is what I put together. I used three Yakima blockheads and attached them to the front panel of the truck bed. Click HERE for the original thread with more details on the installation. I've been using it for a year now and it works great. I even use the center blockhead to tie down my motorcycle wheel when I haul it around. I hope this helps.

[mastercycleman]

how did you get the aluminum behind the bed panel?

[Altamont]

that front panel comes right off. (I had to replace mine after I stuck a 2x4 through it, don't ask, but it involved backing up!!) are the bike mounts secured only by the aluminum bar behind the panel or are they secured to one of the support structures back there? I really like that idea and may "steal it: for myself. I have one of those hitch mount racks and it sticks out too far, puts the bikes more at risk.

[fredkerr]

What I've been doing in all my vehicles is mount the fork clamps on 3/4 " plywood, then I can slide the whole thing out when I don't need it. You don't need a 4x8 sheet to provide enough weight/integrity.

[Timekiller]

I don't know if this will work in the ridge...



You can read about it here.

I too, am trying to figure out a good solution to carting around bikes, but my problem is I will be driving around with 2-4 downhill bikes (20mm axle) and I don't feel like pulling out those axles and having to buy adapters for the fork mounts. So I think Im going to go with something like this:

[rtsdave]

I mounted an aluminum extrusion (rectangular tube) above the trunk on the top edge of the flats inside the bed rails. I used the threaded holes (M5x.8 metric, if I remember right) for the bed extender to hold the tube in place via a length of thredaded rod, some wingnuts, and some rope stainless steel rope guides. It is sturdier than it sounds. I have bike tights (similar to the Yakima mighty mounts) mounted to the tube. The bikes mount over the trunk, allowing the lid to open about 75%. The hole thing comes on or off in a minute or so, and can be stored under the back seat.

I only transport 2 bikes (approx $4-5k total), but there is room for a 3rd easy, probably a 4th tightly. $15k is a lot of bikes though. You might want something more permanent/substantial. I wanted easy on/off, and access to the trunk while bikes are loaded.

Dave

[mtrotman]

Originally Posted by Altamont

are the bike mounts secured only by the aluminum bar behind the panel or are they secured to one of the support structures back there?

The aluminum stock is sandwiched on the back side of the panel simply to provide rigidity and strength to the panel. There is no way those block heads are coming off or shaking loose. Use the instructions for installing the motorcycle wheel chock to find out how to remove the back panel. The link is in the original message.