Truck Bed Bike Rack

[hines57]

I hope this is in the right place as the mod is for the truck not the Jayco. I built a PVC bike rack today that goes in the bed of my truck. We took it for a ride with 4 bikes and it seems pretty stable. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures before putting my bed cover back on. I'll post pics after my next trip, of course if my brain works and I remember.

I got the plans at the site below. I used the plans for 4 bikes and extended the rack just a little so it fits snug in between the wheel wells. Cost about $40 for all the parts. You can see picks of the plans at this site.

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/go...edBikeRack.htm

[Rustic Eagle]

Nice idea , and a whole lot cheaper then the "brand" racks.

Bob

[mcfarmall]

I built one based on that design but made it to fit perfectly to the contours of the front, floor and side panels of my truck bed. It is absolutely awesome and when we camp I remove it from the truck and use it to park our bikes on the campsite. I hate it when there are five bikes parked everywhere and of course the kick stand sinks into the soft ground and they all end up laying down.

Many people have commented on it.

[Seann45]

DO NOT use this bike rack in the back of your truck if you have disk brakes on the bike... the motion will cause the disks to bend.
Been there done that..

[Salsa03]

2 questions

1- Can you lock the the bikes on the rack? I mean you could always but a chain or u-bar but would it really be safe?

2- How do you make it stay securely in the bed..... On the road you should have items in the bed tied down properly... this rack seems to be just laying there. If you had an accident, the bike could go flying out?!

[mesuezee]

Did you modify these plans to hold 4 bikes? The picture looks like it is for 3 bikes....I am confused

[Ryetye]

I made one out of scap square tubing that holds 5 bikes a couple of years ago to go to smoky mountains

[mcfarmall]

Originally Posted by Salsa03

2 questions

1- Can you lock the the bikes on the rack? I mean you could always but a chain or u-bar but would it really be safe?

2- How do you make it stay securely in the bed..... On the road you should have items in the bed tied down properly... this rack seems to be just laying there. If you had an accident, the bike could go flying out?!

I don't lock the bikes in place during transport. With a stack of 5 mountain bikes all intertwined with the pedals locked together plus a directors style lawn chair wedged in between each one they aren't going anywhere. When camping I take the rack out and put it on the ground. No need to park around a tree to secure them. I simply thread a braided steel security cable through all the bike frames and throw a padlock on it. If you have the wherewithall to steal all 5 bikes plus the rack all tied together then more power to you.

To mesuzee you build the rack to fit your vehicle and however many bikes you want to carry. 5 adult mountain bikes is pretty much pushing the limit on a full sized pickup bed width-wise. 4 bikes would give you a lot more room between the bikes making them easier to load, park and unload.

Look at the picture, grab some PVC and build a one bike prototype. If your happy with how it fits then simply build X more of them and attach one to the next with a piece of PVC. Glue it all up after dry fitting and your ready to rock and roll.

[eldermike]

I built a rack about like that for my truck bed. It also works great at the campsite. I can fit 4 road bikes in our rack.

[hines57]

Originally Posted by mesuezee

Did you modify these plans to hold 4 bikes? The picture looks like it is for 3 bikes....I am confused

If you look close buried in the site you will see a section that has the 4 bike plans. You may want to modify them slightly anyway so it is tight in the bed, but the plans are listed for three or four bikes. Hope that helps.

[hines57]

For those that responded that they use it at the campsite, thanks for the idea. I hadn't thought of that.

Also, for those worried about the bikes not being strapped down. I did strap the outside bikes to the bed rail and the inside bikes together. I used the plastic buckle straps which snap together quick. Not sure if it is needed, but it gives extra stability. In my test drive I drove pretty aggressive and they stayed in place.

[darlingtontrio]

I like this idea. PVC is good for so many ideas. I think I will be making one of these racks before this summer for our 3 bikes.

[hines57]

Here are the pics I promised from the first trip with the rack. Not real easy to see the rack with the bikes on, but you get the idea. It worked great and was really stable. You can see the outside bikes strapped with the plastic buckle straps and the inside held with small bunges. I also cut some pool noodles to help secure the tires but it is not needed. Hope it helps.

[eldermike]

I use mine in the truck, at campsite and in the garage at home.

[hines57]

Originally Posted by eldermike

I use mine in the truck, at campsite and in the garage at home.

We used it at the campsite as well. Worked great.

[Mikeos]

Like this

[hines57]

I'll bet you use more than PVC to secure that one.