General Cycling Discussion - Bike Rack for Truck

I have a Ford F150 Super Crew pickup truck and am looking for a hitch mounted (2" receiver) bike rack that will work well for transporting 4 bikes (2 adult and 2 children). I don't want to put the bikes in the truck bed because we will sometimes be using the bed to carry coolers, duffel bags, other gear, etc. on trips.

I would prefer a product that would allow me to put the tailgate down to access the bed's cargo while the bikes are still on the rack. So the rack would need to have enough clearance to swing down or away from the tailgate without hitting the tailgate.

Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions? Thanks.

Here is an idea, get a tonneau cover and add raks on top. That way you still have access to the bed and you can lock it.

Here is one that may work although I have never used it BikeRack (http://www.backrack.net/bicycle_hitch_rack.html#)

Here is a swing away from Hollywood which may help.

http://www.hollywoodracks.com/4&5.htm#hr2800

Yakima makes a nice hitch mounted rack that can carry 4 bikes and can be set down to access the bed.

If you want to spend the money for a good one, like I just did.......get the Thule Trailblazer. I just got this rack for my SUV and think its the greatest thing since sliced bread.

My dad used to carry bikes on his truck and said he went through a few different hitch racks that sucked. He looked at mine and said he loved it. It has a full swing away, cradle arms for each of the 4 mount positions that will keep the bikes from swaying (which is what my dad said were the major problems with racks he used in the past). It has built in lock to lock bikes and a second lock that goes over bolt that mounts to hitch to prevent rack itself from being stolen. It is major heavy duty (58 lbs).

Here is an idea, get a Toneu cover and add raks on top. That way you still have access to the bed and you can lock it.

Here is one that may work although I have never used it BikeRack (http://www.backrack.net/bicycle_hitch_rack.html#)

No need for a tonneau. Several threads discuss this on here, just use the search funciton for lots of ideas.

I have an F150 with a 2 inch trailer hitch mount. Here is what I bought, and it has been an excellent choice - most people that see it wish they had got it instead of whatever they bought. It was originally made by the company that makes the racks that go on the front of buses, but they sold their consumer division to Thule.

You can see it here:
http://www.bicycleracks.com/sttra.asp

or here:
http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=260120

It takes only about 5 seconds to load or unload the bike into the rack. I'm not sure how much they cost, I bought mine about 4 years ago.

The base unit fits 2 bikes, and you can add additional slide-on units for the 3rd and 4th bike.

I can email you some pictures.

No need for a tonneau. Several threads discuss this on here, just use the search funciton for lots of ideas.

I forgot about that rack. A few friends have it. I just prefer the tonneau because I like to be able to lock the bed.

:beer: