My Custom Truck Bike Rack
 

Never been a fan of the hitch style bike rack and wheel removals were just a hassle. So, I decided to make this rack to meet my needs. The rails are Thule rubberized bars, and the brackets and other hardware I made to fit my requirements. Its a no tools needed for inst/rem and adjustments. The rack is removed and placed in the cab during our ride. All parts are metal for durability. A safety strap through the front wheels and we are off.
Just thought I would share...
R,
HAP7.7
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That's a very innovative solution. What was your reservation with a fork mount setup?

Cool idea ... but I cannot afford a custom truck.

I just hate removing the wheel and having to stow it somewhere. Just me...

Funny. I guess I could have reworded it...

Cool idea, but for a truck the easiest way to haul multiple bikes is just to hang the front wheel over the tailgate. Tailgate pads are ~$100 IIRC. Or you can make your own. Or you can use a blanket. Etc.

Many ways indeed... would not have my bikes just hanging like that, and I would not risk damage to the truck or bikes if anything shifted. Just me.

Nice innovative idea but I have two questions: 1) when driving down the road, how do you keep the wheels from spinning from the wind passing by them and 2) what do you do to keep the rain water from filling up the underside of the saddles so you don't have standing water in them on long hauls?

I try to avoid rain days. I don't even like to drive my truck in the rain... I'm sure an occasional wetting of the saddle could be tolerated. As for the wheels spinning, easy to put a rubber band or zip tie around the brake levers.

That's unique, for sure. What part of the bike is being clamped?

Very cool. Id consider using something like that over the offered ones, though id prefer to be able to close my tail gate. I have a tool box on the back of mine also though and space is limited. I bought a spare tire rack for the SUV instead though.

The clamps have lots of adjustment positions and you can position to clamp the frame, down tube, seat post, etc.
They really only steady the bike, or you can have it support the bike off the bed if you like, but it will have some degree of wobble like most other racks unless you use additional straps.

Where did you get the clamps? I can visualize a removable workstand mounted on the tailgate.

Ordered on-line. The Venzo's are the only all metal ones for under $45.00. Lots of other cheaper versions out there. I did not want anything plastic...

Many many people have transported many many bikes along many bumpy dirt roads and no one has ever lost a bike like that that I know of. The people I know who own $10,000 bikes transport them with a tailgate pad when they go out riding. It is perfectly safe.

You reinvented the wheel. Sure, it's nice and well done, but it's overkill and unnecessary. It's like using 38 straps to hold a dirt bike to a trailer when all you really need is 3.

Besides, your tailgate is open, it'll be bouncing around like crazy on anything other than smooth asphalt. Not only is that annoying, but it'll wear on the truck more than a tailgate pad would any day.

You reinvented the wheel. Sure, it's nice and well done, but it's overkill and unnecessary.



Then I will say my job is done. Overkill it is. Not trying to change what others do, just sharing what I did.
Just ride...

Great design. It of course proves that if you can only have one vehicle, a pickup is the way to go. Especially a crew cab pickup.