Solved bike rack issue & saved $

[cyclepuck]

Been needing a bike rack since we got the new tt and obviously the rear bumper is not a good idea. Didn't want to spend big money so after some searching came up with this. Found blue prints online went to hd and for less than $40 & a couple hours I have a rack. Sits nicely in bed and will ratchet strap to tie down rings. Put bikes in place to which they will stand on own but a few simple bungee cords for insurance.

[FreedomTracker]

Cycle,

Looks like you did an awesome job with the racks... more peace of mind than either hitch or inside tt. I'm sure there are folks who would be interested in blueprints... although your pictures make it look "fairly" simple.

Just curious, if you have 5.5' truck bed -or- larger size? Mine is the short bed and it's a couple inches short; but when I turn bikes slightly to the side, they fit OK. As of now I just bungee them to the side. I'm thinking maybe your rack could work... do you think they would be stable if I cut them down to hold 2 bikes instead of 4?

[cyclepuck]

Yeah as long as it wasn't to narrow. I'll look up where I got them and post it up. They showed prints for 3 & 4 bike rack.

[cyclepuck]

Heres where I got the idea. http://themvmg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=302
And heres another site showing a 3 place. http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/go...edBikeRack.htm

[punkaccountant]

That's a great job. I actually bought one on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Heininger-Auto...7898390&sr=8-2but wish I could have made one like yours. It looks sturdier. The only recommendation is I would put the bicycles in backwards so the rear tire is in the rack. That way the front tire can't move them.

[cyclepuck]

And yes I got the short box. Like you said just angle bike a bit and it fits

[FreedomTracker]

The Heini racks also look good... just more expensive. I like that it was easy to assemble without tools...

[cyclepuck]

Originally Posted by punkaccountant

That's a great job. I actually bought one on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Heininger-Auto...7898390&sr=8-2but wish I could have made one like yours. It looks sturdier. The only recommendation is I would put the bicycles in backwards so the rear tire is in the rack. That way the front tire can't move them.

Yeah I looked at that one to but I like simple projects. Putting them in backwards is a hoops idea. I am going to bungee front wheel to rack so shouldn't move.

[itat]

I like the Heininger rack, too, but Amazon.com wants $90 to ship it up here to Canada! And then add duty fees on top of that.

I'll look at building the homemade Sch 40 PVC version.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Very nice DIY project!

[red dirt]

I built a similar one back in 2005 for my Chevy Colorado and expanded it when I got my Silverado. It works great, even with a short bed. I put the bikes in back wheels first. All you need to do is turn the wheels to fit.

[cyclepuck]

Yes it does work great. Used it for the first time memorial weekend with 4 bikes in rack and one little one stuck in the middle and they barely wiggled. I took pics of it all set up but my phone didn't save em. And another positive is at the cg we pulled it out and used it like a school bike rack. Didn't have to worry about kids leaving bikes everywhere and no kick stands sinking in ground tipping over.

[quackor]

I've got a suburban so don't have a truck bed to put it in, but I'm thinking this could just sit on top of the dinette folded down in the trailer. I'm really not excited about putting the bikes on top of the suburban. The idea of having this set up in camp is a nice added bonus.

[jsilvius]

Cyclepuck This is a great find! Thank you for sharing. I'm going by HD tonight on the way home to pick this stuff up for the weekend build.

[comish4lif]

Originally Posted by cyclepuck

Been needing a bike rack since we got the new tt and obviously the rear bumper is not a good idea. Didn't want to spend big money so after some searching came up with this. Found blue prints online went to hd and for less than $40 & a couple hours I have a rack. Sits nicely in bed and will ratchet strap to tie down rings. Put bikes in place to which they will stand on own but a few simple bungee cords for insurance.

Your bike rack is an inspiration. Quick question, why did you go with a "T" shaped strcuture - wouldn't a triangle structure have used less elbows and pieces?

[jar3316]

Made one painted it black, so the PVC wouldn't go bad and used it over the week of the 4th worked great 2 ratchet straps to hold it in and a bungee for each bike and they stayed put for the whole trip even when we got caught up in a rock slide and ran over a ton (i think literally) of rocks flattening 1 truck tire and 1 trailer tire.

The "T" shape keeps the bike tire up right. Giving it 3 points on each side of the tire otherwise it would just pivot and fall over with the vibrations from the road.

I have a mountain bike fits great, a beach cruiser a little snug but fine, a road tire bike (thin) a little loose but not enough to worry you if you use a bungee, and a 12" tire bike I use the forks and wedge it in to where the eye bolts are and that seems to work best. I also back the beach cruiser in to give the 21 speed bikes an easier time in and out.

[Herk7769]

Love to see some photos.
You should take them as soon as possible.

Originally Posted by jar3316

Made one painted it black, so the PVC wouldn't go bad and used it over the week of the 4th worked great 2 ratchet straps to hold it in and a bungee for each bike and they stayed put for the whole trip even when we got caught up in a rock slide and ran over a ton (i think literally) of rocks flattening 1 truck tire and 1 trailer tire.

The "T" shape keeps the bike tire up right. Giving it 3 points on each side of the tire otherwise it would just pivot and fall over with the vibrations from the road.

I have a mountain bike fits great, a beach cruiser a little snug but fine, a road tire bike (thin) a little loose but not enough to worry you if you use a bungee, and a 12" tire bike I use the forks and wedge it in to where the eye bolts are and that seems to work best. I also back the beach cruiser in to give the 21 speed bikes an easier time in and out.

[jar3316]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Love to see some photos.
You should take them as soon as possible.

will do I use it for at home also so I will take a couple pics to night.

Can't show it in the truck. The truck is in the body shop a couple rocks were still falling and took out the front and rear passenger doors. everyone was ok and doors still worked.

We live our life with the motto the only difference between and adventure and an ordeal is YOUR attitude. It's a hard motto to have at times but it keeps the family together and smiling.

[jar3316]

Credit where credit is do This is the same one as the OPs original I just painted it black. Fair warning the build is not hard but the glue sets up very quickly so build the "T"s first and then link them together but be quick.

Rear shifting bikes do not fit in backwards with out the rear derail-er hitting and risking the chain coming off or damaging the derail-er.

I use 2 ratchet straps on the outside rails to hold it in the truck then just a snug bungee round the neck or seat post to the eye bolts. Using the neighboring eye bolts seems to work better than using the ones right next to the wheel.

[jar3316]

12" Kids Bike

Road Bike Tire

Beach Cruiser