I always seemed to be stopping a 1/4 way up the mountain to tighten up straps or stand up bikes that had fallen over onto one another when I strapped to the handlebars or forks. So after a bit of experimenting
I found the most reliable way was to turn the bike backwards and use ratchet straps. Attach a strap to each seat rail, then to the loops in the corners of the bed. The bike can then stand straight up and you can turn the front tire to clear the tailgate if needed. An added bonus is that you dont scratch or dent your bike until you get on the trail.

 

what happens when the whole rack falls off the receiver

 

ooops double post

 

Put it in the bed? lol.

One time i saw a big Tundra "truck" with 4 huge doors and a tiny -looked like a 4 ft- bed. It had a cover on the bed and a bike rack sticking on the back. I thought it was weird

 

Then I hit up the warranty on the bike rack and get free repairs.

Never told you thanks, by the way. Your videos helped steer me to the bullets. Appreciate it!

 

glad i could help out

 

Yes, the bike tote is an expensive application of what Raoul has posted. You don't need to secure it down if you strap the bike down, but on the other hand you don't need to strap the bike if the rack is secure. That is why the 2x4 setup works so well, because it hold the wheels in place so that with a few straps nothing is moving.

Sure you can strap it down with the rear wheels up against the bed and that will work, but the problem is you better check it from time to time to see that nothing has shifted. For me, the objective is to secure them in a way I know the bikes are not going to move and I don't have to keep an eye on them all the time. My second objective is easy on, easy off.

That is why I like the bike rack best. I can put each bike on in about 30 seconds or less. I know they are secure. I know they wont fall off. Sure I can throw them in back of the bed, and I will do that with one bike, but not two because that is hard on both bikes as they bang up against each other.

I guess it depends on how frequently you transport your bikes to the trail. My wife rides her bike to work daily, so the bike rack is either on her vehicle or mine all summer long, and gets used weekly. I'll use the bike tote on my truck along with the bike rack when I need to carry more than four bikes. My truck can carry more bikes than people to ride them.

 

the wife and i just got back from camping near the delaware river and similar things happened to us. i have a nice carrier behind the rv but when putting them in the truck, well, thats when things always happen! i just replaced a ripped seat on my trek, and really didn't want to get it all ripped up again, so i did the laying the bikes against the side with wheels touching in the center, and guess what, the bikes moved and scratched the crap out of the side of the truck! i was not happy. so seeing this thread reappear was nice....thanks.

jim

 

I use a Thule 422-Xsporter

It is a set of towers and cross bars that mounts to the bed rails. It has key slots in the cross bars for attaching bike racks or any other accesory. I have a bike rack on each side and put my kayak in the middle. It raises up to just over the height of the cab for long item transport and lowers to just above the bed rails which is perfect for bike transport and keeps your bed open for gear. I use 2 stank up bike racks and they can hold any size bike securly and everything locks. Wont work with a bed cover. Great though if you want to haul bikes and long gear but keep the bed open for the dog kennel and coolers.

 

I was loading up today and I remembered this thread.
Pics are pretty self explanatory, 6.5' bed. One to six bikes configured however you need.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...4-100-5353.jpg

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...5-100-5354.jpg

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...9-100-5348.jpg

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...0-100-5349.jpg

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...2-100-5351.jpg

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...3-100-5352.jpg

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...1-100-5350.jpg

 

I did what Raoul did except I got the Yakima version. Just needed to put some shims on the sides because the piece of lumber I used was a little too narrow and it ended up rotating toward the tailgate.

Basadochi04 - What kind of bike you riding? I've got a Trek 4300. Love it.

 

I'm using an xport rack. Only need to carry my wife's and my bike.




Will be getting a Yakima holdup when I can pony up that much money.

 

This is the best way to go. It worked pretty well for me. Your local bike shop should have a similar solution that actually clamps into the bed where you would lay the lumber. Its held in place by tension on the walls of the pick up bed. Works awesome and is relatively inexpensive.

 

straps are 12.00 or less (4 pack). cheap, easy, and you will have straps for hauling things other than bikes.

 

I have the Yakima holdup and it's really nice. Keeps my Gary Fisher hybrid secured.
Will be adding the Thule tower carriers for when I'm towing though (and a step ladder since it's on my Leer canopy!)