Bulletproof Bike Rack How-To

[FFeVe91]

So I have bike rails for my roof rack, but I wanted to be able to carry bikes in the bed. This would allow me to have 4 people and 4 bikes, or better mpg's with 2 bikes.

I had seen the 2x4 method, but did not like the security of it so I decided to modify it a bit.

Supplies:
45.25" Square tube steel (2x4x1/8)
2 - 10" Turnbuckles
4 - 1/4x1" camber bolts
8 - 1/4" nuts
2 - Bike fork mounts (I used Rocky Mounts Clutch's)
~12" of wench line with loop
Paint and Primer

Started with about 6' of steel, so had to cut some off.


Measured and marked the location for the forkmounts. Then drilled 1/4" holes all the way through.


The bottom holes were then drilled out larger to allow for a socket to tighten the bolts and keep them out of sight.


The turnbuckles were attached to the bar by cutting out 1/8" steel loops and welding them to the bar.




A hole was drilled and the wench line was run out to serve as a locking point.


Finally the whole structure was primed and painted, and the fork mounts installed.

Installed pic's:




Will post pic's with bikes soon.

[FFeVe91]

Left plenty of room between the bikes to fit a storage container for trips.







Unfortunately the full suspension bikes are too long to fit inside the bed extender (for now). I may make the extender longer to fit them or just make a bracket for the rear tires to attach the the top of the bed extender.

[Rizzo]

That's pretty frickin sweet!