Latest project

[trailfiend]

I built my tire carrier with the intention of sticking with a hitch-based bike rack for convenience, yada yada... turns out there was too much leverage on the swingout with a bike on it. So I came up with another method. Less convenient, but more stable.

Built a crossbar.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2n6Nag0CTPw/UkO3blkfDnI/AAAAAAAAaME/xXuoCcO7GZs/s640/DSC_0013.jpg

Welded up some fork mounts.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3j1n6tZVSpw/UkO3bIO2aVI/AAAAAAAAaMI/m0th6xmvygk/s640/DSC_0009.jpg

Glued them together with lightning...
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qLZ5rMyzfUo/UkO3awwBGxI/AAAAAAAAaMA/RLGHsARcRvg/s640/DSC_0016.jpg

Picked up some hardware and 1 1/2" channel and finished up my gutter mounts.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kl34dQOls3A/UkO0_GhGhaI/AAAAAAAAaLY/xOfV2-1jMTo/s640/DSC_0027.jpg

Test fit some bikes...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jy78jsI3H-8/UkO0_JAL_AI/AAAAAAAAaLU/lNOrmhIf4l4/s640/DSC_0030.jpg

Primed an painted..
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ismaj7DQgo0/UkO07G7i8XI/AAAAAAAAaLA/GIudwD4YiUA/s640/DSC_0039.jpg

Bolted the wheel trays on and called it good.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YwOByZMcMn8/UkO0_YFaDSI/AAAAAAAAaLQ/GsbUgOIotFs/s640/DSC_0041.jpg

Only downside is that the bikes sit at an angle, I didn't take that into account when I set up my fork mounts... Otherwise this setup is really rigid, I'm happy. And I only sank $30 into it not counting consumables.
https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1377241_10152236660744689_117972180_n.jpg

[The StRanger]

Heck of an idea, I like it
If it helps I have 2 Thule bike racks Im getin rid of
If you need or want them let me know .

[AdventureReady]

Mad props! Looks good. I appreciate your innovation! I built my own bike rack too. :D

[trailfiend]

I have a Thule T2 that I was working with. I'll keep it in mind, but I think this platform will be the best option for me - I can't lift most of my bikes over my head too much after dislocating my shoulder a few times, so entirely roof-based bike carry doesn't make much sense for me...

[trailfiend]

Mad props! Looks good. I appreciate your innovation! I built my own bike rack too. :D

Got any pics of your setup? :2thumbup: all for the custom solutions to a problem.

[The StRanger]

Ya, these are old school rack's and there roof mounts
I pulled them caus I havent ridden in like 3 years

[AdventureReady]

Got any pics of your setup? :2thumbup: all for the custom solutions to a problem.

I'll take some tomorrow! It'll give me a chance to clean up the bed too, haha.

[The StRanger]

It'll give me a chance to clean up the bed too, haha.

Cant remember the last time my whole bed was clean !!

[Popsgarage]

Very good use of spaced either side of the spare. Looks good!:thumb:

[Funrover]

Pretty sweet, I like how you did that!

[AdventureReady]

Got any pics of your setup? :2thumbup: all for the custom solutions to a problem.

Basically a fancy bit of bedlined wood held on with turnbuckles, haha. The way it works is I drilled in two S-Track rails on both ends that have fork mounts on washers that you slide into place then wing-nut it down. It holds up to two bikes, maybe three, but the nice part is I can face my bikes opposite ways when I pack for school and it clears the camper.

[zukrider]

Sam, id be interested in the racks if no one bites.

[trailfiend]

Basically a fancy bit of bedlined wood held on with turnbuckles, haha. The way it works is I drilled in two S-Track rails on both ends that have fork mounts on washers that you slide into place then wing-nut it down. It holds up to two bikes, maybe three, but the nice part is I can face my bikes opposite ways when I pack for school and it clears the camper.

I like that! The turnbuckle idea is sweet! When I had my Ranger I never really considered doing anything more easily removable (which would have been wise, considering it spent a lot of time hauling materials...). I had 2 fork mounts that I bolted to the front of the bed behind the cab, and when I worked at one of the last bike shops I got one of the trays below for free, along with 3 fork mounts, so I ended up bolting that directly to the tailgate, so I could securely carry 5 bikes (in my tiny little ranger) at any given time. I also had one of those tailgate pads so I could hang the front end of about 7 bikes off the back, and mount 2 bikes to the front...

http://www.rackattack.com/dynamicimages/productimages/saris-trk14-traps-single-track-47-inch.jpg

The most bikes I had in that truck at one time were 12 bikes and 8 people shuttling trails in Idaho Springs... we had moving blankets on the sides of the bed and hung the front wheels out on the driver and passenger sides of the truck, had 5 people in the cab uncomfortably, and 3 in the front of the truck bed. It was rather unwise, but fun.

[The StRanger]

Sam, id be interested in the racks if no one bites.

not a problem
Just thinkin when and where ?

[AdventureReady]

I like that! The turnbuckle idea is sweet! When I had my Ranger I never really considered doing anything more easily removable (which would have been wise, considering it spent a lot of time hauling materials...). I had 2 fork mounts that I bolted to the front of the bed behind the cab, and when I worked at one of the last bike shops I got one of the trays below for free, along with 3 fork mounts, so I ended up bolting that directly to the tailgate, so I could securely carry 5 bikes (in my tiny little ranger) at any given time. I also had one of those tailgate pads so I could hang the front end of about 7 bikes off the back, and mount 2 bikes to the front...

The most bikes I had in that truck at one time were 12 bikes and 8 people shuttling trails in Idaho Springs... we had moving blankets on the sides of the bed and hung the front wheels out on the driver and passenger sides of the truck, had 5 people in the cab uncomfortably, and 3 in the front of the truck bed. It was rather unwise, but fun.

Thanks for the compliment! :D
Dang, that mount for free? Sweet Deal!

I've pretty much always had some kind of covering on the back of the truck. I used the Yakima BeddyJo (silly name) with the soft top. (First Picture)

The second picture is my humble first attempt at my current rack, haha. :lmao: Just found it on my computer

[trailfiend]

haha it was in the attic of a bike shop that was going of business, my manager told me to throw it in my truck....so I obliged :D

The Beddy Joe is kind of cool, but I like your solution in that it doesn't make about 3 square feet of your truck bed completely useless in addition to the space the bikes take up. I've gotten so used to having my tray hitch rack, I haven't had to remove a wheel to carry a bike in one of my vehicles for a few years... I'm spoiled in that sense, I'm not a fan of having to remove the front wheels - but it'll be nice to have the bikes not bouncing around!

[The StRanger]

Gawd I need to build somethin !!

[AdventureReady]

The SnugPro forced me to think of something space efficient. I'm really proud of my solution, it's one of a few things I can't help but brag about. Modest, I know. :lmao: Lots of my friends think having toolboxes on the inside is super counterintuitive and shake their heads when they see my crawl in to secure my bikes, haha.

I'd love to have a solution that allows me just to put my bikes in front wheels attached, but compromises. :rolleyes:

[trailfiend]

You could build a boat, Sam.

http://i.qkme.me/3sivno.jpg

[trailfiend]

The SnugPro forced me to think of something space efficient. I'm really proud of my solution, it's one of a few things I can't help but brag about. Modest, I know. :lmao: Lots of my friends think having toolboxes on the inside is super counterintuitive and shake their heads when they see my crawl in to secure my bikes, haha.

I'd love to have a solution that allows me just to put my bikes in front wheels attached, but compromises. :rolleyes:

Oh man, I can't even think about the toolbox I keep in the jeep, I got a set of deep and shallow 1/2" impact sockets today, as well as u-joints for 1/2" and 3/8", and an 18" breaker bar... Even though I cleaned 3 derailleurs, 2 shifters, a chainring, 2 pedal wrenches, 1 chainwhip (or 2, not sure), and about 12594342 zip ties... When I put my sockets, 10" breaker, 18" breaker, channel locks, vise grips, pedal wrench, chain whip, ratchets, grease tub, 3 bottles of various oils, 2 bottles of ferrules/cable tips, some spare parts - and my set (7-24mm) box wrenches, I can BARELY close the lid.

I need to figure out a better tool box that I can organize and keep in the jeep. :\

[AdventureReady]

Oh man, I can't even think about the toolbox I keep in the jeep, I got a set of deep and shallow 1/2" impact sockets today, as well as u-joints for 1/2" and 3/8", and an 18" breaker bar... Even though I cleaned 3 derailleurs, 2 shifters, a chainring, 2 pedal wrenches, 1 chainwhip (or 2, not sure), and about 12594342 zip ties... When I put my sockets, 10" breaker, 18" breaker, channel locks, vise grips, pedal wrench, chain whip, ratchets, grease tub, 3 bottles of various oils, 2 bottles of ferrules/cable tips, some spare parts - and my set (7-24mm) box wrenches, I can BARELY close the lid.

I need to figure out a better tool box that I can organize and keep in the jeep. :\
A drawer system would work, if you wouldn't mind giving up some volume in the back. You could have two drawers, one for spares and oils, the other for various tools which you would separate by use. Expedition Portal has some awesome home-made drawer builds.

[The StRanger]

A Trebuchet !!!

[trailfiend]

I'm thinking about a drawer setup, I use this tool box as my mobile bike-repair box when I don't want or need to have my big 5-drawer tool box which houses my full-array of pliers and my more bike-specific tools... so having something smaller and more mobile would be nice. I need to figure out what I'm doing with the back area first. At some point when I get some more dedicated time (winter) and materials stockpiled I'm going to be moving my gas tank up about 8" through the floor in the back and into the cargo area... When I do that I want to put a 6-quart oil case on one side and hopefully compartmentalize a bit more - I think I'll throw a series of quick tie-down points back there so I can strap whatever cases I have down back there.

[The StRanger]

I did a small one out of wood with the scout some time back
I could see welding one truck bed size !!!

[trailfiend]

I did a small one out of wood with the scout some time back
I could see welding one truck bed size !!!

heh... yay projects.

[The StRanger]

I'm thinking about a drawer setup, I use this tool box as my mobile bike-repair box when I don't want or need to have my big 5-drawer tool box which houses my full-array of pliers and my more bike-specific tools... so having something smaller and more mobile would be nice. I need to figure out what I'm doing with the back area first. At some point when I get some more dedicated time (winter) and materials stockpiled I'm going to be moving my gas tank up about 8" through the floor in the back and into the cargo area... When I do that I want to put a 6-quart oil case on one side and hopefully compartmentalize a bit more - I think I'll throw a series of quick tie-down points back there so I can strap whatever cases I have down back there.

I use canvas tool bags for assorted stuff
One bag for chains & straps. One for the oh shat bag. One for cooking. ETC
When Im not wheeling I take stuff out, Saves on weight...

[Popsgarage]

You're liking it better then the old setup, I take it??????????

[trailfiend]

So far so good. I'm going up to Wyoming on a shop bike trip this weekend and bringing 2 of my bikes with me - should be a good test! I'm confident that it'll be just fine.