So i spent the last 2 days going to the hardware store, sawing, drilling, hammering, screwing, etc building a bike rack for the back of my truck. For a while i was considering buying one of the Sierra Coast bed racks (www.scbikeracks.com), but $346? Plus you have to drill into the bed unless you buy some clamps or something. So i got out the pencil and a sheet of paper and drew up my own rack, then built it. Holds 3 bikes, can probably fit 5 in the bed if 2 more are flipped over inbetween the upright 3.
The rack, used long bolts with wing-nuts to clamp the 2x4's around the tire. One 2x4 is somewhat strongly attached to the base, the other is on a hinge.
Better shot of the hinge and clamping system. The rack is held in place with another 2x4 that rests in one of the grooves in the bed liner. It is just sandwiched between the stacks on either side so they slide right in or out, which makes installing rather easy. (Sorry for the quality on some of the pictures, my camera was acting funny)
It clears the rotors and derailleur/cogs without a problem.
Rack with 2 bikes. I'm not sure whether to put the front or rear wheel in the clamp. Also for longer trips i'll probably put a ratchet strap or 2 over each wheel or through the frames for safety reasons.
Total cost: ~$75 and took probably 3 hours to make.
The rack, used long bolts with wing-nuts to clamp the 2x4's around the tire. One 2x4 is somewhat strongly attached to the base, the other is on a hinge.
Better shot of the hinge and clamping system. The rack is held in place with another 2x4 that rests in one of the grooves in the bed liner. It is just sandwiched between the stacks on either side so they slide right in or out, which makes installing rather easy. (Sorry for the quality on some of the pictures, my camera was acting funny)
It clears the rotors and derailleur/cogs without a problem.
Rack with 2 bikes. I'm not sure whether to put the front or rear wheel in the clamp. Also for longer trips i'll probably put a ratchet strap or 2 over each wheel or through the frames for safety reasons.
Total cost: ~$75 and took probably 3 hours to make.
