Bike Rack/Holder on Tailgate?
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 1
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Bike Rack/Holder on Tailgate?
Has anyone ever tried to mount a bike rack/holder to their tailgate? I've seen one called the Tail-Gator which I couldn't use with my Extang Solid Fold. I'm looking for a way to carry 3 bikes on the tailgate because when I haul my RV, I'm not going to mount them to the RV bumper (heard to many horror stories). Also, I keep a generator and large Pelican Case with towing equipment and tools. Plus my Extang is the toolbox edition that sits behind the toolbox and prevents me from fitting bikes in the bed.
I've see a bunch of bike racks from Allen Sport, Hollywood, Yakima, and Thule that attach to the trunk of cars and back hatch of SUVs. I'm wondering if there is a way I could attach one of those to my tailgate.
Does anyone think the moving leverage of 2 or 3 bikes that weight about 20-30lbs each could potentially cause damage to the tailgain? I wouldn't think so because Ive used these types of holder on car trunks and can imagine they are held on better than our tailgates are.
I've see a bunch of bike racks from Allen Sport, Hollywood, Yakima, and Thule that attach to the trunk of cars and back hatch of SUVs. I'm wondering if there is a way I could attach one of those to my tailgate.
Does anyone think the moving leverage of 2 or 3 bikes that weight about 20-30lbs each could potentially cause damage to the tailgain? I wouldn't think so because Ive used these types of holder on car trunks and can imagine they are held on better than our tailgates are.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I built my own rack that is attached to the rear bumper of my camper, holds generator, bikes, grill, cinder blocks, ez up, etc...
But, I'm very tempted to order a roof rack system. They make no drill roof rails that accept bike mounts or cargo tray and they're nice. So,,that's the direction I may go for bikes. My kids are entering the teen years so their bikes are getting bigger....
There may be a way to use the Thule/Yakima bike rails across the top of your bed cover, using the truck sides/bed top as a mounting surface for the universal rail mounts.
If there's no product out there, you may be able to make something that uses those stake holes in the bed rails.
Some folks use a front bumper bike rack.
Good luck
But, I'm very tempted to order a roof rack system. They make no drill roof rails that accept bike mounts or cargo tray and they're nice. So,,that's the direction I may go for bikes. My kids are entering the teen years so their bikes are getting bigger....
There may be a way to use the Thule/Yakima bike rails across the top of your bed cover, using the truck sides/bed top as a mounting surface for the universal rail mounts.
If there's no product out there, you may be able to make something that uses those stake holes in the bed rails.
Some folks use a front bumper bike rack.
Good luck
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 1
From: Corpus Christi, TX
I built my own rack that is attached to the rear bumper of my camper, holds generator, bikes, grill, cinder blocks, ez up, etc...
But, I'm very tempted to order a roof rack system. They make no drill roof rails that accept bike mounts or cargo tray and they're nice. So,,that's the direction I may go for bikes. My kids are entering the teen years so their bikes are getting bigger....
There may be a way to use the Thule/Yakima bike rails across the top of your bed cover, using the truck sides/bed top as a mounting surface for the universal rail mounts.
If there's no product out there, you may be able to make something that uses those stake holes in the bed rails.
Some folks use a front bumper bike rack.
Good luck
But, I'm very tempted to order a roof rack system. They make no drill roof rails that accept bike mounts or cargo tray and they're nice. So,,that's the direction I may go for bikes. My kids are entering the teen years so their bikes are getting bigger....
There may be a way to use the Thule/Yakima bike rails across the top of your bed cover, using the truck sides/bed top as a mounting surface for the universal rail mounts.
If there's no product out there, you may be able to make something that uses those stake holes in the bed rails.
Some folks use a front bumper bike rack.
Good luck
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 792
Likes: 254
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Never heard of one on a tailgate. They do make racks that would go on the trailer tongue and hold the bikes over the propane tanks if that would work for you. Other wise a roof rack or custom mounts over the truck bed.
I carry bikes on a Thule hitch mounted rack on the pinbox of the 5ver and then a canoe on a Yakima roof bar and a T in front hitch. It is quite the sight.
I'm not a fan of bikes on the rear of a RV either for a few reasons.
I carry bikes on a Thule hitch mounted rack on the pinbox of the 5ver and then a canoe on a Yakima roof bar and a T in front hitch. It is quite the sight.
I'm not a fan of bikes on the rear of a RV either for a few reasons.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 613
Likes: 1
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 24
From: Houston
That is what we do. I bought some cheap bike fork mounts on Amazon. I plan to install them on the bottom of the kitchen table seat bottom plywood. I have seen someone else mount three bikes over the kitchen table like this.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 1
From: Corpus Christi, TX
I'm an engineer....so therefore, everything I do needs to be overly complicated in it's design, lacking common sense, and barely functional (for the first 3 prototypes). Then, after spending far more than I planned and completely redesigning it 12 times, I'll end up scrapping the project..labeling it "cost prohibitive" and just putting the bikes in the RV as mentioned.... Damnit man, let me go through my process!!!!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 871
Likes: 74
From: Houston TEXAS
Seriously? You're asking ME that question???
I'm an engineer....so therefore, everything I do needs to be overly complicated in it's design, lacking common sense, and barely functional (for the first 3 prototypes). Then, after spending far more than I planned and completely redesigning it 12 times, I'll end up scrapping the project..labeling it "cost prohibitive" and just putting the bikes in the RV as mentioned.... Damnit man, let me go through my process!!!!
I'm an engineer....so therefore, everything I do needs to be overly complicated in it's design, lacking common sense, and barely functional (for the first 3 prototypes). Then, after spending far more than I planned and completely redesigning it 12 times, I'll end up scrapping the project..labeling it "cost prohibitive" and just putting the bikes in the RV as mentioned.... Damnit man, let me go through my process!!!!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 613
Likes: 1
Seriously? You're asking ME that question???
I'm an engineer....so therefore, everything I do needs to be overly complicated in it's design, lacking common sense, and barely functional (for the first 3 prototypes). Then, after spending far more than I planned and completely redesigning it 12 times, I'll end up scrapping the project..labeling it "cost prohibitive" and just putting the bikes in the RV as mentioned.... Damnit man, let me go through my process!!!!
I'm an engineer....so therefore, everything I do needs to be overly complicated in it's design, lacking common sense, and barely functional (for the first 3 prototypes). Then, after spending far more than I planned and completely redesigning it 12 times, I'll end up scrapping the project..labeling it "cost prohibitive" and just putting the bikes in the RV as mentioned.... Damnit man, let me go through my process!!!!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
I've been thinking on this since you posted it. I think something on the tailgate even if available, would limit turning to some extent. Bedrail or stake pocket mounted would be great,..................but it appears that the Extang cover covers the stake pocket holes, making that more difficult, at least if trying to go the no drill route. If you don't have a super expensive toolbox you could drill holes in it and bolt fork mounts to the top, then stash the wheels under the cover. Or put the bikes in the trailer. Mine ride in the trailer.................................but my buddies and I may have a problem.
There's 4 more in there facing rearward too.
There's 4 more in there facing rearward too.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
I would also like to see a solution for this. We take six bikes with us everywhere we go even though he have room in the bed of the truck I would like to put some of them somewhere else. Putting them on the bumper of the camper puts too much stress and will wreck that bumper. There isn't a lot of room by the propane tanks. You can't put them on top of your camper either. Only other options I see are something across the bed rails or put them on the front of the truck like city buses do?
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 1
From: Corpus Christi, TX
I've been thinking on this since you posted it. I think something on the tailgate even if available, would limit turning to some extent. Bedrail or stake pocket mounted would be great,..................but it appears that the Extang cover covers the stake pocket holes, making that more difficult, at least if trying to go the no drill route. If you don't have a super expensive toolbox you could drill holes in it and bolt fork mounts to the top, then stash the wheels under the cover. Or put the bikes in the trailer. Mine ride in the trailer.................................but my buddies and I may have a problem.
There's 4 more in there facing rearward too.
There's 4 more in there facing rearward too.
