Pickup trucks can be an excellent way of transporting your Bike or bikes with you. They are spacious and their off-road capabilities mean that you can drive up to various trails to explore with your mountain bike. However, there is the matter of carrying the bike without damaging it. In this article, we will present to you all the different ways in which you can transport a bike in a pickup truck.

The simplest way is to use bungee cords or nylon straps to fasten the bike. You can use the different kinds of truck bike racks available to securely carry bikes on your pickup. A tailgate pad is also a popular and easy to use option which allows you to carry 4, 5, or even 6 bikes at a time. Another way is to build your own rack. This will require some effort but cost you the least. But whatever you do, never lay the bike on its side as that may damage it.

How NOT to carry a bike in a pickup truck

The first thing to come to most people’s minds would be to simply lay the bike on its side on the truck bed. It’s very easy, but also very bad for your bike. When you start driving, the bike will move around in the bed as you turn and brake. This can easily scratch the paint and put dents on the frame. Even if you use cords or straps, it’s still not a great idea to have the bike on it’s frame. Hence, if you care about your bike, do not just lay it down on the bed.

Using Truck Bed Bike Racks

Just as there are bike racks for cars, there are bike racks for pickup trucks as well. These racks can keep bikes very securely attached to the truck bed. There are 4 main types of truck racks which are described below. Each comes with its set of pros and cons.

Fork Mounted Rack

These work just like fork mounted roof racks. You have to remove the front wheel and attach the bike to the rack using the fork and thru axle. The rack itself is installed on a rod which in turn is attached at the bed holes or the utility track. Fork mounted racks are very stable and secure. Keep in mind that you’ll have to secure the front wheel too, perhaps using a strap or bungee cord. Also, be sure to check the compatible axle size before buying.

Wheel Mount Rack

Wheel mount racks, also known as roll-on racks are easier to use. Here, you simply roll the front wheel into the rack and tighten a large clamp to keep the bike in place. The rack is attached to the truck in the same ways as with a fork mounted rack. You’ll have to consider that a wheel mount rack does take up more space. The advantage is that you don’t have to detach and reattach the wheel every time.

Side Clamp Rack

As the name suggests, side clamp racks are installed at the side rails of the truck bed. The rack will have ratchet straps or something similar to hold onto a bike. Many models will feature a D-ring where you can attach a bike lock. Side clamp racks are compact, portable, and easy to install. However, due to the design, only one rack can be installed on each side of the truck. Thus, your capacity is limited to two bikes. On the other hand, this does leave space free in the middle for other equipment.

Rail Mount Rack

This type of rack utilizes a rail mount that runs along the entire length of the truck bed. On top of the rail could either be a wheel mount or a fork mount for the bike. The design makes these racks versatile as they can be used on trucks of any length. The installation is relatively simple and no drilling is needed. If the rail mount rack has a fork mount, then you will need to safely store the front wheel in your truck.

Using a Tailgate Pad

A tailgate pad offers a very easy way of carrying multiple bikes on a pickup truck. You simply “throw” the bikes over the tailgate with the fork and front wheel hanging out. The padding is thick enough to safeguard both the truck and the bikes. Most tailgate pads will have straps that go around the downtube to keep the bike in place. In case there are no straps, you can use your own straps or bungee cords to tie down the bikes. You may also add bumpers to prevent the bikes from scratching each other.

The simplicity and ease of use of tailgate pads have made them very popular among truck owners, especially those with mountain bikes. This is because mountain bikes usually face problems due to their longer frames, larger tires, and suspension features when loading onto a hitch rack or roof rack. These problems are overcome with a tailgate pad. There’s also the fact that you can fit up to 5 or even 6 bikes side by side. Moreover, tailgate pads are comparatively inexpensive.

Using DIY Methods

Often you will come across those who have created their own way of transporting a bike on their pickup truck. These DIY methods require some creativity, clever use of items, and sometimes, a bit of craftsmanship. If you choose to go with one of these routes, you will have to put forth some effort but it will save you a lot of money.

Bungee Cords & Nylon Straps

Bungee cords/nylon straps are the simplest and one of the most effective tools when it comes to securing anything. They are strong and do not damage the object. There are actually a bunch of different ways in which you can use these flexible items. One way is to simply place your bike upright in the center and attach the straps or cords from both sides on the front wheel. Then you could use an extra strap at the rear.

Another way is to have the bike up against the side of the bed. The cords/straps then need to go around the axles or rims and hooked to the side of the bed. This way you can fit two bikes, one on either side. You can come up with other ways to use cords as well. Just make sure that it is stable and does not allow the bike(s) to move. The downside is that thieves might find it easier to remove the straps or cords.

Homemade Fork Mounted Rack

You can build your own fork mounted bike rack using a scrap piece of wood such a 2×6 or a 2×8. This way you do not have to buy a rack rod. You only need the fork mount. Drill holes into the wood and screw in the fork mount. You can use multiple mounts and you could try fitting some of them sideways to accommodate more bikes. Finally, you need to drill eye screws on the sides of the wood and hook them to the truck bed using carabiners. You can follow the instructions in the video below to save even more money by building DIY fork mounts.

Homemade Wheel Mount Rack

You can use the same piece of wood to instead build a wheel mount rack. Here, you would use PVC pipes and small brackets to create the structure where your front wheel would go. Use a short bungee cord to tie the bike to the pipes. They might not look great, but they are far cheaper and are decently long lasting. You could always spray paint your creation to make it look good.

F. A. Q.s

Q1. Which method for carrying bikes on a pickup truck is best?

Ans.: No method can really be called the best. If we had to summarize, racks are the most stable and secure, tailgate pads are the easiest to use, and DIY racks are the cheapest. However, there are plenty of other factors to consider as well. These include your budget, aesthetics, make and model of the truck, size of the bike, how much security you need, etc. What really matters is which aspects you value more highly.

Q2. How do I prevent my bike from getting stolen?

Ans.: Having your expensive bike or bikes on the back of a pickup means that it is on display for potential thieves. If you are making a stop at a gas station or a cafe, you’ll have to ensure that your bike is protected. For this, you will need a lock. There are numerous types of bike locks out there including cable locks, U-locks, chain locks, etc. Keep in mind that cable locks can be cut with bolt cutters. Hence, we recommend a U-lock or a chain lock.

Conclusion

As we have seen, you have multiple options when it comes to loading a bike onto a pickup truck. It can get slightly confusing, but all the information we have provided will hopefully help you out in making a decision. Now there’s nothing stopping you from driving down to a trail with your bike and having a great time.

Useful Resources:

• velosurance.com
• bikeradar.com
• roadbikereview.com

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