2024 5.5 bed bike options

We just bought 3 mountain bikes and we’re trying to figure out how to transport them. We have the Bak MX4 installed so it would have to be some solution with that up against the cab. I’ve thought about getting a bed extender and using the rails on the side somehow? Any idea or photos?

 

I’d rather use the bed somehow. And I don’t want cross bars because then we can’t open the cover.

 

Get one of those tailgate protector flap thingys and hang the front tires over the gate.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tailgate-bike-pad.109506/

 

Have a look at some fork mount rail attachments. Swagman has one, The Claw. You can purchase high end attachments or budget ones, depends on how much you wanna spend. You can easily remove them during the off season. Tailgate pad is super easy.

 

I've been using an original Bike Tight system for years, but they went out of business long ago. Saris makes the same thing - heavy extruded aluminum boards with t-slots. You can put dropout mounts in them, I like the RockyMounts option. Nothing is hard mounted so easy to pull in and out when you don't need them.

$160 Saris Traps Triple Track Bike Rack for Trucks or Vans, 47", Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BTA6NG?ie=UTF8&th=1

$50 RockyMounts HotRod thru-axle bike rack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019709MXO?ie=UTF8

I carried 3 bikes in a 5' bed Tacoma and have carried 6 in my 6.5' Tundra with room for a cooler and gear. The rubber bed mat was mandatory in the composite Tacoma bed to keep it from sliding around. You just have to find a way to manage the front wheel storage.

 

I've read those can scratch up your paint over time. I'm really looking for something in the bed where the mount attaches to the factory rails and the rear tire can just sit on the tailgate. But I haven't found anything like that yet.

I don't know if that will work because of the Bakflip MX4 we have installed? The front of the bed is taken up about 8" with the folding cover, so I don't think a bike could reach that front rail?

 

I use three of these when we go on vacation. Remove front wheel on each bike and attach front forks. They're held into the utilitrack with t-nuts. Works great and very secure.

$25 MUQZI Quick Release Fork Mount, Bike Car Roof Mount Rack Road Bicycle Fork Block Thru Axle Wheel Holder, Truck Bed Fork Mount with Installation Adapters MTB Tire Holder Rack Mount, Red

https://www.amazon.com/MUQZI-Release-Bicycle-Installation-Adapters/dp/B0BY1H2PMS?crid=3HJQF78PCU06G&keywords=fork+mount+bike&qid=1702657233&sprefix=fork+mount+bike+%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-3&th=1

They can fit sideways in the bed except at the wheel wells. Not sure you can fit three in the bed regardless if you are intent on keeping the cover on. If you want to have the best of both worlds I would suggest the diamondback cover and install the bike mounts on top of the cover. Or get one of the covers that can be folded up against the cab of the truck - I had one and the front rails were accessible that way.

 

You think 3 bikes with the front wheels taken off would fit sideways to attach to the side rails? We don't have the bikes yet, should be arriving next week so I can't verify yet. We just spent $1000 and love the MX4, so getting rid of it is not an option. If they would all fit sideways using the side rails, that would be ideal, just not too confident (2 of the bikes are 24" and 1 is 27.5%).

I like this idea but is the track just laid on the bed of the truck? Is there nothing securing the bikes in the bed then?

 

I took a 2x8 and attached several of the mounts like the above and mounted them on the board. Remove the front wheels, attach to the mounts and use a couple of ratchet straps across the top to secure the bikes/board to the bed. All told, it was ~$55 for 4 mounts and I think I had the 2x8 laying around. And it's easily removable, since it doesn't attach to the bed.

 

Ooh I like this idea! Does the tailgate close with the cover flipped up or would I need to keep the tailgate down you think?

 

Yes, it's just laying in the bed. It has rubber feet, but can slide around if you're driving on rough roads.

 

Not likely to fit three sideways with the wheel wells and the bakflip intrusion. Are you 5.5' or 6.5' bed? But you could try. I would swap sides of the rails - meaning use the driver side of the bed for the first bike, use the passenger side for the second bike and the driver for the third.....that way you can overlap the handlebars and save space. Thats what I do and it works very well.

 

We have a 5.5 bed. So if you have a 6.5 and it's tight with three, we might not be able to do that.

 

Though I know its not what you want, honestly a hitch rack is your best bet. If that is not an option then the tailgate pad is probably next. I got to see one up close recently....

 

1UP with a RakAttach is my go to for bike hauling when I need to access the bed. There are cheaper options but I got rear ended in the wreck above with my 1Up and 4 bikes on the back and the 1up saved my truck. The rack was bent and 3 bikes had cracked frames but the truck only had a small dent in the tailgate from a bike pedal.

 

I have a 5.5 foot bed but have full access to the bed when transporting the bikes

 

I have a DC, so a 6.5' bed, but with the front wheels off, I doubt there'd be any issue with being too long to fit in your bed.

 

I use a THULE gate matt. I had 3/m put on my tailgate so the cover doesnt touch the physical paint. I have The OEM Toyota tonneau and my XL Rocky Mountain Instinct with 29's fit fine. I have had 5 bikes ( all adults) back there

 

Yea, don't want to do paint protection in order to put a cover on the tailgate. That's why im looking for solutions for them in the bed with the cover up.

 

I’ve got a set of fork mounts.

 

Those won’t work with a cover though, right?

 

no, but just wanted to share if others are looking.

 

We bolted some upright bike carriers to our DB cover on our Ridgeline. Worked great! Our focus was to keep the front wheels on due to the disc brakes. We also wanted some protection from bug splatter. Our bikes are generally pretty expensive so using a hitch mount wasn't ideal to make the bikes the new rear bumper. Also, lots of road muck comes up from the back with our wet weather.

I am doing the same thing with with the Tundra and want to carry 2 kayaks and 2 bikes on the cover.

 

Pictures?

 

@dano9258 here are a few shots.

Just incase you couldn't tell the difference

The Tundra is my current setup and when things slow down, I will get the bike carriers on there as well. The kayaks are 12' long and about 50 lbs each.

The Ridgeline has a much smaller bed area at 5'. I added aluminum blocks to raise up the standard Thule crossbars and put the upright bike holders on.

With the Tundra, I intend on carrying the kayaks and bikes at the same time. Just working on what that looks like for space on the cover.

 

Thanks. On a side note, how do you like the Marin bike?

 

It’s my wife’s, I built it up from parts and have some nice parts on it now. Sram ASX 1x12 mullet. Roval carbon wheels, enve stuff and red shift. It is a Cortina CX Pro.

Super light and fast bike.

My gravel ride is a Scott Addict Gravel 10. It is nice and light as well. With Campy WTO 45 wheels and Kogel parts.

I won’t even talk about my road bike!