Rack that will allow RTT and carry motorcycle in the bed

[deeve]

Has anyone done, or seen, a good roof rack that will allow a roof top tent and carry it high enough to be able to put a motorcycle in the bed? I am looking at getting a KTM 500EXC or 790 Adventure R (big weight difference I know) and did not want to pull a trailer. It would be cool if the rack had an adjustable height so I could drop it down when I did need the extra height. I do not have any motorcycle yet so I don't know how high the top of the motorcycle would be.

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[Pinepig]

I've spent some time trying to figure out how to do the same thing, I have a WR450f and a KTM 1190r ADV, both of them are about 53" tall at the highest point ( hanguards, your 500exc or 790 adv will be about the same ). From the bottom of the bed to the top of the cab is 40" so your going to need your rack bottom at least 13" above the cab. Remember that gives you NO room to maneuver the bike in there when loading/unloading. The Yakima won't get that tall so it's out, haven't seen anything that goes higher yet after doing quite a bit of searching.

We're going to get rid of the wifes CB500x and pick up a XT225 instead for using while camping. Probably going to pick up a Baby toyhauler/camper here to serve both purposes. On the plus side loading the bikes will be a shitload easier and having a small camper will be a lot nicer comfort wise.


Added a pic 'cause everybody loves pics.

 

[Zaph]

I don't think you're ever going to find one with enough height. You might want to consider a hitch carrier for the 500EXC ... but not the 790. That bike is IMHO a bit to heavy for a hitch carrier. You might just consider a small pull behind trailer then.

A small pull behind trailer can be built for cheap with a 40x48 trailer kit and board extensions. This example (underside view to show the frame) I built is strong enough to fit a full size bike, yet it's small and light enough that I can lean it up against the back of my garage when not using it. It's got a wheel chock bolted to the top, along with some steel eye hooks for loading the bike.

@Pinepig you get a like for having a pic of a supermoto.

 

[Zaph]

So... another idea. What if you set a wheel chock in your truck bed and back the bike into it so the rear wheel sits in it and the front wheel and bars are hanging out past the end on a gate that's folded down? If it's out far enough the bars would clear a top rack tent.

 

[Pinepig]

So... another idea. What if you set a wheel chock in your truck bed and back the bike into it so the rear wheel sits in it and the front wheel and bars are hanging out past the end on a gate that's folded down? If it's out far enough the bars would clear a top rack tent.

Just to be clear, you have it ass end in and the bike resting on the skid plate at the end of the tailgate. Interesting, went out and measured and the very tip of the rear fender on the sumo is right at 40". The Yakima would work with that. The only thing that would worry me then would be a good chunk of weight( 250ish or better for the 450/500 ) right at the end ( and middle ) of a lightweight aluminum tailgate.

 

[deeve]

Thanks for the reality check on that one. I hadn’t thought how high it would have to be to clear the motorcycle.
I did find some hitch carriers that will carry the 790’s weight. Wear and tear on the hitch is another story though like you eluded to.

I had not thought about putting it in backwards. That might be an option. Hmmm.

 

[deeve]

Just to be clear, you have it ass end in and the bike resting on the skid plate at the end of the tailgate. Interesting, went out and measured and the very tip of the rear fender on the sumo is right at 40". The Yakima would work with that. The only thing that would worry me then would be a good chunk of weight( 250ish or better for the 450/500 ) right at the end ( and middle ) of a lightweight aluminum tailgate.

I wasn’t thinking about it hanging down on the tailgate. I was more thinking the wheel was on the tailgate. That might not be good for the tailgate sitting like that. ?

 

[Zaph]

I wasn’t thinking about it hanging down on the tailgate. I was more thinking the wheel was on the tailgate. That might not be good for the tailgate sitting like that. ?

Actually I was thinking front wheel on the tailgate, just enough so that the bars are past the overhead camper. But the skidplate could work too - I would put a sheet of plywood down to protect the tailgate in that case.

 

[Pinepig]

Actually I was thinking front wheel on the tailgate, just enough so that the bars are past the overhead camper. But the skidplate could work too - I would put a sheet of plywood down to protect the tailgate in that case.

I'd do a nice solid piece of angle iron ( or better yet aluminum ) all the way across and set the bike on it.

 

[Zaph]

Put one of these Harbor Freight wheel chocks in the bed:

Back the bike into it and strap it down into the eye hooks, fasten the front wheel to the truck bed sides so it doesn't flop around and it should be good.

My quick photoshop hack may not be to scale but you get the idea. Better take some real dimensions to see if this idea works.

 

[ldr01rl]

I think my rack might handle the tent over the cab and my KLR on the Decked with the Softtopper folded

 

[ldr01rl]

Here's additional photos, after a modification done this week.

#1 Softtopper down
#2 Softtopper up and a load on the forward section
#3 Softtopper down and the center rear bar removed for tall loads on the Decked
#4 general side view of #3

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