Mountain Bike in Bed with Shell

[Wesmertz]

Hey all! I’ve got a mountain bike I’ll be picking up hopefully tomorrow from my LBS! I have a camper shell, and I’m just realizing I have no clue if it will fit! Who has some pics of their bike safely inside with the doors shut? I’m curious how you do it! My bike is a Transition Sentinel (XL frame) 29” wheels. She gonna be big.

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[ControlNode]

Maybe would fit if there is a dropper on the seat, and you have the tailgate pad to hang the front out the back of the bed. May need to remove the topper glass though. If it does fit it would likely be awkward loading as you would have to start with the tail gate open and as you roll the back of the bike into the bed close the tailgate as the crank is over the tailgate while leaving the forks and front wheel out the back.

Or just remove the front and maybe rear wheels and lay it all in the bed, then you can close up the back all the way.

 

[cmhmh]

I have a 5' bed with a midrise ARE topper. I can fit two Medium 29ers in the bed (no pics I can find right now) with the front wheels off and bikes laying on their sides (also possible near vertically) with a blanket in between them to prevent rubbing.

I also have an ~9" tall platform I occasionally use. This makes it a complete pain in the *** to fit them in, but it is possible -- even if an *extremely* tight fit -- in two different positions:

1) both front wheels off, lying on side, blanket between, loosen and rotate one of the handlebars (larger, top bike here), yell a lot when trying to get them to fit and the cab to close

2) both front wheels off. the larger of the two mediums with the handlebars/fork rotated 180° placed at the cabside of the bed, with rear wheel lodged in the back passenger corner. 2nd bike upside down (won't fit right side up) with fork/handlebars in normal position. This fits pretty darn well. You'd want to secure them from falling/jostling.

The larger of the two bikes is about 77-78" tip to toe with both wheels on (about 63-64" fork to toe with front wheel off).

Edit: since removing the rear wheel is annoying, you may try taking all the air out it to gain another inch or two or space.

 

[OrangeStreak]

If you have a hitch you might want to consider investing in a carrier rack which makes it easy to load and unload the bike(s) and keep them at a distance from the tailgate. Very easy to install and remove the rack. I got this rack off Amazon and going now for $279...it will hold 2 bikes. Check the weight of your bike(s) with the carrier weight specs before ordering. I used to carry my bikes in the bed but it was a pain to load, took up space and also scratched the tailgate. My bike in the pic. is a 29" Trek.

This rack is strong, solid and safe...I would not hesitate to take it anywhere on a long trip and bumpy roads. I also attach a locked cable to the rack and have an alarm installed on it as additional theft security to the OEM locks.

The company: Hollywood Racks, American, established in 1973 and offers outstanding customer service. I had a problem with the wheel straps and they replaced them promptly at no charge. Good reviews on Amazon and their company web site.

https://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Racks-Trail-Rider-Hitch/dp/B00IHR0H1K/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3GW8G6KP9ZHXE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0TTnuNAbJIU28C_Qf9Cwdw6tlb0Z_we-Y9loiYRrcwoNER9RkiCZsqc3L1GlBcPLfR5bkfBgFG08-EJdfduvkHv4so_d0rP9tzby6JxTdCwl9YNp56WiERPDp2kECV2Pg-UapBMRnmUsFOqoToZtrXPAnuLbFCg-T-5fbpIgGs2Pu8uATgFr4aqRtPeTKX73B4lFORrR4HOgSU5BJN9EkoLZAVYw6EklbNMYW8HuHrw.n7oFibwQHoNXgEIH7QJcXsAFVbU2O21CzluZDvBATLs&dib_tag=se&keywords=hollywood+bike+rack+2&qid=1711025811&sprefix=hollywood+bike+,aps,122&sr=8-5

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I was going to post a pic of my bike tucked neatly into a fork mount inside my canopy and mention that all I had to do was lower the saddle a bit. Then, I realized you have a SuperCrew and that means bigger challenges than the height of the topper. Being able to mount a bike in the back was one of the considerations when buying my SuperCab.

Some folks have managed to stow them on an angle with the forks in a mount but yours might be too long. You might even need to pull your seat post completely out. In the end, you’ll find a way because nothing beats a good bike ride.

I was able to stuff an MTB into the back of a Smart fortwo. I’m sure you can get your bike neatly inside the back of your Screw.

 

[cembley]

Any chance that was you in the Patagonia parking lot yesterday?

Not sure if this will be helpful but I can run an S5 Enduro on a tailgate pad with my Yakima Outpost HD bed rack and tent setup.

If I had a shell I'd most likely do these mounted in the bed somehow.
https://rockymounts.com/products/droptop.html

 

[leanit]

The best setup I've seen for your config is to put axle clamp mounts on a board or bracket across the bed floor near the tailgate (attach it firmly to the tie-down points). Pop the front wheel off, put the bike in tail-first, and clamp the front axle into the mount. Fit will vary based on bike and topper. Might have to angle the bike and lower the dropper post, but it should work. I like the Rocky Mounts axle holders.

Since I don't have a topper, I mounted mine on a rail across the front of the bed, up high. (I realize that's not what you're dealing with.)

 

[RangerPNW]

Hey all! I’ve got a mountain bike I’ll be picking up hopefully tomorrow from my LBS! I have a camper shell, and I’m just realizing I have no clue if it will fit! Who has some pics of their bike safely inside with the doors shut? I’m curious how you do it! My bike is a Transition Sentinel (XL frame) 29” wheels. She gonna be big.

Thats not going to fit without pulling wheels off... I have a large Transition Spire, so probably roughly the same overall length... I would highly recommend getting yourself a 1-Up bike rack. They're spendy but its super solid and holds my bike in place despite going over speed bumps at like 40.

To get it home though, i'd probably just recommend throwing a few towels over the tailgate and hang the front wheel off the back.

https://1up-usa.com/product/2-heavy-duty-double

 

[Just Awkward]

Hey all! I’ve got a mountain bike I’ll be picking up hopefully tomorrow from my LBS! I have a camper shell, and I’m just realizing I have no clue if it will fit! Who has some pics of their bike safely inside with the doors shut? I’m curious how you do it! My bike is a Transition Sentinel (XL frame) 29” wheels. She gonna be big.

Absolutely. I have fit a 29er in my bed with a tonneau cover. For a long term solution though, I would recommend the 1Up bike rack. It's spendy, but absolutely worth it.

 

[leanit]

Absolutely. I have fit a 29er in my bed with a tonneau cover. For a long term solution though, I would recommend the 1Up bike rack. It's spendy, but absolutely worth it.

Yeah, if you've committed to a "bed delete" with a low cover, the hitch is the way to go. But a shell should still be workable for a bike mount in the bed.

 

[mtbikernate]

I use a fork mount in the bed of my Ranger. Don't have a cap, but I do have a bed rack and my bike fits fine. It's a 29er Guerrilla Gravity Pedalhead, so it's long for a medium, but I dunno how it'd compare to your XL. I angle it a bit to fit and have a bit more room for additional angling if necessary. I can also fit my wife's bike (which is smaller) in addition.

Transporting this way was important to me so I could also haul bikes while towing my camper.

 

[Danager]

I’d measure the length of the bike with the tire removed. My Trek is a large, with 29’s. It does not fit straight into the bed. You may have to go with the hitch mounted carrier. They can be spendy for a quality one, but they outperform the “budget friendly” options in almost every way.

Of course, I don’t trust somebody wouldn’t hit the carrier, possibly with the bikes on it. I also don’t trust that I won’t back it into something.

Here is my current setup. Works well with the roll up tonneau cover.

 

[got3fords]

Of course, I don’t trust somebody wouldn’t hit the carrier, possibly with the bikes on it. I also don’t trust that I won’t back it into something.

I was in an auto car wash once in my Focus, and as the sprayer started across the rear of the car, boom, everything stopped and went dark. I thought what the hell just happened? The attendant came, who could barely speak English and pointed to my bike rack. Oops! Luckily there was no damage to the rack or the wash. Good safety measures.

 

[davjr96]

Just barely fits angled to the passenger side as well, but I have a small frame (5ft bed). XL Frame would definitely need to be angled across the bed like shown here .

https://www.railias.com/collections/all-products/products/truck-system

 

[ThatsAMonkey]

If you have a hitch you might want to consider investing in a carrier rack which makes it easy to load and unload the bike(s) and keep them at a distance from the tailgate. Very easy to install and remove the rack. I got this rack off Amazon and going now for $279...it will hold 2 bikes. Check the weight of your bike(s) with the carrier weight specs before ordering. I used to carry my bikes in the bed but it was a pain to load, took up space and also scratched the tailgate. My bike in the pic. is a 29" Trek.

This rack is strong, solid and safe...I would not hesitate to take it anywhere on a long trip and bumpy roads. I also attach a locked cable to the rack and have an alarm installed on it as additional theft security to the OEM locks.

The company: Hollywood Racks, American, established in 1973 and offers outstanding customer service. I had a problem with the wheel straps and they replaced them promptly at no charge. Good reviews on Amazon and their company web site.

https://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Racks-Trail-Rider-Hitch/dp/B00IHR0H1K/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3GW8G6KP9ZHXE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0TTnuNAbJIU28C_Qf9Cwdw6tlb0Z_we-Y9loiYRrcwoNER9RkiCZsqc3L1GlBcPLfR5bkfBgFG08-EJdfduvkHv4so_d0rP9tzby6JxTdCwl9YNp56WiERPDp2kECV2Pg-UapBMRnmUsFOqoToZtrXPAnuLbFCg-T-5fbpIgGs2Pu8uATgFr4aqRtPeTKX73B4lFORrR4HOgSU5BJN9EkoLZAVYw6EklbNMYW8HuHrw.n7oFibwQHoNXgEIH7QJcXsAFVbU2O21CzluZDvBATLs&dib_tag=se&keywords=hollywood+bike+rack+2&qid=1711025811&sprefix=hollywood+bike+,aps,122&sr=8-5

I looked up what else this company offers and they make a carrier model called: "Destination E" for ebikes. My Gazelle ebike is 51lbs+ . $699.99 but it has an extendable ramp, you can tilt the rack downward to open the tailgate. Definitely will look into this brand.

Destination E $699.99

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