Using a bed extender for mountain bikes?

[Kevreh]

Anyone done it? Hoping this works as both a bed extender to store things and as a bike rack, similar to using a pad over the tailgate.

Sponsored

 

[capestephen]

I have always been a fan of hitch mounted racks but a buddy has a latchit rack for his truck. Sounds like what you are looking for, it works pretty well. Here is the link: Latchit Rack

 

[Kevreh]

I have always been a fan of hitch mounted racks but a buddy has a latchit rack for his truck. Sounds like what you are looking for, it works pretty well. Here is the link: Latchit Rack

Yeah been looking at that. Problem is its single purpose, whereas a bed extender could be used to hold things from moving around in the bed when the tailgate is up, or when its extended hold lumber, drywall, bikes, etc...

I've been looking at Yakimas hitch rack, really nice. Seems like they can be put on and taken off in seconds. Only thing is not sure how solid the bikes are on them. Do they bounce around much?

 

[TimmyB]

Not sure how the bed extender is going to act like a bike rack. I plan to get the extender, simply because our bikes will struggle to fit properly in the 5' bed without turning the wheels and turning the wheels makes it impossible to use our bike covers. Help me understand what you are trying to accomplish because we might actually have the same ultimate goal in mind.

 

[Kevreh]

Not sure how the bed extender is going to act like a bike rack. I plan to get the extender, simply because our bikes will struggle to fit properly in the 5' bed without turning the wheels and turning the wheels makes it impossible to use our bike covers. Help me understand what you are trying to accomplish because we might actually have the same ultimate goal in mind.

I guess I was thinking the bikes could sit on the extender similar to using a bike pad on the tailgate. Even that latchit rack is pretty much a metal frame with places to clamp your bike to.

But I dont know, maybe the extender is too flimsy.

 

[capestephen]

Yeah been looking at that. Problem is its single purpose, whereas a bed extender could be used to hold things from moving around in the bed when the tailgate is up, or when its extended hold lumber, drywall, bikes, etc...

I've been looking at Yakimas hitch rack, really nice. Seems like they can be put on and taken off in seconds. Only thing is not sure how solid the bikes are on them. Do they bounce around much?

I have a Kuat NV Hitch rack and never had an issue with the bikes bouncing around or the rack shaking. I would take look at the tray style rack, that hold the bikes by the wheels.

The Latch It Rack is supring solid for biking hauling, we have gotten 4 bikes on it. They do bounce around little similar to a tailgate pad. For shuttling and trips to a local trailhead it's great but I'm not sure if it would be my first choice for a longer road trip. The nice thing it does have going for it is that it folds up small enough so that you could keep it in the bed when your not using it.

For using it to extend the bed for cargo hauling, maybe the frame is metal. You could always reach out the company and ask them.

 

[TimmyB]

I have a Kuat NV Hitch rack and never had an issue with the bikes bouncing around or the rack shaking. I would take look at the tray style rack, that hold the bikes by the wheels.

The Latch It Rack is supring solid for biking hauling, we have gotten 4 bikes on it. They do bounce around little similar to a tailgate pad. For shuttling and trips to a local trailhead it's great but I'm not sure if it would be my first choice for a longer road trip. The nice thing it does have going for it is that it folds up small enough so that you could keep it in the bed when your not using it.

For using it to extend the bed for cargo hauling, maybe the frame is metal. You could always reach out the company and ask them.

I have a four-bike Thule T2 rack, which I absolutely love. It holds the bikes very securely, even when our Explorer is being towed behind our motorhome. However, we have always wanted to be able to throw the bikes in the back of a pickup and go for a ride without having to attach the Thule rack to the car/truck. So, I'm kind of in the same boat as the OP, except I'm looking for the best way to transport my bikes for my long trips (1400 miles, north to south). I want my bikes covered in those trips, so I'm thinking of just using a floor-rack (like in the pic below) just to hold them upright, and chain them right to one of the tiedowns in the Ranger bed. I plan on using the bed extender so the bikes can stand upright without having to remove the front wheels. (Not huge if i have to remove them, but if I can get away without doing it, that's better.)

Kev, would something like this work in your situation? Or, if you guys have a better solution before I get my Ranger, I'm all ears!

 

[pdbwest]

@Kevreh....I am looking at doing the exact same thing, reason being is my mtb does not fit over the tailgate with my trifold tonneau cover folded back (super annoying). I have avoided a hitch rack as kind of defeats the purpose of a truck to me. If I end up getting the extender will let you know if it works

 

[Kevreh]

@pdbwest I think I’m getting an extender either way for utility reasons. If bikes don’t sit on it well then I’ll remove it.

Like you I wanted to get another tri fold, the Extang Trifecta (had one on my f150). Liked it. But the bikes not fitting issue means I may get a rolling style.

Unless I get the latchit, then I could go with a tri fold. I think the latchit might be a better solution (?) then hitch mount racks that let your bikes hang. Platforms are too much.

Damnit too many options

 

[BowWow]

Kevreh, I think this is what you were originally thinking of. It's sturdy, but I don't think it would support a bike if you went anywhere off-road.

This is the stock Ford rack that tapers on each side. There's an aftermarket one that's square that might have more vertical supports, that might hold a bike or two. They both (stock and aftermarket racks) just flip over into the box and provide containment for stuff. There are are straps attached to the rack that connect to the tailgate latch to keep them from bouncing when deployed. Well, they'd bounce with the tailgate when it bounces.

Honestly, I don't thing the stock Ford extender would do what you're wanting...

 

[scubasteve278]

Yeah been looking at that. Problem is its single purpose, whereas a bed extender could be used to hold things from moving around in the bed when the tailgate is up, or when its extended hold lumber, drywall, bikes, etc...

I've been looking at Yakimas hitch rack, really nice. Seems like they can be put on and taken off in seconds. Only thing is not sure how solid the bikes are on them. Do they bounce around much?

Just thought id add that I bought a Yakima Hold up EVO2 and I absolutely love it. I am a very avid mountain biker (rode 165 days last year) and even though this rack is new to me, I can tell it is going to hold up well and I know many people around my local area that use this same rack for both driving to trailheads or as dedicated shuttle racks for their SUV's/ camper trucks. A few of my friends have the Yakima Hangover and they work great, but it depends how many bikes you are consistently carrying. The new Yakima racks have a clever locking system to both lock the rack into the hitch and lock the bikes onto the rack using the same key. When I have my expensive bikes on the rack for anytime that I cant always have eyes on them I do add my own lock in addition to the Yakima cable locks, but overall I love the rack and its very solid.

 

[Waxthis]

Always a delima with a shortbed. I tried using a tailgate pad but the newer Treks have a Knockblock feature that prevents the forks from turing all the way to the side. Bike just kept flopping around with the pad, so I went back to my Thule XT, SOLID as a rock!!

 

[Tulumben]

@Kevreh....I am looking at doing the exact same thing, reason being is my mtb does not fit over the tailgate with my trifold tonneau cover folded back (super annoying). I have avoided a hitch rack as kind of defeats the purpose of a truck to me. If I end up getting the extender will let you know if it works

In terms of your bike not fitting, is that with the tonneau all the way up (so that it blocks the rear windshield) or just with the first two sections folded back? I assume the latter.

 

[Kevreh]

Kevreh, I think this is what you were originally thinking of. It's sturdy, but I don't think it would support a bike if you went anywhere off-road.

This is the stock Ford rack that tapers on each side. There's an aftermarket one that's square that might have more vertical supports, that might hold a bike or two. They both (stock and aftermarket racks) just flip over into the box and provide containment for stuff. There are are straps attached to the rack that connect to the tailgate latch to keep them from bouncing when deployed. Well, they'd bounce with the tailgate when it bounces.

Honestly, I don't thing the stock Ford extender would do what you're wanting...

yup sorry for the confusion, that’s what I’m referring to. Specifically the HD max which is more square.

In terms of your bike not fitting, is that with the tonneau all the way up (so that it blocks the rear windshield) or just with the first two sections folded back? I assume the latter.

Yeah first two sections folded. Some of the hard folding covers have two support rods so it folds up against the window. But at that pricepoint, around $1k, I’d rather just get an aluminum slat rolling. Doesn’t block the window as much.

@ScubaSteve @Waxthis I like the platforms, but for 3 mountain bikes it’s just too spendy for me. Looks like @$700(?)

If anyone’s curious instead of having all these options jumbled around in my head I made a table laying out likely (not all) options.

 

[Obijack]

No bed extender won’t work like that. Not tall enough and not enough clearance to hang the front tire and forks off. This picture was taken in Florida at 6:30am.

Sponsored