I know this is probably been covered before but I have a new pickup truck with a standard size bed, F150 supercab. I'm purchasing a new mountain bike and I really want to protect it when I transport it. I'm thinking the bed rackmount would probably be the best but sounds like more trouble than a hitch mount. If I got a hitch mount I think I would have one with a wheel rack rather than a cradle. I will be transporting only two bicycles at the time
Best bike transport for a pickup truck.
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Vagante
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I know this is probably been covered before but I have a new pickup truck with a standard size bed, F150 supercab. I'm purchasing a new mountain bike and I really want to protect it when I transport it. I'm thinking the bed rackmount would probably be the best but sounds like more trouble than a hitch mount. If I got a hitch mount I think I would have one with a wheel rack rather than a cradle. I will be transporting only two bicycles at the time
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I prefer a tailgate mat (moving blanket). No strapping, wrenching, or clamping involved. Just toss it in and go. IMO, The downside to a rack is having to remove it every time you want to take it through a car wash. I like to get my truck washed every few weeks and they won't let you run through an autowash with a rack on the truck. What a PITA.
Moving blankets are 10$ at WalMart:
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Moving blankets are 10$ at WalMart:
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Cable lock through the bed rail or tie down loops is pretty convenient.
I have a 1up that I use with my car. I prefer it over the thule insta-gator that I use with my truck. Some of it is my own fault because I lifted the truck and its harder to reach into the bed to get enough pressure on the arm that hold the front wheel.
I'm pretty anal about keeping the paint as nice as possible on my vehicles, so I'd be reluctant to have any pad touch the paint. No matter what it will move slightly during transport and will mar up the paint.
I use a hitch rack.
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I use a hitch rack.
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Whole lotta rubbing going on.....For a truck, for freakin sure tailgate pad, what else and why would you not use one?ut: When you make some riding friends, then you have the means to carry up to 5 bikes (some will fit 6) and most cabs will fit 5 people, perfect MTB transport
View attachment 1123965
I know many don't care, but if my bike is going to get scratched, I want it to happen on the trail, not the tailgate.
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Why would it get scratched please tell? I have been using a tailgate pad for over 3 years, the only place you have to worry about is where the DT contacts the pad and if you're really worried you can put a piece of soft cloth in there to protect it.
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I've seen them get scratched. Either by other bikes, some foreign object (dirt/rocks) between the pad and tube(s), etc. A friend had the stanchion on his shocks scratched by another bike. Operator error, sure, but those risks are there.
I like just throwing them in the bed. You've got a 6.5' bed. That should accommodate two bikes easy. I've got a 5.5' bed in my F150. Bit more tricky, but it works. Plus, keeps it out of the elements (especially during winter). If you got a shell, it would be the ultimate set up, in my opinion.
I like just throwing them in the bed. You've got a 6.5' bed. That should accommodate two bikes easy. I've got a 5.5' bed in my F150. Bit more tricky, but it works. Plus, keeps it out of the elements (especially during winter). If you got a shell, it would be the ultimate set up, in my opinion.
Yes, this ^.
I had a Dakine pad (well, still do but buried in my attic) and I ruined the finish on the bottom of my last bike from the dust and abrasion on the down tube. I even had velcro abrasion marks 3/4 of the way up both side of my down tube. In theory this is the most convenient, but this is also the highest risk if you value the paint job on your bike. Not to mention other bikes and especially pedals making contact when you hit bumbs in the road.
Basically think of a tailgate pad and dirty bike as your bike resting on 400 grit sandpaper. Because that is what's happening to the underside at the contact points. Leaving a dusty/dirty tailgate pad on for long periods of time also will rub the finish off your tailgate paint surface if not cleaned religiously. Again, ask me how I know, luckily it cleaned up with rubbing compound.
That said, I've resorted to a heavy duty moving blanket doubled-up and just go that route for short trips. It's way easier, though the "bro factor" isn't there. But I'm now old enough to know straps are for kids who want to look cool and my time to ride is more valuable when a thick moving blanket or two works just as well for 3-4 bikes and short distances. So +1 for thick moving blankets, and I still own a Dakine pad (with straps).
That's been my experience.
A hitch rack is convenient when you're carrying bikes, but when you're not it's a PITA in my opinion (yes, I have one, a 1Up). And even then, unless you have something else in the bed, just put the bikes in the bed rather than have a lot of $$$ hanging off the back getting dirty or maybe even hit. Because I have a 5' bed, I do remove the front wheels and use Kuat fork mounts. Yes, that's a little more work than some alternatives, but there's no pad to scratch (bikes or truck) or get stolen, and no rack to work around when you're not carrying bikes. My second choice would be a pad because they seem so easy. I've put 3M tape on my downtube for the few times my bike rides on someone else's tailgate pad.
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While a tailgate pads are cheap and do an ok job of transporting your bike, do not believe for a second that they will not damage your bike or vehicle.
I designed the MultiTaskR because of all the problems I had when I used a tailgate pad and all the other problems that Ive seen( bikes smashing together, bikes hopping when hitting a bump and the scuffing of paint on the tailgate, etc.) as a matter of fact, Ive had reps from 3 big manufacturers tell me, after seeing the MultiTaskR, that they had carbon frame failures directly connected to tailgate pads.
The MultiTaskR, while not in production quite yet( hopefully by Sea Otter) has been tested rigorously for over 18 months and the results have been outstanding.
I first designed the MultiTaskR to fit bikes, then using a mount we call the "MultiMount", it is able to carry just about everything that you would regularly carry inside your truck bed, such as ladders, surfboards, kayaks, lumber, etc.. We also have a behind the cab mount, that has a upper crossbar over the cab and a lower crossbar, expanding the opportunities of this rack.
The MultitaskR folds down in seconds and is completely removable in less than 30 seconds and every type mount has a lockable feature.
I designed the MultiTaskR because of all the problems I had when I used a tailgate pad and all the other problems that Ive seen( bikes smashing together, bikes hopping when hitting a bump and the scuffing of paint on the tailgate, etc.) as a matter of fact, Ive had reps from 3 big manufacturers tell me, after seeing the MultiTaskR, that they had carbon frame failures directly connected to tailgate pads.
The MultiTaskR, while not in production quite yet( hopefully by Sea Otter) has been tested rigorously for over 18 months and the results have been outstanding.
I first designed the MultiTaskR to fit bikes, then using a mount we call the "MultiMount", it is able to carry just about everything that you would regularly carry inside your truck bed, such as ladders, surfboards, kayaks, lumber, etc.. We also have a behind the cab mount, that has a upper crossbar over the cab and a lower crossbar, expanding the opportunities of this rack.
The MultitaskR folds down in seconds and is completely removable in less than 30 seconds and every type mount has a lockable feature.
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The lower portion of this is what I need!![]()
Moving pad or a blanket is absolutely the way to go if you actually treat your truck like a truck and your mountain bike like a mountain bike.
Carbon frame failures caused by tailgate pads? Which companies came up with that gem? (Reminder to self - never buy a plastic bike.)
Carbon frame failures caused by tailgate pads? Which companies came up with that gem? (Reminder to self - never buy a plastic bike.)
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