Ladder Mount Bike Rack Build
UPDATE 8-4-'14, below. I couldn't find what I wanted, so I cobbled together some 2" angle aluminum and 2" PVC, inspired by other designs from here and a Google. The PVC was heated and expanded ...
Forum Discussion
"By moving the connections of your track, from the vertical portion of your ladder, to the horizontal portion of the ladder (where the tubing junctions with the surface of the Truck Camper), you could attach your same brackets. Just with a different orientation. Now the Bike’s wheels (You would leave the front wheel attached) would be aligned in parallel with the vertical portion of the ladder. With this increase depth (6”to8”) you can now attach the side of your Crank/Wheels to the Ladder via Velcro Straps/Bungee Loops. This added point of connection would decrease of eliminate the side to side movement and put less stress on the ladder."
After a very quick analysis, the two considerations for this arrangement are:
-The handlebars of the out-board bike will stick out past the camper about 8". Maybe that's tolerable, but it was something I was trying to avoid. This isn't a deal breaker. Just something to investigate.
-The entire rig is presently supported by 6 horizontal attachment points (the stand-offs between the ladder and camper), more or less. Connecting a rig oriented to the sides of the ladder would certainly take some figuring. The top and bottom stand-offs are part of the ladder and have a radius, with very little horizontal area available for clamps.
I would gain about 5.5-6" in depth, vs. the present set-up. With the front wheels attached, it appears there'd be plenty of door clearance. Safety being the #1 priority, I need to be certain the brake lights aren't obstructed. If I can position the bikes high enough, that's not a problem.
I guess I should think about the additional weight of the wheels and any additional material required for the rack. The top and middle attachment points for the ladder to the camper are simple flared-end wall mounts. I thought about putting a pin through these flared connections. I have a drawing of the camper's framing, so I might try additional horizontal attachment supports, too.
IIRC, the bike shop instructed me to have the front shocks oriented downward, so the oil doesn't go to the top of the tube (front wheel on the bottom). That's something the existing rack doesn't accomplish for both bikes. These are our first full-suspension bikes, and until recently, transporting them in their non-typical, vertical postion hasn't been required. I don't want to screw up the bikes, either. If I'm thinking wrong on any of this stuff, I more than welcome any input.
It's gonna happen, it's just a matter of how. Thanks for taking your time to offer solutions. I like the side-mounting idea, and I'm going to run with that for a little while to see what I scare up.
Trailer mounts will be my next novel-length thread.
After a very quick analysis, the two considerations for this arrangement are:
-The handlebars of the out-board bike will stick out past the camper about 8". Maybe that's tolerable, but it was something I was trying to avoid. This isn't a deal breaker. Just something to investigate.
-The entire rig is presently supported by 6 horizontal attachment points (the stand-offs between the ladder and camper), more or less. Connecting a rig oriented to the sides of the ladder would certainly take some figuring. The top and bottom stand-offs are part of the ladder and have a radius, with very little horizontal area available for clamps.
I would gain about 5.5-6" in depth, vs. the present set-up. With the front wheels attached, it appears there'd be plenty of door clearance. Safety being the #1 priority, I need to be certain the brake lights aren't obstructed. If I can position the bikes high enough, that's not a problem.
I guess I should think about the additional weight of the wheels and any additional material required for the rack. The top and middle attachment points for the ladder to the camper are simple flared-end wall mounts. I thought about putting a pin through these flared connections. I have a drawing of the camper's framing, so I might try additional horizontal attachment supports, too.
IIRC, the bike shop instructed me to have the front shocks oriented downward, so the oil doesn't go to the top of the tube (front wheel on the bottom). That's something the existing rack doesn't accomplish for both bikes. These are our first full-suspension bikes, and until recently, transporting them in their non-typical, vertical postion hasn't been required. I don't want to screw up the bikes, either. If I'm thinking wrong on any of this stuff, I more than welcome any input.
It's gonna happen, it's just a matter of how. Thanks for taking your time to offer solutions. I like the side-mounting idea, and I'm going to run with that for a little while to see what I scare up.
Trailer mounts will be my next novel-length thread.
