Bicycle carrier front of truck or pin box. (Updated W/pics)

Me Again wrote:
Hit MY Rig in Sig yo see my home built rack. Chris

Nice "RACK" dude!

Hit MY Rig in Sig yo see my home built rack. Chris

guinness1 wrote:


I went another way - the roof rack

Never actually tried it but loading bikes on to roof rack looks like a lot of work vs. the other options

I went another way - the roof rack

Just wanted to let you all know. I elected to go with the front hitch. Caught a sale from Summit Racing through ebay. After much though and going back and forth, Momma said, "Just buy a hitch and be done with it!" She didn't have to tell me twice. Bought the Curt 31014 that mounts under the front bumper. Thanks to all who took the time to reply.

shadows4 wrote:
OPer here. ...I did some measuring and I only have 36 inches between the cap of the 5er and the rear window. I stood the bikes as close together as I could and from handle bar tip to handle bar tip was 27 inches. I just don't see how they will fit and not hit on the easiest of turns.

Ours is a short bed truck.
I have a pin box mount, and a bike carrier that hangs bikes from the top tube, as in my sig below.
Before the bikes, backing through a sharp turn, the edge of the FW would hit the cab; I've the dent to remind me.
The bike frame hangs mostly above the cab, and the bikes are shorter than the width of the trailer, so the radius-to-contact is different. With the bikes hanging there, a too-sharp turn bounces a bike tire against the truck's rear window, doing no harm but giving a visible and audible warning.
It depends on the geometry of the pin box and front cap, and is not easy to measure beforehand.

shadows4 wrote:
Anyway got the 5er home tonight from storage. I did some measuring and I only have 36 inches between the cap of the 5er and the rear window. I stood the bikes as close together as I could and from handle bar tip to handle bar tip was 27 inches. I just don't see how they will fit and not hit on the easiest of turns. I think I will just bite the bullet and get the front mount hitch. I can see where the bikes will be easier to mount. Thanks again, John.

3 things to keep in mind. First the bikes are not as wide as the trailer.

Second as the trailer turns the bikes will move away from the cab, because they are in front of the pivot point.
post & pic by klassic
Third it's very likely that the handle bars will be above the most forward point of the nose cap, and the handel bar tip can be behind that point. they will also be well above the cab

ah64id wrote:

owenssailor wrote:

But when the front bike rack is off the truck shrinks back down. Long bed is always long bed.

And it's GREAT!!

Every single short bed owner I know at some point in time wishes they had a long bed. I don't know any long bed owners that say the opposite.

Had a 77 GMC "SHORTY" great truck hated the short bed!

Lantley wrote:
I have done both.
Pin box wins hands down.
Front receiver extends overall length of rig a good bit. The extended length may not be an issue, however it can also be a huge issue if you are trying to get into a tight camp site.
Bikes can block visibility and headlights.
Bikes need to be unloaded from front reciever,Bikes can remain on pin box without being unloaded until you need them.

X2

owenssailor wrote:

But when the front bike rack is off the truck shrinks back down. Long bed is always long bed.

And it's GREAT!!

Every single short bed owner I know at some point in time wishes they had a long bed. I don't know any long bed owners that say the opposite.