Pin box bike rack

Puddles wrote:
Yes, on the 2"... the hanging rack will work, but it'll be way up there to load... great to remove and install on the truck for side trips on the bikes... I looked for a cover also... ended up going to a canvas shop that makes boat, grain wagon covers. Has grommlets all around the bottom so that I can lace it below the bikes... needs to be tough stuff, lots of wind up there... cost $180.. Travel Safe :)

Thanks, Puddles. All great info.

My plan for the bikes is to load to the truck bed and then put them up so that I can stand on it. If I have a helper, have them stand to the side of the tailgate and lift the handlebars up to me. We'll see how it works out. Yeah, I actually bought the bike rack for a beach trip where we had a full truck bed and wanted to take bikes- it works well.

As for a cover, I think Lantley has posted that he uses an ATV cover. I'm going to get one and add grommets around the bottom so that I can lace it shut the same as you describe. For $20 for the cover and $10 for the grommet kit, I have low expectations. First trip will be a doozey at 1,200 miles from MD to Key West.

ependydad wrote:

Puddles wrote:
Have a simular setup... used 2x2 angle iron 6" long... rec tube is 6"... bike rack is a 914 Thule that holds the bike wheels.. rack will tip down which helps with loading bikes...

Thanks, Puddles. The 2x2 angle iron means each side is 2"? (Sorry, I'm a computer guy- my father-in-law is the mechanical one.)

I have a Thule rack that the bikes hang from. It'll have to do for a while.

I've also been looking at an ATV cover put on them to protect from bugs and stuff.

Yes, on the 2"... the hanging rack will work, but it'll be way up there to load... great to remove and install on the truck for side trips on the bikes... I looked for a cover also... ended up going to a canvas shop that makes boat, grain wagon covers. Has grommlets all around the bottom so that I can lace it below the bikes... needs to be tough stuff, lots of wind up there... cost $180.. Travel Safe :)

Puddles wrote:
Have a simular setup... used 2x2 angle iron 6" long... rec tube is 6"... bike rack is a 914 Thule that holds the bike wheels.. rack will tip down which helps with loading bikes...

Thanks, Puddles. The 2x2 angle iron means each side is 2"? (Sorry, I'm a computer guy- my father-in-law is the mechanical one.)

I have a Thule rack that the bikes hang from. It'll have to do for a while.

I've also been looking at an ATV cover put on them to protect from bugs and stuff.

ependydad wrote:

lpxguy wrote:

Scott_85 wrote:
I like that idea but I don't want to remove my hitch cover do install it.

I still have my cover....I made mine though

lpxguy -

I actually was looking at another of your pictures of the actual un-finished product. This looks to be a receiver tube, a piece of angle steel on either side and a cap for the front. Can you tell me how long each side of the angle steel it is? Looks to be ballpark 2"-3"?

Have a simular setup... used 2x2 angle iron 6" long... rec tube is 6"... bike rack is a 914 Thule that holds the bike wheels.. rack will tip down which helps with loading bikes...

lpxguy wrote:

Scott_85 wrote:
I like that idea but I don't want to remove my hitch cover do install it.

I still have my cover....I made mine though

lpxguy -

I actually was looking at another of your pictures of the actual un-finished product. This looks to be a receiver tube, a piece of angle steel on either side and a cap for the front. Can you tell me how long each side of the angle steel it is? Looks to be ballpark 2"-3"?

I built one very similer to lpxguy. Would not have it any other way. I use a swagman bike rack. It only takes about an hour of your time. Have 2 friends that want me to make them one. Just waiting for the snow/ ice to go away

I made mine for under $40. Several of us have. Do a search and you will see many of them. As far as the shroud, it can be removed very easily.

This is the problem.

Scott_85 wrote:
I like that idea but I don't want to remove my hitch cover do install it.

I still have my cover....I made mine though

Lantley wrote:
Scott 85 you also have a short bed which may create clearance issues

I have a short box F350 and I often carry 2 kayaks on the roof of the truck with the ends sticking about 1 foot over the back of the roof and 2 bikes on our pin box mounted bike rack and still have no issues.