Decided I wanted to start carrying a bike or two on my travels. Not only is my wife starting to ride, but since she can drive the new truck, I can leave her sleeping in the camper and when she gets up, she can catch up to me in the truck.Since I enjoy exploring un-maintained roads, having the bike up high was a main priority, but didn't want them so high as they blocked my view. Also didn't want to lose access to the winch when I had the bikes with me.So, I decide I wanted a way to carry them lower normally, but be able to raise them quickly and easily, without unloading. A little bit of thinking, finally came up with a plan of attack. With this design, I can simply remove a nut, drop a bar, swing the bikes up out of the way and then but the nut back in place.Lower position. The diagonal bar keeps them in place.Remove the nut at the lower end of the bar, swing them up, and then install the bar back on the tapered stud.Only thing not designed in yet is the upright to hold the bikes.

I'm not understanding the design. Where does it mount?

It mounts into my winch mount on the front. The winch mount is mounted into two receiver tubes mounted where the tow hooks were originally mounted.Same design could be modified to work with a single receiver tube in the center, but wouldn't be as steady due to the slop in a single tube.Here is the winch mount on my old truck when I was doing a test fit.

Take a closer look at your design concept.The tubes that the bike tire rails are mounted upon must be capable of rotating also.Or, am I just missing something here ?

If the bar the bike rails are mounted to can rotate in a socket at one end of the vertical bar the same way the bars that mount to the truck will have to rotate in a socket at the other end of the vertical bar then they'll stay oriented right side up.

Yep. Top and bottom pivot the same way. Here is an exploded view which may help.

Bike Rack Build | Good Sam Community

kohldad
Explorer III
Jul 19, 2015
Why not just make it solid but reverseable

If it was solid, to flip it you would have to unload the bikes, flip it, then reload the bikes. By having it pivot, it is remove one end of the bar, rotate in new position, and reinstall the bar. I figure I can go from low to high in under 60 seconds.

Since it is so easy to do, it will be very practical to leave in the down position most of the time and only raise it when needed. In the down position, I will just be able to see the handle bars so there isn't any interference with my view.
805gregg
Explorer
Jul 19, 2015
Why not just make it solid but reverseable
kohldad
Explorer III
Jul 19, 2015
In my travels in the east, I have come across one dip as the grade changed significantly where it would have been close in the lower position. Out west, the chances are greater, but probably still not needed. More of a comfort thing where I don't have to actually worry about them hitting. And if you did go into a dip and they hit, then you would have to try and back out before being able to remove. In soft sand, that could be an issue.

It probably will be more of an issue with the being able to use the winch. I have never needed the winch for myself (knock knock on wood), but have used it numerous times pulling other folks out.
StrumminBass
Explorer
Jul 19, 2015
Neat idea! How necessary is it to have two separate positions for the bikes? Is it only when you're on the "unmaintained roads"? Just wondering...
Dakota98
Explorer
Jul 19, 2015
Outstanding idea !!!

I see a patent in your future. :B
kohldad
Explorer III
Jul 19, 2015
All is common stock material and can be cut on a standard chop saw. There are a couple pieces of flat stock that I will have cut with a laser at local metal shop, mainly the round pieces.

Inner pivot is a piece of 2-1/4" DOM with .120 wall. This will slip over the 1-1/2" square tube but close enough to get plenty of weld. Outer pivot is 2-1/2 DOM with .120 wall making the inside 2.260 giving .010 clearance to the inside. The clearance is just enough for a thin coat of thin grease.
cewillis
Explorer
Jul 18, 2015
Looks pretty clever to me.
ticki2
Explorer
Jul 18, 2015
Are you going to machine these parts or are they off the shelf ?
kohldad
Explorer III
Jul 18, 2015
Yep. Top and bottom pivot the same way. Here is an exploded view which may help.
GoinThisAway
Explorer
Jul 18, 2015
If the bar the bike rails are mounted to can rotate in a socket at one end of the vertical bar the same way the bars that mount to the truck will have to rotate in a socket at the other end of the vertical bar then they'll stay oriented right side up.

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