Bike Rack Build

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.