We just finished building a bike rack for the TT. Not many good choices except the Arvika which has a poor website for specs and a really high price. Another option was the Trailer Tray / Bike Bunk but it was pretty pricey for what you get.Decided, based on an idea from this forum to build our own. We just finished and took it for a short trip to test potential turning problems out and are very pleased.Purchased the metal bike rack carriers off Amazon and built the rest from 2x4s and 3/4 plywood. It is very stable and can be lifted off the trailer frame and reinstalled without much trouble. Got less than $125.00 ( including the metal racks ) in it not counting my time and effort :).Trying to post some pics.

Hum..... Nice idea there. I like that!

I really like the design of this rack and I am very tempted to build one myself, but I am concerned about how it would impact gas mileage.I'd be interested to know if you see any gas mileage degradation from that rack since it puts the bikes in front of the "aerodynamic" front end of your trailer.

campin_in_the_rain wrote:I really like the design of this rack and I am very tempted to build one myself, but I am concerned about how it would impact gas mileage.I'd be interested to know if you see any gas mileage degradation from that rack since it puts the bikes in front of the "aerodynamic" front end of your trailer.Aerodynamic like a big brick.

Very nicely done. Do you have a WD hitch and how does that fit with your mod? (I didn't see one in your photo)

New Over The Tanks Bike Rack on The Front of TT

BarneyS
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2022
dburkard wrote:
The pictures are gone from your post, but I found one referenced on Pintrest and hoped to findout more about how you built this. Would you be willing to msg me?

Daniel

Hi Daniel,
His picture is still there. I suspect you do not have "show images" checked in your preferences. You need to go to "My Forums"(when it is working :R),then to "my preferences" and make sure the check box is checked in front of the statement "show images in posts" or something to that effect.
Barney
dburkard
Explorer
Apr 25, 2022
The pictures are gone from your post, but I found one referenced on Pintrest and hoped to findout more about how you built this. Would you be willing to msg me?

Daniel
tinstartrvlr
Explorer
Apr 22, 2017
Well done! Thinking that could be a multi purpose carrier as well for things other than a bicycle? (cooler, storage bin, etc)
Wackypup
Explorer
Apr 22, 2017

OP here: We sold the TT the rack was made for about a year ago. I can say that after a trip to the Keys and NC mountains before the sale it was holding up good. Bikes very stable on the rack. Only thing I noticed before the sale was the bike racks were beginning to rust. So you may want to spend a few more dollars on a better quality bike rack.

I ordered galvanized tapered stake pockets to build a rack for our new TT. Our bikes were old so we decided to replace them, and we went with the folding bikes on sale at CW that fit nicely in the truck bed, so that eliminated the need for a new rack.

good luck!!!

Thanks for the answer :) don't know why I never got a notice that you had posted. Just ran across this while I'm STILL looking for a way to get the bikes out of the back of the truck LOL

Liz
riven1950
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
Hi. I'm looking to get the bikes off my bumper and plan on using the same racks you got off amazon, but mounting them behind my cab. As these racks are designed to be mounted front to back and not side to side, did you notice alot of bike movement from the wind? I'm mounting them as close to the cab as possible from rail to rail to still allow my tonneau cover to be rolled at least half way for bed access. I'm thinking that most of the wind will be blocked/diverted by the cab, anyway.
Thanks,
Eric

I don't think wind moving the bike will be a problem for you. Mine were mounted across the front as you know. I was actually surprised at how little they moved. The racks have straps to hold the wheels down and brackets that clamp onto the frame tightly. Mine were very solid and they were not expensive racks at all. Just be sure the racks are attached to something firm. Good luck
JWRoberts
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
Nice job. And there are no aerodynamic problems as others have mentioned because your bikes are in front of the sail. Your mileage will not be effected.
hinkle_e
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
Hi. I'm looking to get the bikes off my bumper and plan on using the same racks you got off amazon, but mounting them behind my cab. As these racks are designed to be mounted front to back and not side to side, did you notice alot of bike movement from the wind? I'm mounting them as close to the cab as possible from rail to rail to still allow my tonneau cover to be rolled at least half way for bed access. I'm thinking that most of the wind will be blocked/diverted by the cab, anyway.
Thanks,
Eric
riven1950
Explorer
Nov 07, 2016

How has this wooden rack held up? I am thinking about doing something similar on my camper. Wondered how long it has lasted and if you had any problems with it.

Thanks!

Liz

OP here: We sold the TT the rack was made for about a year ago. I can say that after a trip to the Keys and NC mountains before the sale it was holding up good. Bikes very stable on the rack. Only thing I noticed before the sale was the bike racks were beginning to rust. So you may want to spend a few more dollars on a better quality bike rack.

I ordered galvanized tapered stake pockets to build a rack for our new TT. Our bikes were old so we decided to replace them, and we went with the folding bikes on sale at CW that fit nicely in the truck bed, so that eliminated the need for a new rack.

good luck!!!
profdant139
Explorer II
Nov 07, 2016
Very clever solution! Well done.
Wackypup
Explorer
Nov 06, 2016
riven1950 wrote:
We just finished building a bike rack for the TT. Not many good choices except the Arvika which has a poor website for specs and a really high price. Another option was the Trailer Tray / Bike Bunk but it was pretty pricey for what you get.

Decided, based on an idea from this forum to build our own. We just finished and took it for a short trip to test potential turning problems out and are very pleased.

Purchased the metal bike rack carriers off Amazon and built the rest from 2x4s and 3/4 plywood. It is very stable and can be lifted off the trailer frame and reinstalled without much trouble. Got less than $125.00 ( including the metal racks ) in it not counting my time and effort :).

How has this wooden rack held up? I am thinking about doing something similar on my camper. Wondered how long it has lasted and if you had any problems with it.

Thanks!

Liz

???2008
?Cruiser FunFinder X ?189FBR & 2014 FORD F150? :D 153 Nights Camping this year
Tons of Creative, Unique and Inexpensive Mods WackyPup.Blogspot.com

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