I've been lurking, on and off, here for many years. I've learned a lot and thought I'd provide some ideas inspiration to others. This was an easy project and only cost about $30 in materials to make. Any decent fabricator could do something similar for very little money.
Basically, it's 2" receiver stock that I picked up from Amazon.com, a couple pieces of 2" angle and some 3" flat stock (Tractor Supply).
Close up of the mount:
The bike rack is a five bike model from Allen Sports, also sourced from Amazon. I actually need to carry six bikes, but I think I'll use a ladder rack for the last kid-sized bike.
Showing the bike rack in the mount:
Another, showing clearance to the cap:
The welds aren't purty, but they're stuck and the entire thing has been primed, painted and clearcoated to avoid rust out front where it's most visible. I bolted it to the pin box with 5/8" grade 5 carbon steel bolts with thick washers on each side.
Basically, it's 2" receiver stock that I picked up from Amazon.com, a couple pieces of 2" angle and some 3" flat stock (Tractor Supply).
Close up of the mount:
The bike rack is a five bike model from Allen Sports, also sourced from Amazon. I actually need to carry six bikes, but I think I'll use a ladder rack for the last kid-sized bike.
Showing the bike rack in the mount:
Another, showing clearance to the cap:
The welds aren't purty, but they're stuck and the entire thing has been primed, painted and clearcoated to avoid rust out front where it's most visible. I bolted it to the pin box with 5/8" grade 5 carbon steel bolts with thick washers on each side.
I did a very similar thing about 2 years ago. I have a long bed, but those that have short beds can just use a different style rack if the bikes accommodate it. Here are a couple of pics of mine.
Lantley wrote:
Arvika pin box mount. bike rack. No bouncing or shaking bikes are always in view bikes
The Arvika stuff is nice, but spendy. Although, it wouldn't be too hateful to copy their design and integrate a 2" receiver to use an off-the-shelf hitch rack. Looks like some 1" square tube and some sheet metal to hold it all together...
I really like your flush toolbox - it looks nice and keeps the bed rails clear. If I ever get tired of my $75 Craigslist special, I'm going that route.
BB_TX wrote:
I did something similar with a little different approach.
$20 receiver from Harbor Freight and some 2x2 angle I had laying around. Drilled holes to match the pin box bolts. Did not want to drill into my air ride pin box.
Shown mounted. Mount does not touch top of pin box. About 3/4" clearance at rear.
Shown with 2 bikes mounted. Have carried 3. Might could carry 4 without hitting the cab. It is a long bed. Bikes are bungeed to keep from moving and do not touch the trailer.
This is a pretty slick setup. I like how you mounted your bubble level below the bikes to keep it visible. I might tack a small plate onto mine for one of those big levels like yours.
I did something similar with a little different approach.
$20 receiver from Harbor Freight and some 2x2 angle I had laying around. Drilled holes to match the pin box bolts. Did not want to drill into my air ride pin box.
Shown mounted. Mount does not touch top of pin box. About 3/4" clearance at rear.
Shown with 2 bikes mounted. Have carried 3. Might could carry 4 without hitting the cab. It is a long bed. Bikes are bungeed to keep from moving and do not touch the trailer.
$20 receiver from Harbor Freight and some 2x2 angle I had laying around. Drilled holes to match the pin box bolts. Did not want to drill into my air ride pin box.
Shown mounted. Mount does not touch top of pin box. About 3/4" clearance at rear.
Shown with 2 bikes mounted. Have carried 3. Might could carry 4 without hitting the cab. It is a long bed. Bikes are bungeed to keep from moving and do not touch the trailer.
