BIKES

I use this: Clicky
So I guess it's either something like this or a pile in the back of the truck.

was thinking of doing something like that but don't see me having time. was also debating throwing a pallet in the back and using it as a ghetto bike rack. just not sure if it has enough depth to hold them upright.

more than likely it will end up being a pile

I have seen many, many, many ... did I say many! campers with a pick-up truck full of bicycles just piled on top of each other. I've often wondered how the foot pedals on one bicycle doesn't poke out the spokes on the one it's laying on. Watching poor old dad try to get them out of the truck bed, and then later when breaking camp, get them all back in is as good as going to the circus.

Edit: Clicky above:

Oh duh! I looked at the photo so quick, I didn't even realize ... it is PVC!

That's what I'd do.

lol cant wait to be that poor old dad............

prefer to have the proper tools for the job.

I built mine in one evening after having already obtained the pipe and fittings I needed. If you decide to go with the PVC bike rack, I would add one comment. I assembled the whole thing then surface glued all the joints. If you glue the joints in the normal way and you make one mistake as you go along, there is no way to recover. You can scrap the whole thing, go to the store for more pipe and fittings, and start all over from square one. Ask me how I know this.

If time is of the essence then I'd just grab a few 2x4's and 2x2's and make a rack with those.
2x4's for the base and top rail. 2x2's for the slats holding the bikes upright.
Some assorted drywall screws. Maybe 30 mins tops.

If you never do it again you got some firewood.:)

I use the Topline carrier: https://www.etrailer.com/Truck-Bed-Bike-Racks/Topline/UG2500.html

Quick and easy... and looks great. And when not in use, the arms are easily stowed in the cab, leaving the bed empty.

I carry 4 full size bikes in my short bed truck upright. The only difference to your situation is that I have a hi rise truck canopy.

I put the first bike close as possible to the left or right wheel well and the front wheel turned parrellal to the front of the box. The other bikes fit closely to the first one in the same configuration. Pedals should be up and down so they do not touch the ajoining bikes wheel. Foam protection should be placed by the deraileaurs between 1st and second and third bikes. These can be any kind of old flat cushons from old lawn furniture etc. I use 3X2'X5' cushons placed between that protect all parts of the bikes as we sometimes shuttle bikes over rough roads. Even cardboard might work or foam water toys etc. Aligator Straps or ratchet straps are wrapped around the top tubes of the bikes in such a way that they will not slip and attached with hooks to the top of the bedrails or "O" rings connected to the bed walls. As there will be room on the outsde of the last bike, bins full of your stuff can be placed so wheels cannot move out. Make sure straps are wrapped around top bike bars so bikes cannot move or there is very little movement in case you are on rough roads.

Still room between rear wheels and the tail gate for more storage bins.

This is a very simple yet effective way of transporting up to 6 bikes in you box with out using up a lot of space. You can also use this method in reverse with bikes hanging off your tailgate, front wheels parrelal to the tailgate outside of the box, rear wheels sitting on the bed floor.

Good luck

Dave

I have had 9 bikes in the back of my truck. I stand them up side by side nose to tail. They fit together much better that way. the handle bars can slide over the rear tires, and the pedals can slip in front or behind the one beside of it. I then run a strap thru them and tighten it down. Works great, and is easy to load, and unload.

In our travel trailer days, I just put a couple 2x4's across the bed in those slots they provide so you can haul a 4x8 sheet of plywood above the wheel wells. I then used these to tie the bicycles upright. Handle bars opposite directions. They'd shift a little, but it worked well for only the cost of a couple boards, a few holes drilled for tying, and some light rope or cord.