Roof bike rack- ugh

[rotorwind]

Recently sold my Tundra for the T4R. Occasionally I need to carry 3 bikes. I have a 2 bike hitch rack. With the truck I’d just throw the 3rd bike in the bed.

I bought a Yakima front loader bike rack for the roof. Figured that would work for the times I need to transport 3 bikes (mountain bikes- 27-32 pounds)

What a pain in the butt it is to try to get them up there! Used a step stool but man it isn’t easy. Was afraid I was going to drop the bike onto the T4R and scratch up the paint! Also Can’t open the rear hatch cause the rack is too long and hangs over. It may work if I adjust the crossbars all try way forward. But it was such a pain I’m just returning it!

Looking for other solutions. One for the roof where you take the front wheel off maybe? Not sure if that would make it much easier or not. Otherwise guess I’ll have to get a 4 bike hitch mount. But those hang WAY off the back of the truck. Maybe a vertical hitch rack.

How are you guys transporting 3+ bikes?

Thanks




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[jimgsmith]

Recently sold my Tundra for the T4R. Occasionally I need to carry 3 bikes. I have a 2 bike hitch rack. With the truck I’d just throw the 3rd bike in the bed.

I bought a Yakima front loader bike rack for the roof. Figured that would work for the times I need to transport 3 bikes (mountain bikes- 27-32 pounds)

What a pain in the butt it is to try to get them up there! Used a step stool but man it isn’t easy. Was afraid I was going to drop the bike onto the T4R and scratch up the paint! Also Can’t open the rear hatch cause the rack is too long and hangs over. It may work if I adjust the crossbars all try way forward. But it was such a pain I’m just returning it!

Looking for other solutions. One for the roof where you take the front wheel off maybe? Not sure if that would make it much easier or not. Otherwise guess I’ll have to get a 4 bike hitch mount. But those hang WAY off the back of the truck. Maybe a vertical hitch rack.

How are you guys transporting 3+ bikes?

Thanks




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NV 2.0 Add-on | Kuat Racks | Bike Racks

 

[rotorwind]

NV 2.0 Add-on | Kuat Racks | Bike Racks

My wife has the Serpa rack. Unfortunately can’t add onto that one.


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[MeefZah]

For roof use I have a pair of Thule fork mounts (I think in another post I accidentally said they were Yakima Blockheads, but they are not), one for each bike. They are 'U' bolted to a Yak basket and work just fine.

I bet you could run the front cargo bar on the OEM rack all the way forward and just bolt the fork mount right to that bar, then tie down the rear wheel with a ski strap.

For installing the bike I just open the back door, stand on the sill, and lift the bike up with one hand. It's fairly easy and I've never touched the bike against the truck. If you have a second person it's super simple since they can hand the bike up to you.

 

[BrianATL01]

I ride a lot and have an older model Thule T2 for two bikes that has a 2 bike extension. It sticks waaaaay out the back when I have the 2 bike extension on. It is extremely well built and has lasted for years - though I very rarely use the extension. You might look into a Thule and sell the rack you have. I have also seen the Thule on Craigslist a few times. Thule's are very expensive these days (like everything else). I too have had a roof rack and you are right, it is a pain to get the bikes up there and...it wont fit in the garage (please don't ask me how I know!!)

 

[Ghostrider]

One tip forroof racks. Put the garage door opener in your seat pack or someplace like that so you don't destroy it on the garage. Unfortunately the rider who told me that method destroyed the bike on a low tree limb getting to the garage:brick:

 

[rotorwind]

For roof use I have a pair of Thule fork mounts (I think in another post I accidentally said they were Yakima Blockheads, but they are not), one for each bike. They are 'U' bolted to a Yak basket and work just fine.



I bet you could run the front cargo bar on the OEM rack all the way forward and just bolt the fork mount right to that bar, then tie down the rear wheel with a ski strap.



For installing the bike I just open the back door, stand on the sill, and lift the bike up with one hand. It's fairly easy and I've never touched the bike against the truck. If you have a second person it's super simple since they can hand the bike up to you.

Thanks for the tips! Perhaps it will be easier without the front wheel. Definitely lighter.

I was using a step stool few feet away from the truck so I could have the bike in front of me. Guess I need to try a different method.


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[rotorwind]

I ride a lot and have an older model Thule T2 for two bikes that has a 2 bike extension. It sticks waaaaay out the back when I have the 2 bike extension on. It is extremely well built and has lasted for years - though I very rarely use the extension. You might look into a Thule and sell the rack you have. I have also seen the Thule on Craigslist a few times. Thule's are very expensive these days (like everything else). I too have had a roof rack and you are right, it is a pain to get the bikes up there and...it wont fit in the garage (please don't ask me how I know!!)

Oh that garage story I bet is horrifying! That stuff definitely scares me.

My current rack is a Yakima and I can buy a +2 extension. But it’s ridiculous long. Even comes with a flag to attach lol. Was looking for other options. But yeah I could do that I guess.


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[2112 R]

Recently sold my Tundra for the T4R. Occasionally I need to carry 3 bikes. I have a 2 bike hitch rack. With the truck I’d just throw the 3rd bike in the bed.

I bought a Yakima front loader bike rack for the roof. Figured that would work for the times I need to transport 3 bikes (mountain bikes- 27-32 pounds)

What a pain in the butt it is to try to get them up there! Used a step stool but man it isn’t easy. Was afraid I was going to drop the bike onto the T4R and scratch up the paint! Also Can’t open the rear hatch cause the rack is too long and hangs over. It may work if I adjust the crossbars all try way forward. But it was such a pain I’m just returning it!

Looking for other solutions. One for the roof where you take the front wheel off maybe? Not sure if that would make it much easier or not. Otherwise guess I’ll have to get a 4 bike hitch mount. But those hang WAY off the back of the truck. Maybe a vertical hitch rack.

How are you guys transporting 3+ bikes?

Thanks




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I have an older Thule 4 Bike swing arm hitch mount rack and from this pic it looks like it sticks back pretty far but it's not that bad.
4 bikes is a super tight fit, but it works and we've been pleased. The swing arm moves the bikes out of the way while mounted so the rear hatch can be accessed.

 

[rotorwind]

I have an older Thule 4 Bike swing arm hitch mount rack and from this pic it looks like it sticks back pretty far but it's not that bad.
4 bikes is a super tight fit, but it works and we've been pleased. The swing arm moves the bikes out of the way while mounted so the rear hatch can be accessed.

Thanks! That doesn’t stick out that bad. I need a rack that holds bikes by the wheels not hangs from the Frames. Due to the suspension on the bikes it’s nearly impossible to hang from the frame.

Nice truck! Love the wheels and tires. What size tires are you running?


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[jrm]

Old School

Thule t2 from CL.

 

[pDubs]

I would honestly sell it and get a 1up or some other hitch rack that can carry 3.

 

[rotorwind]

I would honestly sell it and get a 1up or some other hitch rack that can carry 3.

Yeah that’s what I’m thinking. Forgot about 1up. Will check that out. Thanks


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[ApexRunner]

I often have to carry 3-4 bikes for the kids and wife. I bought a $15 fork mount from amazon and mounted it to my LFD bars. I use a Velcro strap on the back wheel. Very sturdy and cheap solution for the times I need it. I agree it’s tough getting it up there, but I often have a friend to help hand it up or down.


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[2112 R]

Nice truck! Love the wheels and tires. What size tires are you running?

Thanks!
285/70/17
This pic is when I had 2" Icon Springs in the Rear with Bilstein 5100s
Fronts are Fox 2.5s remote resi DSC with Icon Delta Joint UCAs.

Redoing the rear this weekend to Fox 2.0 Performance series and 3" springs to match the front.

 

[Burt]

Sometimes I take my bike out and it fits well in the cargo area with front wheel removed. Could that work for your 3rd bike?

 

[rotorwind]

Sometimes I take my bike out and it fits well in the cargo area with front wheel removed. Could that work for your 3rd bike?

Possibly as long as 3rd person could still sit back there. But bikes get dirty and muddy so wouldn’t want to do it all the time. I’ll have to see if the smallest bike will fit.


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[Reinout]

I wouldn't bother with the roof at all and go with a vertical rack. I'm a bit brand biased to Yakima: HangOver - Bike - Activity

Other option is NorthShort rack: NSR 4-Bike Rack | North Shore Racks

These options are what we see in the PNW all the time. Holds the bikes closer to the car as well. And unlike a tray style carrier it's easier to load/unload.

I never carry that many bikes so I have a 2 tray carrier from Yakima that I could extend if I want to.

 

[winstonrodney]

My personal opinion is that the 1-Up racks are the way to go. You'll spend money on them, but they're bulletproof. I have a 2-bike rack and 2 single bike attachments so I can take however many I need. And each tray is up 15 degrees from the previous one so you can still go through some bumps without dragging the rack.
That being said, I have bounced the thing with three bikes all through the Utah deserts and the fire roads of Colorado. Never had an issue. The rack attachment is unique (an expanding ball bearing wedges into your hitch) and I've always used a short U-lock to lock the rack to my rig and it serves to keep the rack on if the ball loosens up.
I bought this after my exhaust melted one of my carbon mtn bike wheels when it was hanging from a Yakima rack.

 

[rotorwind]

My personal opinion is that the 1-Up racks are the way to go. You'll spend money on them, but they're bulletproof. I have a 2-bike rack and 2 single bike attachments so I can take however many I need. And each tray is up 15 degrees from the previous one so you can still go through some bumps without dragging the rack.

That being said, I have bounced the thing with three bikes all through the Utah deserts and the fire roads of Colorado. Never had an issue. The rack attachment is unique (an expanding ball bearing wedges into your hitch) and I've always used a short U-lock to lock the rack to my rig and it serves to keep the rack on if the ball loosens up.

I bought this after my exhaust melted one of my carbon mtn bike wheels when it was hanging from a Yakima rack.

1up definitely builds good stuff! Considering it. Was your melted rim in a 4runner with a vertical Yakima rack? That would suck!

I wouldn't bother with the roof at all and go with a vertical rack. I'm a bit brand biased to Yakima: HangOver - Bike - Activity



Other option is NorthShort rack: NSR 4-Bike Rack | North Shore Racks



These options are what we see in the PNW all the time. Holds the bikes closer to the car as well. And unlike a tray style carrier it's easier to load/unload.



I never carry that many bikes so I have a 2 tray carrier from Yakima that I could extend if I want to.

I am considering a vertical rack. Seems to be a good option!


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