Two bikes, one pick up...possible?

[Speeddog]

Very nice!  Id sooo rather not have to drill holes in my truck for this.   hmmmm

I am thinking a little redneck engineering with a plywood base with eyelets might work.   I could spend the cash and get some baxley chocks too i guess

I'd recommend at least a 2x4 or a 4x4 for the eyelets to attach to, plywood's gonna be a bit flimsy.

[Jobu]

Very nice!  Id sooo rather not have to drill holes in my truck for this.   hmmmm

I am thinking a little redneck engineering with a plywood base with eyelets might work.   I could spend the cash and get some baxley chocks too i guess

That's basically what Rameses and I used.  Rameses built it.

It is a piece of plywood cut to the shape of the bed with with two 2x6's across it for support (one in the front, one in the back) and mounting of the eye bolts.  The front 2x6 is screwed down and has four eye bolts bolted through it for the tie downs.  The rear 2x6 is just screwed down and only for bracing.

The front 2x6 setup:  2 eye bolts on the far ends are used to tie down the outside of the bikes.  Also, a strap is used between the bike and the tie down point on the bed which keeps the bikes or the platform from moving independently of the truck.

Then there are two eye bolts in the middle of the 2x6 between the bikes.  The eye bolts are positioned very close to wheels of the bikes to make sure the angle is sufficient.  The straps are crossed in the middle so that the tie-down for the bike on the right goes to the eye bolt on the left and vice-versa.

A strap was also used to tie the bikes together by wrapping it around the inside fork of each bike.  This was more of a safety strap in case something cut loose.  It really isn't neccessary and doesn't need to be very cranked down much. 

We also ran a tie down through the rear wheels of the bikes but it really wasn't nessecary.  This was the second time we had used the setup and haven't had a problem.  However, we did add a small 2x6 piece to the the outside of the front tires to keep them from moving laterally (on the trip to Indy, we didn't have this and my bike might have moved a little), but with the 2x6 beside the tire, it didn't move at all.   A wheel chock would be even better and I would actually recommend it.  You can also zip tie the front brake lever.

You could probably get away with less straps and less material than we used, but we don't like to take chances and tend to over engineer everything.  With this setup, the bikes aren't going any where.

Shoot Rameses a PM for clarification if needed.

I should also add that we hooked/wrapped the straps around the fork above the bottom triple.  We didn't tie them to the bars.  The triple gives a much more sturdy point and much better angle.

[ducducgooseme]

You guys rock!!  perfect description!

Pictures to follow when I am done.

[aprilmaybe]

This is what I use...





Those are the best pictures I have on this computer, I might have better at home.
It was specifically built to use in a cargo van but a friend has used it in the back of his Ranger.

Its a solid slab of wood with 2 Harbor Freight Chocks mounted on it, plus a bunch of heavyweight D ring tie-down points.

[MTBryan]

So, how much do the monsters on the 2x6 slide around since those boards aren't attached to the bottom of the van?
Do they stay put due to the weight of the bikes?

[aprilmaybe]

So, how much do the monsters on the 2x6 slide around since those boards aren't attached to the bottom of the van?
Do they stay put due to the weight of the bikes?

In my set up the bikes don't slide at all. The piece of wood has a rubber mat on the bottom which helps keep it in place but mainly the whole chock set up is strapped to the van both front and back. That plus the weight of the bikes keeps it pretty stable.

[MTBryan]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I just got a wheel chock that I want to install in the back of my '05 Taco (Tacoma). I've always just used straps, but sometimes the wheel shifts, and I've dumped a bike or two over the years because when the wheel turns, the tie downs go slack and the bike falls over on it's side. OK for a dirt bike, but not good for a street bike.
But I hate to permanently install the wheel chock since I often use the bed of my truck for other things.
I might try a solution like yours so it is easy to take out when I am done transporting the Foggy.
Man, how did we all get by before the internet?

[jdubbs32584]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I just got a wheel chock that I want to install in the back of my '05 Taco (Tacoma). I've always just used straps, but sometimes the wheel shifts, and I've dumped a bike or two over the years because when the wheel turns, the tie downs go slack and the bike falls over on it's side. OK for a dirt bike, but not good for a street bike.
But I hate to permanently install the wheel chock since I often use the bed of my truck for other things.
I might try a solution like yours so it is easy to take out when I am done transporting the Foggy.
Man, how did we all get by before the internet?

Rameses used a Tacoma to haul the bikes. He might be able to help too.

[derby]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I just got a wheel chock that I want to install in the back of my '05 Taco (Tacoma). I've always just used straps, but sometimes the wheel shifts, and I've dumped a bike or two over the years because when the wheel turns, the tie downs go slack and the bike falls over on it's side. OK for a dirt bike, but not good for a street bike.
But I hate to permanently install the wheel chock since I often use the bed of my truck for other things.
I might try a solution like yours so it is easy to take out when I am done transporting the Foggy.
Man, how did we all get by before the internet?

i use a baxley sport chock in my '06 tacoma.

[bryant8]

i use a baxley sport chock in my '06 tacoma.

Hey Derby can you fit 2 baxleys side by side in the tacoma bed?

[derby]

Hey Derby can you fit 2 baxleys side by side in the tacoma bed?

no problem.

the only problem w/ the tacomas is the stock tiedown points on the floor: there are none in the front.

you can easily mount some d-rings and you'll be good to go.

for a single bike, tying to the cleats on the rails is enough to stabilize the bike.

[MTBryan]

I mounted some rather large tie down points on the front wheel wells, right towards the front wall of the bed. They seem to be holding pretty well. I can't believe Toyota put such nice tie downs in the BACK of that truck. What a bunch of dummies!

I really don't trust the adjustable tie down on the rails. They seem very flimsy. They say they are rated for 200 pounds, but there is so much flex, I just don't see that happening and I don't want to take any chances.

[ellingly]

Anyone else worry when they read this topic? I was thinking it really should have been 2ducs1truck or something.

[derby]

I mounted some rather large tie down points on the front wheel wells, right towards the front wall of the bed. They seem to be holding pretty well. I can't believe Toyota put such nice tie downs in the BACK of that truck. What a bunch of dummies!

many people just move the back ones to the front.

I really don't trust the adjustable tie down on the rails. They seem very flimsy. They say they are rated for 200 pounds, but there is so much flex, I just don't see that happening and I don't want to take any chances.

well, the baxley locks closed, so you're really only using the tiedowns to stabilize the bike and hold it forward in the chock.

[bryant8]

no problem.

the only problem w/ the tacomas is the stock tiedown points on the floor: there are none in the front.

you can easily mount some d-rings and you'll be good to go.

for a single bike, tying to the cleats on the rails is enough to stabilize the bike.

I've added 3 D-rings to the front of the bed on my Tacoma.  They work great!  I have 5 D-rings and the 4 sliding cleats for tiedown points.  Great versitility !

Now I have an excuse to go get a baxley