My solution for carrying bikes & towing the ttt

[35thAV]

Here is what I use to haul our mountain bikes - I can handle up to 4 bikes on the rack with all the bike mounts installed. I put it together with all off-the-shelf Yakima parts.

My goal is to make the ultimate shuttle vehicle! (we especially enjoy the bumper cupholders)

<i>What do you guys use for moving your gear?</i>

 

[Eunice-TNT]

bike rack on back of tear. Need to work out a better hook-up. This bent the vent on the top with the straps.

 

[closurdo]

Well I don't have a teardrop but I'm still faced with some of the same problems. Since I have a fiberglass toneau cover on my truck to keep my gear dry, I built a bike rack from an old hitch mounted one. I strap it around the toneau cover with ratchet straps - very secure. This setup allows me to carry my 18 1/2' canoe and still be able to tow our travel trailer.
I should also mention that I'm able to open the cover up and prop it open even with the bikes and canoe on the truck.

 

[Endo-TNT]

Here is what I use to haul our mountain bikes - I can handle up to 4 bikes on the rack with all the bike mounts installed. I put it together with all off-the-shelf Yakima parts.

Can you list all of the part numbers you used. I have an Avalanche and have considered doing the same.

 

[35thAV]

Can you list all of the part numbers you used. I have an Avalanche and have considered doing the same.

Here you go:

Yakima parts list:
(2) 48" round bars
(4) Q-Towers
(4) Q30 Clips
( 8 ) SRS Locksets w/ keys
(2) Raptor Bike Racks

That is all it takes. The clips are "L" shaped and slip under the bed panels. When latched, they will not move. The racks themselves are easy to use. Just place the bike in the tray and slide the bar up to the bikes main bar and clamp it down.

Or look here for more Avalanche specific info:http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,94316.0/all.html

 

[Endo-TNT]

Thanks for the list!

 

[xrover]

What about mounting/welding a 2" receiver to the rear frame of the TD and then using a conventional 2" receiver type bike rack? I would recommend recessing the receiver so you don't smack your shins on it when cooking. Heck, you could even mount one of those bumper bbq's when you get to your destination.

 

[35thAV]

What about mounting/welding a 2" receiver to the rear frame of the TD and then using a conventional 2" receiver type bike rack? I would recommend recessing the receiver so you don't smack your shins on it when cooking. Heck, you could even mount one of those bumper bbq's when you get to your destination.

That was part of my original plan when I was thinking about buying a trailer. Of course then I bought a trailer that has the door on the back!

I think that is a great idea for most the trailers out there. Plus you could uyse the same rack for the trailer or the car once you get to camp.

 

[kennyrayandersen]

That was part of my original plan when I was thinking about buying a trailer. Of course then I bought a trailer that has the door on the back!

I think that is a great idea for most the trailers out there. Plus you could use the same rack for the trailer or the car once you get to camp.

There is also a model I've seen that mounts in the receiver, but will swing out allowing someone to open a tailgate, or door, in the case of a trailer. It would probably have a little less drag as the bike will be in the shadow of the trailer rather than up and into the airstream. It would work for me as I'm frameless.

Need to work out a better hook-up. This bent the vent on the top with the straps.

You should be able to take out all of the fore/aft and vertical load on the tear sidewalls, and actually the side-to-side load will come out on the corners of the tear if the 'arms' stay tight to the trailer. You've inspired me!

 

[Fenlason]

I prefer to carry my bikes inside.. out of the rain.. and bug splatter.. and out of sight.. of vandals

Until gas went to $4.00 a gallon I used to have a 15 passenger Ford van for them.

We also ride tandems a lot... so the extra length was good for that.

We also carried a 21 ft tandem kayak with it.

it was a great toy hauler

 

[Hiker Chick]

Sportsworks Transport Receiver hitch-rack (Little Guy welded on the hitch receiver when I bought the teardrop). Carries two bikes. And my teardrop hatch opens with both bikes on.

 

[Fenlason]

Here is what I use to haul our mountain bikes - I can handle up to 4 bikes on the rack with all the bike mounts installed. I put it together with all off-the-shelf Yakima parts.

Can you list all of the part numbers you used. I have an Avalanche and have considered doing the same.

Endo.. that's a nice biking name..

 

[35thAV]

Here is what I use to haul our mountain bikes - I can handle up to 4 bikes on the rack with all the bike mounts installed. I put it together with all off-the-shelf Yakima parts.

Can you list all of the part numbers you used. I have an Avalanche and have considered doing the same.

Here is a better pic of the setup Endo:

 

[fpoole]

Yah, I was thinking the same thing and had hitch put on the back on the build..

Haven't used it yet, still trying to find the bikes in storage... maybe by summer... but the hitch is there, "Loaded and Tied, ready to ride..."
a-hem, when I dig the bike out that is....

 

[Endo-TNT]

Endo.. that's a nice biking name..

It is kind of funny when you think about it that way.......and I have done it a time or two!

 

[1912]

I use the same method as Hiker Chick. I had a receiver put under my tear when it was built. When I get there I can put the rack on the car to go to far off bike destinations. With the bikes on the tear it frees up the roof to carry the kayaks.

 

[TD Beej]

I am thinking of putting rack of some kind on the the tongue to put the bikes (6), at least if I can find something compact enough. The tongue would probably be the most aerodynamic place but I am not so thrilled with adding extra tongue weight. Anyone have ideas or suggestions for the rack.

Thanks, Beej

 

[Barefoot-TNT]

Why not mount the bikes on the front of the tow vehicle? Back in the olden days when even cars had real bumpers it was done with a bumper-mounted rack but a 1-1/2" or 2" receiver works, too. A front-mounted hitch also allows easier and more precise "backing" of the tear or especially a bigger trailer.

 

[TD Beej]

The front is probably the most aerodynamically disturbing spot. And blocking lights, collecting bugs... I think the best solution is simply to figure out something with the tongue. Maybe a reciever on the tongue and back of the TD and move the sparefrom one spot to the other as needed to get the correct balance.

- Beej

 

[TD Beej]

I ran a couple of spread sheets one with bikes and front and a spare tire on the back, the other with no bikes and the spare moved to the front. The weights are a bit of guesswork (any comments?) but the tongue weights are spot on which means that this is probably very feasible provided an appropriate bike rack can be found.

With Bikes and spare on tail:

No Bikes and spare on tongue: