Retractable Tonneau Cover and DIY Custom Bike Rack (w/Pics)

[northstarmav]

Hey Maverick Truck Club — First post here. (First post anywhere for that matter.)

I want to start by thanking everyone who contributed to this site. Reading everyone's thoughts and tips really helped me understand all my options and choose the best truck for my needs. There was is so much knowledge and amazing information here!

The one thing I wasn't able to find was anybody's first-hand experience combining a retractable cover with a simple DIY bike rack. So, in the spirit of sharing — here is my experience.

Wanting a secure and easy-to-use tonneau, I settled on the RetraxPRO XR. I knew this would make it impossible to build the bike rack that Ford is promoting as part of their DIY video series, but trusted that I could find a solution with the Flexbed. In short: I took the idea from Ford and purchased a pair of universal fork mounts and Mounted them to a weather-sealed 2x6 sized to span the wheel well pockets. This gave me enough setback from the tonneau, and allows me to partially close the tailgate when I carry my road bike.

Attached are a couple of photos taken over the recent weekend during my first trip with the rack. I am super-happy with this setup. It works for my needs and was a fun project. I hope this helps anyone who is interested in something similar. The last photo shows how I can just flip the board upside-down when I don't need to use the mounting hardware — it sits flush with the wheel wells and provides a flat surface (with the tailgate partially opened) for long objects. Simple, but effective!

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[HeyBales]

Very nice, was wondering how close I could get with rollup cover.

I actually may be using roof rack from old car that keeps both tires on and clamps to downtube. Thinking of an elevated rear tire to allow gate to still close.

Perhaps a piece of foam insulating tube to prevent lash trap paint wear off?

Like that everything is in one place when you need to use it.

 

[TripWeasel]

Nice. The other board with the D rings and bungee is slick too.

 

[dadd75]

Nice set-up! Just wondering, is the back board the same height as your wheel wells? If so, what size board is that? Thanks!

 

[northstarmav]

Nice. The other board with the D rings and bungee is slick too.

Thanks! Appreciate that.

 

[northstarmav]

Nice set-up! Just wondering, is the back board the same height as your wheel wells? If so, what size board is that? Thanks!

It is! It is also 2x6...cut down from the same board I used for the bike. Hope this helps.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Nice set-up! Just wondering, is the back board the same height as your wheel wells? If so, what size board is that? Thanks!

I get 6-1/2" from my bed mat to the top of the wheelwells/propped tailgate.

HRG

 

[dadd75]

I get 6-1/2" from my bed mat to the top of the wheelwells/propped tailgate.

HRG

Thanks! I was thinking of doing the same thing you did with the left-over D-rings when I installed my tailgate damper.

 

[ClemsonU88]

I don't mean to one-up you, but check out THIS bike rack.

And if I'm going on a long trip, I can strap it down with a tie-strap or bungee cord.

But seriously, if I was hauling 2 bikes around, I would totally use your method (I like it very much); but for just one bike, the bed is enough for me. Is there another reason I shouldn't just lay it in there (with or without a strap)?

To me the only draw back to my method is that I can't use the backup camera...and I'm VERY dependent on the backup camera.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Is there another reason I shouldn't just lay it in there (with or without a strap)?

Are you protecting the left-side pedal from grinding thru the bedliner?

HRG

 

[northstarmav]

I don't mean to one-up you, but check out THIS bike rack.

And if I'm going on a long trip, I can strap it down with a tie-strap or bungee cord.

But seriously, if I was hauling 2 bikes around, I would totally use your method (I like it very much); but for just one bike, the bed is enough for me. Is there another reason I shouldn't just lay it in there (with or without a strap)?

To me the only draw back to my method is that I can't use the backup camera...and I'm VERY dependent on the backup camera.

I get it! I was pretty confused the first time I back up with gate partially open!

 

[northstarmav]

I get 6-1/2" from my bed mat to the top of the wheelwells/propped tailgate.

HRG

Interesting! I have a drop-in bed liner that looks a little different than yours...maybe that's the difference?

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Interesting! I have a drop-in bed liner that looks a little different than yours...maybe that's the difference?

Mine is the factory Ford Lariat OEM spray-in, with a rubber bed mat laid in.

HRG

 

[ClemsonU88]

Are you protecting the left-side pedal from grinding thru the bedliner?

HRG

(Not sure if you're serious, but I'll address it as if you are.)

No, but that kind of falls in the "Grand Canyon" model. Given long enough, a repeated action will wear through something seemingly much more durable (like water over rock). I only haul it 2-3 times a week, and it's rarely in the exact same spot. I think it would take until 2287 before that left-side pedal grinds through the bed liner.

 

[Joe Strummer]

Looks more like a piece of furniture.

Am I right in thinking the board closest to the cab is not held in place by anything; so it's the Bungees that are actually holding everything down?

I just bought a SportRack 2 bike trailer hitch rack for $250. Works fine.

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