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

[Mr Pibb]

What cover did you end up going with?

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[northstarmav]

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.

Hah! Thanks. I used some Cabots Gold leftover from another (outdoor furniture) project. And you are totally correct about the board closest to the cab — the downforce from the ratchet strap holds it in place. BTW: Love love the profile pic of St. Joe.

 

[northstarmav]

What cover did you end up going with?

I chose the RetraxPRO XR. So far, so good!

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

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

HRG

Good information.

6.5 inches, and I'm guessing another 1/4 inch or so for the pad. Good to know. I know that the 2X6 is really only about 5.5 inches tall, but it also doesn't drop to bed level. Once I get mine, I'll carefully measure and probably rip a bottom piece to set the height right so that it's just about flush with the wheel wells. Maybe 1/4" shorter. Makes for a nice flat area for plywood or drywall sheets.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Good information.

6.5 inches, and I'm guessing another 1/4 inch or so for the pad. Good to know. I know that the 2X6 is really only about 5.5 inches tall, but it also doesn't drop to bed level. Once I get mine, I'll carefully measure and probably rip a bottom piece to set the height right so that it's just about flush with the wheel wells. Maybe 1/4" shorter. Makes for a nice flat area for plywood or drywall sheets.

Yeah, I wonder if they could have dropped those wheelwells down an inch, so a standard 2x6 would provide support for 4x8 sheet goods. The one item that amazes me is that the 54-1/4" long crossbars fit nicely length-wise in the bed, like they planned it that way,,,,

HRG

 

[tciotti2003]

That is totally awesome. I also have that same cover and we have 2 E Bikes so something similar to this is?gonna work great. Thanks for your post and for your 1st post, you nailed it

 

[Flyangler]

Welcome aboard from another Minnesotan. Love the flag.

My cheapo roll up tonneau cover is wearing out at the back corners, so yours is tempting.

 

[northstarmav]

That is totally awesome. I also have that same cover and we have 2 E Bikes so something similar to this is?gonna work great. Thanks for your post and for your 1st post, you nailed it

That makes my day! Good luck with those e-bikes! Very cool.

 

[northstarmav]

Welcome aboard from another Minnesotan. Love the flag.

My cheapo roll up tonneau cover is wearing out at the back corners, so yours is tempting.

You betcha! And thanks!

 

[rclee]

Looks very CLEAN! I think I am going to steal your idea on the rear crossbar. I like how the bungee cords are adjustable for things like gas cans etc...

Nice work!

 

[k2rizzle]

Good information.

6.5 inches, and I'm guessing another 1/4 inch or so for the pad. Good to know. I know that the 2X6 is really only about 5.5 inches tall, but it also doesn't drop to bed level. Once I get mine, I'll carefully measure and probably rip a bottom piece to set the height right so that it's just about flush with the wheel wells. Maybe 1/4" shorter. Makes for a nice flat area for plywood or drywall sheets.

Another thing to consider maybe? If you use a horizontal board in the wheel wells to provide stability to sheet good or whatever you'll need to account for that as well. I haven't (and probably wouldn't) hauled drywall in mine, but if I did I'd use that horizontal board in the back along with the 1/2 tailgate position...maybe adding a horizontal board to the top of the vertical one at the rear slot would provide even more stability and help you get to your desired height at that level?? I have a much less nice looking set of 2x6 in my truck and it provides good function, but a two board setup might be nicer if going tall than that b/c they aren't the easiest to maneuver in and out and the larger the board the more difficult I think.

 

[northstarmav]

That is totally awesome. I also have that same cover and we have 2 E Bikes so something similar to this is?gonna work great. Thanks for your post and for your 1st post, you nailed it

I wanted to circle back with you and share a quick update. I took a longer trip with two bikes. Everything we well enough, but when I returned I noticed the fork mounts had loosened a bit — enough so that I decided to make some adjustments. Given what I understand about the weight of ebikes, I thought I would reach out and share what I did to ensure a stronger connection.

I removed the mounting hardware and drilled completely through the 2x6 using the screw holes as my guides. Then I used a bolt to reconnect the forkmounts. I am much much more confident in the connection and think it is the right way to go. (I had my doubts about the screws that came with the forkmounts...but, ...I ignored them. Next time I will listen to my gut).

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