PVC bike rack

[Bad Samaritan]

Hi all, here is the bike rack that I made.
Materials:
1. 1-1/4 in. x 5 ft. Green Furniture Grade Schedule 40 PVC Pipe (2-Pack)
2. End caps
3. Tee connectors
4. Nylon rivets

Every joint is secured with a rivet. I decided not to glue anything in case I need to replace a piece in the future.

The rivets are facing down (except for a few places that touch the floor, those are facing front), so the are not visible when you look at the rack from any angle.

Let me know if you have questions.

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[TwuckHappens]

Looks good why did you choose this over a traditional hitch mount or over the tailgate options?

I have a bike rack but my tonneau cover is the cheap Amazon ones and doesn't have the backflip option so I'm stuck but I always figured I'd just go with throwing it over the tailgate and using a pad if I upgraded or removed the cover.

 

[Bad Samaritan]

why did you choose this over a traditional hitch mount or over the tailgate options?

Just want to keep the bikes inside. Feels sturdier and more secure.

 

[icegradner]

Great workmanship, I hope you find something safer than bungee cords to secure the front end in the future though.

 

[Bad Samaritan]

Great workmanship, I hope you find something safer than bungee cords to secure the front end in the future though.

Thank you. The bungee cords actually prevent the rack from sliding backwards. The front (upper) bar is sitting securely in the groove, while the lower front bar is exactly to the width of the bed. It is very stable. When I use ratchet tie downs, the bungee cords are not even needed at all. They are mostly needed when driving without bikes so the rack stays in place.

 

[BlueOval1954]

Hi all, here is the bike rack that I made.
Materials:
1. 1-1/4 in. x 5 ft. Green Furniture Grade Schedule 40 PVC Pipe (2-Pack)
2. End caps
3. Tee connectors
4. Plastic rivets

Every joint is secured with a rivet. I decided not to glue anything in case I need to replace a piece in the future.

The rivets are facing down (except for a few places that touch the floor, those are facing front), so the are not visible when you look at the rack from any angle.

Let me know if you have questions.

I would say that is a nice piece of engineering. Like the color also.

 

[Doccus]

That’s pretty slick! Looks very secure. My only worry…

 

[gbit3000]

Very very nice, plz do YouTube video of this.

 

[oysterville]

Very very nice, plz do YouTube video of this.

No YouTube account, sorry.

 

[Bad Samaritan]

Very very nice, plz do YouTube video of this.

Thanks, I wish I could, but it's already riveted together, too late for video now.

 

[tom_tucker]

Looks good why did you choose this over a traditional hitch mount or over the tailgate options?

I have a bike rack but my tonneau cover is the cheap Amazon ones and doesn't have the backflip option so I'm stuck but I always figured I'd just go with throwing it over the tailgate and using a pad if I upgraded or removed the cover.

Tailgate pads are more $ than this pvc deal. Hitch mounted racks are $$$. Luckily I already had a nice hitch rack. This PVC rack is pure Maverick. It's a cheap add-on that maximizes the Maverick's existing value using the bed.

 

[TwuckHappens]

Tailgate pads are more $ than this pvc deal. Hitch mounted racks are $$$. Luckily I already had a nice hitch rack. This PVC rack is pure Maverick. It's a cheap add-on that maximizes the Maverick's existing value using the bed.

I wouldn't say a tailgate pad is more expensive and depending on what bike rack you get it may be relatively the same as a pad - talking like $50 and considering that the tonneau cover is likely near a $1000 USD I don't think that was the deciding factor.

I've seen people use PVC pipes before it just seems like more setup for install/removal of the bikes compared to other options so I was curious why that particular solution.

 

[Doccus]

Another solution to carrying bikes…..
I installed the front molle panel and using ratchet tiedowns secured each side of handlebar to the molle panel. For long trips I also put a strap through back of frame or tire. This leaves most of the bed open, does not interfere with covers when not in use, and is very easy to get bikes out and on the road. I added a piece of PVC sliced lengthwise to make it easier to line up the bike but it is not necessary.

 

[Bad Samaritan]

it just seems like more setup for install/removal of the bikes

It takes a few minutes, but not that bad.
Putting the rack into the bed and securing with bungee cords - 2 min.
Loading the bikes in - 1 min for 2 bikes.
Securing them with a ratchet tie-down - 1 to 2 min.

So the entire process is under 5 minutes. If you already have the rack in the bed - under 3 minutes.

 

[Solo]

Nice outfit. I like it, and the truck's not bad either.

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