Maverick fits Four 26" Mountain Bikes

I figured I would share this because I couldn't find anywhere else that this has been done.

So.. when I ordered my Mav a year ago, I was curious if I could fit Four 26" Mountain bikes in the bed, without taking the tires off OR Hanging them over the tail gate. I searched through these forums and the internet, but didn't see anybody that had done it.

I didn't want to use a tailgate pad because eventually sand and debris will get between the pad and the gate and wear away at the paint.

I didn't want use the 2x6 with a bracket for the front fork method either, as not all my bikes have quick release tires and that's just an extra step I'm trying to avoid.

I did see where people who own larger trucks have used a homemade PVC "bike rack" and thought that might work, but without the truck I wasn't unable to gauge the length and width of the bed to see if they would all fit. So I waited.

Well... I got my Mav 4 months ago, but I've been working, traveling, doing family things, etc.. you know, life. Anyway, I finally got around to putting the bikes in the bed and measuring everything out. It looked like it would work, so I made the plan and bought all the PVC and fittings, then got to work making a "Bike Rack" for the bed.

Turns out, it works perfectly. You can fit Four 26" Mountain bikes in a Maverick with ease! I had to stagger the bikes front/back/front/back, so the handle bars don't entangle with each other. Also, with the tail gate in the "half up" position, it actually pushes the bikes into the bike rack, holding them into place better.

My Wife and our two kids (both teenagers) went bike riding today and the Maverick is the perfect truck to accomplish this.

Nicely done!

Sorry, beat ya to it!

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...d-or-hitch-rack-for-frequent-use.15437/page-5

I can do 5, but I take off the front wheels:

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/diy-bike-rack.5303/post-289984

Anyone going for 6?

Milqueman said:

I didn't want to use a tailgate pad because eventually sand and debris will get between the pad and the gate and wear away at the paint.

Click to expand...

Is this really a thing?? I was planning on a tailgate pad but maybe not. Although wondering if some 3M PPF on the tailgate would help. Is it especially a concern with the notoriously thin paint on the Maverick?

dalola said:

Sorry, beat ya to it!

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...d-or-hitch-rack-for-frequent-use.15437/page-5

Click to expand...

Cool

which07 said:

I can do 5, but I take off the front wheels:

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/diy-bike-rack.5303/post-289984

Click to expand...

Nice, But I don't like the idea of having to remove the tires. I prefer to just slide them in a rack. To each is own though, not complaining about your technique, just not for me. Glad to see 5 will fit though.

EchoPear said:

Is this really a thing?? I was planning on a tailgate pad but maybe not. Although wondering if some 3M PPF on the tailgate would help. Is it especially a concern with the notoriously thin paint on the Maverick?

Click to expand...

It's possible and that's all I need to know. I don't want my paint scratched and anything that touches the paint, especially a large pad, has the potential to scratch it. Especially if dirt gets between the pad when driving down a long dirt road. You know, the kind where mountain bike trails are usually located, so you kind of have to drive down dirt roads to get to them.

I once google searched for "do tailgate pads for bikes scratch the paint" and got a whole bunch of mixed reviews.

Some swear if you have to proper fit, it won't. Others swear that no matter what you do, it will.

I just don't want to take the chance.

EchoPear said:

Is this really a thing?? I was planning on a tailgate pad but maybe not. Although wondering if some 3M PPF on the tailgate would help. Is it especially a concern with the notoriously thin paint on the Maverick?

Click to expand...

if you buy a decent quality tailgate pad this is not a thing. I have a tailgate pad sat on the back of my Mav most of the summer, I have seen no issues with the paint whatsoever, nor with the countless trucks I've had before with the same set up.

Milqueman said:

It's possible and that's all I need to know. I don't want my paint scratched and anything that touches the paint, especially a large pad, has the potential to scratch it. Especially if dirt gets between the pad when driving down a long dirt road. You know, the kind where mountain bike trails are usually located, so you kind of have to drive down dirt roads to get to them.

I once google searched for "do tailgate pads for bikes scratch the paint" and got a whole bunch of mixed reviews.

Some swear if you have to proper fit, it won't. Others swear that no matter what you do, it will.

I just don't want to take the chance.

Click to expand...

personally I'd be more concerned about pedals scratching the paint on the bed without any spray in bedliner but everyone has their own priorities I guess

RogueCheddar said:

if you buy a decent quality tailgate pad this is not a thing. I have a tailgate pad sat on the back of my Mav most of the summer, I have seen no issues with the paint whatsoever, nor with the countless trucks I've had before with the same set up.

Click to expand...

Good to know. I saw most have a microfiber or soft side that rests on the paint. Have you been able to still use a tonneau cover with your pad still on?

I had a tailgate pad on my blue XLT for 6 months, zero paint damage
I’ve got friends up north with basically permanent tailgate pads that don’t scratch their paint
Throwing a moving blanket over the tailgate works too

Personally I just prefer using a hitch rack

Nicely done! How did you make the bike rack and what's holding it to the front of the maverick?

RogueCheddar said:

personally I'd be more concerned about pedals scratching the paint on the bed without any spray in bedliner but everyone has their own priorities I guess

Click to expand...

I plan on getting LIneX installed eventually. When they install SIBL, they scuff up the paint in the bed anyway, so I'm not at all concerned about scratches in the bed.