Hauling Bicycles

[VaTravelers]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

I like the Fiama, but wish there was a good way to cover them while traveling...my Trek bicycles took a beating last year and were barely used...I took them in to a Trek dealer and they wanted $250 to clean/tune one and $175 for the other....Think I only paid $300 each when I purchased few years back... Any ideas are appreciated. We will take our bikes apart this winter, remove rust, change tires, lubricate everything again, but looking for a cover for next season...

I’ve not experienced that with our Fiamma. I give them a good wash down when needed. We use them every chance we get so maybe that’s why I feel a need to wash them down.

[pwlldvd]

Dsteed,

Thanks for the pics. That’s kind of what I had in mind. I thought about screwing the mounts directly to the bakflip, but like your solution better.

I cant weld, but seeing yours, maybe I can build a bolt-together bar that mounts in the stake pockets.

[SecondFloor]

I have a possibility for you that has worked well for us: an American Roll Cover with the American Rack System from Truck Covers USA. With this, I can install Yakima crossbars, which means I can install Yakima's bike racks. Here is a pic:

[Free Ride]

This arrangement has worked very well for us:

• DiamondBack SE tonneau cover
• Yakima “ForkChop” bike mounts (1 set per bike)
• Yakima “SkyLine Towers” (4)
• Yakima “CoreBars” (2)
• Yakima “Landing Pad 1” (2)
• Yakima “Tracks” (2) with Plusnuts
• Yakima “Landing Pad 7” (2)

The Yakima ForkChop front and rear bike mounts pivot independently to allow either the front or rear access panels to be opened without removing bikes. This allows easy access to the truck bed. The DiamondBack SE tonneau cover supports 400 lbs, so I can stand on it to load bikes (but can load 2 outer bikes from the ground). Mounting the bikes on the tow vehicle, rather than the trailer, means the bikes will be with me after I drop the trailer and drive to the trailhead.

[graygoose]

We really researched this because we have two e-bikes that are a little too heavy for a bike rack in the back, and we didn't have a lot of room when we tried our Thule racks inside the bed. We now use the Yakima GateKeeper Tailgate Pad which allows us to put the front end (tire) over the tailgate with straps that hold that section in place. We then use a couple of bungee cords to secure the rest of the bike. We are now able to take every thing we need with us....using a couple of larger bins to keep things dry in case of rain. We are also able to keep the bed cover down a little (not flipped up blocking the rear window), to keep other things dry and secure. Also, we secure the bikes with a cable lock for overnights on the road. Easy breezy for loading up and moving on.

[DSteed]

Originally Posted by SecondFloor

I have a possibility for you that has worked well for us: an American Roll Cover with the American Rack System from Truck Covers USA. With this, I can install Yakima crossbars, which means I can install Yakima's bike racks. Here is a pic:

Looks great, I had the old Thule system and I just modified to my needs .
I can still open the last section of the Bak Flip to gain access to needed thing in the back.

[LBelle]

Free Ride, we also have a DiamondBack SE, which is great, and I really like your setup. We are fine with the Fiamma on the AS, which has been just fine over 5 years and 7,000 miles, but you have given me a nice alternative. Thanks

[flaucheux]

Does removing the batteries reduce the weight of the bikes enough to use the Fiamma? could store the batteries inside trailer, probably better for batteries anyway...

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by flaucheux

Does removing the batteries reduce the weight of the bikes enough to use the Fiamma? could store the batteries inside trailer, probably better for batteries anyway...

Not much. My batteries weigh about 4lbs and that would be a total of 8lbs. I should email you a picture of how I will store bikes in trailer. Generally I put them on front. I just wanted something to use in bad weather because I still need the bike rack.

[paixsoleil]

Alan, Making our first long trip this Summer in our 22' Sport. This was the solution we were considering for our bikes as well as we will also be carrying kayaks in the back of the truck. Can you tell me what you bungee to and if you've had any regrets or interior damage to date? Cheers.

[SilverWind]

Most e-bikes seem to be in the 60 pound+- range. You are ok with the Fiamma carrier if you keep it under the 75 pound limit.

If you have the really wide tires sold with many e-bikes you might find it challenging to fit on the Fiamma's wheel/tires trays.

[pjshier]

The Townie Go tires fit well in the Fiamma rack - but of course the limit is one bike due to weight. Rides very well, there. Our second bike is going to ride in the back of the truck under a LEER cap, with the rest of the "stuff." Couldn't sell the passenger on the front mounted bike rack... at least not so far.

[dznf0g]

[Airhead2018]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

I use a Racor PBS-2R Two-Bike Floor Stand inside the trailer. It cost about $35. No disassembly of bikes required. I use a couple bungees to keep it from moving while in transit.

Once I am parked, I use it outside to secure bikes with a cable type bike lock.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Racor-2-...S-2R/100464810

This is exactly what we use inside our Classic. It fits right in front of the couch and I run a strap from the couch to the dinette bench. So far so good and we can use the money saved to go camping!

[pjshier]

Looks like you still have easy access to the coach, too. Well done!

[DSteed]

I carry my bikes on top of my Bakflip bed cover.

[Fair_Enough]

Dznf0g, is that “Rack-it” or custom fab’d?

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Lippert-Jack-It-reg-Double-Bike-Carrier/2504531.uts?productVariantId=5178280&WT.tsrc=PPC&W T.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04800668&rid= 20&ds_rl=1246525&ds_rl=1246528&ds_rl=1247879&ds_rl =1252079&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzaDu6pCj4AIVAlSGCh2lRwA cEAQYASABEgLj2vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Clint

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Wolfwhistle

Dznf0g, is that “Rack-it” or custom fab’d?

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Lipp...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Clint

No, it's a 3 place Arvika tongue rack. With a cover over the bikes.

[Flht2k]

Originally Posted by DSteed

I carry my bikes on top of my Bakflip bed cover.Attachment 332944

That's what I want to do. Can you provide any info. Also, disadvantages for mounting this way. Thanks

[patriciahawk]

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

So I have a front bike rack on my pickup (hitch on front). We have to have the bike rack with us, because we like to go places to bike and need a way to haul them without emptying out the back of the truck. But I at night I’m concerned about hauling the bikes on the front, and also when it is raining and snowing I prefer to the bikes not be on the front.

So I came across this solution. I use one on the front and the back of the bike wheels. They make the bike REALLY sturdy. They are very easy to use and I tried out 2 of them on my bike in the AS. It looks like it should really work well. I’m going to put a pad underneath them (yoga mat) and then put blankets around the bike so if they should tip they don’t scratch anything. But for about $160 this is an excellent solution. See the thread:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/BIKEHAND-...SABEgIwOfD_BwE

I will post a picture some time if anyone is interested. But it’s pretty slick. Very impressed with the stability and the bike doesn’t move forward to backward and you really have to push to move it side to side.

I’m interested in seeing a picture of how you use standing bike racks inside your AS, please.