Basecamp minimalist bike rack

[tatercamper]

During my COVID isolation, I decided to take a shot at building a minimalist bike rack for our Basecamp X. I think it will pretty stable, but will know for certain when we’re allowed to camp again!
This is designed for mountain bikes with through-axles.



Materials
1x4 wood – about 4 feet (I used a leftover cedar fence slat)
2x2 wood – about a foot (used cedar again)
½ inch PVC pipe – about a foot
4 u-brackets to fit ½ inch PVC
Various screws and brackets as shown

Step one was to cut the 1x4 to fit the rear deck edge just in front of the metal lip protector. This allows for the right side 90-degree bracket to be attached (using a small carriage bolt, washer and wing nut) to the right side bench frame (just inside the storage area)
Step two, cut the PVC pipe to comfortable slide between the forks.
Step three, layout. The 2x2s should be mounted just short of flush with the PVC (this allows the forks to move smoothly into position without hitting the wood). The 2x2s also must be mounted at such a place that will allow the through-axle to slide into the forks and through, without being blocked by either the bench sidewall (left side) or the other PVC section (right side).
Step four, predrill and countersink all screws to prevent scratching the trailer floor.
Step five, mount the 90-degree bracket and straight bracket on the 1x4. Predrill the right side bench frame for the bolt/wingnut.
Step six, with the rack in place, measure a 1x4 to slide into the air slot on the left side bench frame. Between this board and the 90-degree wingnut attachment, the rack should stay in place.


We plan to secure the rear wheels to the d-rings using a short "river strap" that will snug the tires to the floor. We then will pad the front wheels in place, or toss them on top of everything in the back of our SUV.


I’ll post an update once we use this for real, but I’m hopeful this will allow us to safely carry our two bikes to camp!

[Wayne&Sam]

That's exactly what I did when we had our 2007 20' FC. Worked great.

[tatercamper]

Looks like your bikes are the old style axles with open forks. Same concept, just a different mount hardware. Very nice.

[Dasponto]

Nice work, I am intending to build a mount out of aluminum to steady the bikes with the tires on and then strap them down into place. Hate taking tires off haha.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by tatercamper

Looks like your bikes are the old style axles with open forks. Same concept, just a different mount hardware. Very nice.

Well, I did say it was in 2007.

[Dasponto]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

Well, I did say it was in 2007.

haha, and to be fair you can still buy bikes with quick release axles. Only the more enduro style mountain bikes have switched to thru axles.

[Dasponto]

Taking a little inspiration from my roof rack and discussions with my fab guy, came up with a rough sketch.

Will be matte black and welded steel. The end supports of the wheels I think will be foldable for storage. Will have a plate along the bottom of the tire to avoid damaging the floor and the sticky rubber bottom to help hold it in place when strapped down.

Will update when he sends me his sketches. He does a lot of house and custom fab work that I've done photography of before check it out!

https://instagram.com/iron_elements_...d=bd3846tjddquAttachment 367749Attachment 367750

[Bob Schrader]

We just picked up our Basecamp yesterday and avid mtnbikers. Was thinking of cutting a 2x4 to fit snuggly between seats and adding two front fork mounts, so could take out. Haven't tried yet but was wondering if they would fit side by side facing same direction if front forks mounted in line (not off set). You've answered one question, would they fit. Next step is how to fit in 2 road bikes as well. Thinking wheels in trailer and frames in back of Grand Cherokee, or was wondering about suspending somehow between rear shelves since both very light weight carbon frames.

[Dasponto]

Originally Posted by Bob Schrader

We just picked up our Basecamp yesterday and avid mtnbikers. Was thinking of cutting a 2x4 to fit snuggly between seats and adding two front fork mounts, so could take out. Haven't tried yet but was wondering if they would fit side by side facing same direction if front forks mounted in line (not off set). You've answered one question, would they fit. Next step is how to fit in 2 road bikes as well. Thinking wheels in trailer and frames in back of Grand Cherokee, or was wondering about suspending somehow between rear shelves since both very light weight carbon frames.

Saw you posted on the facebook page as well. Definitely a lot of bikes to fit in there! As it was mentioned, avoid hanging them from the bars as they aren't that sturdy load wise.

Our two mountain bikes need 28" spacing to fit facing in the same direction and pedals extend about 5" beyond that on each side so we know our bikes will have to be put in opposite directions to fit (the benches are 32" apart).

[FaFaFooey]

I took some inspiration from tatercamper and built a similar bike mount. The wife did not like the idea of drilling into the seats so I had to come up with some way of easily clamping it in. After a few different designs I came up with one that clamps in using simple push/pull toggle clamps. I tried different forms of rubber to put on the ends of the clamps and eventually ended up using rubber feet from my local hardware store. These seem to hold the best using minimum force. We have used it only once so far but it held strong over a 400 mi trip.

[Dasponto]

That's a wicked set up. Definitely well done!

Our mileage really didn't take a hit with them on the roof. So up there they will stay now.