What are people finding easiest when carrying bikes on a ute?
I like the look of using a tailgate pad but that seems to limit any bed cover to retractable versions only. Really want to have a solid metal load lid style but don't think that will work with bikes on the tailgate. A soft tonneau would work but we want to lock the tray up so its properly useable for storage.
Is it easier just to go with a hitch mount rack?
tygertung,
Jan 26, 8:54pm
I'd say so, and then you can still put refrigerators, couches etc. in the back.
pico42,
Jan 26, 8:58pm
If I was insistent on a hard bed cover, I would put an upright rack on the cover that lifts with the cover. Might need some heavier duty struts.
Still not going to get a fridge on with the load lid in place. Not really worried about carrying tall items, the space under the lid will be fine.
Just wondering if there is any way to have a load lid style lockable cover and still load the bikes over the tailgate?
matt5209,
Jan 26, 9:00pm
Yeah I wondered about this. Have five bikes to carry though and they wont all fit. I guess a couple of the kids bikes could go under the lid. Starts to get expensive with all the options.
tygertung,
Jan 26, 10:22pm
The reason I said fridge, was that I was driving back from nelson and someone had a ute with a fridge on it.
If you have a lot of bikes, you might use a trailer?
kazbanz,
Jan 26, 10:28pm
You WILL get three bike racks/ three bikes onto your hard cover and probably you could lay two kids bikes inside. OR two bikes on a rack on the towhitch. An alternative MIGHT be that the whole five bikes will fit on the cover if you have three facing forwards and two backwards so they mesh through the crank area. If its marginal then removing front wheels is the way to go That would depend on having quick release front skewers. One HUGE advantage of removing the front wheel is that you instantly reduce the theft risk.
onl_148,
Jan 26, 10:56pm
Wanted to sell: top of the range mountain bike. would suit someone who already has the front wheel for a top of the range mountain bike !
s_nz,
Jan 26, 11:00pm
Hitch mount would likely be easiest, but you can also get mounts to put the bikes upright (either with frount wheel on or off) on either the roof or the tray hardlid. Generally hitch mounts are a bit more rough on bikes than the roof style mounts.
Obviously a hitch mount can't be used while towing (unless you mount a hitch on the trailer somewhere.
And if being very tall, or very long will be inconvenient to you.
for 5 bikes on a hitch mount you will be look at a vertical configuration:
You need a Euro style van by the sound of all that.
allan_mac,
Jan 26, 11:38pm
5 bikes on the tow bar puts a fair bit of load on the hitch. Mountainbikes at, say 15kg each = 75kg. Combinations such as kazbanz suggest seems the more sensible route. But, hey, try it with a 4 bike towbar rack, and find space in the tray for the 5th bike, and see how you get on.
s_nz,
Jan 26, 11:44pm
Most modern utes have tow hitches are rated for 350kg of downforce for towing.
Yes bike racks have have a bit more of a lever arm, but ute tow hitch recevers should be more than capiable of carrying a 5 or 6 bike rack.
neell,
Jan 27, 1:12am
I've got a flat deck ute - how many do you want moved? I can do the fridge at the same time.
tygertung,
Jan 27, 1:46am
Utes are ideal for fridge moving, or otherwise just use a wagon and a trailer.
While a very good idea, why does it need to be a Euro van?
jmma,
Jan 27, 5:33am
Add a bike rack to roof rack.
kazbanz,
Jan 27, 7:44am
I think the important word is style. So big square back. Doesn’t need to be euro. It is how we transport our bikes safer than a Ute
franc123,
Jan 27, 8:22am
It doesn't I was referring to a semi bonnet van that has a good body width and height. I would've recommended an iLoad but apparently they're hard on tyres.
matt5209,
Jan 27, 8:23am
That shingleback rack looks good, still won’t take the 16” bikes. I’m thinking a tailgate pad and a roller cover will have to be the way to go.
Haven’t been able to find a rack that will take adult bikes and kids bikes down to 16” except for the two arm version I jam them all onto now.
tygertung,
Jan 27, 8:31am
I would advise against putting them on the roof as the drag is out of control.
Sounds like they should've bought a station wagon instead of a sedan with an open back, which is all these modern "utes" amount to.
tygertung,
Jan 27, 6:26pm
That's right, station wagons are way better, and you can just use a trailer if you have a lot of gear to cart around.
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