Trails » Sports & Recreation » Bicycles » Bike Racks » How to Build a Truck Bed Bike Rack

How to Build a Truck Bed Bike Rack

How to Build a Truck Bed Bike Rack
If you have a pickup truck you may be accustomed to laying your bicycle in the back of the bed when you take it out to go for a ride. But when you lay it in the back of the truck you risk damaging the components of the bike if it happens to slide in the truck bed when you're driving. A simple bike rack for your truck bed will give you a safe way to transport your bike.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Measuring tape
  • Pressure treated lumber, 1 by 6 inch
  • Saw
  • Power drill
  • Drill bit, 1/2 inch
  • Lag bolts, 2-inch
  • Wrench
  • Universal bike mounts
  • Wood screws, 1/2 inch
  • Screwdriver
Step 1
Measure the side-to-side distance of your truck bed in front of the wheel wells and behind the cab.
Step 2
Cut a piece of 1-by-6 inch pressure treated lumber with a saw so that is one inch shorter than the measurement taken in Step 1.
Step 3
Place the board in the bed of your truck--two feet behind the cab--so that the board is parallel to the front edge of the bed.
Step 4
Drill two holes through the board and into the bed of the truck using a power drill and a 1/2 inch drill bit. Place the holes six inches from either end of the board.
Step 5
Screw a 2-inch lag bolt into the openings in the board, screwing the board into the metal of the truck bed.
Step 6
Screw two universal bike mounts onto the board in the bed of the truck, positioning each mount 12 inches from the outer edges of the board. Mount the mounts with 1/2-inch wood screws and a screwdriver.

Article Written By Nichole Liandi

Based in Virginia, Nichole Liandi has been a freelance writer since 2005. Her articles have appeared on various print and online publications. Liandi has traveled extensively in Europe and East Asia and incorporates her experiences into her articles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from West Virginia University.

Write for Trails.com

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