Bed mounted vs hitch mounted bike rack?

[Nermal]

Did you do the flush mount and use the T-Slot?

Yes. Flush mount with t-slot. Just keep Allen key with truck in case you need to remove racks in a pinch or adjust. I use Allen key length as reference for how far into t-slot to put front/back and either side’s rack.

updated image with dual 1Up setup and new Yeti SB130
I’m still a big fan of this arrangement but a couple more real world observations
- not the easiest of lifts, especially if you have shoulder issues. Will see if lowering suspension helps.
- needs $100 extended gear guard cable and even that doesn’t leave much room for unthoughtful routing
- I’ve had people worried they’d scrape their pedals across outside of bed while taking their bikes down.

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[moosehead]

I’m definitely going to the crossbar setup over the bed, but for now rocked with existing Kuat hitch rack plus extention.

While it worked well and was solid, hate that we need an extender given the R1T receiver is tucked under the rear end. Also paranoid about popping the tailgate open into the bike gear.

Otherwise Kuat is tremendous on its own, bikes stay lower out of the wind, and loading/unloading is a snap.

 

[Aubs]

I got the Yakima high road but my mtb with 29" wheels barely fit. The front wheels rub against the spoiler and will only fit when mounted on the edge.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

Picked up a Yakima Front Loader for my 29" Bianchi Cortina. As with others, it works with the mounts moved all the way to the outside of the crossbars because of the way the aero fin curves.

 

[suprteck]

Picked up a Yakima Front Loader for my 29" Bianchi Cortina. As with others, it works with the mounts moved all the way to the outside of the crossbars because of the way the aero fin curves.

Does the front loader tray stick out pass the bed?

 

[quartz]

For e-bikes, Kuat NV2 with Yakima BackSwing is the best setup I’ve seen so far. Doesn’t stick out as much as with hitch extension, and the tailgate is usable with bikes still on the rack.

 

[BostonTruckYeah]

This is a large size 29'er

Love this setup. This is the second time I have seen a picture of a foam tailgate pad/protector like this.

Any chance you can share where you picked this up? This would be perfect for me.

 

[SeaGeo]

I decided to mount *in* the bed with my crossbars. No risk of taking my bike out when entering my garage.
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/s00nish-crossbar-mounts-bike-rack.12414/#post-279656

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

I have the 1Up cross bar mounts and the 1Up Equip-D (hitch mount). I ride 4-5 days a week and am headed out right now to ride and decompress ......the 1Up product lines are world class. Transition Spur on the cross bars and if I eMTB it, I have to use the Equip-D.

Love this stinking truck!

 

[Djrude10]

I'm running a single 1UP over the bed and liking that. I did use my hitch mount as well. It's dangerously close to the truck bed so I'd recommend an extender if using 1UP. Anyone use driver assist with hitchmount??? In my X5, driver+ would freak out and fantom brake hard on the interstate thinking the bikes were a vehicle. I'm hoping to avoid that with the R1T.

1Up hitch is clearly the best …you’ll never buy another and it’s made in the USA!

 

[danen1973]

Right there with you... always used a hitch mount for my solo e-Mtb.
Got the rail set for the bed and have a Yakima Frontloader in the box
Awaiting R1T delivery next week...
Fearful of doing the idiot move ..

Here is my setup. I have been thinking about this for over a year. Now that I have my truck I went this direction. I had couple of requirements. I didn’t want a hitch mounted version because I’m worried about being rear ended. I’m pretty sure it would happen as I was heading to some “important” race. I also didn’t like all the dirt that collects on the bike during long trips. I did NOT want open myself up to a possibility of accidentally driving my truck into the garage while the bike is mounted on the truck. As you can see it’s a tight fit but it looks like it works. Now, my only concern is the air suspension. I drive in the “all purpose” almost exclusively but I wonder if the suspension height wearies in the all purpose mode so the bike seat will hit the house.
I’m not concerned about aero impact because that bike is very aerodynamic so it will have very little impact.
Putting the bike up there is pretty easy. I considered using the Yakima bike mount that didn’t require the front wheel to be removed but it didn’t fit. I would have to mount the bike backwards but I didn’t like that. Tri bike isn’t designed to run backwards. I know, not issue but I just didn’t like it on there backwards.

 

[MXA121]

The problem with the Thule is it sits too high and the tailgate on the R1T


I loved my Thule but it won't clear the R1T tailgate when it's down, which is a show stopper for me, hence my 1UP.

Do you think the Thule would work if you used the hitch extender/lowering 2 inches?
I'd like to go with the Thule bike rack, but want to clear the tailgate.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Do you think the Thule would work if you used the hitch extender/lowering 2 inches?
I'd like to go with the Thule bike rack, but want to clear the tailgate.

I'm not certain, but somone will pipe in here, because there are those with the Thule and offset hitch receiver.

 

[limestoneR1T]

I prefer hitch mounted since I already have a 1upUSA super duty single and have an add on as well. Plus with my emtb being a bit over 50lbs I prefer just lifting my bike on here than over the bed after a ride. I also recommend the hitch extender.
I would most definitely go with another 1upUSA rack over the bed for my analog bikes and I think they look sweet over the bed.

 

[fastwheels]

Do you think the Thule would work if you used the hitch extender/lowering 2 inches?
I'd like to go with the Thule bike rack, but want to clear the tailgate.

I was looking at that, but a friend just recommended this one from Harbor Freight - a bit more drop. I need to measure and see how low it will put my rack.

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