PVC bike rack for a utility trailer

[com4n6]

Has anyone made one of these for 4 bikes? I have seen them for truck beds but was just curious if anyone has done this for a trailer. Thank you!

 

[6zfshdb]

The same truck bed principle can be used with four positions depending on the type of trailer. If it has sides, a sliding PVC platform would make loading and unloading easier. Just use four roof type racks fastened to PVC rails that slide out. If the trailer has no sides, fasten the roof racks to fixed 2 X 4's or a plywood base mounted to the trailer frame.

I made one for a friend using four of these Yakima racks but almost any roof type rack will work. Some will work for bikes with fenders and others require removing the front wheel.

https://www.yakima.com/frontloader


His trailer had no sides so we bolted the four racks, two facing forward and two facing back, to 2 X 4's mounted on the trailer bed.

There are ready made bike trailers out there but they tend to be pricey:

https://www.rackwarehouse.com/malon...s_mYvPaMFcwlnT6x8P-SLlFij0pFkxMkaAktxEALw_wcB

If you have your own trailer and are handy with tools, you can make one for less than half the cost of a pre-built model.

 

[rich c]

The dynamics of a trailer are much different than in a pickup bed. Worse suspension and whipping during lane changes are just a couple reasons I wouldn’t trust a load of expensive eBikes to plastic pipe support.

 

[com4n6]

6zfshdb those look great except they are only rated for 40 pounds. my bike is 50ish. who knew, finally have a bike that i love riding but can't find a way to actually transport it to got riding!!!!!

 

[6zfshdb]

6zfshdb those look great except they are only rated for 40 pounds. my bike is 50ish. who knew, finally have a bike that i love riding but can't find a way to actually transport it to got riding!!!!!

My buddy has been using those racks with his three 60+ pound ebikes with no problem. He uses bungees to limit side sway which is the major issue. I use Thule Sidearm racks in my pickup PVC rack with 60+ pound bikes and also support them with bungees:

https://www.evo.com/outlet/roof-mou...A-r4mCWzJ_gKmJHhnZ7rN9S-hjjlQTWBoCMOkQAvD_BwE




There are many other racks of this type out there. Some weight ratings are higher than others. It depends on the type of bike you have. If yours has fenders, the selection is somewhat limited. The best one I've seen for fenders is this one:

https://www.yakima.com/raptoraero

Few if any of these roof racks are rated above 40 pounds since most riders aren't capable of lifting that much weight up onto the roof of a vehicle. As I said, side sway is the biggest issue. These racks aren't designed to prevent sway on a heavy bike. Bungees or tie downs solve the problem and are easily installed since the bikes aren't high up on a vehicle roof.