Home made hitch mount fork clamp bike rack

[corleykj]

I ran into the need for a second bike rack. I needed it for the 40. I have been looking at north shore racks for over a year. Sometimes I haul road bikes with carbon forks and the north shore (and my wallet) sent me in my own direction. I emailed north shore for some feedback while I was planning this build and they were very helpful.

I started with a fixed height design. One thing I wanted was high clearance, bc I have had to remove the front wheel off a bike when getting to a camp spot with my Thule hitch rack. I also wanted to use scrap metal I had lying around and use fork clamps/mounts I had lying around.
Once I got the basic rack welded up I realized the fixed height was way too high for me to drive around with all the time. So I made it slide (the smaller tubing slides into the larger tubing). Then I cut and moved the fork mounts in 14" closer to the cab. I didn't use a tubing bender for the top bends, but probably will if I get some more time next winter because I don't like how it looks with angled cuts.

For the rear wheel strap I am using rope and a zig zag cleat (adapted from north shore).

Previously I have made hitch racks for various bikes or cargo and they rattled. So this time I welded a nut inside the hitch tubing, and am using a grade 8 bolt to secure the rack into the vehicles receiver and there is no rattles, and absolutely no play in the hitch.

I angled the top fork mounts so I could narrow the width of the rack, and keep the bike handle bars from hitting each other.

This rack can serve as a canoe rack also, which I needed for this 40.

Anyways, I have enjoyed reading everyone's write ups for ideas. Now I am sharing this project.

this is what I started with. It was Functional but didn't meet all my needs. So I modified it.

 

[tnkayaker]

I completely understand your reasons for going with the fork mounts. I guess you have to remove the rack to open the barn doors? I like the North Shore design also, but don't want to spend the money. Do you mind if I borrow some of your features?

 

[corleykj]

You are correct, I can't open my barn doors with it on. Fortunately I have never needed to open the barn doors for anything but cleaning. Take whatever ideas you like on it and make it yours. If you put a fork mount on top of the bike rack (instead if facing the rear) you could mount a bike on top, securing the rear wheel to the roll bar and fork to the bike rack. This could also serve to help me haul my canoe (if you could do a cool kayak rack for it).

here is a picture with it lowered.

 

[ErikinSC]

Im thinking of installing a 2" receiver on the front bumper - or maybe a fork mount and a small piece of channel on the front bumper. I'm thinking of doing this so I can install a dual swing rear bumper - and still have ability to carry extra rides front and rear. I've already got a late model tire rack installed, but I'd like to have a cooler / Jerry can holder plus a hi lift jack. I could go with a rear hitch mounted carrier and a front mounted hatch carrier to carry as many as 8 bikes, but really only need 3 or 4 most of the time.