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Bike Tights On The Tailgate...?

T

Tacguy

GUEST
???Does anyone have any idea how deep the cladding is on the top of the tailgate? I was wondering about installing some bicycle fork locks (bike tights). Normally they screw into the sheet metal on the front of the bed...but there is none on the Av so I was wondering about putting them on the back of the tailgate. Yes, I know the mid-gate could be put down, but this is for long trips. I don't know if the cladding on top of the gate would hold up if I it was the only thing holding the screws. :cautious:
 
I am not sure about the answer to your question but I'll share some of my ideas for getting bikes around.

I have two ideas depending on how intrusive you want to be with your AV's hard covers.

Keep in mind, I have not tried these yet. I have ordered parts for idea#1 and I'll put up a post when I find out how it works.

#1 - Less Intrusive (No holes No change)

I already have a Yakima rack system with Q-towers (from my old car). I checked my local Yakima dealer and it looks like the Q-towers can be mounted to the hard covers using a modified Q Clip #34. I would have to bend the underlip of the clip to more of a 90 degree bend so that it would fit more snuggly under the hard cover. I am going to try this out when the parts arrive. I will mount my front crossbar and tower set up on cover #1 and the rear one on cover #3. I am also thinking of cutting the crossbars to 50" so it lines up with the covers (i might be able to get my 48" to work, otherwise, I'll have to buy 58" and cut them), this should still allow for the side compartments to open. I can then put my four steelhead bike trays up there, my snowboard rack in the winter, or any other application my crazy mind comes up with. My preliminary tests have shown this should work fantastic. It will not affect the watermanagment system for the AV's bed in anyway.

#2 More Intrusive (Two holes drilled into cover #1)

Saris Traps Triple Track 47" http://www.sarisracks.com/start.htm
mounted on cover #1. Triple Track has rubber sides and bottom and should mount very easily (it already has holes for mounting). Then the four bikes, staggered, could ride right on top of the hard covers. it would be just a matter of running a tie down between the two rear grab handles on the AV through the rear wheels of the bikes. This mod would be the easiest as far as taking the hard covers on and off.

Depending on the Yakima configuration (idea #1) you might have to remove the rack system before you removed the hard covers. If you have any yakima accessory that connects both crossbars together then you would have to unconnect them or you'll have covers #1 and #3 hooked together. But if you didn't, or had something like the snowboard carrier then you could remove each hard cover with the crossbars still attached.

Hopefully, I didn't make this too confusing. I should get the clips in a few days then I'll try it out and post some pictures.



 
scarver233 I'm in the process of doing about the same thing as #1. I have some older Yakima racks and was experimenting with the idea of clamping onto the covers as well. If you get anything done on yours I would like to know how it goes. My towers are older so I have to use what parts I have since Yakima doesn't use my style any longer.
 
I'm currently working on plans for an Avalanche Bike Rack over the bedcovers that should be unintrusive (uses only screws/mounts already on the AV), quick to install/remove, doesn't obstruct cargo door or bed cover removal, cost about the same as Saris Triple-Tracks but support both ends of the bike instead of just the fork, and even painted to match your AV if you like.

I'll be talking to someone who has the resources/tools I need to get started building/testing this weekend. I'll keep you all posted on development and send pictures when they're available.
 
I took the easy way out and took advantage of the hitch. I got the glideaway bike rack and I love it. It keeps the bed empty and secure for trips and pulls far enough away to drop the tailgate on the Av.
It has some security issues but they're pretty easy to work around.

Glideaway
 
Tacguy said:
???Does anyone have any idea how deep the cladding is on the top of the tailgate? I was wondering about installing some bicycle fork locks (bike tights). Normally they screw into the sheet metal on the front of the bed...but there is none on the Av so I was wondering about putting them on the back of the tailgate. Yes, I know the mid-gate could be put down, but this is for long trips. I don't know if the cladding on top of the gate would hold up if I it was the only thing holding the screws. :cautious:
Click to expand...


? i would not do this mod. ?i noticed when i had my tailgate apart that the inside of the gate is pretty much hollow. ?the only thing your screws would hit is the grey spoiler on the top. ?it is held in place with doublesided tape. ?not much holding the bikes, huh?
? so i would either use a hitch-type carrier, or drill through the panel if you are brave. ?i have seen a guy carry his bike on a biketight attached to his fiberglass tonneau cover. ?he has never complained. :B:
 
Well, I was successful at mounting the Yakima Q-Towers to the hard covers (from idea #1 above).

Like any project it required some trial and error. I started out using the Q-34 clips and bent them to the desired angles. But when I tried to mount the tower using them I realized they were too long!! So I went back to the bike shop because I had seen some others that were similar to the 34's but shorter. Well I couldn't find those clips but what I did find are some that can be used without any bending to the clip.

Q-30 clips are the answer. Q-30! Q-30 DO work!! they are the correct length and have the 90 degree bend. I did put them in a bench vise and gave them each one good whack with a rubber mallet just to put a little more angle on the lip. It works perfect!! See the photos!!

I also just used my 48" crossbars so the side compartments open.

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if you are going to do a bike set-up to carry your wheels i would do it the way scarver233 did it. that is a nice set-up. best of all you never have to worry about low clearances. i made that mistake once... :8:
 
Nice setup, just like I was thinking with mine too, I'll have to see if the older equipment I have will work or not. Thanks for the photos!
 
TXAVy,

It depends on the set up your running. If I only have the snowboard carrier, it takes seconds to release the Tower cams. I can remove the hard covers with the towers still mounted too. If i use my bike trays then it takes about 3 minutes to remove two trays, thereby, freeing up covers #1 and #3. That problem could be solved by using Yakima's Boa bike system, www.yakima.com rather than the long trays that connect the two crossbars together. It really doesn't take long at all. everything is done without tools. If fact keeping the towers and bars mounted while taking off the hard covers is nice, it give you a nice long handle and makes handling the covers easy.
 
SWEET!

Way to go TXAVy!

I'm new to the site (lets say about 3 weeks) and a new owner of a 02 AV - LOVE IT. However, my AV did not come installed with a roof rack. I have been searching for this exact setup. Currently, I have very same Yakima rack installed on my roof. Boy is it a pain to load and unload my MTN bikes. Just as 02-Z66 posted, I too almost had a disaster, Today!

Thanks for your pic's you really don't know how MUCH I appreciate you sharing this information. :B:

One question... have you had any issues with the towers moving due to hitting bumps or wind resistence (sp?)? I'm worried that the panels may flex causing the towers to "walk" or move. :eek:

Thanks for any information!
 
Looks like a good solution, which I may use. But I am investigating the possibility of using the uni-grip from www.stylinconcepts.com. Just need one mounting point and the bikes stand up in the bed (this is the short trip solution, which I need). Anyone try this and have any suggestions? Thanks.
 

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Hello everyone,

I wanted to give an update on the rack. I went on a 700 mile road trip to go mountian biking. I had four bikes on the rack without any problems! I even hit 90 mph. No movement of the rack or bikes. In fact, the bikes were more stable, since they are somewhat protected from the wind by the high roof line and C-pillars, than they were on top of my previous car's roof.

During the trip, we drove off road, again without any problems. For any of you familiar with Gooseberry Mesa in So. Utah, that is where we went. Checkout MTBR.com trail reviews for details. Highly recommended riding by the way!

Once again, no problems what so ever. It has rained and snowed several times since installation and I haven't found any leakage into the AV's bed.

The only problem I face is, WHEN CAN I GO AGAIN!! Damn work. I want more play time with my AV, bikes, and friends!!
 
It's the biking season so I thought I'd re-fresh this thread since many have emailed me about this.

I chose this route because I already had all the hardware from my old car (just needed the Q-30 clips). I already had bike racks but if I didn't I would have bought the Yakima Boa racks like TekAvy in his story in Pete's Place.

If I didn't have any of the hardware I would invest in TxAvy's custom bike rack. That is going to be awesome.

It has been nearly five months since I installed the rack system on the hard covers and I don't have a single complaint.

I loved the photos that TekAvy posted. It definately is better when you can take out four friends and have an awesome day enjoying the outdoors.
 
My final prototype rack should be back from the metal shop tomorrow. Pics will be posted in the Custom AV Bed Rack thread.

Thanks for the plug Scarver. Yours is definately the way to go if you already have the right Yakima towers. Those clips make it an easy plug-n-play for the Avalanche.

 
I'm using scarver's approach to a rack -- Q-Towers and Q-30 clips. However, I found a REALLY cool product -- Rapidgrip Bungees!!! I can't believe someone didn't think of this sooner.

Their product is basically a industrial-strength bungee cord inserted into a Thule or Yakima crossbar. The hooks are covered on the ends, and you can pull them out and secure things on top of the rack. No bungees to lose!

Anyway, I ordered mine today (the 48" bars). Their product does add a 1/2 inch to the end of the bar, so I'll let you know how it works. I don't think it will impede the covers of the side pockets. And it's pretty cheap! $39.99 for TWO bars, and free shipping! Call them at 800-870-2170 and check it out. You can see the product online at:

http://www.islandsports.com/XQ/ASP/ic_110542/QX/itemdesc.htm

but obviously, this reseller tacks on $10 and you have to pay for shipping. I can't wait to put mine on!!!
-ricochet

ps I'll post pics if anyone is interested in seeing the result.
 
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