The Av: Ultimate Mtb Vehicle?

[teksavy]

Okay, I knew that the AV got a lot of looks- but if you really want to draw a crowd, pull up with four mountain bikes mounted above the covers and have five guys hop out.

And to really blow people's minds, open the tailgate, pullout the Bedslide loaded with two MORE bikes and everyone's gear. Every single time I've done this, I get comments like "Whoa! Now thats COOL." and a 5 min demonstration ensues.

One of my buddies rolls his eyes when someone asks about the rig. He says I should get paid by Chevy for all the demos he's witnessed me giving.

Just this weekend, I gave two demos in the Truckee area, one on the Sawtooth MTB trail.

I've never owned a vehicle that has garnered this much attention before. (Not even my modded BMW M3.)

WOW!

Some pics with the bikes loaded:

-Ed

 

[NM_Dawg]

Now there is putting the Av to excellent use.

Did you install the rack yourself?

Good job teksavy!

 

[smigdiggler]

Hey, I just spent the weekend in Truckee...Granite Flats State campground. I would prefer to call it Gods Parking lot. anyway.

I saw a couple of AV's up there in the Tahoe area over the weekend, but the best one I saw was the Screaming Yellow WBH in the parking lot of Spooner Lake day use area...It had some Bling Bling 20's on it, but looked stock from there.

I will add a pick of my rig later today, I was packed with 2 bikes on the roof and the SportTent on the back.

Nice setup, though. I went with the roof system to keep the bikes locked with the tent up.

SMiG

 

[TXAVy]

And if you don't already have most of the Yakima/Thule gear to make that happen, here's another way to do it with homegrown CAFCNA hardware. You'll save yourself a hefty chunk of change and you'll also be able to remove your bed covers with cargo in place if you want.

*heh* Funny that the two CAFCNA members with this same Mtn Bike idea (4 bikes over the bed covers) are both pronounced "Tech Savvy".


RSWiser's SOM with 4 bike mounts on a TXAVy Bed Rack

Here's AVKing's rig with a Cargo Basket (I think it's a Yakima Megawarrior) mounted to the same rack.

And here's Rewbob's AV with a clamshell type cargo box.

See the link in my sig below for Group Buy info on the Bed Rack. There's a link from the first post to a thread on Install Instructions too that has a lot more pictures.

 

[flynhigh]

Those are some GREAT pics/ideas on how to use the space above the hard covers!!!

 

[TXAVy]

Yeah, and MUCH easier to get cargo (bikes or otherwise) on top of the bed covers than to try getting it up on top of the roof.

 

[teksavy]

Hey-

Now there is putting the Av to excellent use.

Did you install the rack yourself?

Good job teksavy!

Thanks! But I got the idea for the bike rack over the covers from this group. In fact, I think scarver233 actually did the legwork to find part numbers, etc.

The only downside to this setup is the cost. Usually the Yakima racks are not discounted and the setup like mine normally costs around $550. However, I did some serious research online and found a place that can get you my setup for around $430, delivered, no tax, no del charges.

That is part of the reason why TxAvy's setup is cool- much less cost. But for me, I want to be able to remove the covers and load big tall things into the bed without having to remove a metal rack. Also, on the setup I have, the racks act as a nice big handle to remove the covers and the racks can be popped off in a sec. Note however, that TxAvy's setup is a much better choice for carrying heavy/bulkier loads as it actually mounts to the metal of the car.

I really like avkings basket setup.

I plan on getting a basket for the top of my rig to load more gear.

Hey, I just spent the weekend in Truckee...Granite Flats State campground. I would prefer to call it Gods Parking lot. anyway.

Sounds great. Where did you ride?

I will add a pick of my rig later today, I was packed with 2 bikes on the roof and the SportTent on the back.
SMiG

We're waiting!

*heh* Funny that the two CAFCNA members with this same Mtn Bike idea (4 bikes over the bed covers) are both pronounced "Tech Savvy".

Really? Kinda neat. I always thought that your handle was because you lived in TX and you owned an AV.

RSWiser's SOM with 4 bike mounts on a TXAVy Bed Rack

I wonder how he fits four bikes on the rack without staggering the mounts like I had to. For me, the handle bars kept banging into each other unless I staggered them.

-Ed

 

[smigdiggler]

here is the pic..had to scale it down in order to get it on the site.

anyone know hows come I have a -1...did I rub someone the wrong way??

 

[smigdiggler]

oh yeah Ed, I didn't get a chance to completely read your post.

I took my fiancee to ride The Flume Trail.

She is a beginner on the technical stuff, but she can climb like a mofo.

I have ridden a few places up there, including the granny gear 24 hour race in 2001'.

we also did some hiking out above boreal/castle peak.

 

[Chasman]

TXAVy: I can't link to your sig for the install pics.



I gave you a good karma, buddy, so now how do I see your install pics? I installed bulldog fork clips on my Cargobed, but it takes away all of my cargo space. I like what you have done with your AV.

 

[TXAVy]

Really? Kinda neat. I always thought that your handle was because you lived in TX and you owned an AV.

Both actually. TXAVy = TeXas AValanche & Tech Savvy (I work in the tech industry).
I was trying to be witty when I made up my handle for this board.

I wonder how he fits four bikes on the rack without staggering the mounts like I had to. For me, the handle bars kept banging into each other unless I staggered them.

If you look closely at the front bar you'll see that he staggered the front fork mounts to opposite sides of the crossbar. First one on the left is offset toward the rear of the AV, next is toward the front, etc. So when multiple bikes are loaded, the handlebars overlap. I think I have a picture of it somewhere if that description isn't clear.

TXAVy: I can't link to your sig for the install pics.

Here's a direct link to the thread with the Bed Rack Install Pics. Let me know if that doesn't work for you for some reason.

 

[Chasman]

TXAVy: Th link worked. Thanks for that and for the FANTASTIC description of the install. 100 good karma points to you!

 

[dhaluzak]

TXAVy, Would you please e-mail me? I would like to ask you some questions about your rack. I tried sending you a pm, but it is not working for me.

Thanks, Dan

 

[TXAVy]

TXAVy, Would you please e-mail me?

You have Mail! (Sent to the address in your profile).