Best way to transport bike on back of a ute?

Hi there. Since I live on top of a hill I figure there will be times when I want to drive somewhere flat to ride, mostly in case I can't get back up the hill LOL :eek:. Most likely vehicle is a flat-deck ute. What's the best way to carry a bike on that sort of vehicle? It has a towbar so I could get one of those tow-bar carriers, but the ute's so damn long I'm likely to forget the bike's there and reverse it into something. Is there some type of stand that would hold the bike upright on the deck or maybe against the back of the cab? The third option would be just to lie the bike down, but I'm worried about damaging it. TIA

Hilldweller, do you know anyone that's good with a powersaw or tools? Ian & a friend made ours and am happy to give the instructions! Also, you'll need a couple of fork clip things to place your fork onto. (like this http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=A0039) When not in use ours folds up.

I'll post some pics as it'll make more sense :o

besides being a member of a native american tribe, what is a UTE?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hilldweller

Hi there. Since I live on top of a hill I figure there will be times when I want to drive somewhere flat to ride, mostly in case I can't get back up the hill LOL :eek:. Most likely vehicle is a flat-deck ute. What's the best way to carry a bike on that sort of vehicle? It has a towbar so I could get one of those tow-bar carriers, but the ute's so damn long I'm likely to forget the bike's there and reverse it into something. Is there some type of stand that would hold the bike upright on the deck or maybe against the back of the cab? The third option would be just to lie the bike down, but I'm worried about damaging it. TIA

---

I believe you're referring to a hitch mount? Some good highly reputed models from Thule and Yakima that you really can't go wrong with. The downsides to hitch mounts - your bike will be outside the vehicle and as you mentioned vulnerable to any accidents. There are even a couple of horror stories of bikes getting pavement treatments for miles before owners realized they were dragging.

IMHO, the biggest downside to a hitch rack or any external mounting system is the drop in gas mileage. Not a big deal if you're going down the block, but I was shocked to lose almost 6 mpg on a trip from Houston to Dallas thanks to my Yakima. After that I went to a custom fork mount like the one listed below I've had no complaints.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by crazycanuck

Hilldweller, do you know anyone that's good with a powersaw or tools? Ian & a friend made ours and am happy to give the instructions! Also, you'll need a couple of fork clip things to place your fork onto. (like this http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=A0039) When not in use ours folds up.

I'll post some pics as it'll make more sense :o

---

This is what I use as well, pretty easy, just a long 4x2 with vertical support with the fork mounts mentioned above bolted on, and it allows me to fit two bikes in the cargo area of my sport ute without any problems and no drop in mileage as well.

But for short trips, I still lay my bike down on its side, haven't had any problems, just make sure it's laying with the chain / deraileur facing up.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Biciclista

besides being a member of a native american tribe, what is a UTE?

---

I was going to ask the same thing. LOL

We have a Toyota Tundra pick-up and my husband made a simple fork mount by taking a 2 x 4 the width of the bed (from driver's side to passenger's side) that just slides down in and fits snug inside the bed. He mounted hardware on the 2 x 4 and it can fit two bikes side by side. When we're not using it, we pop it out of the bed and it rests in a corner of the garage.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ibcycling

I was going to ask the same thing. LOL

---

as I understand it: a utility vehicle, i.e., sport utility vehicle (SUV), pick-up, etc...I drive an SUV and use an interior fork mount, so that I have more confidence in my bike being secure...used to use a spare tire rack with a previous vehicle, but used to get nervous about tailgating cars and getting rear-ended, etc...so I made the change that works best for me.
Mary

Yakima and other companies make a fork mountain that you can screw into and mount onto a long 2-4 or some such piece of wood If the wood is the same width as the bed of your Ute, then it will not slide around too much especially with the bike mounted to it. You take your front wheel off and mount it on the fork mount and wala, you are ready to drive anywhere. If needed and you feel more comfortable since I don't know what a UTE is either; find something to bungy the bike to; i.e. use a bungy cord or two to hold it in place.

Yes, a ute is a truck/pick-up. Look at me...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DirtDiva

Yes, a ute is a truck/pick-up.

---

No wonder the University of Utah doesn't attract many students from down under.

At least the U mascot is the Runnin' Utes and not the broken down utes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Biciclista

besides being a member of a native american tribe, what is a UTE?

---

Really? It's someone who's part of a native tribe? Never heard of that. I think it's what you'd call a truck, but to me a truck is a huge great thing for transporting logs and stuff - it's not one of those LOL>

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DirtDiva

Yes, a ute is a truck/pick-up. Look at me...

---

Yes!!! That's it. Similar to the brown one in the top left pic. But older and dirtier. Much much older and dirtier LOL.

You guys are great :D That's exactly what I need, like the pic in CrazyCanuck's link :D Yep I can probably manage to arrange something with some tools and a 4x2 or piece of ply. Pics would be helpful if anyone has some.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Biciclista

besides being a member of a native american tribe, what is a UTE?

---

Fred Gwynne asked that same question in My Cousin Vinnie :p

HA! Malkin..are you a UofU UTE? I work for UofU...The runnin UTES were the BEST this year!!! (sorry, for the sidebar!)