The Best Way to Haul Mountain Bikes in a Pickup Bed: A Complete Guide

Mountain biking is all about tackling rugged trails, but getting your bike to the trailhead shouldn’t feel like an adventure in itself. If you own a pickup truck, you’ve got plenty of options for hauling your bikes—but not all of them are created equal. In this guide, we’ll break down the most popular methods for truck bed bike racks and show you why the Boundry Truck Bed System is the ultimate solution for hauling mountain bikes with ease.

Common Ways to Haul Mountain Bikes in a Truck Bed

1. The Tailgate Pad Method

How It Works: A padded cover drapes over the tailgate, and you simply rest the bike’s front wheel over the edge while securing it with a strap.

Pros:

• Quick and easy loading
• Can carry multiple bikes
• Affordable

Cons:

• Bikes can shift and rub against each other, leading to scratches
• Rear wheels can bounce around on rough roads
• Takes up truck bed space, limiting storage for other gear

2. The DIY Strap-and-Bungee Approach

How It Works: Some riders get creative with ratchet straps, bungee cords, or homemade wooden racks to secure bikes upright in the bed.

Pros:

• Inexpensive if you already have the materials
• Can be customized to fit multiple bikes

Cons:

• Unreliable if not secured properly
• Can be time-consuming to load and unload
• Potential for frame damage if straps aren’t positioned correctly

3. Wheel-On Fork Mounts

How It Works: These mounts bolt into the truck bed, holding bikes upright by clamping onto the front axle or fork.

Pros:

• Secure and stable transport
• Keeps bikes upright and organized

Cons:

• Requires taking front wheel off before and after every ride
• Potential to lose or damage front wheel during transport
• Requires significant bed space
• Requires drilling into the truck bed or installing periphery racks
• Can be expensive for multiple bike setups

4. Hitch Racks – Not Ideal for Pickups

How It Works: A hitch-mounted bike rack attaches to the truck’s receiver hitch, holding bikes on a frame or tray system.

Pros:

• Keeps truck bed completely open
• Can carry multiple bikes

Cons:

• Heavy and cumbersome – Moving a hitch rack from your garage to your truck is a workout in itself, with many pushing 100+ lbs.
• Impedes truck functionality – Need to haul lumber, a dirt bike, or any other gear? The hitch rack gets in the way.
• Makes towing trailers impossible - With a hitch rack, there's no way to tow a camper or trailer since it uses the hitch receiver.
• Not really made for trucks – These racks are better suited for SUVs and minivans. Trucks are built to carry cargo in the bed—why not use it?

5. The Boundry Truck Bed System – The Best Truck Bed Bike Rack

How It Works: The Boundry Truck Bed System elevates bikes above the bed, securing them on an adjustable rack that frees up valuable cargo space below.

Pros:

• Maximizes truck bed space – With bikes raised above, you can store gear, coolers, and tools underneath.
• Rock-solid stability – No bouncing, rubbing, or shifting during transport.
• Easy loading and unloading – No struggling with straps or balancing acts.
• Keeps tailgate free – Unlike tailgate pads, you can still access your truck bed easily.
• Modular and versatile – Works with different bikes and other adventure gear.

Cons:

• Slightly higher initial cost, but worth the investment for serious riders.

Which Truck Bed Bike Rack is Right for You?

If you’re a casual rider that doesn't use their truck for much truck stuff, one of these other solutions may work. But if you want the most secure, space-saving, and trail-ready solution, the Boundry Truck Bed System is hands-down the best way to haul your mountain bikes.

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