11 Fx4 pic with Mountain bikes
08-27-2012, 07:50 PM
#23
Brianm825
08-27-2012, 08:02 PM
#24
I have a dakine tailgate pad that I've used a few times when hauling more than just my Ibis. I just got back from a 400 mile round trip with the tailgate pad on and didn't have a single scratch from it.
08-27-2012, 08:02 PM
#25
Picture is not with my F150 (was an 07 sport track), but I still use the same rack.
I used to have the track style like in the first post, but I didn't like the way I couldn't open the tailgate when I had the bikes loaded. Now this is what I use. It is frame attached, which can be a pain at times with full suspension, but I've never found a bike that I couldn't load onto it. I have a full suspension, a fold up "paratrooper" single beam bike, and a hybrid that all fit fine. I like the way it is somewhat compact when folded up, I can see the connection points while driving so I know they aren't coming off, and of course it can be folded down and tailgate opened while all 4 bikes are loaded.
Putting bikes into the bed can suck if there is more than one, or you have a cover making it hard to fit handlebars underneath, and as said previously they are worth too much to just lay on their sides like that. Also many times I am camping so I use the bed for camping gear instead.
I used to have the track style like in the first post, but I didn't like the way I couldn't open the tailgate when I had the bikes loaded. Now this is what I use. It is frame attached, which can be a pain at times with full suspension, but I've never found a bike that I couldn't load onto it. I have a full suspension, a fold up "paratrooper" single beam bike, and a hybrid that all fit fine. I like the way it is somewhat compact when folded up, I can see the connection points while driving so I know they aren't coming off, and of course it can be folded down and tailgate opened while all 4 bikes are loaded.
Putting bikes into the bed can suck if there is more than one, or you have a cover making it hard to fit handlebars underneath, and as said previously they are worth too much to just lay on their sides like that. Also many times I am camping so I use the bed for camping gear instead.
...... JK 
08-27-2012, 08:32 PM
#27
Brianm825
08-27-2012, 10:56 PM
#28
No light scratches in the clear coat? I'm worried dirt might get trapped under there or existing dirt on the tail gate will scratch the paint. The clear coat on these trucks are soft.
08-27-2012, 11:27 PM
#29
Puppet King, Sock Master
Here's my solution that won't be needed by many. I have a shell and two tool boxes in mine, so I wanted to carry mine where it was:
- Secure as could be
- Solid
- Allow access to my tool boxes
- Be relatively easy to get in/out
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elbows_up (07-20-2013)
08-27-2012, 11:33 PM
#30
That's what I was kinda worried about as well, but I just made sure that I washed the tailgate and pad really well before strapping it on there. I'll take a closer look tomorrow, but I just washed my truck again today and didn't notice any scratches.
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Sock Puppet (08-27-2012)