How to transport 3 bikes?

[TWRAPS]

Hey folks

This time I am not selling you on anything! I have a question instead.
I am planning a family trip to Yosemite this summer and want to bring my bike and my kids bikes, so 3 bikes in total. I see Tesla sells the tailgate pad for bikes but I was wondering if I can just get a pair of crossbars + bike mounts and mount the bikes on top so I have my vault available for other stuff? I've searched and didn't find anyone mounting bike (with the tires!) on the cross bars but due to lack of experience with this I can't understand why.

Any insight will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[cybercricket]

First you got to make them a bit more dimensionally appropriate for the bed of the truck...

 

[RM Rilke]

Most of the crossbars sold for the truck have T slots. Most modern roof top bike racks come with T slots mounts. You can also use a receiver hitch mount bike rack. Plenty of those out there on the used market for a good price. Hitch mount is better. There is a range of options.

 

[TWRAPS]

Most of the crossbars sold for the truck have T slots. Most modern roof top bike racks come with T slots mounts. You can also use a receiver hitch mount bike rack. Plenty of those out there on the used market for a good price. Hitch mount is better. There is a range of options.

If I am not mistaken the OEM cross bars don’t have t slots? I am only looking at the OEM ones as they look the sleekest.

also out of curiosity - why is a hitch mount better? Safety, range, convenience, something else?

 

[tmeyer3]

Something like this should work fine. You'll need proper crossbars to mount them to. OEM crossbars will be fine with them. Get 3 and set them up side by side.

https://amzn.to/429LRH1

 

[Coagulation]

I’ve fit 3 bikes under the tonneau. One of my favorite use cases is weather protected bikes. Can you fit rest of your stuff in the frunk / under the rear seats? You should have some space still in the rear as well.

 

[Hookalakupua]

Coming from the world of racing and traveling every week, here are my two recommendations. You can’t go wrong with either.

Kuat Piston Pro or NV with the add ins for a 3rd or 4th bike.
https://kuat.com/collections/hitch-...7M5vHMEE0kMQLlkG7Y3wyT8KXZ0xdpUgaAieuEALw_wcB

1-UP Equip’D with the bike add ons as well.
https://1up-usa.com/product/equipd

 

[RM Rilke]

If I am not mistaken the OEM cross bars don’t have t slots? I am only looking at the OEM ones as they look the sleekest.

also out of curiosity - why is a hitch mount better? Safety, range, convenience, something else?

I’m sorry my friend, I thought the OEM ones did have them. My mistake. I was looking at the Cybertruckco and Marsco offerings I guess. I have used both roof top and hitch mounts for a long time. For a while it was back and forth as to which system was superior, but the hitch mounts took over. They are far more accessible and also much easier to use in everyway. No lifting the bikes on to the roof and on off. Also, they are better on range. They are easier to take the rack off and on. From the car as well. There is a wide range of prices for what you want. Roof racks are great for some things, but not really bikes anymore. Assuming, you have a vehicle with a receiver hitch. Especially a tall vehicle like a cybertruck. Better to have a hitch rack. Just my opinion but it is an informed one. Good luck

 

[neights]

+1 for 1UP USA

 

[TWRAPS]

Coming from the world of racing and traveling every week, here are my two recommendations. You can’t go wrong with either.

Kuat Piston Pro or NV with the add ins for a 3rd or 4th bike.
https://kuat.com/collections/hitch-...7M5vHMEE0kMQLlkG7Y3wyT8KXZ0xdpUgaAieuEALw_wcB

1-UP Equip’D with the bike add ons as well.
https://1up-usa.com/product/equipd

I’m sorry my friend, I thought the OEM ones did have them. My mistake. I was looking at the Cybertruckco and Marsco offerings I guess. I have used both roof top and hitch mounts for a long time. For a while it was back and forth as to which system was superior, but the hitch mounts took over. They are far more accessible and also much easier to use in everyway. No lifting the bikes on to the roof and on off. Also, they are better on range. They are easier to take the rack off and on. From the car as well. There is a wide range of prices for what you want. Roof racks are great for some things, but not really bikes anymore. Assuming, you have a vehicle with a receiver hitch. Especially a tall vehicle like a cybertruck. Better to have a hitch rack. Just my opinion but it is an informed one. Good luck

Thank you @Hookalakupua and @RM Rilke, a couple of follow up questions:
1. I imagine that if I use a hitch mount, I should forget about the rear view camera as it'd be blocked by the bikes?
2. How do I go about supercharging? Park nearby, remove the bikes, remove the hitch, charge and then vice versa when I am done?

 

[ThatGuyBo]

Here's a good solution.
https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...rear-camera-interference-up-to-4-bikes.33879/

If I am not mistaken the OEM cross bars don’t have t slots? I am only looking at the OEM ones as they look the sleekest.

also out of curiosity - why is a hitch mount better? Safety, range, convenience, something else?

The OEM crossbars do have T-slots
Directly from shop.tesla.com (https://shop.tesla.com/product/cybertruck-crossbars)
Features:

• Load rating: 200lbs (90kg)
• Construction: Aluminum powder-coated crossbars. Die-cast towers with integrated locks and a quick-release mechanism.
• T-slots for seamless attachment of ski racks, bike racks and cargo boxes.

 

[TWRAPS]

Here's a good solution.
https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...rear-camera-interference-up-to-4-bikes.33879/


The OEM crossbars do have T-slots
Directly from shop.tesla.com (https://shop.tesla.com/product/cybertruck-crossbars)
Features:

• Load rating: 200lbs (90kg)
• Construction: Aluminum powder-coated crossbars. Die-cast towers with integrated locks and a quick-release mechanism.
• T-slots for seamless attachment of ski racks, bike racks and cargo boxes.

Ah thanks, my mistake then! I love this solution, might do just that!

 

[Bobo_LaDouche]

If I am not mistaken the OEM cross bars don’t have t slots? I am only looking at the OEM ones as they look the sleekest.

also out of curiosity - why is a hitch mount better? Safety, range, convenience, something else?

T-slot in the Tesla CT roof rack is 0.4" wide, and the slot underneath is 1.0" wide. It is not obvious because the slot is filled with the rubber material that sits in the slot, but it certainly is there.

My 2-cents on carrying bikes is to use a bumper hitch rack. I like the Kuot, for 3 electric bikes (expensive though). Charging is a problem with this style rack, certainly. However, lifting bikes up and down from overhead racks can also be a hassle.

 

[TWRAPS]

T-slot in the Tesla CT roof rack is 0.4" wide, and the slot underneath is 1.0" wide. It is not obvious because the slot is filled with the rubber material that sits in the slot, but it certainly is there.

My 2-cents on carrying bikes is to use a bumper hitch rack. I like the Kuot, for 3 electric bikes (expensive though). Charging is a problem with this style rack, certainly. However, lifting bikes up and down from overhead racks can also be a hassle.

Thank you!
I am leaning towards the cross bars as they can be used for various things, but will see about the hitch thing too. I think a friend of mine has one for his Model X, so if he does I will do a trial run with a hitch and see how it feels, how the bikes fit or stick outside of the CT's width etc.

 

[RM Rilke]

There is usually a way to charge with a rear rack. It has never stopped me so far. It might take some creativity. The kids bikes should fit between the chargers. If your bike doesn’t then mount it farthest out. Only have to remove one bike. The time saved from efficiency gain should make up for removing bike(s). Up to you though. I have driven long distances with bikes on top and on a hitch rack. Both work fine, but neither is perfect. You should feel confident doing what you prefer. BTW: The rack with the front wheels on the top of the cab as linked above is the worst of both worlds from my perspective. All of the wind drag with the tonneau open and wheels in the wind, with none of the bed space savings or security from the closed vault. Either put them on top or on a hitch rack.

Sponsored