Roof mount bike rack for TV

[KamFlyer]

We have a 2019 Solitude 374TH which we tow with a 2020 GMC Denali One Ton Crew Cab. While we do have a small garage in our trailer, it is full!
We don't have a hitch on the rear of the trailer and don't really want to add one. Things bounce around quite a bit back there and I wouldn't want to risk much of anything hanging on a hitch.
I have seen some trucks with roof top bike racks so was looking for anyone that could share their experience with those.
Thanks -Rob-

 

[Jreagan3525]

Thule and Yakima both make quality roof racks for cars that could be fit for the roof of a truck. The only downside is having to drill into the roof to mount them. The garage would be my first choice but if there is no room it doesn’t sound like that is an option. With that being said, if I had my choice I would rather haul them on the roof of the TV as opposed to on a hitch rack behind the trailer simply because there will be less movement and ‘jarring’ while going down the road.

 

[KamFlyer]

Yeah. Unfortunately, drilling into the roof is not an option. I have looked at both Yule and Yakima and most of their products seem geared toward cars and SUV's. I guess they figure if you have a truck, you have room in the bed.

 

[geotex1]

You might be better off with a front receiver on your truck with a rack... Rhino-Racks have no drill options for truck roofs, but I don't know if they'll have sufficient, safe capacity. I carried our bikes on a roof mount for over a decade, and frankly is was more of a PITA than anything else. Beyond the obvious lifting, the wind noise was terrible with or without covers on the highway.

 

[jproctor9]

Edit...see you have a 5th wheel. Please disregard.

I installed a Retrax Pro XR tonneau cover since it has integrated rails for rack towers. I had a set of towers and bars so installed those. Just got back from a trip carrying 3 bikes on 1UP trays and the setup was rock solid.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[pilotpip]

Thule and Yakima both make quality roof racks for cars that could be fit for the roof of a truck. The only downside is having to drill into the roof to mount them..

Both manufacturers make options that do not require drilling and hold very well. They're pricey, but worth it. I had a Yakima roof rack that was on 4 different cars and SUVs over a 15 year period.

 

[Fsalmy]

Anybody have updated suggestions on a roof mounted rack for an F450? Anyone ever use something like this?https://www.seasucker.com/collections/bike/products/monkey-bars-2020-edition

I’m no longer comfortable with our Alta vertical rack mounted on the FW receiver. I think it’s just too heavy and the lever arm force it causes with 4 bikes may be contributing to frame flex.

If we go to an Airstream, we won’t be putting a rack on the back of it either due to associated front end separation on some AS models. And with an Airstream, we will need the space in the truck bed and probably won’t have room for 4 bikes. Thought about going with a bed cover mounted rack, but we need something that works with the fiver for now. Front hitch mounted on the truck will interfere with adaptive cruise and collision avoidance.

 

[Fsalmy]

Anybody have updated suggestions on a roof mounted rack for an F450? Anyone ever use something like this?https://www.seasucker.com/collections/bike/products/monkey-bars-2020-edition

Never mind on the Seasucker type rack. With the double moonroof, not enough room for the suction mounts. Now considering Thule or Yakima that will work on a naked roof. Gonna be a pain whatever it is. Not sure I can get 4 bikes up there. Maybe I’ll have to walk. Or get my kids to pull me in one of those bike trailers.

 

[Fsalmy]

Thought I’d post an update for those of you with a fifth wheel that need to carry 4 adult bikes but don’t want to do so on the receiver hitch.

I ordered Thule Evo clamp feet and Wingbar Evos to mount on my naked F450 roof. Nice solid crossbar setup. I mounted Kuat Trio fork mount bike racks to the crossbars. Had to go with fork mounts at 7 lbs each to stay under the total weight limit rating of 165 lbs for 4 bikes and the rack system. I tried with 3 bike racks to test how and if I could load the bikes onto the roof without breaking something, including myself. Tried standing on the running boards, door sills and even on a short step ladder. I could only mount bikes on the outside racks closest to the edge of the roof. If I had 6’ long arms and the strength of Hercules, I could probably get the 3rd bike up there. 4 bikes? No way. Even with alternating the direction of the racks. And if you mount a fork rack with the fork clamp to the rear, the rear tire portion of the rack extends about 2’ over the windshield. I did that anyway, but even standing in the bed of the truck, you have to lean way out over the roof to get the “reversed” bikes loaded. Even harder getting them unloaded. Upright bike racks might make it a little easier if you can get in the bed to load the two inside racks, but the weights of that type of rack that can accommodate my carbon frame MTB, we’re just too high.

In the end, wound up just using two of the Kuats on the Thule crossbars. Guess that means I have 2 Kuat Trio racks for sale.

Still looking for a 4-bike solution. But, we’ve sold the Solitude and are picking up our new Airstream Friday. Might go with the Arvika bike rack. Maybe.