Transporting a tandem
07-06-20, 08:58 AM
#1
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Transporting a tandem
I have a pick up with 6' bed. Is to possible to transport a tandem bike in the bed with a cap. Maybe it would be better to build a receiver rack. Thoughts? Pictures?
07-06-20, 11:23 PM
#2
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I've heard a tandem will fit corner to corner with the forks cranked hard into the tailgate and the cap window left open for the bars. Just a rumour, as I've never done it.
07-06-20, 11:47 PM
#3
Senior Member
Don’t see why you couldn’t, especially if you take off the front wheel or turn the handlebars sideways. Seems like it would be easy enough to just lay down on its side with some padding, or go the fancy route with a truck bed mounted fork rack.
07-07-20, 07:08 AM
#4
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That could work since it would allow me to close the tailgate and put other stuff in. Wouldn't be optimal in rain
07-07-20, 07:16 AM
#5
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I have a truck fork mount gadget. I was thinking mount it to a plank with something for the back wheel. Then slide it in the bed rear wheel aft or if I needed the bed slide it onto the roof racks. I don't have the bike yet so just guessing at this point. Sure I can just lay it down in the bed for short drives but that is a last resort.
07-07-20, 08:42 AM
#6
Junior Member
Transporting a Tandem
I'd suggest you check out the Tandem Geek posts about his truck setup. Go to his web site here: https://tandemgeek.wordpress.com/, then scroll down to find the post labelled: Getting Ready for Our Trip. He has a few tips and suggestions he used while prepping his new pickup truck.
08-10-20, 02:49 AM
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I'm not allowed to post pictures yet, so I'll just describe what we've been doing for years. We have a full-size GMC half ton Sierra with extended cab and a Leer topper (flush with the roof of the truck.) Long ago, I began constructing a series of "pallets" for our various bikes. They are simple gadgets really, a piece of plywood about a foot wide and six or so feet long. At one end there is a fork mount bolted to a block of wood about 6" high to give clearance for the captain's bottom bracket, and a couple of strips of wood on the other parallel to the length of the pallet to form a slot for the rear wheel. You can make these things as simple or snazzy as suits your style.
When leaving home, I slide it out of the back of the truck leaving the back end (where the rear wheel goes) on the edge of the tailgate and the front end (fork mount) on the ground. It's a simple matter to roll the bike up the "ramp", back end first, reach down to release the quick release and lock the fork into the fork mount. Once secure, I lift the front end of the bike by the handle bars and slide it into the truck bed, angled from front left corner to rear right corner. It fits easily in our truck. The stoker's saddle is probably 1/2" too high to fit through the opening, but it's a simple matter to tip the whole thing sideways to clear the opening. Once inside, it sits upright. To keep the bike and its pallet in place, I loop a strap around the stem, attaching the ends to a pair of hooks on either side of the truck bed.
It's a whole bunch simpler than this contused explanation. Wish I could post a picture ... it's very simple.
I've built a few of these things over the years - one that accommodated a pair of Bike Friday tandems facing opposite directions on a single double wide pallet. For that one I had to turn the front forks backwards, but it slid straight into the truck bed.
When leaving home, I slide it out of the back of the truck leaving the back end (where the rear wheel goes) on the edge of the tailgate and the front end (fork mount) on the ground. It's a simple matter to roll the bike up the "ramp", back end first, reach down to release the quick release and lock the fork into the fork mount. Once secure, I lift the front end of the bike by the handle bars and slide it into the truck bed, angled from front left corner to rear right corner. It fits easily in our truck. The stoker's saddle is probably 1/2" too high to fit through the opening, but it's a simple matter to tip the whole thing sideways to clear the opening. Once inside, it sits upright. To keep the bike and its pallet in place, I loop a strap around the stem, attaching the ends to a pair of hooks on either side of the truck bed.
It's a whole bunch simpler than this contused explanation. Wish I could post a picture ... it's very simple.
I've built a few of these things over the years - one that accommodated a pair of Bike Friday tandems facing opposite directions on a single double wide pallet. For that one I had to turn the front forks backwards, but it slid straight into the truck bed.
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08-10-20, 12:38 PM
#9
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Thread Starter
I'm not allowed to post pictures yet, so I'll just describe what we've been doing for years. We have a full-size GMC half ton Sierra with extended cab and a Leer topper (flush with the roof of the truck.) Long ago, I began constructing a series of "pallets" for our various bikes. They are simple gadgets really, a piece of plywood about a foot wide and six or so feet long. At one end there is a fork mount bolted to a block of wood about 6" high to give clearance for the captain's bottom bracket, and a couple of strips of wood on the other parallel to the length of the pallet to form a slot for the rear wheel. You can make these things as simple or snazzy as suits your style.
When leaving home, I slide it out of the back of the truck leaving the back end (where the rear wheel goes) on the edge of the tailgate and the front end (fork mount) on the ground. It's a simple matter to roll the bike up the "ramp", back end first, reach down to release the quick release and lock the fork into the fork mount. Once secure, I lift the front end of the bike by the handle bars and slide it into the truck bed, angled from front left corner to rear right corner. It fits easily in our truck. The stoker's saddle is probably 1/2" too high to fit through the opening, but it's a simple matter to tip the whole thing sideways to clear the opening. Once inside, it sits upright. To keep the bike and its pallet in place, I loop a strap around the stem, attaching the ends to a pair of hooks on either side of the truck bed.
It's a whole bunch simpler than this contused explanation. Wish I could post a picture ... it's very simple.
I've built a few of these things over the years - one that accommodated a pair of Bike Friday tandems facing opposite directions on a single double wide pallet. For that one I had to turn the front forks backwards, but it slid straight into the truck bed.
When leaving home, I slide it out of the back of the truck leaving the back end (where the rear wheel goes) on the edge of the tailgate and the front end (fork mount) on the ground. It's a simple matter to roll the bike up the "ramp", back end first, reach down to release the quick release and lock the fork into the fork mount. Once secure, I lift the front end of the bike by the handle bars and slide it into the truck bed, angled from front left corner to rear right corner. It fits easily in our truck. The stoker's saddle is probably 1/2" too high to fit through the opening, but it's a simple matter to tip the whole thing sideways to clear the opening. Once inside, it sits upright. To keep the bike and its pallet in place, I loop a strap around the stem, attaching the ends to a pair of hooks on either side of the truck bed.
It's a whole bunch simpler than this contused explanation. Wish I could post a picture ... it's very simple.
I've built a few of these things over the years - one that accommodated a pair of Bike Friday tandems facing opposite directions on a single double wide pallet. For that one I had to turn the front forks backwards, but it slid straight into the truck bed.
08-10-20, 04:46 PM
#11
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Cool! Looking forward to seeing how it works out for you.
Based on my experience using this in the back of a enclosed pickup bed, I haven't had a need to more rigidly attach the rear wheel. Just have the rear wheel sit in a slot in order to keep the bike centered on the pallet has been more than enough in our case.
Based on my experience using this in the back of a enclosed pickup bed, I haven't had a need to more rigidly attach the rear wheel. Just have the rear wheel sit in a slot in order to keep the bike centered on the pallet has been more than enough in our case.
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08-10-20, 05:05 PM
#12
Senior Member
I think you've already figured out a solution, but I thought I would pass on my experience. I have a 5ft 6inch truck bed with cap, and an mtb hardtail tandem (long wheel base). I take off both front and rear wheels, and place the frame in, corner to corner. Bungee cords to keep it from flopping around. It works.
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08-10-20, 05:44 PM
#13
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Well I have a 6' bed Colorado with a low profile cap I figured it I have to tilt it to get it in it might be easier. I'm also thinking I might figure out some way to hang the whole thing in the garage
08-11-20, 06:56 AM
#14
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08-11-20, 08:27 AM
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Check Amazon and I think you will find racks with long-handled cranks that will let you easily raise and lower the tandem from the beam. Is that what you have in mind?
08-11-20, 08:37 AM
#17
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I was thinking hanging it vertical rear wheel down so it won't be to far off the floor. I'm thinking stand it up on the back wheel then maybe a short pully lift and tie it to a boat cleat
08-11-20, 01:26 PM
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I was going to send you a link to the simple gadget we use to hang tandems from the ceiling, but as usual, Bike Forums decided I couldn't do that. It's a simple pulley system that works very well. It's not exactly what you're describing (hang the tandem vertically by the rear wheel) but worth a look. Google "RAD bicycle hoist". There are several products like this on the market. Simple and straightforward.
08-11-20, 02:28 PM
#19
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just fits. It fits without rotating the forks as well but flipping the forks works like a brace in the front. Bungee the back wheel to the side and it's very stable. Didn't need the back mount I thought I would make. This will work for now
08-28-20, 09:38 AM
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My tandem fits fine on a standard rear rack. If I'm driving through light traffic, I usually leave the wheels on. If I'm going through moderate traffic, I'll remove the front wheel. If I'm going on a road trip at freeway speeds, I'll usually remove both front and rear wheels. In that configuration it's very secure and doesn't stick out from either side of the vehicle. It's a simple solution, and I already had the rack.
