PVC Truck Bed Bike Rack

Hello all. Recently I started cycling and I didn't prefer just throwing my bike into the back of my truck. I checked my local bike shop, looked online and either the systems required drilling/bolting to my bed or were over $100. I ran across an image of a PVC bike rack and liked what I saw. If you google 'PVC Truck bed bicycle rack' you'll find similar builds. I thought I would post up how I built mine and the approximate cost for anyone thinking they would like to do the same. This build is approximately 50" wide, you may need to adjust to fit your truck bed accordingly. This fits snuggly between my tire wells.  

Approximate cost was $20 - w/o paint $10.

Tools:
Pipe Cutter (I used a chop saw)
Sand Paper/File
Tape Measurer
Pencil/Pen
Mallet/Hammer
Towel/Rag
Safety Glasses

Materials:
(3) 10' 3/4" PCV
(6) 3/4" elbows
(10) 3/4" T's
PVC Cement (use in a well ventilated area)

Optional:
Truck Liner Paint (Found in the automotive section, not the household or home paints)

You'll want to cut from your PVC pipe the following lengths:
(3) 42" 
(6) 2"
(12) 13"

You should now have all the items to assemble. It should look like the second picture.

Sand any rough edges so the pieces will slide together well. I would suggest a test fit. Make sure it fits in your truck bed correctly. Also make sure your bike fits in the slots created. Once everything is fitted properly, get that pvc cement out and go for it!

Other thoughts:
You may need to carry more than two bikes. If so you will need to add a few more T's and another section of PCV pipe to your shopping list. Also, I use a couple bungee cords to anchor down my front tires, they really don't move but I don't like to have to worry about it either. This should go without saying but, I wouldn't trust locking your bike to this alone. It's sturdy and unless someone happens to have pipe cutters it would be difficult for them to run off with it, but you never know! I secure mine with a steel cable and padlocked to the truck bed. 

Hope this helps anyone looking to save a few bucks and have fun doing it yourself. 

*just because I don't want to end up getting sued somehow - I am not responsible for any damage to your vehicle, yourself, others, your personal property or anything else that could be related to this article. You are responsible for your own actions.  And watch your fingers when using the pipe cutter or chop saw, seriously! Do I really need to mention any of this?