Bike Fork Mount for UtiliTrack

[daniel436]

Have seen quite a few threads regarding Bike Racks for the Nissan Frontier UtiliTrack System. Wanted to share what i have built and the parts needed. These work extremely well for carrying two bikes. Very Sturdy, even in windy conditions at freeway speed. Relatively inexpensive for a nice looking set up and easy to install. No drilling holes into the bed, uses the existing utilitrack system.

Parts:
1/4" Spring Nuts - 2 for each fork mount - Bag of 5 was around $3
-Found these in the electrical aisle at home depot. These fit as if they were made for the utilitrack system. Fit perfectly.
1/4" Bolts and Washers - 2 for each fork mount - Less than $1
Delta Lockable Bike Hitch (Fork Mount) - $25 at REI (item#686205) (1 per Bike)
-I've seen these cheaper on websites, but REI carries them in stock at their local stores.
Yakima Heavy-Duty Tie-Down Straps - Pair - $22 at REI (item#655284)
-I already had these as a utility strap when hauling furniture, kayaks, etc, and they work well with this set up. Just use the tie down cleats that came with the truck and use one strap to go between the bike frames for added stability when transporting.
Pad Locks - You can find these anywhere from $5 - $15 depending on how nice you want, but they work well with these fork mounts and are great for added security if you need to run into a store.

Recap of parts.
I spent about $95 on all these items to create mounts for two bikes in the back of my truck if you include the straps and locks.

Assembly:
Very easy:
Step 1: insert spring nuts into utilitrack system. 2 for each fork mount to bolt them in.
Step 2: Insert the washers and bolts into the fork mount and bolt into the spring nuts.
Really all there is to it. These should be sturdy and not move at all in the utilitrack rails.

Hope this is useful. I have included some pictures as well.

[05N1SM0]

Awesome, nice first post.
I have the same truck & set-up.

[medic1720]

Me too

I also use the spring nuts and 1/4 in. I-bolts for inexpensive tie down anchors.

[stevet47]

I use the normal non-locking fork mounts, but those look nice. However, I think the tie-down strap is redundant, When I haul my mountian bike around it doesn't move at all, and you've got lighter road bikes up there, so they definitely shouldn't move.

[ajsilvaoc]

I saw these on a titan forum however without the locking mount. Sure beats the hell out of what Nissan wants for Bike mounts.

[Dragons6]

I just use the rocky mounts. They're only a few dollars more than these. I just use tie down straps through the cleats to tie down the back tires.

[Nizzlemo]

I have the same truck in black and use the locking rocky mounts...a little more money, a little less user friendly, but from a security standpoint, much better in my opinion. On the mountain bikes, no need to strap down the back tire, but on teh road bikes, I would put that strap across the tire to avoid paint damage on the down tube... just my $0.02.

[bungyfish]

Looks just like my set up w/ the exception of the road bikes.
Knobbies make the truck look tougher and I hear they add HP too. Ha.

[StormFrontier]

RockyMounts

it's the last one, called the "Clutch SD". It goes right into the tracks.

[Nissan4Life]

I did the same thing, with the same mounts. Except that i used the nissan track locking lugs. Ground down the threads on the bolts so that I could back them out and thread it through the mount holes.

What are "spring nuts" can you post a picture? I assume that they are low profile enough so that they slide past the trox head of the track mounting bolts.

I also flipped my mounts the other way. I was hopping that my handle bars would not stick up past the rood line for area dynamic reasons. They do, but a littel less. Your bikes are almost below the roof line. If you do the flip I think they will be tucked away.

Also they tie down strap you pictured is not mounted very good. I am sure if you have taken the truck/bike out you will have noticed that after a few bumps the straps pull the bikes towards each other. A better place to mount the strap is through the rear triangel and wheels. You can mount the straps in that fasion on the down tube or on the top tub near the seat, if you give the strap a wrap around each bike's frame tube. This will keep the bikes from being pressed towards each other.