This DIY Bike Rack Hack Saved Me $250!

I combined two 2 place bike racks to make a DIY 4 Place Bike Rack and saved some money in the process. If you have a welder, a grinder and some scrap steel, you can likely do the same thing if you need to haul 4 bicycles. This video was inspired by Van Neistat.

[@tonynieuwlandt1290]

It's fun to see the drone footage over the trails, gives a whole different perspective of the greenway.

[@digdrivediy]

The Greenway is awesome. We need to go explore other parts of it. I was so tempted to fly over downtown but was running out of time. Great trails though.

[@doughadley9448]

Great Job, just a thought but maybe add some plug in tail lights for extra safety

[@digdrivediy]

That is a great suggestion Doug. I thought the same thing after watching it in the video! That is definitely on my list before the next trip. Thanks so much for watching.

[@owentimo]

Great little project, enjoy. God Bless you and your family.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Sparta!

[@ronchappell1210]

Neil - Great inginunity and work. Going to build one for my Highlander soon. Need to haul 4 bikes, and saw too many negative comments on AMAZON about bike racks "bending." Thanks for the info.

[@digdrivediy]

Right on Ron. Yeah, all the ones I was looking at in my "price range" didn't look that substantial. I like how this turned out and I've got some confidence in it. Good luck!

[@DemonicDemolition]

Great job on rack and the videography is awesome

[@juanenriqueparraless]

Excelente proyecto , gracias a ti , me voy a animar a hacer uno para mi camioneta 🛻, saludos 🖖

[@wootler]

At first I was "talking to you" saying "Don't go with the hanging bike carrier"! Then you went with the Hyper Tough rack. I'm leaving in just a minute to go get my Hyper tough rack. Just the wife and I now, so I won't need to do any super mods like you did! Very impressive, professional video. Love the drone shots. I subscribed for the drone shots alone! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@digdrivediy]

Hey thanks Walt! Appreciate your subscription and thanks for checking out the videos. I hope that bike carrier works out for you. We've had ours on several outings and still holding up well. Take care!

[@MikeM-cz5ln]

Nice job of fabrication! I faced the same issue. For me the best solution was using a utility trailer when I haul 4 bikes. I welded a bike tire holder rack to keep the bikes from hitting each other while holding them upright on the trailer. I made the rack removable so I can use the trailer for other uses.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Mike! I like the trailer idea too. Makes sense on many levels.

[@andrewsamanthamadison3320]

Haha! Storage is always a struggle for equipment and tools! Nicely done sir!

[@digdrivediy]

Most definitely a struggle! Especially when you're trying to haul stuff in a little Jeep!

[@jennifercurrid7903]

*I was expecting a lot of shortcuts to be taken at this price. I was wrong. Decent quality **Latest.Bike** raker . Easy on easy off.*

[@henray76]

That's a pretty epic build. The best part is how good your free hand notches turned out.

[@digdrivediy]

I gotta be honest, I was surprised how well that turned out on the first try!!! I'm glad someone noticed haha! It was a fun and easy little build that serves a great purpose. Thanks for watching!

[@andysmith5220]

The life lessons your teaching her are invaluable great job.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Andy! Hopefully my girls will grow up to know their way around a toolbox a little bit thanks to Dad.

[@andysmith5220]

@@digdrivediy honestly it looks like she already does. LoL

[@tyrankin2767]

You should do an equipment tour and show all your fun toys that you have👍🏻

[@digdrivediy]

Think folks would like that?

[@tyrankin2767]

@@digdrivediy oh yeah they would

[@russellbelton8213]

I would

[@andrewsamanthamadison3320]

Kool Aid man : Ohhh yeah!!

[@meirionevans5137]

I'm in too.

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

Nice work. I was going to build something similar from scratch, starting with an old bike rack 2 inch receiver section but that wally world kit is a no brainer.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Kyle!

[@Knuckledragnation]

Sir this was a great idea and one that is sorta right up my alley. I’ve been thinking of making something similar for my wife’s and my Electric Bikes. We recently purchased a Ram 3500 DRW Diesel & conventional pull toy hauler. Since one or both Harleys will be loaded in the Rv and the back of the truck will be filled with all my wife’s junk, er um I mean most of our cargo, I will have likely little to no room for the e-bikes. I’ve been looking at ways to safely secure the e-bikes either somewhere to the truck or Rv in a way so that they are secure while under way while being easily accessible when we reach a destination point. I’ve been looking at ways to safely secure the bikes in the front of the truck as well as to the Rv. Also in a way to where I can easily stow the rack when not in use. You have definitely given me more food for thought in terms of possibilities as well as you have further sparked my thought process. Thank you. Also I’m a father of 5, 13 to 34, and that time spent working with your daughter will go so far in both yours and her memory that’s for sure!!! Good stuff sir! It looks like it’s been a couple of years so how’s it holding up? Any issues or concerns?

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much! It has and is still working great. Haven't tried the heavier e-bikes yet but works well for our regular bikes.

[@johnhamilton9229]

Another Neil improvement that is impressive and useful. I liked your late night spray booth, great ventilation. 😁👍

[@digdrivediy]

Haha! Yeah I can't stand to paint inside the shop if I don't have to. I need a better exhaust system inside for welding too though.

[@starblazers01]

Nice setup & nice property setup too

[@khtractors]

Excellent job! That was thinking outside the box for sure. We have a great bike trail not far from us. It’s called the Virginia Creeper Trail, an old railroad bed converted to a bike and hiking trail. Have a great day!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Ben! My family loves biking so we hope to get some good use out of this little project. Maybe someday we'll check out the Virginia creeper! Have a great week and thanks for watching as always.

[@roncorbin1500]

Your a good fabricator, nice job Neil.

[@digdrivediy]

I really appreciate that Ron! Thanks!

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

Next video... modifying my Eezy Peezy Lumber Rack to store your DIY bike rack! Neil, I bet your scrap metal collection is like my lumber jumble. A little of this and a little if that.... and every once in a while it comes in handy! That was pretty slick. Buy the detail parts and build the structural ones. I bet the wheels started turning the moment you found those at WalMart!! Now, if you could just modify Bill to pump those pedals for you... My granddaughters were here for two weeks. That coincided with the blossoming of the Butterfly weed and the arrival of the first showy butterflies. I repurposed a net bag from a beach digging kit we bought a few years back. The outcome is gonna be in my next video. Although it was a much simpler build... the satisfaction of making something that builds bonds and makes loved ones happy still comes through. Oh yeah... no need to remember how to fit them in the rack... it’s intuitive... and you have this fine video for reference. Take care. I’ll see you next week.

[@digdrivediy]

You're exactly right on so many points! I had to open one of these at Walmart cause once I saw it I was building it in my mind. Components seemed sturdy enough to try it. That scrap metal pile of mine in the shop is just a small sample of what is available to me! And yes, it is a hodge podge of all kinds of goodness. I come from a long line of "metal pilers". When I was a kid, Dad bought an old pull type AC combine that sat beside the barn for about a decade. Every time he needed a piece of angle iron or a wheel hub or an entire grain hopper, he'd go cut another piece off of it. The PTO shaft and shield are on his homemade wood splitter as a matter of fact! I guess I'm just doing what comes natural from all the imprinting as a child! That's great that you got to do some butterfly wranglin' with a homemade custom net. I bet the granddaughters loved it! There is something more rewarding when the DIY hack doubles as a family bonding experience. I'll look for that next video and will see ya next week! Take Care!

[@eliaskings1943]

that was a very nice idea thanks for sharing

[@kevhead1525]

Another creative win for Neil. 👍

[@danpayan9468]

Good idea 👍

[@Connie1Fan]

Great job!! I need that for my JEEP but I want it mounted on my spare wheel, want access to my door without dismounting bike. I'm a trucker and seen many accidents involving similar set ups, safer if you put some "warning flags" on your last bike, too many distracted drivers today can misjudged how far back your rack sticks out until is too late. Be safe!!

[@russellbelton8213]

It’s been driving me mad on who you remind me of. Tim Allen from home improvement lol 😂

[@digdrivediy]

Haha! I haven't heard that one before. I always loved Home Improvement though as a kid so I'll take it!

[@stevedallas007]

you are skilled

[@farikkun1841]

theres $30 one that fit 3 bikes. but it need extra support with ropes hold by the reardoor.

[@digdrivediy]

Yeah, to me $30 isn't enough to feel like it would be built well enough I guess. I'm really happy with how this one turned out. Thanks for watching!

[@edsecorr7812]

Your the best great job keep up the good work love your videos thank you

[@ryanmelquist632]

Nice build. 👌

[@Kaishepard25]

looks good. wish i had the tools to do that

[@EIH7703]

Nice video ! Im in the same problem . But I had to change mi suv for a pick up. Because we ride with our dog.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Erick! Hard to go wrong with a pick up when it comes to versatility.

[@johnmetcalfe1917]

well done Neil !!

[@digdrivediy]

Appreciate it John!

[@jackkoch1368]

Well it looks like a good job oh, but I am a little disappointed that you didn't check with me first. You could have used the bike rack that I had made when we had our camper. It held for bicycles and only took 6 bungee cords and to tie down straps to hold everything in place. Had to get a DOT permit whenever we used it for overlength equipment. Every time I pulled into a driveway that had a little bit of a hump in it it would drag and sound like it was tearing the whole back of the trailer off, but at least I didn't pay $150 for a store-bought one that probably would have fit right on. I showed them! The main thing is that it worked and you boys rode your bicycles a lot of miles in the different campgrounds that we visited. One more thing we didn't have to wear those skid Lids back then either! Dad

[@digdrivediy]

I actually thought of that rack, but then I thought I'd need to do a suspension upgrade on all our vehicles in order to use it! 😋 As I remember it was pretty heavy, but we sure got some good uses out of it! Probably why I wanted to make another one I suppose. I'm on the fence with the helmets... As soon as I don't wear one though I'll fall now. Thanks Dad!

[@xtr3m385]

_"...but at least_ *_I didn't pay $150 for a store-bought one_* _that probably would have fit right on._ *_I showed them!"_* What _"kind"_ of a son did you raise Mr. Koch? LOL!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Well done

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Brock!

[@casycasy5199]

great job im looking to do something like that for my two e bikes

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks! I'm hoping this unit will hold some e-bikes. My brother has a couple and they are awesome. Been trying to talk my wife into them. She says we need to peddle still!

[@WhoDaBoss-dc4or]

Bike rack is awesome but definitely needs some auxiliary tail lights. 👍

[@digdrivediy]

Agreed!

[@KingsOutdoorLife]

Love it! As a fellow recycler and tinkerer I can surely relate to garbage can and roadside finds. My problem is, I'm about to move and all these spare parts I have saved are looking like JUNK.

[@digdrivediy]

Oh my goodness. I couldn't imagine moving! You're right! It would all look a little different if I had to pack it up :)

[@wfemp_4730]

I'm digging that style of bike rack. I have a Thule where the bike are "suspended", and I hate it.

[@shanesherwood343]

Nice diy hack strong useful and saved money for an ice cream shop stop

[@arielreyes8943]

informative video thanks...

[@digdrivediy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@srikumarantp]

Simply superdb...! You made it lot cheaper.!

[@TOADJOEL1]

Thank you so much for the video, That helps a lot. I’m going to make my wife proud for me again.

[@digdrivediy]

Best of luck!

[@wickedcoyote271]

Pretty sure it was worth it, and fun to do.

[@digdrivediy]

I think so too! Thanks Coyote!

[@kohort1]

Looks like I should learn to weld

[@digdrivediy]

It's a great skill to have in your back pocket!

[@bradkonen03]

Well done sir! 👍👌

[@digdrivediy]

Appreciate it!

[@robfate8781]

Great job.👍

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Rob!

[@meirionevans5137]

No booger welding here! Tidy job, lol the weight test.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a bunch and appreciate you watching!

[@carlosux]

awesome build. just poached a few ideas from you. also - 3 girls to take care of. ✊

[@michaelmontes3933]

Hi buddy, I’m curious, do you have to remove the whole bike rack in order to access the tailgate? Thanks in advance!

[@peterblades202]

Great job but as someone else said you need a trailer light board as your stop and turn lights are obscured. The challenge is will you buy or make one! Stay safe.

[@digdrivediy]

Great idea Peter. Yes definitely on the to-do list. After seeing it in the video I knew that was going to be another project for sure. I got to look into those to see how much they are to determine whether I'm going to DIY or buy!

[@BG-vq9fd]

Nice solution

[@digdrivediy]

Appreciate it!

[@Thecowboy1950]

Good job 👍

[@digdrivediy]

Thank you sir.

[@supertrooper7403]

I like your yellow bike Neil

[@digdrivediy]

Hahaha! It's hard to know which one is mine when I load up 4 lady's bikes! My wife wondered how many people had made fun of my bike in the comments yet!

[@supertrooper7403]

@@digdrivediy hahahaha I bet. You guys are awesome. Take care and best wishes to you and the family - Matt

[@jdhogyellowhelmetproductio358]

COOL!

[@digdrivediy]

You're getting through all these videos! ,😊 Thanks for watching!!

[@johnbeldon635]

Now you to buy or build a tow bar for the Jeep so you tow it behind your motor home.

[@digdrivediy]

Exactly right John. That's what we're thinking!

[@bryans5339]

If you had hired me to build that bike rack, and seen my gorilla welds, you would have wished you had spent the $250.00. Good job!

[@digdrivediy]

Haha! I may find I wished I had spent the $250 anyways!!

[@AnthrozoologyTV]

What size tires are those? Nice hack BTW, can't wait to learn how to weld

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks! Those were 285 70R 17s. I just changed them out for 295/75R16 in a more recent video. Thanks for watching!

[@hollandduck79]

thanks for the video Neil and Fam . maybe it's fun and educational to watch KZbin videos about cycling here in the Netherlands with your wife and daughters. because things are very different here. here we have RED ( the red color is so that it is visible to other traffic that this is for bicycles ) bicycle lanes and separate bicycle paths are closed to motor vehicles , we have bicycle parking garages at train stations here . we have bicycle streets here as cars are guests and must give priority to bicycles at all times. you are, by the way, always obliged to give way to the so-called "weak road users", ie pedestrians and cyclists. In the event of a collision, you are ALWAYS GUILTY as a car if you come into contact with one. because of the infrastructure of the big cities you can often get there faster by bike than by car. more and more cities are also making it increasingly difficult for the environment and thus the air quality and living environment to get somewhere by car. and also more expensive to have a car in the city . You will also see a large parking lot with a train station on the outskirts of the city, so you can choose public transport or a (sometimes free) rental bike to go into the city. Sincerely Hollandduck from the Netherlands

[@digdrivediy]

I have seen some videos of bicycling in the Netherlands and it looks awesome! I would love to come visit and tour the city. Did I mention I have been to Amsterdam? My only complaint was that I didn't get to stay to see more of your beautiful country. I only got to visit the airport. We love cycling even though it is much different where we live in the rural areas. That's why we go to town. I will share some videos with my wife and daughters. That would be fun. Thanks Hollandduck!

[@DAS-Videos]

I suppose the 2" tube could have been kept straight, the bikes would just be a little lower to the ground. Nice build.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks! The offset helps with keeping the handlebars separated as well.

[@DAS-Videos]

@@digdrivediy It makes it look store bought too. I think I will pick up that same carrier. I see that they are now $89.

[@MrKamccarthyinc]

Awesome build Neil. Odd question, but what size are the tires on your Wrangler and do you have a lift? Gonna need tires on ours soon and would like to jump up a size.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Keith! Those are Goodyear Wrangler MTs 265/75 R17. Currently there is no lift in what you see in that video. Ironically though, I just picked up a two and a half inch lift kit for it and I'm putting 295/75s on it. I don't want anything too radical but just make it look a little bit tougher. Thanks for the interest and thank you so much for watching.

[@MrKamccarthyinc]

@@digdrivediy Awesome. We're just looking to go bigger than stock. Considering a 2" lift with the spacers on the shock towers.

[@DOCWHOK9]

A very sensible build, strong enough, even with a downforce multiplier reducing the legal load. However, is it Legal? ... you have blocked your brake lights and turn indicators. In some countries, you will also have blocked your rear License plate AND Exceeded your rear overhang. This for example is several hundred dollars in fines for an Australian driver. :-(

[@digdrivediy]

I believe that it is legal but wasn't great to block the lights. Fortunately we use this more on our motorhome than we do on our Jeep and it does not block the lights on that vehicle so all is well. Thanks so much for watching from Australia! That's so cool!

[@dt9094]

Top marks 👍🇨🇦

[@superior3384]

Nice but I can't do that

[@luza.valdivia3289]

Are you in Hebron ?

[@digdrivediy]

Northeast Indiana

[@johnmcguire5034]

I was disappointed when you didn’t ride the yellow bike!!

[@digdrivediy]

Haha! I'm more of a purple & pink kinda rider! And green basket...

[@tonycasterline8936]

It's cool that you can weld and all, but I would have went with that hot glue gun, like a pro.

[@supertrooper7403]

Hot glue for the win for sure.

[@digdrivediy]

I will be reinforcing this unit with hot glue and clear tape. We go through a lot of it around here!

[@tonycasterline8936]

@@digdrivediy ...and glitter! Don't forget glitter! If you actually did this, and played it off all serious, it would make a good April Fool's video. Do you figure 8? You need argon? Anyone with kids probably knows to keep secret clear tape hidden. Otherwise, you will have none, except what's around crayons and stuck to cardboard contraptions, lol.

[@rodmakestuff8288]

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE VIDEO WITH TRACTOR TIME WITH TIM?!?!?!??????

[@digdrivediy]

Yeah, sorry about that! It will be next week to work with both our schedules! Appreciate you asking!

[@anonymousyoutuber7935]

I'm going to steal your idea..no bike rack needs to cost over $400

[@digdrivediy]

Couldn't agree more. Best of luck!

[@kinbigbird]

“If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.” ― Red Green

[@ddream777]

Yo man, great stuff! Respect form China 中国！

[@digdrivediy]

Awesome! Thanks Phil.

[@skylarkovack2561]

👏👍

[@digdrivediy]

👍🏻

[@Jackal_Blitz]

I'm sure it would be easy to save all sorts of money if I had thousands of dollars worth of power tools in my garage... :(

[@digdrivediy]

That's just years of collecting and accumulating!

[@danim1716]

HI

[@digdrivediy]

Hello!

[@s1mplyaiden975]

First

[@digdrivediy]

Winner!

[@krawlinn87]

You're not too smart. Tie downs and a truck bed can fit 4+ bikes easy.

[@digdrivediy]

Well you're not too nice. What a rude thing to say. I mentioned that we needed this for vehicles other than the pickup, namely our motorhome. We use the bike rack on the Jeep when it is towed behind the RV as well. Everyone knows the bikes would fit in the truck. It was just a way to illustrate that something could make the current method of hauling better.