While having my Thule roof rack painted to match my rig, my mileage went up 3-5 mpg! Who would have thought? So after hauling my bike in the back, and remembering a post I saw here, I found an easy and practical way to leave my rack off for good.


Rear of bike set a little to the side so the passenger seat can remain fully back. This is a full size men's mountain bike.

I screwed the mount (Can be found at any bike shop in stock for $20) righ to the floor, then cut a hole in the foam cargo tray.

Plenty of room for the locking mechanism to operate.

Tray is almost like new for regular use. A person could make a cover for the latch.

Stuff back in and ready to be covered and resume normal life!

I'll put my rack back on for some photos and when I need to haul two bikes, but for MPG's sake. This will git 'er done.

 

Not bad

I tried laying my bike in my Box as is. Would not fit. I'm going to grab a rear bike carrier one of these days when I come across some money.

 

I wonder if it would be a good idea to do the same type of stealth mount, but in on top of the spare tire instead.

 

Wobble, my good brownboy, was one of the reasons I didn't. You have to worry about it smacking the panels as it rocks. The other reason was bike height. I would have to travel with my seat removed to have it that high, or remove my back seat bottom to give the seat backs more room to lie flat.

 

Now that surprises me. Mine fits just fine. I take off the rear seat head rests, lay down the back seats, and lay my bike in, chain side up, front wheel pointing up behind the passenger's front seat. You tried that way yet?