Tailgate Bike Rack Patent

[JeremyMKE]

This is interesting. I need to handle 4 bikes with the Rivian so I am keen to find the most efficient way to do so.

First I have seen about a mounting system for the bed/tailgate.

https://gearjunkie.com/motors/truck/rivian-tailgate-bike-rack-patent

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[crashmtb]

better than a hitch rack, and definitely better than beating up downtubes on the tailgate

 

[wicked2112]

better than a hitch rack, and definitely better than beating up downtubes on the tailgate

Be careful with that design!!!

 

[JeremyMKE]

Be careful with that design!!!

I know right! How are they going to lock the tailgate in the down position?

 

[Dark-Fx]

I know right! How are they going to lock the tailgate in the down position?

Was just thinking about how my bikes/tailgate were going to get slammed into the rest of the bed when I'm driving around in rally mode.

 

[crashmtb]

I know right! How are they going to lock the tailgate in the down position?

Presumably by locking out the hinge in some fashion.

 

[shamoo]

Was just thinking about how my bikes/tailgate were going to get slammed into the rest of the bed when I'm driving around in rally mode.

If you're carrying bikes, I'd assume you'd be more cautious/smooth while driving. So whether it is a hitch, roof rack, or this new thing, "driving around in rally mode" probably wouldn't be a good idea.

 

[RivianXpress]

That tall tailgate means you need a very long hitch extension when it's lowered and you're towing something.

 

[Zoidz]

I know right! How are they going to lock the tailgate in the down position?

If you read the patent, you'll see that it calls out the ability to lock the tailgate in the down position. It's also important to understand that this is a PATENT, not a design. Patents protect intellectual property. They are not a specific DESIGN.

"In another example, the tailgate 100 may be supported in the horizontal position by limiter arms instead of tailgate cables 102A, 102B, or may be supported in the horizontal position at a hinge location via another motion-limiting structure without cables or limiter arms. "

 

[Zoidz]

That tall tailgate means you need a very long hitch extension when it's lowered and you're towing something.

Simple solution. Install a Fulton FoldAway Hinge kit. Extends the hitch when towing, but shortens the trailer for storage. Just pull the pin and fold the hitch back. I have one of them on my boat trailer, it's fantastic.

Picture shows original hitch location vs. folding extension.

 

[Crotchetyoldfart]

If I read this correctly, the bikes are carried sideways. I’m not sure that I like that. They’ll have a lot of lateral stress.

 

[OrthoBlock]

If I read this correctly, the bikes are carried sideways. I’m not sure that I like that. They’ll have a lot of lateral stress.

Isn't that the case with every hitch mounted bike rack in the market?

 

[JeremyMKE]

Isn't that the case with every hitch mounted bike rack in the market?

The answer is yes but with my VERY rudimentary fluid dynamics experience in play here I think the wind stress would be much higher on the tailgate then when stored behind a closed tailgate.

You can see the negative pressure zones in blue. If the tailgate is open that flow coming off the top of the vehicle would I THINK be blasting right at the area on the tailgate where the bikes would be.

As in this picture...

Source is not exactly super scientific but is accurate for these purposes I believe.
https://xplrcreate.com/2019/08/08/aerodynamics-of-tailgate-closed-vs-open/

 

[crashmtb]

If I read this correctly, the bikes are carried sideways. I’m not sure that I like that. They’ll have a lot of lateral stress.

Far far less lateral stress than being ridden in a lot of situations.

 

[Lionel_Hutz]

The answer is yes but with my VERY rudimentary fluid dynamics experience in play here I think the wind stress would be much higher on the tailgate then when stored behind a closed tailgate.

You can see the negative pressure zones in blue. If the tailgate is open that flow coming off the top of the vehicle would I THINK be blasting right at the area on the tailgate where the bikes would be.

As in this picture...

Source is not exactly super scientific but is accurate for these purposes I believe.
https://xplrcreate.com/2019/08/08/aerodynamics-of-tailgate-closed-vs-open/

We're talking about bikes that are designed to handle impacts from 250 lb riders for thousands of miles. They'll be fine, especially because the lateral force is just going to be pressing the frame down onto the axles. Range impact is a different story--carrying a 29er MTB on my Model Y can be up to a 30% hit on range depending on speed. And the bike may have even more of a sail effect sitting way out at the back of the tailgate on the R1T.

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