Truck Bed Bike Rack for E-Bikes and Overlanding
If you run a full-size or mid-size truck for mountain biking, e-bike shuttles, overlanding, or weekend dirt-bike hauls, you’ve run into the same compromises. Tailgate pads scratch your paint and completely block the backup camera. Hitch racks kill your towing capacity and snag on tight trails. Standard bed crossbars eat up valuable space and still limit what you can carry.
The result? You end up leaving bikes behind, making extra trips, or settling for a setup that works on pavement but falls apart the moment you leave the asphalt.
The Trailbreaker Chase Rack by Big Days was designed to end those trade-offs. It mounts entirely above the bed on a modular system, leaving the hitch clear for towing, the tailgate closing normally, the backup camera and sensors unobstructed, and up to 40 cubic feet of bed space open for recovery boards, tools, fuel cans, or camp gear. You get secure vertical bike (and e-bike) transport without sacrificing any of the truck’s original capabilities.
Built by bike-industry veterans, every rack is made in Utah, USA. The founder’s straightforward mission says it all: “We’re not going to stop until I can jump my truck with my bikes in it.”
How the Trailbreaker Chase Rack System Actually Works
The Chase Rack uses a universal modular T-track base that fits inside bed widths from 40 to 64 inches, covering most full-size and mid-size trucks. Two aluminum crossbars span the bed: a trimmable 61-inch upper bar and a 52-inch lower bar. Bike mounts secure to these bars with a pedal-locking lower cradle and upper frame support that keeps wheels off the paint and frames protected.
Loading is straightforward. Roll your bike (or e-bike) into the bed, lock the pedal into the lower cradle, and secure the top of the frame. The vertical orientation prevents swinging on rough roads and protects disc brakes and derailleurs. Integrated lashing points let you strap down additional gear in the now-open bed space.
The rack works with T-track tonneau covers (adapter sold separately) or covers that leave at least 2 in of bed rail exposed. Tri-fold covers will not fold all the way, and solid one-piece covers do not work. It also works with lightbars and headache racks. The upper crossbar can be trimmed on request, and the entire rack swaps between bikes, e-bikes, or motos in minutes thanks to the modular design. Weight ratings are conservative and real-world tested: 55 lb per bike or e-bike (up to 6 on full-size trucks, 5 on mid-size) and up to 4 e-motos at 140 lb each. Wheel and tire compatibility covers 20 to 29 in wheels with 1.8 to 4.0 in tires.
Why This Truck Bed Bike Rack Wins for E-Bikes and Overlanding Rigs
Heavy e-bikes (often 50 lb or more with batteries) expose the weaknesses of traditional racks. Hitch racks sway and stress frames on washboard roads. Tailgate pads can’t handle the weight without scratching or shifting. The Trailbreaker Chase Rack’s 55 lb limit and rigid vertical mount eliminate both issues.
For overlanders and shuttle drivers, the real advantage is optionality. You can tow a trailer to the trailhead, drop it, load up to six e-bikes (five on a mid-size), then hit technical two-track without worrying about your hitch or camera. The off-road rating means high-speed forest roads and moderate rock crawling stay on the menu, even fully loaded.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Trailbreaker Chase Rack vs. the Alternatives
| Truck Function | Hitch Rack | Tailgate Pad | Standard Bed Crossbars | Trailbreaker Chase Rack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Towing capability | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| High-speed off-road | No | No | No | Yes |
| Rock crawling | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Backup camera access | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Tailgate operation | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Scratch prevention | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Bed space for gear | Full | Full | Limited | Up to 40 cu ft |
| Aesthetics | Poor | Poor | Poor | Truck-specific clean |
The Chase Rack is the only option that checks every box without forcing compromises.
Step-by-Step Installation and Fitment Guide
Installation is designed to be straightforward for anyone comfortable with basic tools. Big Days puts the install at about 30 to 60 minutes with the tools in the box, and a 4mm Allen wrench is included.
- Measure your truck bed’s inside width at the mounting points. It needs to be 40 to 64 in.
- Mount the base to the bed rails. The standard setup clamps on with no drilling. The optional bolt-on setup drills four 3/8 in holes in the top of the bed rails, and trucks with a Toyota or Nissan Deck Rail system need the Deck Rail clamp.
- Install the lower 52" crossbar first, then the upper 61" bar. Big Days can trim the upper bar on request.
- Mount your bike-specific cradles, pedal-lock lowers and frame uppers, sliding them along the T-track until spacing is solid.
- Torque all hardware to spec and test for movement.
Big Days lists bed lengths from 4 ft 10 in to 8 ft, and mid-size trucks carry up to five bikes. Check the not-compatible list on the product page first: any RAM with RamBox, Honda Ridgeline, Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Chevy Avalanche, GMC Hummer EV, and GMC Sierra with the CarbonPro bed.
Pro tip: Have a second person help with the first crossbar lift. Once installed, the system is maintenance-free beyond occasional bolt checks after big off-road days. Full detailed instructions ship with every rack; we’re also happy to walk you through fitment questions specific to your truck.
Truck Bed Bike Rack for E-Bikes: Specific Advantages and Tips
E-bike riders searching for a “truck bed bike rack for ebikes up to 55 lbs” or “heavy ebike truck bed rack off-road” finally have a solution that matches their bikes’ weight and bulk. The pedal-lock system grips securely without stressing the motor or battery housing. Vertical orientation keeps weight centered over the truck, reducing sway compared with hitch-mounted options.
Real-world tip: For longer shuttles, add a simple frame strap to the upper cradle for extra peace of mind on washboard roads. The limit is 55 lb per bike, so weigh your e-bike with the battery and accessories on. Some heavier e-MTBs are over it.
Tested by Riders Who Actually Push Limits
World Cup DH racer Jackson Goldstone put it simply: “So stoked to be running the Big Days rack setup on my new truck! Bikes are spotless and not getting scratched like my tailgate pad was so it was the solid fix to my issue. Feels baller to drive around with the bikes on top…”
Red Bull Rampage athlete Jaxson Riddle needed to haul motos, mountain bikes, tools, and tow an excavator in a long bed: “I couldn’t carry my motos, mountain bikes, tools, and tow my excavator at the same time, even with a long bed. I saw Big Days and instantly hit them up, it was exactly what I needed.”
Real-World Use Cases for Your Truck Bed Bike Rack
- Race-day shuttles: Load up to six e-bikes, tow your trailer, keep the camera clear for backing into tight parking.
- Overlanding weekends: Bikes on top, recovery gear and cooler below, tonneau closed for dust protection.
- E-moto rigs: The optional e-moto path carries up to 4 e-motos at 140 lb each.
- Daily driver to trail builder: Tools and lumber in the bed, bikes above, rock-crawling capability intact.
Who This Truck Bed Bike Rack Is Really For
If you shuttle multiple e-bikes or dirt bikes on race days, build multi-day overlanding rigs, or refuse to give up towing capability, the Trailbreaker Chase Rack is built for you. It’s especially strong for anyone running mid-size or full-size trucks who wants one clean, modular system instead of switching between pads, hitches, and trailers.
What to Buy Next
Pair your Trailbreaker Chase Rack with the Trailbreaker Moto Rack for mixed fleets, add recovery boards and straps for overlanding, or grab a tonneau-compatible lightbar setup.
FAQs
Does it allow towing?
Yes. The rack sits above the bed, so the hitch stays clear for towing.
Is it compatible with tonneau covers?
Some. It works with T-track tonneau covers (adapter sold separately) or covers that leave at least 2 in of bed rail exposed. Tri-fold covers will not fold all the way, and solid one-piece covers do not work.
What wheel and tire sizes fit?
20 to 29 in wheels with 1.8 to 4.0 in tires.
Can it handle off-road use?
Yes, rated for high-speed trails and rock crawling up to the 55 lb per-bike limit.
Will it fit my mid-size truck?
Most likely. It fits beds 40 to 64 in wide inside, and mid-size trucks carry up to five bikes. Check the not-compatible list on the product page first.
Is it e-bike rated?
Yes, for e-bikes up to 55 lb each. Weigh yours with the battery on, since some heavier e-MTBs are over the limit.
How long does installation take?
Big Days puts it at about 30 to 60 minutes with the tools in the box.
Can I mix bikes and motos?
Big Days lists bikes and e-bikes up to 55 lb each and an optional e-moto path for up to 4 e-motos at 140 lb each. For a mixed setup, confirm with us before ordering.
Does it scratch the truck or bikes?
No, engineered with protective cradles and truck-specific aesthetics.
Is it made in the USA?
100% designed and built in Utah by bike-industry veterans.
Ready to Simplify Your Shuttle Rig?
The Trailbreaker Chase Rack (by Big Days) comes in 1 to 5 bike mount builds at Gearlanders. Each one is built to order in Utah.
Have questions about fitment for your specific truck or e-bike setup? Contact us and we’ll help you spec the right configuration.
Running a mid-size like a Nissan Frontier? Shop the Nissan Frontier bed racks and shade.
Shop dirt bike truck racks.
Shop bike racks.