The New RockyMounts GuideRail Hitch Mounted Bike Rack On 3rd Gen Tacoma – Install Guide, Review & Overview
The Tacoma and Mountain Bike community go hand in hand. Between the reliability, capabilities and platform it allows us to reach remote locations while also giving us the ability to transport our bikes and gear.
While tailgate pads are an awesome option for those out there that don’t have anything covering their bed, the moment you start adding racks and shells it gets a little trickier. As for myself I ran into that dilemma after I picked up a camper shell and resorted to taking the front wheel off every time I wanted ride my bike. Finally got tired of doing that I decided it was time to add a bike rack to the fleet.
So I began the search and looked at all the options out there and settled on the new RockyMounts GuideRail.
RockyMounts has been around since 1993 in the great state of Colorado with the sole focus on building quality racks for all disciplines. Their new GuideRail rack brings new and improved features that we’re going to take a look at.
Let’s get started!
Find It Online
Features & Specifications
This specific rack is for a 2″ receiver but can also be optioned in a 1.25″ hitch with an available shim adapter. The Tacoma comes standard with a 2″ hitch and helps with the rigidity and anti-wobble.
RockyMounts has mastered their anti-wobble system by coming out with a 3 axis system that has eliminated the wobble pretty much completely. It’s a little unsettling looking back at your bike rack and seeing your expensive bike wobble, luckily that’s not a worry with the GuideRail.
The rack has 3 notch positions to include, up (fully stowed), middle (bike transport), and down (opening tailgate). When stowed the rack sits at 90 degrees up and when in the transport position sits level and when down sits at a 45 degree angle to the ground giving enough clearance to drop the tailgate.
Features
- 2 bike tray (expandable up to 3)
- 1.25″ or 2″ hitch receiver
- 60 lb. tray weight limit (120 lbs. combined)
- Asymmetrical bike loading to prevent handlebar contact
- No frame or fork contact secure system (tires only)
- Carries 19mm up to 3.0″ tire width and 20″ – 29″ wheel diameter
- Compatible with wheelbases from 36″ – 55″
- Folds up 90 degrees and tilts down to 30 degrees
- 3-Axis Anti-Wobble system
- 10mm Robust square link chain for security
- 49 lbs. (total rack weight)
- Anodized and powder coated
Unboxing
Great job with the packaging, everything came perfect with no damage!
Contents
Included are the 4 tray pieces, the hitch mount, the hardware, and lock.
Installation Guide
We’re going to start by installing the hitch mount first. Locate the hitch pin and lock along with the provided tools.
Install the rack into the hitch and line up the holes to slide the pin through. Use a wrench to tighten down the bolt and install the lock on the other side. Tightening down the bolt will take out the slop and hold the down the rack.
The 4 Allen bolts and two mounting plates are what holds the trays to the hitch mount.
Slide in the trays with the blue levers facing outwards till they line up with the holes.
Using the plate, thread the bolt through the holes and tighten down with the provided Allen wrench till snug.
Your installation of the GuideRail is now complete! Super simple – which is what we love to see.
How To Use
Usage of the GuideRail is as easy as unlatching the blue levers till they’re facing outwards, now the upright wheel holds can move freely enough to get your bike on the tray.
Flipping the levers in so they’re parallel with the tray will engage the latching mechanism. Once you’re bike is set in the tray, flip the levers parallel and push the uprights till snug on the tire. It’s also really that simple to use… a common theme with this rack.
Built In Lock
One of my favorite features on the rack is the built in lock, that is by far the largest and most robust lock provided on any bike rack I’ve seen.
Thick chain link steel wrapped in fabric is a well designed lock, ensuring nobody is going to mess with your expensive bikes!
Now let’s move on to loading your bikes – which is super straight forward and painless. There are no straps or unnecessary secure points, rather the GuideRail uses two tire clamps to cinch down on the tires and hold it steady.
Step 1. Open Rack To Flat Position
Pull up in the blue handle in the center of the rack and pull down 90 degrees till the rack locks in place.
Step 2. Unlatch Blue Levers & Open Arms
Flip the blue levers outward to allow the ability to slide the upright tire supports all the way out. Depending on the length of your bike, you can adjust how far out the uprights go out to accommodate for a longer or shorter wheelbase.
Step 3. Lock Levers & Secure Bike
Flip the blue levers inward till they’re flat up against the rack, this will engage the locking mechanism. From there, place your bike on the tray (it doesn’t matter which way it goes), while holding the bike grab one of the upright supports and push forward up against the tire – repeat step on both wheels.
Once the bike is standing without your support, go back and push firmly on the upright supports until there is no slop. Give your bike the ole’ shake test to make sure it’s not going anywhere and repeat if you have another bike!
Note: Make sure you alternate bike direction if putting two bikes on rack.
Step 4. Bike Removal
Removal of the bike from the rack is super simple, a reverse of the above – except one key component to take special note of.
Instead of flipping the blue arm levers outward like when opening, you want to push in when releasing the bike from tray. This is because the arm is under load and if you pull back on the blue lever, over time it’ll break. Ask me how I know (rookie mistake). So when you have a bike in the tray, push forward on the blue level not back!
Review
I’ve been using this rack for a few months now (usually 2-4 times a week) and have been extremely pleased. Leaving it on my truck has made it convenient to throw the bikes on and within 15 seconds we’re ready to head out! The build quality stands out with it being able to withstand the daily abuse that it receives from living on a daily driver.
No real issues with it other than leaving it on my truck at all times has rendered the parking sensors useless and backup camera is mostly blocked when it’s stowed.
Pros
The whole rack is perfect. But some of my favorite features to mention are how easy it is to use, the quality, and the lock. I’ve had plenty of bike racks both good and bad and they’ve always had their quirks that are an inconvenience, such as rubbing on the bike or wobbling. The GuideRail doesn’t experience those issues.
The tire clamps are easy to use and don’t make any contact with the bike and I haven’t had them come lose at all. Wobbling isn’t even a factor, it’s stout and when looking in the rearview mirror it doesn’t shake when taking large hits or driving offroad. The lock RockyMounts provide is very large and should help to deter thieves.
Cons
Not really anything to be honest… the only thing that is noteworthy is the price. At $850 dollars it’s a little steep but when you look at the quality you’re getting it’s understandable.
Final Thoughts
To keep this short and sweet, I love this bike rack. It has been one of the best additions to my truck that I just leave on and forget about when I’m not using and ready to be used when needed. Between the features, build quality and ease of use I think it’s one of the best racks available at the moment. If you’re in the market for a bike rack I highly suggest looking at the Rocky Mount GuideRail.
Happy Trails!
