Installing a dirt bike rack on my RAV4 (episode 3) 

Dude, I tuned in to see how it could be done as I've a newer RAV4 and would like to do the same for a dual-sport bike. There is NO WAY I'd even try something like this, let alone accomplish it. You are a master. I signed in exclusively so that I could give you a full thumbs up.

Wow. So much respect! I admire the hell out of you for sticking with it and getting what you wanted!

This man is tenacious!

Посмотрел видео, ..мысль..."надо что-то делать!" , встал с дивана, голова закружилась, сел oбратно

You really did that as a labor of love there! Good planning. That is more than most would ever do. Perhaps you could hire your services out! Now a friendly tip: You REALLY should mount taillights to the rack. The ones on the vehicle are blocked far too much. Here's how I built my rack, including the lights. My rack is a home-built, with a fixed track of U-channel aluminum bolted to two pieces of angle iron welded to the 2" sq. tube in a "cross" shape. The angle-iron is only about half to 2/3 the total rack width, because that was all that was needed for strength on the cantilevered rack. The 2" steel tube sticks out about 2' behind the U-channel, for tie-downs. The receiver has flanges with holes for tie-downs on that side. When choosing the 2" tube, I stuck a 6' length into the receiver on my SUV, and jumped on it up and down on it. I wanted the rack to use the lightest materials but still be plenty strong. I would only be using 4 feet, max. (I'm about 200 lbs.) The piece I grabbed felt to light as I carried it around, but dang! It was plenty strong for me jumping on it! It wasn't even CLOSE to bending. My bike weighs about 80 pounds more than I do, but it would not be hanging off nearly as far, maybe 1/4 to 1/3 the distance. I'm not sure now, though, if it was 1/16th (.062") wall, or a little thicker, but it was plenty strong. The loading ramp is an equal length of the same U-channel aluminum as the fixed track. When not in use, the ramp stores on the carrier, right beside the main track, held against the inner edge of the fixed channel with two permanently mounted 1/4" bolts, and I just use wing nuts to keep them there. Easy peazy. Oh - stainless steel bolts there. I hate rust, love stainless hardware. To keep the ramp in position while loading and unloading, I just use a single bolt threaded into the middle of the lip fairly near the end of it. To use it, the bolt end slips into a hole drilled in the main track, doing the job of a loose pin, and doesn't need to be fastened. If you want to get all fancy, you can tap the hole in the tongue lip piece and thread the bolt though that, so the lip will rest flat on the track. Otherwise, just use a nut on the underside; either way works. The nut is not so thick it makes it problematic. To make the overlapping lip piece on the ramp channel, cut off about 1-2" of the U-channel sides so you have a full width of the bottom of the channel about 1-2" long. Then, file the lip smooth. Bend the lip down a little to match the angle between the ramp and rack. Be gentle bending, so the aluminum doesn't crack. If it does, cut it off flush and make another lip. The ramp doesn't HAVE to be the same length as the fixed track. Now put the ramp in position, and drill the receiver hole in the fixed track. The taillights I used are rectangular shaped auto-parts-store trailer lights, the kind that mount flat to a vertical surface. I chose ones that fit nicely inside a piece of U-channel. They are mounted underneath the fixed track to short sections of U-channel that is rotated "back" 90 degrees CW (when looking at the rack from the driver's side) so one side can bolt under the fixed rack channel, and the light can be mounted inside the "U." That protects the lights from damage, whether while driving or just storing it in the garage. Works great! I also beveled the corners of the taillight shroud channel pieces, and any other leg-rippers. Ergonomics, baby! Route the wires to a 4-prong flat connector, and anchor them about every 6-10 inches with plastic P-shaped fasteners screwed to the underside of the rack. If you can, drill small blind holes in the edge of the aluminum channel, so the depth leaves the hole blind. For the steel tube, punch through, it is hidden. If you want to be fancy, you can drill holes to route them inside, but... why? That would mean getting grommets for the holes, and it is a really short run to the vehicle lights plug. I think my total cost was about $130 or so, which included hiring a welder for the angle-iron because I didn't have a welder.

I honestly did not expect you to overbuild to that level. Wow.

Wish I had your talent for fabrication. Awesome job!!!!

Do you know Paul that you're a genius,you are really blessed and a hard worker continue with the good job.

Well done, impressive solution

Good job. I'll do a similar thing for mine to eliminate wobble and strengthen it.

Yeah, awesome work! Mounting something similar (personalized) on a mini bus so we can haul our dual sport.

Very nice. I haul my XT250 with my Rav4. I'm concerned about the 8 inch clearance but haven't had an issue with it yet.

Very cool! Excellent job accomplishing your goal in a safe and effective manor!

i hope when you use the rack you attached extra lights and plates on it just in case they are covered by your bike. not sure if you will get a ticket for not having them but here in australia it’s very strict

Man, you are phenomenal I love you

This is beautifully done!!!!!! By any chance do you remember what vehicle this class 5 was originally from?

Good job!

Great video. I'm getting some ideas on what to do to mine from watching your videos.

Awesome! I have a 99 nisan sentra and uhaul and harbor freight said there's no hitches that fit

Solid stuff man!! Nice video editing as well!!

Nice video thanks

Nice bike

Talent. Skill. Well done.

Man, that is some awesome skill you have there. Nice bike too.

Awesome job

Hi Paul great job Willing to buy new AND stronger truts for my Rav4 hear 1999 Can you share the Inés you putted on yours. Thanks Man

NICE!!! I need to do this to my van, great video and info

Good work.... I love the fitting!

Very nicely done! Kudos

Excelente trabajo amigo. Realmente muchas horas de esfuerzo, pero quedo muy bien. Felicitaciones. Yo quiero fabricar algo similar, pero tengo muchas dudas sobre la reglamentación en mi país. Saludos desde argentina 🇦🇷

If you did this in the United Kingdom your car wouldn't be insured unless you told them of your modification. I had one on the back of my Datsun 720 pickup and a driver behind me hit it with his car and damaged the ramp and trailer board. His insurance asked my insurance company was it a proper manufactured part for my vehicle. It wasn't as I made it . If you weld something to your vehicle that's not approved you could be in trouble with the DVLA under alterations to the body structure. Lucky I was a farmer and farmers can do alot of stuff like convert stuff they needed for the farm without approval. This was in 1984 so it's much worse now .

Paul pls..tell me which is the best LED for my Rav4 1999..is it 9006 LED by Auxido and Is it possible to turn front signal light to LED fog Light /signal light.Thank you for your reply.

Youre a legend man!

My car is 1996 2door I want to carry the wr250r with a hitch carrier. I would like to purchase and install the curt13524 sold by Rock Auto. Should I cut and process mufflers like you?

I see a plate holder on your bike so I am wondering what bike it is and if it can be street legal?

Well done, you got some awesome skills. How is the rack holding up, please if possible can do a follow up on it and how is the unloading of the bike? Thanks and cheers.

I can't find the app on android store. I'll subscribe bro.

A great series (RAV4)! What's your background? What's the best way to feel comfortable to do these on your own?

Hi just assembled my tilt carrier and noticed it has a substantial play on the aluminum sleeve that slips on the steel arm. Did you encounter the same problem and if yes how did you solve it?

Awesome work, Which bike carrier is that?

Hello Love your videos Getting my 1999 two doors Rav4 on Mondays Question Do you think that 215/85/16 can Fit Ando if it does, with lidt kid should I buy? Thank

Outstanding!!

¡ Que dedicación ! un like y me suscribo.

what type of hitch you gpt ther on rhis e door rav4

Have you carried the CRF300l on this rack? I'll be grabbing a new CRF next year...hopefully, based on availability...but it is a PIG compared to the KTM.

Impressive :)

❤

I gotta learn to weld

How did you fix the suspension? Did you do something adjustable like air suspension or permanent? If permanent, how is this affecting normal driving with no bike? I wanna do the same on a Prius 2012.

Can someone please post a link for that tilting carrier. Thanks

Nice mod.

Nice project just got a 3door rav I need to make a towbar cos I'm tight lol .your vids are good but too fast for us to obsorbing the details try slowing it down please I've subscribed really neat work by the way 👌

I have a question as I really would like a receiver on my 96 4 door model. Do you notice any kind of sway from the weight of the bike while driving? I originally was going to get a roof rack and cage but I hear these cars are kinda top heavy and don't wanna risk putting too much weight on top if I can get away with running a hitch setup instead

Have you replaced the distributor cap on your rav?

I would mess my car up if I tryed this though 😔

Wow.... so.... how much do you want to do the same thing to my 99 4 door awd RAV4?

Dirt Bike Loading App.

Case of tunnel vision

Churches

На прицепе проще...

why not put the bike in a trailer and tow it?

Nice job, can you send me a copy of your template for the hitch build?

Why you buy a Jeep Wrangler. You doing it the hard way

well done! Know it's time to unload that piece of crap Rav4

That is not very secure. When you do this properly, the rack does not move independently of the car AT ALL. Try again. Search some other videos for demo of this fact.