$500.00 is a lot of money but not compared to a conventional rack, some sort of hitch receiver and welding.
Jbarca's rack looks great but again he has at least $500.00 invested in materials and labor.
Unless you are capable of making your own I highly recommend the Topopprails rack. You won't be disappointed.
Hi Lantley,
Thanks for the good words. Actually yours and another forum members rig was what inspired me. So double thanks.
Now to the cost. Well, the Swagman rack was like $120 that I bought several years ago after the top hanging one I had had issues on the rear of the TT. The Swagman then moved to the front of the Suburban and then to the front of the new camper once the Burb found a new home.
The rest of the out of pocket, about $20. For me that is. Weld rod, bolts and paint. The metal was left overs that I had laying around. Now the time. Well that is priceless!!! The TT is my hobby and doing these kind of building mod’s is extremely therapeutic. If you took this to a welder to fab up, well it could be 3/4 to a days worth of time. And in that case, time and material could be in the 300 to $400 range. So your estimate is sound, just not for me who on the TT, works for free….
swebber wrote: Good job there JBarca !!!
flguppie wrote: Wow, great job JBarca (John). I think it may be more fabricating than I can pull off. I wish I had your skills.
I may have to go the toprail route since they do look good and several of you have them and think they are well made. Thanks Lantley for the pics too. If someone has another solution, I'm still all ears. :-)
FLGuppie (Gary)
Steve and Gary, thanks for your kind works too.
Gary, there is another option for a PU truck. Pending if you have a cap or not and what type Tono cover. I had a camping buddy make a double rack out of wood that went on the top of the bed. Goes left to right just behind the cab. His tono allowed him to still get to the stack holes. It cost him I think in the ~ $100 or less range for the pressure treated 2 x 4’s and hardware. I would of went that route as well but my tono tilts and has no exposed stake holes..
John & Cindy
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
CC, SB, Lariat & FX4 package
21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR
Ford Tow Command
1,700# Reese HP hitch & HP Dual Cam
2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver
2004 Sunline Solaris T310SR
(I wish we where camping!)
I don't think I'd ever buy a Top Pop rack... I've written their customer service several times and have never received a response. If they don't respond to a sales inquiry, how do you think they'd respond to an email after the sale?
daleybread wrote: I don't think I'd ever buy a Top Pop rack... I've written their customer service several times and have never received a response. If they don't respond to a sales inquiry, how do you think they'd respond to an email after the sale?
While I agree they are a seemingly a one man show. I received 2 E-mails today. One from the forum notifying me of a new post to this thread and one from Toppoprails responding to my inquiry for a 3 to 4 bike extension. I purchased my rack 3 years ago!
Good to hear I might have been the only one. That is what is so good about these forums, they can change your mind about things for the better or worse. Looks like a great product. And I'd be glad to buy from a one man show.
Another fine article John ... John is a personal friend of mine and I consider him to be the "mechanic's mechanic"... We usually get together at least once a year and he always has a few surprises to show us
I've seen his bike rack previously and it's typical "Barca" ... Keep up the great work John... Can you give me a hint as to what the "surprise" will be for next year
Les
2000 Ford F-250SD, XLT, 4X4 Off Road, SuperCab
w/ 6.8L (415 C.I.) V-10/3:73LS/4R100
Banks Power Pack w/Trans Command & OttoMind
2006 Nomad 3150 Double Slide (Bunkhouse)
Hensley Arrow
Jordan Ultima 2020
LAdams wrote: Another fine article John ... John is a personal friend of mine and I consider him to be the "mechanic's mechanic"... We usually get together at least once a year and he always has a few surprises to show us
I've seen his bike rack previously and it's typical "Barca" ... Keep up the great work John... Can you give me a hint as to what the "surprise" will be for next year
Les
Gee Les, Thanks
Now what we might have or figured out to be installed for the next time we meet. H'mm here are 3 big ones in the works. A lot of little ones too.
A. An overhaul on the kitchen cabinets and entertainment center to offer more counter top space and how to deal with the new digi TV.
B. My Monroe shocks finally mounted dealing with the enclosed tanks compartment.
C. Maybe the rest of the story on where the 10% min. tongue weight rule came from....
I too have the TopPop Rail and it is worth every penny! And I have had excellent service from the company. Yes, they are in Canada, and yes, it is sometimes hard to get in touch with them, but the product is worth these minor hassles!!!
No more wear and tear with the bikes bouncing around, and they are always visible.
Take it from one that has lost both bikes and rack (from a well known rack company!). Buy the best you can afford and "never look back"!
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Follow these 3 links. A little off topic in this bike rack post
... John is a personal friend of mine and I consider him to be the "mechanic's mechanic"... We usually get together at least once a year and he always has a few surprises to show us 
