So, what companies left will let me take my bike with me and mount a rack for it?
It's been awhile since I did this, and I'd imagine most of the LTL carriers (Celadon and Werner for sure) won't allow this, but a few decades ago I used to stay on the road with my little Suzuki one lung 650 Savage mounted on a piece of alumium channel behind the bunk. Weighed under 400 pounds for all of it. Anyway, I don't mind to stay out a few months at a time (been home 3 days in the last 3 months or so, all in row) but would love to have a small bike with me so when I'm doing a reset somewhere I can do a little riding. That's all I want. Got my guitar, mandolin and current old lady, now just need my little scoot so I'm not stuck sitting all weekend.
It's been awhile since I did this, and I'd imagine most of the LTL carriers (Celadon and Werner for sure) won't allow this, but a few decades ago I used to stay on the road with my little Suzuki one lung 650 Savage mounted on a piece of alumium channel behind the bunk. Weighed under 400 pounds for all of it. Anyway, I don't mind to stay out a few months at a time (been home 3 days in the last 3 months or so, all in row) but would love to have a small bike with me so when I'm doing a reset somewhere I can do a little riding. That's all I want. Got my guitar, mandolin and current old lady, now just need my little scoot so I'm not stuck sitting all weekend.
If you have to drill or deface the truck in any way to mount your bike, I think you will find it difficult to find a carrier that will allow it. If you can mount it securely without drilling or otherwise damaging the truck, then you may find it easier. I would think that a smaller carrier would be more apt to allow it than one of the mega carriers. I don't know any off hand, but you may just start knocking on doors. I would be more apt to allow a bike than a dog in a truck.
With Werner (or pretty much anybody with a Cascadia) there isn't enough room even if I removed the spare tire and rack. I can slide the fifth wheel back some but, well, you know what that does. I was thinking maybe a flatbed company that uses a little longer wheelbase. I've been thinking about the owner operator route since I have decent credit and won't have to do a fleece purchase but still not sure about the money. I think that's the only way I can do it unless I get in a really old truck with a small bunk. I was thinking somebody like ATS but no luck either. I rarely see guys with bikes on the truck these days like you once did. Few weeks ago talked to a guy that had a gas powered bicycle mounted above his spare tire but that's about it.
So, what companies left will let me take my bike with me and mount a rack for it?
