Load and secure your bike without sacrificing any cargo space. Our expert breaks down Rivian’s tailgate bike rack.
Pickup truck owners know — all that cargo space opens up a world of possibility for outdoor adventures. But the key is using the space wisely.
Unfortunately, tossing a couple mountain or road bikes in the back will gobble up all that room, forcing you to leave behind some of your other outdoor toys. Or at least, you’ll have to invest in aftermarket storage accessories, like bed- or hitch-mounted racks.
But the folks at Rivian — not yet a year old and already one of the biggest American car companies by value — concocted an innovative design solution. A recent patent dubbed the “Integrated Tailgate Cargo System For Automotive Vehicle” reveals a veritable plug-and-play solution for carrying a bike without losing bed space.
Here’s how it would work.
Rivian Tailgate Bike Rack
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Rivian playing around with tailgate design. In 2020, we reported on a “swing and drop” patent that would allow the Rivian tailgate to open a full 180 degrees, instead of the typical 90.
But this latest patent offers a whole new level of utility.
![rivian-tailgate-bike-rack rivian patent tailgate bike rack](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/01/rivian-tailgate-bike-rack.jpeg)
In short, the design adds special grooves along the tailgate. These grooves could accept wheel mounts (or other securing hardware) that would then bolt in to stay in place. Assuming the hardware rests in or near the quarter panel when the tailgate is closed, it may not need to be removed.
In the illustration above, you can see this configuration leaves all the bed space open. It also leaves clearance behind the tailgate and over the hitch to mount and tow a trailer (in theory).
How It Works
Our patent expert analyzed the patent to decipher the mechanics of Rivian’s proposed tailgate bike rack. According to them, this design functions “similarly to any other bike rack on the market.”
The key is the tailgate grooves. A front wheel mount would slide into a square or flared (dovetail) groove and bolt into place. Another patent illustration shows the typical articulating arm that would lock over the bike’s front wheel.
![rivian-tailgate-bike-rack-mounts rivian patent tailgate bike rack](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/01/rivian-tailgate-bike-rack-mounts.jpg)