what do I need to put a bike on the back of a pick up truck

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Monkey · #1 Unread post by **Monkey** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:26 am

I've decided the cheapest way of doing this is to rent a pickup truck, but I have a few questions. Does something like a Honda Rebel fit in the back of a non-longbed f150, ram, etc?
What do I need to pull this off? Do most trucks have a place to tie in the straps? aaaand How do I get it up there?

How about smaller trucks...does a rebel fit on the bed of a tacoma, frontier, ranger, dakota?

EDIT: oooh a cargo van might be easier to load...does a rebel fit inside one of those? Do cargo vans have rails or something to tie the straps?

Kibagari · #2 Unread post by **Kibagari** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:50 am

A standard size pickup bed is 6' with the tailgate up, 8' with the tailgate down. The length of a Rebel shouldn't be six feet, so I assume it'll probably fit in the back of that truck well. Measuring both won't hurt. Just be sure to use ramps. Free-lifting bikes into the bed of a truck is not fun.

UTRider · #3 Unread post by **UTRider** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:52 am

Guy I know here got a 1981 goldwing loaded in the back of a chev short bed. He used an atv ramp and was able to back into a low spot. Walked it up the ramp into the back (well okay walked beside it and had the motorcycle do most of the work for him.)

Most pickups have holes around the side of the bed for tieing down loads, you'll just have to look at the pickup you rent and see whats in the bed (or around the edge of the bed.)

ceemes · #4 Unread post by **ceemes** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:34 am

This was covered before, here is a LINK to the thread. You will find some good tips on the hows and means......plus cute pictures of yours truly doing the dirty deed.

guscave · #5 Unread post by **guscave** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:05 am

A friend of mines came up with this cool towing system.

http://newriderrentals.com/using_cycle-tow

Monkey · #6 Unread post by **Monkey** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:43 am

whoa! that thing is crazy. I think you may have just solved all my problems...thanks. BUT I only have a class I hitch installed, but I will be towing a rebel or virago 250 so maybe it would still work...

Your friend is a smart man, but can you tell me how much research went into this or if it was just a concoction that has had its problems...tho the site looks professional and the products seem high quality...id just be a bit nervous because I had never seen something like that.

Meanie · #7 Unread post by **Meanie** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:34 pm

guscave wrote:A friend of mines came up with this cool towing system.

http://newriderrentals.com/using_cycle-tow

I wouldn't use that for my bike if my life depended on it. I've not only read horror stories about this item, but common sense will indicate potential damage to the shaft amongst other components. One would have to disassemble the shaft, remove the chain and/or belt, but then, I still don't trust it.

Meanie · #8 Unread post by **Meanie** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:40 pm

Monkey wrote:whoa! that thing is crazy. I think you may have just solved all my problems...thanks. BUT I only have a class I hitch installed, but I will be towing a rebel or virago 250 so maybe it would still work...

Your friend is a smart man, but can you tell me how much research went into this or if it was just a concoction that has had its problems...tho the site looks professional and the products seem high quality...id just be a bit nervous because I had never seen something like that.

Monkey, you have a few options. Get a friend and lift the bike up ( a Rebel can't be that heavy), use a ramp such as a long 2x12 or find a ditch or hill where you can back the truck up to and ride the bike in.

Use two 4x4s, one on each side of the front wheel to stabilize it in the middle. Though, I would suggest a wheel chock. You can find them fairly cheap. Then use ratchet straps on the sides to compress the forks no more than HALF way and use two more straps for the rear. No compressing is needed for the rear. You only need to keep it from bouncing around. The straps for the front should be as close to the risers as possible. If you use the bars, you can, and most likely will, bend them.

You're good to go. Make sure the kickstand is UP and don't use a cover, it'll tear to shreds.

guscave · #9 Unread post by **guscave** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:43 am

Meanie wrote:
guscave wrote:A friend of mines came up with this cool towing system.

http://newriderrentals.com/using_cycle-tow
I wouldn't use that for my bike if my life depended on it. I've not only read horror stories about this item, but common sense will indicate potential damage to the shaft amongst other components. One would have to disassemble the shaft, remove the chain and/or belt, but then, I still don't trust it.

Well I'm not sure where you read all the horror stories, and I haven't used it myself so I can only vouch for my friend who spent several years developing it and from other people who have used it and said it's worked great for them.

Bob (the guy who developed it) has worked for several local Harley Dealers for many years as a mechanic and sales rep and knows his stuff pretty well and is currently developing a new bike.

I know of 2 riders here in Miami who will be towing their bikes on it to Sturgis this year. I'll let you know how it went for them once they get back and tell me about it.

jrdudas · #10 Unread post by **jrdudas** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:25 am

Here's an option you should consider; Uhaul rents trailers designed specifically for hauling motorcycles. It has a built-in wheel chock for the front wheel and plenty of tie down spots. I rented one several months back for $14.95 a day; lots cheaper than renting a truck.

JR