loading bikes into pickups. was: re:got me a new used truck
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:43 am
John: I've been playing with various bike loading options over the last year and have come upon what I feel is the best overall option.
1) Get a folding aluminum ramp, but one that doubles as a bed extender: http://www.motorcycleramps.com/rrextender.htm
2) Get a smaller motocross ramp to walk up along side - got mine off eBay for $30. It's about 8" wide & nice and light.
3) Use the 2x4 trick mentioned here to keep the forks from compressing. Lets you really crank down on the front tie downs nicely. I keep mine with my tie downs. Had to notch the ends to fit the tire & fender inner profile. Works like a champ.
4) Get a quality set of four 1" ratchet tie-downs. Not wal-mart or HarborFreight - those usually lock up when you least expect it. (have dozens of each - trust me - cheap ones are fine for a while if you keep them out of the weather...but how do you do that and use them too???)
5) Put the bike's front tire in the front corner of the bed & put the rear tire in the opposite corner. If you like it straight, like I do, then get a nice wheel chock, or make one out of 2x4's. If you load by yourself, you'll appreciate one that holds the bike upright with only the front tire like this one: http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle-trailer-wheel-chock.htm - this will let you tie the bike down while it holds the bike in place. Otherwise, build yourself one, or just stick it in the corner or use the kickstand). Don't waste your time on any wheel chock that doesn't hold the bike upright - like these: http://www.motorcycleramps.com/motorcycle_wheel_chocks.htm - I even mounted a set of these in the bed of my pickup before I found out they're basically worthless for what I need (I load alone all the time) . And don't waste your time on something like the "Bed Buddy": http://www.motorcycleramps.com/bed-buddy-tie-down.htm - again, I tried that, and it's not conducive to holding your bike up while you tie it down. If your bike is on the kickstand, then the tire doesn't sit squarely into this thing anyway, and at that point, it's just an overpriced 2x4.
I find this method is easiest, and uses the least amount of 'stuff' I have to bring with me. I'd like to get one of those king-daddy 6-piece big ramps that you ride up, but that's just too much stuff to haul around in the bed. I've tried stepping on a milk crate instead of walking up a ramp, and I find walking up the ramp takes a little less coordination 
Hope that helps
Jeff Layton
Austin, TX
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Hope that helps
Jeff Layton
Austin, TX
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]