Same truck, different bike, 40" wide ramp. As stated I ride the bike up into the truck, on the way back down you leave the bike in gear so you can use the clutch and front brake to slow your descent. Interesting the first time, but I have been going up and down ramps with my bikes for 30 years now, works for me. I break down the ramp and put it in the truck and bring it with me if needed. The ramp is wide enough that if you stall out, put your feet down and roll back down and try again. I have had the same thought recently about hooking this truck up to a motor home and flat towing it, with the bike in the back. I have seen the same setup on the road. My only issue is the bike being outside all of the time, a Toy Hauler fixes that problem. Plus a Toy Hauler may also get me two bikes which would be my preference.
Overall, your plan could work if the bed is long enough. i hear you with the short beds, when we bought this truck in 2005, I wanted the 8' bed but it was no longer an option. Plus with the older S-10's, the 8' bed was only available with a standard cab. For this one I had to go Extended Cad to get 6.5', crew cab I would have been back to 5' or so. Good luck.
Why does everyone assume he will ride into the truck. There are loading docks everywhere. Loading and unloading is a non-issue with a loading dock. A short bed truck like that would be a problem though.
Why does everyone assume he will ride into the truck. There are loading docks everywhere. Loading and unloading is a non-issue with a loading dock. A short bed truck like that would be a problem though.
True... If there's an HD dealer nearby, they will usually assist you with loading/unloading for no charge.I did this in July when I traveled to Pensacola with the camper.
I have a full-ton truck with a short bed (6.5'). I've hauled my bike in the back of it with the camper hooked up a few times... but it's tricky since I can't tow the camper with the tailgate down.
To give some history... I previously owned a Honda Shadow (much lighter and shorter than my ultra classic). With the Honda I could load it into the back of the truck with my wide folding ramp... put the front tire in the left corner then slide the rear end into the left corner... then shut the tailgate.
The HD is longer and much heavier. It will load straight with the rear tire on the tailgate. I can ride up the left side of the ramp/bed and put the front tire into the left/front corner... with the bike completely in the bed, but not able to shut the tailgate. So, I took the tailgate off, loaded the bike and I'm good to go. But beware... it's not for the faint of heart. It's tricky loading/unloading this bike. I usually load in a parking lot where I can put the ramp on a curb and ride straight up. This will decrease the angle and make loading/unloading MUCH easier.
In July I loaded the bike in the driveway... flat ground. When I got to the top of the ramp the bottom of the bike scraped (it's happened many times with the Honda, so not a really big deal). When the bike scraped this time, I paniced and put my feet down... the bike was still rolling and the passenger floorboards (in upright position) smacked me really good in the calf. So, I ended up with a bad scrape and a very sore & swollen calf. When I went to unload I had a difficult time... I had gotten too close to the bed. I took it to the HD dealer... they got it off after a little wrangling. As far as riding with the bike on the tailgate... a buddy was in FL with us so I had him load it into his 6.5' bed... rear tire on the tailgate. It rode fine... and was much easier.
BTW... my tailgate is dented from hauling the Honda with the rear tire on it from GA to El Paso. So, a sheet of plyboard might be a good idea... particularly since the ranger bed is shorter.
The Black Widow ramp has an arc, prevents the bike from scraping. My Wide Glide sits real low, does not touch.
I have done the loading dock thing, not always as easy to find as you would think especially if in a more rural area. I like the convenience of having the ramp with me, I know I can do what I gotta do. Here is my Shovel in the back of the same truck, off to warmer climates, Daytona 2018 Windshield came off the bike right after this pic was taken..
The Supercab has a 6' bed which is better but not as much usable space inside for stuff when using the truck for things like family visits and grand kids.
The load ratings on these little trucks is decent enough to handle the bike+. I just wish there was an extended bed version like 6 or 6.5' on the Supercrew. But then again, there is such a critter....it is called an F150. I just don't want to have to take the driveshaft off to tow it.
If the transfer case has a neutral, then you would not have to pull the drive shaft. Most truck transfer cases have neutral. (Edit: Jeeps it does not matter, they do not recommend flat towing those). If you do go the route of hauling in the back of the truck, definitely use plywood. It will also prevent the tailgate from turning into a "V".
Also, a loading dock does work good, but in a pinch find a tow company with a flatbed. They can help too and will usually do it at their lot for a small fee.
Last edited by sechracer; 08-29-2019 at 10:30 PM.
Reason: forgot something
I see people towing jeeps flat ALL THE TIME. I used to own a 2001 Wrangler and it could easily be flat towed. Just put Tcase in neutral. I did know of some folks that had the front axles converted to full floating axles, so none of the front drive gear turned, but most do not spend that kind of money.
For the op, the one thing to be aware of if you go the route of the trailer with the bike perpendicular in the front, is trailer tongue weight. A lot of hitches limit tongue weight to 500lbs, but higher class hitches do go to 1000lbs. Make sure you know what the weight of your setup would be before buying. It looks like the front wheels of the towed car or truck, will offset the weight of the bike, so some calculations would be required.
If all that pans, the trailer seems the best option to me. I didn't know a Ranger would handle 900lbs in the bed. Seems like the truck would be doing a wheelie all the time.
I cannot see myself ever riding a bike up into the bed of my truck. Nope, not me.
I had a neighbor that mounted a bike carrier to the front of his f 250 and towed the camper behind it. It was an interesting set up. He said he could always see the bike form coast to coast.
I see people towing jeeps flat ALL THE TIME. I used to own a 2001 Wrangler and it could easily be flat towed. Just put Tcase in neutral. I did know of some folks that had the front axles converted to full floating axles, so none of the front drive gear turned, but most do not spend that kind of money.
For the op, the one thing to be aware of if you go the route of the trailer with the bike perpendicular in the front, is trailer tongue weight. A lot of hitches limit tongue weight to 500lbs, but higher class hitches do go to 1000lbs. Make sure you know what the weight of your setup would be before buying. It looks like the front wheels of the towed car or truck, will offset the weight of the bike, so some calculations would be required.
If all that pans, the trailer seems the best option to me. I didn't know a Ranger would handle 900lbs in the bed. Seems like the truck would be doing a wheelie all the time.
I cannot see myself ever riding a bike up into the bed of my truck. Nope, not me.
Looks to me that the trailer is setup with the bike to the front of the axle and the wheels of the car behind the axle in a fairly equal distance. I bet someone did the math and the distance nets a Zero Moment and therefore minimal or no tongue weight. It is like loading any trailer, get the weight on the axle, not the tongue.
08-27-2019 | 05:43 AM
