Loading the LT in a pickup truck

[glenn]

I know it is a bit up in the air getting it in to a truck. But I was wondering if anyone is using some of those wider and longer ramps I've seen advertised as capable of handling the large bikes. These ramps look like you can flat foot it all the way up. Any concerns with loading with the tail gate down vs removed.
This is what I was looking at
http://www.ramp-master.com/

[jorawro]

IF I was loading this on a pick-up truck I would definitely do it with the tailgate removed!!

Considering the amount of damage that would incur from the LT taking a tumble off the ramp I would also want two real good sized men assisting me.
That being said, this is certainly not something I would attempt if there was any chance of finding a trailer with-in 100 miles:) .

[ltcanup]

unless you have a 2500 or larger pickup the LT makes it feel real top heavy.I loaded mine in the back of my pickup 1 time when I went down in North Carolina and broke a leg.Usd a rollback to load it and the 1/2 ton dodge knew it was back there.

[surfran]

My father has been using one of the winch type for over 6 years with his various bikes (goldwings, harley, Suzuki). He had a Ford F150 (he beefed up the springs) and would tow the truck behind the motorhome and load the bike in the rear of the truck and he was mobile with all his toys.

He just sold the truck and is mounting the unit in a trailer for the trip back from Arizona this year.

I don't remember which brand he has, but here is one I quickly found that is very similar.

http://www.rampagelift.com/

They definitely are slick and he doesn't have to worry about taking a tumble driving up a ramp.

[kb0lxx]

I have a 1991 1/2 ton Chev 2 wheel drive. Useing the tail gate is not a good idea. Gates with cables can break the cables. My Chev has folding metal arms, so I do use it. Installed wheel chock front of truck. My box is 8'. I have seen short boxes with bent tail gate where back wheel rests on tail gate. Mounted 4 d-rings in box. Box flexed bad, bike rocked side to side. Put metal plates under box, solved that broblem. Had narrow ramp, aaccident waiting to happen. Next got wide folding ramp with arched section towards the front. Worked fine, but would not fit in box with bike in it. Next got reg flat folding ramp, now it fits in box. But with flat ramp, bike hangs up on ramp close to tail gate. I now drive up a curb to raise the front end and have used ramps on front wheel, ones used to change oil. My 1/2 ton handles it fine. Hauled bike to 05 CCR (wife can't ride that far). I don't like riding the bike up the ramp into box, but that's just me. I purchased a trailer and will only use pickup if I need to haul two bikes.

Jim Campbell
North Dakota

[Big_E]

A friend had the tailgate brake while loading a Valkerie, he was very lucky. He bought a trailer the next day.

[glenn]

Jim, I think it was your truck that I saw at CCR that got me to thinking about trucking it to Georgia this year. I'm now wishing I had the long bed.
The ramps I was looking at are curved at the top and hinged in the middle and should fit in the bed with the bike. I really did not want a trailer, but after reading the replys maybe I should reconsider.

Mainly considering this for Georgia as I want to also hit PA and NC before I head home and it seems to fit better logistically.

[RaffyK]

Glenn:

If you need to borrow a trailer, let me know. I have a 3 rail trailer that you can use.

[Big_E]

I can't stress enough, PLEASE DON'T DO IT, I've seen what can happen!

[glenn]

Heck with ramps
I'm riding to CCR
both ways

Thanks for your input guys.

Thank you Raffy

[rdtebeau]

I've had my LT in the back of a 198* long bed Mazda. When my rear end failed in the middle of nowhere Alabama, I called some people I know from Alabama and they called a gentlemen named Ron who showed up with his Mazda. When he roared past and spun around to come back to me you could tell it, the muffler was shot and it looked like the rest of the truck wasn't far behind. Talk about having a mild panic attack!! But it beat sitting in the middle of the Talledega Forest for another 5 hours. He had ramps and tie downs and in the end a truck full of bike and a Bushtec trailer in tow, talk about a site. The bike stayed in the truck overnight and rode to the nearest dealer the next day (I wish I had gotten a picture). BTW, The BMW towing service contact showed up after we had loaded the bike in the truck.

Ron and Susan cooked pancakes for us when we got to their home and we spent the night with them. He gave me his truck to use to see about my bike.

While the bikes are great, the people you meet along the way make it special.

[avonfloater]

I was helping a friend load his bike in his pickup when the bike bottomed out on the tailgate - we damn near lost her. It's critical to have a ramp with a shallow enough grade to allow a low slung bike like the LT to clear the tailgate as the front wheel rolls over the peak and into the bed. With the rear wheel still coming up the ramp it's easy to catch the center stand apparatus on the back edge of the tailgate and lock you up. Even better, try to load from higher ground to limit the grade of the ramp.

[hschisler]

I was helping a friend load his bike in his pickup when the bike bottomed out on the tailgate - we damn near lost her. It's critical to have a ramp with a shallow enough grade to allow a low slung bike like the LT to clear the tailgate as the front wheel rolls over the peak and into the bed. With the rear wheel still coming up the ramp it's easy to catch the center stand apparatus on the back edge of the tailgate and lock you up. Even better, try to load from higher ground to limit the grade of the ramp.EXACTLY, and that is my concern about using my 4x8 utility trailer, with typical expanded-metal tailgate, for hauling the LT. I don't think the 4' tailgate is sufficiently long to keep the bike from bottoming out. Those tilting trailers are looking better all the time. I need a lightweight trailer with a GVWR (trailer and LT) of 1500# or less so my little car can tow it.

[Big_E]

The 4 ft. gate will work if you can back it to a curb or run the rear wheels of the tow vehicle up some blocks. Please do not attempt to load it in a pick up withe gate supporting the ramp, you might get away with it once, but it will brake.

[bradsmith]

ok guys I need help. I want to put my lt into the back of my pickup and pull a travel trailer when I retire. I already have a travel trailer so not in the market for a toy hauler.
Ok the problem is that I have a short bed truck. The lt will have to sit with the rear wheel on the tailgate of my 3/4 ton dodge.
I have some good ramps to get it up in with but Im a little worried about the weight on the tail gate. I can't seem to find any information on the weight limits on a tail gate.
Any ideas
Thanks
Brad

[messenger13]

I don't know what the tailgate can hold, and quite frankly, I'm not sure I would trust that spec anyway. If I was to haul an LT around in a pickup truck like yours for any appreciable distance, I'd be looking into buying a metal plate to extend the bed's dimensions. Perhaps a piece about 3' x 8'. A wheel chock for the front tire would also be on my list.

Just some random thoughts...

[pjessen]

"I can't seem to find any information on the weight limits on a tail gate.

Don't have the definitive info, but it isn't much. They're there mostly for style these days. You are putting 400 pounds on a roughly 1.5 x 5 inch plate. If you spread it out using a fairly heavy diamond plate screwed about 6" o.c. to the inside of the tailgate, it should be fine.

Ace Hardware and others have spray cans of grit paint to spray heavily all over the bed of your truck, especially the tail gate. It will be slickern' snot without it. I'd also treat your ramps with "stickem".

Be sure your ramps are wide enough for the bike and your feet on both sides...no dirt bike single rail for this pig!

Check the angle of your ramps to the bed of the truck. With the LT's long wheel base and low suspension, you will "high center" if your ramps are not long or your truck bed is low. Like as not, your bed is fairly high, and with the LT, you can't take it over to the nearest berm and jump it into the truck!

The first time you load it, be dang sure you have a couple three bar bouncers standing by to give you a push and/or a shove so the big pig doesn't go over on top of you. I know you know, but this is one big, heavy sunofagun to handle at unusual angles.

I would buy an LA chock for the front wheel and mount it permanently in the bed. I would reinforce the bolt holes to the frame of the truck. The bed bottom steel is too flimsy to hold the chock over time.

I would determine where any other tie-downs should be, then get some long through-bolts to mount the eyebolts to the frame, not the bed. Don't skimp on the eyebolts...they will straighten out like your wifes hair in a down pour if not beefy enough.

As you can tell, I don't have much respect for the structural strength of today's pick up beds. An alternative might be to see if you can get a simple utility bed that is heavy duty. You could mount fuel cells, tool boxes and storage boxes at will. When done with the truck, stick the standard bed back on it.

Made your day, eh?!

(I pull at trailer for the LT behind the F350 because it would need a 20' ramp to get the LT in it.)

[Big_E]

How will you pull a travel trailer with the gate down? You could bolt down a heavy channel iron to the bed & over the gate to hold the load, loading the bike without putting the load on the gate is another story. The gate will fail & it won't be pretty. If you are doing the traveling in the truck, get a smaller bike to haul & ride around when you get there.

[dronning]

On the Sportloader on BlueOx website (http://www.blueox.us/Carriers/sportloader.htm) this should take care of your loading & weight concerns. Sportloader owners manual (http://www.blueox.us/Carriers/SC3000.pdf)
(http://www.blueox.us/Carriers/sportloader.htm)
They make models for long and short bed pickups. Saw one in action (loading a Wing), looked good.

Dave

[hschisler]

I understand your reluctance to go with a "toy hauler" type trailer, but that's what I'd do anyway.

Failing that, the SportLoader-type product is a good choice. Putting a bike this heavy in the bed of a pickup is something I wouldn't look forward to. Others may chime in with their success stories... and their horror stories. It can be problematic, as they say. Plus, it's a lot of weight up high in a pickup.

[petepeterson]

It ain't going to work with a 6 1/2 foot bed...I' don't think I would even try to put my LT in the back of my Dodge 2500 short bed.... You would need a hoist to get it in and out.. If your truck is a 4X4 then that ramp will be very long.....

Good luck.....Regards Pete

[hoog62]

This is all a moot point if you can't turn the trailer with the tailgate down, isn't it?

[kip]

i dont think there is any way u can pull your travel trailer with the tailgate down on your truck.....

will the LT not go in the bed at an angle? front wheel into one corner back end into opposite back corner?

if not then hauling IN the bed is probly not an option at all.....

what MIGHT be an option is one of those drive on lift mechanisms that would mount on the BACK of your travel trailer.....ive seen alot of those on the back end of a motorhome but never on the back of a travel trailer....ive seen them hauling Harley Ultra Classics....which weigh about the same as an LT....

sounds like either the above.....or maybe trading for a long bed truck....which might be an easier deal than getting a toy hauler.....

just some thoughts....

[bradsmith]

Thanks for all of the replies. I will have to think of something to make the tail gate stronger. I have a LA chock in the front. The bed has a spray in liner. I have the 10 ft. curved ramps to load with. Rated at 1500lbs.
I have a pullrite hitch ordered that they guarantee I will be able to tow with the tail gate down.
So Now to find some metal to make a channel or something to go under the bike and strengthen the tail gate.

[lexlan]

This is or was for sale on the forum on 03/04/06:

"For Sale: Pak Rak motorcycle loader/carrier

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Easily load and transport any motorcycle. Approx. 5 years old. Length for 6' pickup bed but will mount in longer bed. Cost $2670.00 new sell for $1300.00
See: http://www.pak-rak.com/ for all information on the unit. Located in Cottonwood, AZ
email depeter@aol.com for further info."

[zippy_gg]

Check the angle of your ramps to the bed of the truck. With the LT's long wheel base and low suspension, you will "high center" if your ramps are not long or your truck bed is low. Like as not, your bed is fairly high, and with the LT, you can't take it over to the nearest berm and jump it into the truck!


That is how I lost my center stand and the bottom transmission case...!:(

[paul_moore]

When I first bought my 2001 LT in Cincinnati, they loaded it into the back of my short bed Chevy extended cab 1500 silverado --- was able to pull the tailgate up some and tie it off as the tailgate was not holding any weight at all --- unless the newer ones are longer, you can do that. I pulled the front tire into the bed liner barely deflecting the liner.

[ErnieA]

How about this unit? Click here (http://www.blueox.us/Carriers/sportloader.htm)

[kip]

if you are gonna put it in the bed
just get a piece of 8" or 10" wide channel iron, line it up with the chock up front and the ramp and put the bike onto the channel, strap the bike in well and the channel will distribute the weight along its length versus the tailgate carrying it

[Steve_R]

Hi Brad, I have a 99 Crew Cab Ford F250SD and I'm never ever thinking about putting the LT in the back and I know that the truck can handle it. Just too much danger getting in in there and out again. JM2CW

[HAMMERHEAD]

Go into Ebay and look at the site of Trader MFG . They make a carrier that mounts on your truck and you can pull a travel trailer behind it. Mine works just great .It is hydraulic and i can load my 05 k1200lt in just 10 minuites. :bmw:

[HAMMERHEAD]

Brad in oklahoma city they make a carrier that you can use on the back of your truck and pull your travel trailer.I use one on the back of my truck and on my motor home. It is called joey lift amde by Trader MFG. IN ebay they are listed in a store as Tradermfg.It will solve your problems. They sell them for $625.00 and you can go and pick it up or have it shipped. :bmw:

[Dick]

ok guys I need help. I want to put my lt into the back of my pickup and pull a travel trailer when I retire. I already have a travel trailer so not in the market for a toy hauler.
Ok the problem is that I have a short bed truck. The lt will have to sit with the rear wheel on the tailgate of my 3/4 ton dodge.
I have some good ramps to get it up in with but Im a little worried about the weight on the tail gate. I can't seem to find any information on the weight limits on a tail gate.
Any ideas
Thanks
Brad
Hi, Brad - here's another product to throw into the mix. Good luck with whatever you end up with --- just be safe.

Click here (http://www.x-tra-lift.com/home.htm)

[messenger13]

Hi, Brad - here's another product to throw into the mix. Good luck with whatever you end up with --- just be safe.

Click here (http://www.x-tra-lift.com/home.htm)Wow! THAT (http://www.x-tra-lift.com/home.htm) is slick!!!

[zimbazi]

My Toyota tail gate held my LT just fine from Austin to El Paso. However the wheel stop hurt my front rim. The weight did leave a dent in the tailgate from the back wheel.. Take the toy bike and enjoy your time !!

[Big_E]

Any gate will hold the bike once loaded. The problem is when loading, when at the top of the ramp, with you on the the bike the gate is seeing about 1,000#, sooner or later it will come down & you will die! I saw this happen with a Valkyrie (lighter bike), my friend is very lucky. Now that X-Tra-Lift looks like something I would trust.

[RideIt]

If Texas was not so far from South Carolina, I would love to ride down one weekend and just happen to be standing beside your pickup when you "rode" that sucker into the bed. I really think it would be exciting :D . Good luck in you endeavor, but if you want to live to enjoy your retirement, I think I would consider trading you travel trailer for a toy hauler.
Leon
05 Blue LT

[Jim_Schuyler]

Brad,

The idea is to find someplace where the bike will be level with the truck bed, so you are on a level approach. A bank, wall along someones driveway, or at least a curb to gain some elevation to start with. I have an ideal spot a mile away from my house. I have 8 foot ramps with sides which works well. Just trucked the LT 400 miles to my daughters in Virginia in my F150 with 8 foot bed. Once there I found a school with a bank between two parking lots a couple of blocks from her house. When I get old, I am going to get a 250 diesel with a 5th wheel toy hauler.

[paul_moore]

When the dealer loaded my bike on the truck (a 1/2 ton with 6 1/2' bed), there were 2 guys pushing it on an aluminum ramp after I had backed the truck into a mound nearly even with the bed. Almost level ramp. --- The tail gate would come up against the rear tire but certainly would not close --- and again, I say, absolutely no weight resting on the tailgate while enroute to home -- so I just tied the tailgate off partially raised -- the only time any weight was on the tailgate was the distributed load across the ramp boards.

A couple of 6 1/2' 2" X 4"'s laid parallel to the bike on either side of the tires and clamped together perhaps with kicker boards going across the bed might have been a good thing to do, but I did not do that.

When I unloaded it, I backed the truck into a lower area of my yard against the road in front of my house, again nearly level or perhaps a little higher than the floor of the truck bed, put down two short 2X 12's for a ramp giving me some foot room at the sides with a very short span between support points of the beam (ramp) on either end. I used the reverse and came off easily --- hauling was absolutely no problem --- I was scared backing it off the truck as I was by myself with my new bike, but my fears were completely unfounded. I would have like to have had a steel or aluminum wide ramp rather than the 2 X 12's but the span was so short between the bed of the truck and the road that I never even needed to put my feet on the boards. The other lifts are nice -- and if money is no object - or if you are a good welder/fabricator you could make the lifts, etc that are shown in other posts., but for me --- if I had to, I'd do it this same way again, assuming I could safely load it.

I only went about 350 miles, but would have been comfortable going any distance. I knew I would have a place to on-load at the dealer, and I thought I would have a place to off load --- so, stupid me --- that's what I did. And I might be lucky, but it worked just like I envisioned it.

I did load an Aspencade on a small 5 X 10 tilt type utility trailer with only a piece of channel iron the length of the bike, bolted down to the trailer. Never had a bit of a problem either loading nor unloading this bike.

Another thing I did another time --- I had my wife follow me in the truck, while I rode the motorcycle ---- that worked too. The solo riding wasn't all that bad --- and we ended up in the same place, bike, truck, wife, me, luggage, etc.

[KEPASA]

have any of you owned the e-x-tra lift? It looks like a great product! It is priced about $5000 plus $500 install plus tax. it will not fit in a 04 or later dodge short box , but will fit in ford and chevy short box. The round tube is no longer available.

[grifscoots]

Heck with ramps
I'm riding to CCR
both ways



Haiku?

[meese]

Haiku?Bless you.

[timd10]

I have seen too many bike dropped and consequently totaled this way...

Use a trailer that is low to the ground.

[Chick]

Glenn:

Here is a photo of a friend's LT in the back of his Titan with his Sir Stream trailer in tow. Also a photo of my Ranger with the LT in the bed. We tow this behind our motorhome. Both of us have Rampage Lifts (http://www.rampagelift.com/).

Hope this helps.

God bless:

[KEPASA]

It looks like this unit would put an excess load on tailgate while getting bike into bed? Have any of you called on this point? Otherwise looks like a good idea. What type of windshield is on the LT in the Ford truck? Thanks for the post.

[Chick]

It looks like this unit would put an excess load on tailgate while getting bike into bed? Have any of you called on this point? Otherwise looks like a good idea. What type of windshield is on the LT in the Ford truck? Thanks for the post.

There is actually no excess load on the tailgate because the frame of the lift is mounted to the bed of the truck and supports the "ramp" section of the lift.

The windsheild on the LT in the Ranger is a Cee Bailey +2 with wings.

Hope this helps.

God bless: