what is the best way to get a tour bike into the bed of my pick up when theres no ramp around . I always trailered it , but this year taking traval trailer to Daytona .,the camp grounds have ramps . and I do need to install a wheel chock too .. I,m thinking I have 2 12ft, aluminum planks I used for work

 

Maybe cruise around town and see if you could find a low loading dock? I would be real careful on how a ramp attaches to your truck, it could spell disaster. You could put a piece of plywood down withblocks attached to keep the front wheel from turning side to side

 

I can strap the planks down .I would remove the tail gate of corse

 

I have used supermarket loading docks.

there are a number of strategies and opinions on this ( "why put your $28000 investment in a truck when you can charter a 747" ).

the FLHTC fits in my short bed fine ( 2001 GMC sierra ext cab)- but the rear tire is partly on the tail gate- I have laid a piece of 3/4" marine grade play down to skin the floor, this spreads the weight

couple of things, there is a vendor who sells a replacement for the cables which is a steel brace- keeps the tail gate in place.

chock not really needed, DO get a piece of 4x4 to place against the front of the bed, so that the fender cannot hit in a quick stop.

compress the forks about 1/3 to 1/2 way, do not crank down or your seals may blow out

if you bed has 4 anchor points down low, use all 4 of them.
check the straps after a few miles, then at 50 miles, then every stop.

you can control rates of acceleration and turns, but stops may not always be planned.
plan to secure the bike against a 70 MPH panic stop

mike

 

Any motorcycle dealer will have a very sturdy ramp just for this purpose.

 

go with that

 

Sounds like a disaster in the making. Usually the underside of the bike will hang on the truck bed by using ramps. Never a good idea but it can be done. Lots of video disasters on this.

 

I do have a 8ft. bed and my truck has side boxes and rakes and it does have 4 anchor points . for the last 5 years I hauled 4 bikes in my 18ft enclosed trailer ., but like I said the wife wants to take our 30ft. traval trailer and we are going to stay at crazy horse camp grounds . between fuel and not paying a hotel fee going to save about 1000 . I do have a power stroke with the trailer I get about 12 to 13 m.p.g

 

Go to youtube to see how it should NOT be done. Seriously some of the funniest stuff outside of watching boat ramp youtube follies.