?? Ramps for loading into a truck bed??
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 426
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis, MD
?? Ramps for loading into a truck bed??
I just got a new truck and need suggestions on which ramps would work best for loading the bike into the bed. The catch is that my bike is lowered on 11" rear springs. I'd definitely need something i can put my feet down on while loading. Harbour Freight has a 6" set on sale until the end of the day but I'm thinking 6' is going to be too short and make the approach into the bed too extreme and bottom out the frame. Any thoughts or suggestions? And i don't need the suggestion "don't trailer it, ride it." Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
From: Erie,Pa
First of all, Do you have a full size bed? I have a F150 with a short bed. I have carried my bike in the bed but the back wheel is on the tail gate and it makes me a little nervous, the cables that hold the tail gate are pretty thin. I have used short ramps but I back up to a little hill to make loading easier.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
You probably need a ramp that is much longer so the angle is not that steep. I know Tractor Supply has some ramps in stock, but not sure if they'll work for your application. Not expensive though.
Maybe something like: http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle_ramps.htm
Maybe something like: http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle_ramps.htm
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maine
I purchased the Black Widow ramps (12' I believe) from discount ramps. Very nice ramp, and it is a breeze loading the bike alone. I have a lowered 07 Night Train and it has no problems going into the back of my 09 F150. I purchased the longer ramp as I had planned on lifting the truck eventually, so you could probably get away with the 8 footer if you have a stock height truck. I've also loaded some baggers with that ramp and it was no problem.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 4
From: Kennewick, WA
Definitely get the wide ramps. I had a buddy with two skinny ones and the one he was walking down slipped and the bike fell on top of him.
I bit the bullet and bought a demo Rampage for $1500. They use a winch, rollers and cable to load a bike into the back of a truck. Pretty slick.
www.rampagelift.com
I bit the bullet and bought a demo Rampage for $1500. They use a winch, rollers and cable to load a bike into the back of a truck. Pretty slick.
www.rampagelift.com
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Belfair, WA
Is there anyway that you can back your truck up to a hill and load it with the 6ft ramp, that would be your best way to load it if you cant get anything longer. But if your going to spend 1500 on a ramp why not just get a trailer that you can not only use for motorcycles but for multiple things and then you dont have to worry about ever bottoming out and you can load it yourself with no complications.
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 4
From: Kennewick, WA
Is there anyway that you can back your truck up to a hill and load it with the 6ft ramp, that would be your best way to load it if you cant get anything longer. But if your going to spend 1500 on a ramp why not just get a trailer that you can not only use for motorcycles but for multiple things and then you dont have to worry about ever bottoming out and you can load it yourself with no complications.
Besides, there are longer than 6 ft loading ramps to be found. I'd just suggest getting one with enough width to touch both feet on when backing out, especially if your bed or trailer is tall enough to warrant it.
I mentioned my Rampage loader to just give people an idea on how to easily load any bike into a pick-up bed, without assistance and without danger of mishaps. I've also used my flatbed trailer and homemade ramp for singlehanded loading and unloading, but it was useless when my bike was dead and I couldn't ride it up the ramp.
You just have to make do with what you have. I used to load and unload my dirt race bikes on lifted trucks, unassisted, with just a 7ft 2x8. That won't work with a 650 pound bike. My flatbed trailer bed is just about 16" high and I can ride the Harley up on the trailer with a heavy duty plank board as a ramp, and unload it by myself, but it's a lot lower to the ground than a pick-up bed.
Last edited by HemiOrange; Jul 1, 2011 at 04:38 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 426
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis, MD
Thanks for the thoughts, guys. I'm thinking the longer the better on the ramps but was hoping not to spend a fortune. i'll check out those ones at tractor supply b/c there is a store around here where i might be able to get a test run done. I dont want to get stuck with an ordered set that i just have to pay to return.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: ga
loadall system
i bought a 'Loadall' truck bed ramp system from the USA co out of wisconsin. hi dollar but major nice/safe. ramp sys mounts in bed, main 8.3 landing with a 11 foot 2 section foldout ramp that stores internal to the landing AND you can put the tailgate back up when not in use. i can drive my truck through Atlanta traffic with my bike, stop at any friends house, park in his drive or on up to NC and park it in any spot in Any hotel and do the twisties. no worry with a trailer to move to cut grass at home or get a tag for or air in the tires. and i can load lawn mowers and do the same as a bike for older family member's houses i have to maintain. i LOVE it. it is a $2k price tag, but call Paul and tell him to give you the daytona price. made in the USA and great machine work and quality all Aluminum.
i am not affiliated with them in anyway. if you or anyone wants to drop these kind of coins, send me a PM and i'll give you a name to 'drop' to get that Daytona price.
i looked at it last yr at daytona and hemhawed about it for a yr looked at it again this yr and then took the plunge in April. do a google search for 'loadall' and check it out.
i am not affiliated with them in anyway. if you or anyone wants to drop these kind of coins, send me a PM and i'll give you a name to 'drop' to get that Daytona price.
i looked at it last yr at daytona and hemhawed about it for a yr looked at it again this yr and then took the plunge in April. do a google search for 'loadall' and check it out.