Truck
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, Illinois
I may have misunderstood. If you are wanting to haul your HD in the bed of a pickup you can probably use any 1/2 ton pickup with an 8 foot bed. Sure don't need a 3/4 ton pickup to haul around a 800-900 pound bike! On the other hand, if you are buying it to pull some type of enclosed trailer, it depends on the trailer and what weight will be in the trailer. I'm looking at an enclosed 7x16 tandem axle trailer to be pulled with a Ford F250. I may be able to get buy with a half ton with the bigger motor and tranny, but you can get the bigger towing mirrors with the F250 along with some other nice options for towing. Plus (I'm starting to sound like a
Ford dealer) they are having some type of $5,000 off special right now on the 2009 F-250's.
Ford dealer) they are having some type of $5,000 off special right now on the 2009 F-250's.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: PNW
I have a 04 model Tundra and it pulls my 4000lb trailer fine, I wont win any races but it gets me there and back in paid for comfort. The tailgate cant be closed with a bike in the bed and it interferes with the trailer jack so I can't pull a trailer and bring the bike. That said I lay a 3/4 sheet of plywood down if I have to haul the bike to keep some of the weight off the tailgate and that has worked well so far. Unless you're pulling farm equipment around all day a 1/2 ton truck should work fine and have a smother unloaded ride than the macho mobiles.
The new Tundras are bigger than mine, finally a true full size, I'm 6'2" and can barley reach the right side of the radio it's so cavernous. Bigger engine and towing #'s as well. My father in laws 06 F350 rides like a tank in comparison to my Toyota. But the current body Tundras are kinda fugly IMO.
The new Tundras are bigger than mine, finally a true full size, I'm 6'2" and can barley reach the right side of the radio it's so cavernous. Bigger engine and towing #'s as well. My father in laws 06 F350 rides like a tank in comparison to my Toyota. But the current body Tundras are kinda fugly IMO.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I had a Ram 2500 with a 12,300 towing capacity. I tow a 8.5 X20 enclosed trailer to haul three bikes or one of my collector cars.
I decided to go with a Tundra quad cab with the 6'6" box. The Limited has a shorter box. Since Toyota does not have a 3/4 they designed the Tundra with 8,300 lbs towing limit. Dodge, Chevy and Ford 1/2 tons are rated at 7,000 lbs towing.
I favor the Ram but the around town mpg was about 13.5. So I went for the optional towing package on the Tundra for 10,300 lbs. That is as much as the entry 3/4 ton trucks of the other makes.
The first gas mpg that I got on the Tundra was 18.3. So after break in I am sure that I will do better.
I make sure when towing that I have the sway bars and load equalizing hitch installed. Towing is serious business.
I decided to go with a Tundra quad cab with the 6'6" box. The Limited has a shorter box. Since Toyota does not have a 3/4 they designed the Tundra with 8,300 lbs towing limit. Dodge, Chevy and Ford 1/2 tons are rated at 7,000 lbs towing.
I favor the Ram but the around town mpg was about 13.5. So I went for the optional towing package on the Tundra for 10,300 lbs. That is as much as the entry 3/4 ton trucks of the other makes.
The first gas mpg that I got on the Tundra was 18.3. So after break in I am sure that I will do better.
I make sure when towing that I have the sway bars and load equalizing hitch installed. Towing is serious business.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 969
Likes: 2
From: Canmore, AB
After being caught by bad weather, we use a truck to haul us to warmer areas to extend our biking season. We 'truck-it' the first 1500k south, store it in one of the many monthy storage places available and ride.
We bought a Toyota Tundra '06, the last year they made the smaller trucks. It has the payload to carry our Ultra. DH rides up a triple wide ramp into the truck bed lined with a piece of plywood (covered with rubber grid for security), and into a bike chock. To support the tailgate he designed a steel frame that goes into the trailer hitch.
We are getting ready to load up this week, we will be retreating to Alberta, a 1400k straight run. The plan is to do a fall tour in Utah.
We bought a Toyota Tundra '06, the last year they made the smaller trucks. It has the payload to carry our Ultra. DH rides up a triple wide ramp into the truck bed lined with a piece of plywood (covered with rubber grid for security), and into a bike chock. To support the tailgate he designed a steel frame that goes into the trailer hitch.
We are getting ready to load up this week, we will be retreating to Alberta, a 1400k straight run. The plan is to do a fall tour in Utah.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Real trucks are not small trucks. First had a Dodge Dakota a number of years ago. Quickly found that I really needed a half ton to haul stuff around. Also, you need to know that max tow numbers are just that. You are much better off sticking toward the middle of the max tow number. In other words, if the vehicle is rated for 8000# you should probably plan on pulling around 6000#. Will a F150 pull 9000#, yes but when you get to that kind of weight you really need a 250.
One more thing, get an American truck and stop sending the profits to Japan. I don't care where it is assembled. I have to laugh at how Toyota is advertising that they have built 10 million vehicles here in the last two decades. The Detroit manufacturers have typically done that in one year. Keep your money here (or at least as much as possible).
One more thing, get an American truck and stop sending the profits to Japan. I don't care where it is assembled. I have to laugh at how Toyota is advertising that they have built 10 million vehicles here in the last two decades. The Detroit manufacturers have typically done that in one year. Keep your money here (or at least as much as possible).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
You can always put the bike on a 2x8 (or larger) to minimize the weight on the tailgate.
Even a small truck with a 4 cylinder and a 6ft bed can haul the bike.
Pulling trailers, bigger is better. I try not to get within 80% of rated capacitity.
Even a small truck with a 4 cylinder and a 6ft bed can haul the bike.
Pulling trailers, bigger is better. I try not to get within 80% of rated capacitity.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Orem Utah
I knew this would come up...so here goes (and I'll await the incoming!!). I have had domestic vehicles in the past...and they were JUNK. Always in for repairs..unreliable at best. So I switched to Japanese vehicles...and couldn't be happier. When, or if, the GM's, Fords, and Chryslers get their acts together I might have another look. So there you have it: (let me have it lol)
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Toyota trucks are made in American in Texas for gods sake by American workers. Transported by Americans, sold by Americans and serviced by Americans with about the same US content as the big three.
My old 07 2500 Ram Big Horn Quad Cab with Hemi and 8 foot box with 12,300 miles.
Traded retail to retail on a 2010 1/2 ton Rock Warrior with 10,300 lbs towing capacity and the very first fill up was 18.3 mpg.
My old 07 2500 Ram Big Horn Quad Cab with Hemi and 8 foot box with 12,300 miles.
Traded retail to retail on a 2010 1/2 ton Rock Warrior with 10,300 lbs towing capacity and the very first fill up was 18.3 mpg.
Last edited by lh4x4; Sep 29, 2009 at 06:52 PM.