How do you transport your bagger?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 7
From: Wisconsin
How do you transport your bagger?
If you have to haul your bagger somewhere, how do you do it? Trailor or back of a pick up?
I was thinking I could get either of my bikes in the back of my truck? Anybody do this? I've got an 07 Avalanche. I'm pretty sure a bagger will fit with the back tire on the tailgate (tailgate down obviously). Is there a good ramp to use to load the bike?
Thanks
I was thinking I could get either of my bikes in the back of my truck? Anybody do this? I've got an 07 Avalanche. I'm pretty sure a bagger will fit with the back tire on the tailgate (tailgate down obviously). Is there a good ramp to use to load the bike?
Thanks
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
Loading a touring bike in the back of a pick up is a challenge because it is so steep. I personally have a tilt trailer and I can load it by myself. An Avalanche has a pretty short box and I'm not sure I would want to put the stress on the tail gate.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 6
From: Union,Ms
I have loaded my bike on my truck but wasn't to crazy about it. It's easier backing it off the truck than riding it on IMO. I used a tri-fold 4wheeler ramp. I have a tilt snowmobile trailer I haul mine on. It's so wide I could probably put my bike and my wife's sportster on it.
Last edited by Mike T; Feb 16, 2011 at 01:42 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
I use the sams club/harbor frieght ATV ramp.
It is aluminum, and has a main section and 2 'wings" that fold out giving you about 40" wide so you can get your feet down if you have to.
I also have a piece of 1/2 plywood I throw on top of it, as the ramps has wide spaced struts.
When I load, I get my truck rear tires in the gutter so as to get the truck as low as possible and reduce the angle...I have also used the loading dock at local grocery store a couple of times.
This is a 1 man job.
you need good firm anchor points in your truck bed down low.
I have a 2001 GMC, it has steel loops welded in place at all 4 corners, I have carabiners through each of these to ease getting the strap hooks on. this is the extended cab, regular bed, my rear tire sits in the bed, not on the gate.
hook onto your bike so as to compress the forks ( your can use a chock, but I don't- I do use a piece of 4x4 against the front of the truck bed to keep the fender trim from smacking into something).
don't hook onto the handlebars, under stress they will rotate and the bike'll come loose
I have loops which I attach to the crashbar up high.
so compress the forks a bit.
strap the rear so the bike can't move side to side or climb into the cab if you panic stop.
put he bike in gear
I usually slightly apply the front brake with a piece of velcro strap
do not try to put a cover on the bike, the wind will whip the tarp and destroy your paint.
remember that you control acceleration, but stops may not be planned or controlled.
trailer: I like trailers if they have more than 1 axle and brakes. seen too many trailers bust loose, loose a tire or otherwise get wacky on the road. plus the expense and storing if you buy one.
mike
It is aluminum, and has a main section and 2 'wings" that fold out giving you about 40" wide so you can get your feet down if you have to.
I also have a piece of 1/2 plywood I throw on top of it, as the ramps has wide spaced struts.
When I load, I get my truck rear tires in the gutter so as to get the truck as low as possible and reduce the angle...I have also used the loading dock at local grocery store a couple of times.
This is a 1 man job.
you need good firm anchor points in your truck bed down low.
I have a 2001 GMC, it has steel loops welded in place at all 4 corners, I have carabiners through each of these to ease getting the strap hooks on. this is the extended cab, regular bed, my rear tire sits in the bed, not on the gate.
hook onto your bike so as to compress the forks ( your can use a chock, but I don't- I do use a piece of 4x4 against the front of the truck bed to keep the fender trim from smacking into something).
don't hook onto the handlebars, under stress they will rotate and the bike'll come loose
I have loops which I attach to the crashbar up high.
so compress the forks a bit.
strap the rear so the bike can't move side to side or climb into the cab if you panic stop.
put he bike in gear
I usually slightly apply the front brake with a piece of velcro strap
do not try to put a cover on the bike, the wind will whip the tarp and destroy your paint.
remember that you control acceleration, but stops may not be planned or controlled.
trailer: I like trailers if they have more than 1 axle and brakes. seen too many trailers bust loose, loose a tire or otherwise get wacky on the road. plus the expense and storing if you buy one.
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Feb 16, 2011 at 07:06 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,881
Likes: 32,994
From: King George, VA
I loaded my RG into my Ford Ranger last April and carried it to Arizona on work travel. Ya don't want to trust the tailgate to support the weight of you and the bike. It will buckle. I used a 6X8 plank that extended from the front wheel chock to the edge of the tailgate and connected the loading ramp to that.
I would provide a couple of pictures but I'm using my Droid right now and don't want to go through the effort.
I would provide a couple of pictures but I'm using my Droid right now and don't want to go through the effort.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 3
From: Stamford, CT
Do you see yourself transporting more than once? Def be careful of the tailgate during loading. If you have a receiver under the bumper maybe you could fashion a support underneath the tailgate to take some of the load. The tailgate may never hold all the combined weight at any given time but the catastrophy of a fail is too much to risk. You will need a long enough ramp or one with a bow to prevent bottoming while loading.
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