loading a bike in the back of a 4x4 truck...

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chevnut55

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has anyone came up with a better idea than ramps to load your bike on the back of a 4x4 truck?
i have a lifted chevy silverado and want to take my xb12r with me when i go camping or take it to the track,etc.. i did it before with 3 guys and long ramps,but it still sucked,i was worried the whole time it might fall or get damaged. there is no way i can do it myself. i do have a small trailer ,but that would be stupid with a empty truck bed,and if i bring the camper i cant tow anything but the camper.
i have seen guys throw their bikes up on the bed like nothing,but with a bad back and knee,it not worth damaging me or my bike.
 
getting the bike up has always been the easy part for me... typically I like to have at least one other person with me though.I usually take the reigns with it, but just need someone to keep the bike balanced. I would just suggest a trailer, but obviously your circumstances arent very allowing for that. is there not a way you can tow the trailor behind the camper?
 
Its a pain in the a$$ and my truck only has a 3 in lift. I use a 6.5 ft tri fold ramp, 1 4x4, and 2 2x4's. I start by removing the tailgate, next i place a 2x4 across the top of the bumper, after that I place the ramp on the bumper/2x4, next i place the bottom of the ramp on the 4x4, and last i place a 2x4 in front of the 4x4. I just have to watch everything while loading and make sure I dont drag the fairing/pipe on anything. It usualy takes me about 20-30 min to load up....start to finish.
 
Find a ditch (one you can get out of), then back the truck down into it to get the tailgate as low as possible. You'll still have to use a ramp of some sort but it makes it an easier angle to work with :)
 
+1 to what beater said! When i load my R on the trailer, i back it into the gutter of my driveway, the trailer is only about 1 ft high then, have backed the trailer into a ditch too and rove straight in. Just need a good 4 wheel drive to pull it back out nice and smooth.
 
I dont have a ditch anywhere close to me, and cant block a major Hwy in my small town just to load my bike....so I just do what I have to.
 
build or buy a step, so its easy to get in the bed. then just get some guys to spot you while you pratice. get the right ramp with traction and you can walk it up under power if you pratice
 
They make some wider ramps. Try getting 2 so you have one to walk up. Just start the bike and use the engine to let it pull itself up the ramp. There's no need to try to push something that can move itself.

Some ramps have a hook on the bottom so you can run a safety strap to your hitch to make sure the ramp doesn't fall. Might be a good idea with one as tall as yours.
 
This has been working great for me -
http://www.readyramp.com/
I still prefer to have two of us to walk it up or down but the length works well and it lets me carry 2 bikes in my shortbox without worrying about anything sliding out when the tailgate is down.
 
Use two ramps, one for the bike and one for you. Leave the bike running and in first gear, walk up the ramp and feather the clutch as you push the bike up the other ramp.
 
Go to gander mountain if you have one and get yourself one of those 6' bifold aluminum ramps for 100 bucks, can't beat it. It works for me!
 
Extreme has a big ass truck .he has some extra long single fold ramps with the arch in it they work great.
Guessing he will chime in or pm him
 
I picked up my tri fold from harbor-freight.....only complaint is that it needs to be longer. For a stock height truck most ramps seem to be ok.....Its just the guys that have their heads in the clouds that need to get creative.......( ME )
 
i have a 6' arched ramp. i will load my dirtbike..it falls ill pick it back up. but i dont want to risk it with my buell..it would kill my to see it laying on the ground after a 4" fall. i did load it and unload it myself by backing up to a wall thats tailgate height and riding on and off..but it doing the same when i get to where im going.
i could ride up if i bolted 2 together, but backing off will be a different story. it does not look high until your on your prized bike looking down.
 
I know it won't help if you are pulling a camper, but what I did was I backed my truck up to a car trailer, then used a ramp to run the bike onto the trailer, then the ramp from the trailer to the ground. It was cake until the trailer came unhitched from the tractor and rolled across the yard. (forgot to latch it.)
 
Other than a ditch or a long ramp you could park your truck with the tailgate open. Take 30 paces back and start building a rame out of 2x4's and plywood. I'd say the top end of the ramp should be about 6ft tall. Then, hop on your Beast of a Buell and friggin nail it, line up dead center on the ramp. Here's the key. Once you're airborne, make sure you get on the brakes that way when you land in the back of your truck you stop instantly.

Instant Stunt man and Driving away with your bike.
 
Other than a ditch or a long ramp you could park your truck with the tailgate open. Take 30 paces back and start building a rame out of 2x4's and plywood. I'd say the top end of the ramp should be about 6ft tall. Then, hop on your Beast of a Buell and friggin nail it, line up dead center on the ramp. Here's the key. Once you're airborne, make sure you get on the brakes that way when you land in the back of your truck you stop instantly.
Click to expand...

I see many broken tailgate straps/bones in your future.......
 

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