Looking for suggestions loading and unloading my bike (BMW K1200S) in the back of my 2010 4x4 F-150. I'd rather not buy yet another trailer that spends 99% of it's life taking up carport or yard space. The bed is 5.5', but 8' with tailgate down.

Anyone using any type of ramp system? Looking for something safe and practical to load/unload by myself.

Thanks,

Mike

 

here's something I saw that was interesting: http://www.pak-rak.com/

dad made one for a buddy that had a tow business out of channel iron so he could haul it with is regular wrecker.

 

I am lucky enough that I have a low spot in my yard I drive into and it makes it almost flat with a short ramp. Do you have a ditch or something you can easily park in to try that method? Before that I had to push it up a ramp with 2 people and strap it down.
If you don't mind the extra space it would take up, look for a tri or bifold ramp rated to hold the weight of you and the bike. Then walk it up slowly using the clutch. Keep in mind you will need an 8 foot ramp or you will have a very steep incline, but you need to leave your tailgate down anyway with the short bed.
I'm with you. I bought a truck to put stuff in, not fool around with a small trailer.

 

That's a lot of bike--weightwise--to load by yourself, and a 5.5' bed is only marginally long enough. You'll end up putting a lot of weight on your tailgate and hoping that the cable straps are up to the task! No ramps that are commercially available are really long or wide enough to solo-load a heavy bike easiily from flat ground level to the bed of your 4x4. Only way I'd try it alone is if you've got a slope steep enough to back your tailgate up to. If you're really opposed to buying a trailer (and yeah, they are a pain-in-the-a-- to store) I guess I'd build a block wall in the yard somewhere and backfill behind to make yourself a homemade loading platform, so you could ride right into the truck bed.

I've hauled lots of bikes in my trucks, from 3 MX bikes to Harleys to sport tourers, and there isn't an elegant solution to getting them into/out of the truck bed. I humbly suggest that if hauling is something you plan on doing regularly, you bite the bullet and get yourself a small utility trailer.

 

I have the same issue. the 5.5' bed is short and the bed of the 4 X 4 is high. I wouldn't trust the "tailgate down" arrangement to support the load on the rear wheel of a motorcycle, especially when it is a heavyweight like mine (800 pounds).

IMHO the only safe way is to load and haul the bike with the tailgate removed. (Which is a simple process.)

When I trailer my bikes, I ride them up the 5 foot wide ramp onto the bed of the 8 foot long trailer.



The height of the box on the truck rules that out unless you are a "high risk ride" kind of biker.

There are "semi custom" bike loaders that make use of winches and channel beams that tilt as the COG of the bike shifts onto the bed of the truck.

Check out this URL

http://www.cruisercaddie.com/photos.htm

I notice they leave the tailgate on. I'm not sure how safe that is.

Keep us posted.

 

I got metal ramps that hold up to 750lbs per ramp. They were about $100 and real good quality. I use them to load my 500lb quad and KX125 dirtbike.
I drive the quad right in and they barely even flex. The bike I wheel up one ramp while walking up the other. Works great. I also have a big trailer but keep it upstate because it's only used a few times a year. The ramps fold small enough to put in the bed in front of the quad. They also come with straps that you attach to the hitch so they don't move.

 

i have 2 ramps like schambo and i stand on the left and put the bike on the right and literally walk next to it and feather the clutch and let it load itself. my bike isnt heavy, but a 1000 isnt light either ha

 

I dont know how heavy your bike is but check out this ramp for dirt bikes its a great idea i think, i want to get one for loading my dirt bike eventually.

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chap...B19AC1D07B46C2

And here is a nice 10' ramp, pretty expensive but 10' will make an easy angle to use:
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/920-...paign=products

Or
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...5455_200305455
Just some ramp ideas for u to check out, other than a ramp that works easy for u i would say just have someone help u.

 

This note is taken from the 2009 F-150 Owner's Manual:


Note: When the vehicle is in motion, the tailgate load must not exceed 150 lbs. (68 kg).

 

I used 2 friends and a 2x12 that was about 10' long. My CBR600 was probably not quite as heavy (although close to 400 lbs dry I think). I was able to angle it in my 5.5' and get the gate closed.

I would NOT want to go anywhere if I couldn't close the gate but that is just me. The ramps look like a good way to go. How heavy is that bike?