What trucks do you guys use to haul your bike?

[Shock3r]

Looking at buying a Ford F150....just started looking.

I was wondering what models, number of doors, bed length.

I really want a 4 Door model. But I don't know if it would make the bed too short.

any other tips and suggestions would be appreciated thanks

[eboos]

I've got a 4 door Tundra. A single bike will fit with the tail up if it is loaded at a slight angle. 2 will fit with the tail down. I used to have a 2 door 97 F150 long bed, and a sheet of plywood still won't fit in the bed properly.

[Pittenger5]

Doors generally dont affect the truck bed.
I got an 02 Dodge Ram. 4 doors, 6 foot bed. Tailgate doesnt close completely, but if I have 1 bike I can angle the rear tire and it will close. If I have 2 I generally use a tiedown to keep the bed at about a 45 degree angle. No biggie. 4 doors is nice especially to throw gear in.

[Manny]

Nissan Titan. Awesome truck.

Mine is the regular bed, 4 door. Bike fits tailgate down with the extender, or on an angle closed.

Mine may be for sale.....

[eboos]

Nissan Titan. Awesome truck.

It is an awesome truck. I got to drive hatchet's up and down with him to VIR, towing a large trailer. Great driving truck. Felt nice and tight.

[FireboltEric_MA]

Your gonna need a 3/4 ton, Diesel, 4X4 truck for hauling a bike. Weather is sketchy at loudon so the 4X4 is nice, Just in case. Best to find a flatbed for easy on/off & strapping it down. No need to scratch the sides of the bed if you don't need to.

I may know where you can get such an ugly Hilbilly beast...


Seriously, any bed should work fine, so long as it is not stretched w/ a tire that needs it's own zip code. 4 doors are nice for anything in general. I wish I had 4...

[gregp]

I have an '01 Dodge Dakota with a 3.9 V6 that I purchsed new. It is plenty powerful enough to pull a bike (or 2), but overall, I hate this truck and wouldn't recommend one at all.

[Stoneman]

My 4-door Silverado has the 'extra short' bed. Like others've said, I have to angle the streetbike to close the tailgate. If I let the air outta my tires on the Raptor, I can get that in and still close the tailgate. Nowadays, you generally have 3 choices of bed length with the 4-doors. Or at least that was the case when I was shopping a coupla years ago...

I also tow with it with no problems: boat, 7 x 12' utility trailer, horse, etc., with very little effect on gas mileage (5.4 engine)...

[Garandman]

25 mpg.

[Manny]

25 mpg.

What is it?

[eboos]

What is it?

A sign of danger when there isn't a bike in it.

[Shock3r]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I really want 4dr, and 4x4.

What do you guys use for loading ramps?

[butcher bergs]

Ford Ranger 4.0L extended cab towing 6x10 enclosed trailer

[lrrs313]

Had an 06 Dodge megacab diesel and an 09 Dodge 1500 quad cab. Both had the 6'4" bed and could haul one bike angled with the tailgate closed. Actually had 3 MX bikes in the bed and one on a hitch mount carrier once with the MegaCab. That got a few looks.

[eboos]

What do you guys use for loading ramps?

Aluminum folding ramp by Reese from Lowes. I would recommend getting a longer ramp, the longer the better. The longer the ramp, the lower the angle that you will have to push the bike.

[Manny]

What do you guys use for loading ramps?

I usually just load the ramps by lifting them in next to the bike.

Actually, I make my wife do it.

[lrrs313]

I have one of the folding ramps from Motosport Outlet. One thing to consider with loading bikes: tall trucks suck. Just something to keep in mind before you go buying the offrad package or something because it looks better.

[ninjachica250]

a piece of plywood and a prayer is all I use

[Rada]

06 F150 FX4 Extended cab with 6.5' box. I can close the tailgate with the SV sitting straight. I run home made 6.5' aluminum ramps. Nice and cozy. Extended cab is sweet for stowing your gear and tools.

[BluGixxer]

My 2 cents, I've owned a few trucks, I prefer achevy, right now I have a " 6' " bed , it is not 6 foot , even with help from a backhoe that pulled out the tailgate,
I will never get another 6' or short bed again,
With an 8 ' bed, you can get a toolbox (average 21") for extra storage , tools , clothes coolers whatever and still get a bike in, my big thing is getting all your stuff in and closing the tailgate, that way you can still tow a trailer, longer bikes , take toolbox turn it long ways, still have extra dry outt of weather, lockable storage.
I love 4 doors, but not the crew cab, seems like that puts the truck into a different length catagory, like with trains.
Extended cab with 4 doors are the best in my opionon, stiill get to everything without crawling over the seat and standing on your head,
Look at what model has the best turning radias, go for a test drive, find a supermarket with skinny parking spaces and see how many times it takes you to park straight. Better to find out before you buy it, I have had better luck with 4 wheel drives having a tighter radias, maybe it was just that model or that year, but it seems like 2 wheel drives are terrable.
Diesel is the way to go, aprox 30% more efficiant by inheriant design. I've only had 1,(currant). Its a slugchevy 6.5 turbo diesel. But it still beats gas for towing or hauling, and millage is still around 15mpg, ,gas drops big time when towing /hauling ,and if you run out of fuel just stop by the clossest resturant with a deep fryerand get some free fuel, 226k ,totally stock, good for another 200k
So extended cab 4 door, longbed(8') diesel, and find one with a good turning radias(4 wd)

[gixxer72]

Titan. It's tight getting the bed extender in but the utilitrac system rocks.

[eboos]

My crewcab Tundra sucks to park.

[Fitz]

1996 Ford E350 Ambulance

[RyanNicholson]

I have an 05 Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4 with the 6'4" bed. With the 5.7 it tows the trailer like it isn't even there, and bikes fit in the bed the same as everyone else mentioned.

The only annoyance I've had (which really didn't bother me much) was its one of the taller trucks on the market, so loading the MX bikes in/out would be slightly easier with a Chevy/GMC. The Fords run a bit tall if I recall too.

I love my Dodge, and would kill for a new 2500 Diesel but holy f'n $. I'd probably consider a Tundra or Titan as well... heard a lot of good things about them.

[ultraTwist]

M
Diesel is the way to go, aprox 30% more efficiant by inheriant design. I've only had 1,(currant). Its a slugchevy 6.5 turbo diesel. But it still beats gas

Plus 15% for the extra btu's in diesel.