What trucks do you guys use to haul your bike?

[CBR929RE]

Does anyone use a Tacoma?

yup. 07 access cab 2wd, 4 banger. I don't know the bed length but pretty sure its not the tiny one. bike fits completely in the bed but the tailgate can't close with it straight because it needs just a few more inches cause of the rear wheel. overall works very well.

GMC C4500 with a 6.5' bed.

I'll one up you. Think my boss would be pissed if I took this to the track, they don't need it right? I can fit a whole shitload of people's bikes in it. comes with a nice ramp too, all built in and everything.COLD "AC" 515hp, just under 1700ft/lbs that'll get the job done nicely

[mikeb]

needs stiffer springs. lift coming in the spring.

[obsolete]

I love these threads. One guy says his truck gets 18mpg highway 15mpg loaded, another says that same truck gets 10-12 downhill with a tailwind....

One guy has a diesel and one a gas truck.

OK. so my boss has the sister truck to mine, but with a 6.0 gas engine. 2500 HD, 4:10 gear ratio. He gets........10-12 mpg. This is around town driving, going by the DIC on the dash of both trucks.

That's pretty much the average with 6.0 2500HD's

[obsolete]

03 chevy 2500 hd, extra cab 6' bed, diesel. gets 19-22 mpg empty, 17-18 mpg pulling a 14' v-nose with two street bikes in it, and two dirt bikes in the bed. I pay a little extra for the fuel, but the same truck with a 6.0 gas engine would be getting 10-12 mpg empty. fuck that.

To put it into perspective though if the 6.0 gets 10 mpg and the dirty truck gets 20 and if gas is $3 and diesel is $3.30 it will take 55k miles to make up the difference in price (about $7,500) with gas savings.

If we change it around to what I've seen for driving around. I have an 06 6.0 2500HD extended cab and my brother in law has a 05 3500 long bed Dirtymax. I see 12mpg driving around and he sees 20mpg doing about the same. If gas prices stay the same that's over 88k miles to match the price.

I love diesels and would own one but I couldn't justify the cost up front to have that long term of a savings. Especially with the way I go through vehicles.

[Sbk12rs]

Suburban !!!! With a landscape trailer .

I've used that trailer for ssssssssssssssoooooo much more !!!!

Worth every penny .

My Sub has a taller gear than MOST subs 342's .... most have 411's .

It gets great mileage , close to 20mpg if I'm not stepping on it .

[drop]

2002 tundra access cab 4x4 up till this winter, but this is my new hauler for next season.

[Ituen]

Suburban !!!! With a landscape trailer .

I've used that trailer for ssssssssssssssoooooo much more !!!!

Worth every penny .

My Sub has a taller gear than MOST subs 342's .... most have 411's .

It gets great mileage , close to 20mpg if I'm not stepping on it .

The landscape trailer is a great idea for those of us with SUVs.

[drinkingmymilk]

The landscape trailer is a great idea for those of us with SUVs.

until you go to NJMP and rack $55 in tolls.

I take my trailer if I have 2 or more bikes... the passanger splits tolls and gas and I break even vs. tossing one bike in the bed.


Oh.. and I use my father's 09 quad cab chevy 1500 when ever I go. The trade works great, I get 19mpg/17 mpg towing he steals my mother's audi and my mom likes my Jeep cause, "no doors is really fun when you can see down into cars!"

[The Snowman]

Looking at both the Honda Ridgeline and Ford F-150 for the spring. Currently the preference is the Honda.

One question I have is over a long period of time, is having the rear wheel of the bike bouncing up and down on an open tailgate harmful to the tailgate? Will it dent it outward? Is putting a plank of wood under both wheels a good idea?

As for having the gate open, I plan on getting one of those gate guards, which will wrap behind the bike anyway. (plus, the Ridgeline has the under-bed storage anyway.)

[mikeb]

seems the ridgeline has a tiny bed. if you really don't want a truck i'd go with the honda. when you strap a bike in the bed and compress the forks properly most of the weight is put on the front. the tailgate will hold no problem. my chevy had a six foot bed and i could shut the tailgate.

[The Snowman]

seems the ridgeline has a tiny bed. if you really don't want a truck i'd go with the honda. when you strap a bike in the bed and compress the forks properly most of the weight is put on the front. the tailgate will hold no problem. my chevy had a six foot bed and i could shut the tailgate.

That's the thing, I really don't want a truck, I'd prefer an SUV. But Annalisa does and a featherlight horse trailer as well, which the Ridgeline can haul.

Unfortunately, an SUV can't haul a bike without a trailer and we don't have room for a bike trailer. The horse trailer can stay at whatever barn she boards her horse at.

I just took a look at the Consumer Reports site and they recommend the Ridgeline just slightly over the F150, GMC 1500, and RAM 1500. They're all really close, according to CR. I guess it's a matter of personal preference.

[breakdirt916]

not sure if anyone is looking for a cheap bike hauler...

but my buddy is thinking about upgrading to a plow truck, so he's selling his 2001 Ford Ranger w' a cap, newish tail gate, and hitch

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...ml#post1006695

[Falko]

To put it into perspective though if the 6.0 gets 10 mpg and the dirty truck gets 20 and if gas is $3 and diesel is $3.30 it will take 55k miles to make up the difference in price (about $7,500) with gas savings.

If we change it around to what I've seen for driving around. I have an 06 6.0 2500HD extended cab and my brother in law has a 05 3500 long bed Dirtymax. I see 12mpg driving around and he sees 20mpg doing about the same. If gas prices stay the same that's over 88k miles to match the price.

I love diesels and would own one but I couldn't justify the cost up front to have that long term of a savings. Especially with the way I go through vehicles.

Diesels cost a bunch on the upfront, but only the first time. you get a lot of your money back when selling it compared to gassers.

[Bgcj5]

I have an 06 Ridgeline and I love it. The ride is very good and I'm getting 18 -20
mph consistantly. The gate needs to be open but with a little planning everything I want to pack can usually be stored in the underbed storage.
Only comes in 4 doors and lots of room in the back seat. I will deff buy another one for my next truck whenever that may come.

[Eddie]

A Truck? Who needs one?

[CBR929RE]

Looking at both the Honda Ridgeline and Ford F-150 for the spring. Currently the preference is the Honda.

One question I have is over a long period of time, is having the rear wheel of the bike bouncing up and down on an open tailgate harmful to the tailgate? Will it dent it outward? Is putting a plank of wood under both wheels a good idea?

As for having the gate open, I plan on getting one of those gate guards, which will wrap behind the bike anyway. (plus, the Ridgeline has the under-bed storage anyway.)

strap the back down so it won't bounce.

[Rambunctous]

I use a trailer towed with a 03 F250 2WD. Pulls a 25' foot camper down from the Frontierland with ease. Heavy duty truck. Tough. If you have a Ford that's like this do not be putting the shifter into second or first. The wire for the overdrive button at the end of the shifter is not long enough. It will wear through and short out and could damage the instument cluster. Thats the only issue I have had. A real nightmare to figure out too.

[keeena]

until you go to NJMP and rack $55 in tolls.

Using a fastlane transponder + fastlane-only lane = standard car toll because it doesn't automatically count axles. Technically not supposed to do this, but you could claim ignorance. Just sayin'.

[Expat]

That's the thing, I really don't want a truck, I'd prefer an SUV. But Annalisa does and a featherlight horse trailer as well, which the Ridgeline can haul.

Unfortunately, an SUV can't haul a bike without a trailer and we don't have room for a bike trailer. The horse trailer can stay at whatever barn she boards her horse at.

I just took a look at the Consumer Reports site and they recommend the Ridgeline just slightly over the F150, GMC 1500, and RAM 1500. They're all really close, according to CR. I guess it's a matter of personal preference.

You are welcome to check mine out, (may be a good excuse for a beer!) we can even throw the bike in so you can see exactly how much room there is. I had no problems with the rear wheel on the tailgate. I use 2 straps to each side, and it doesn't lift at all.

[duganc1717]

[tonup]

My school bus with a landscape trailer. Fuel sucks but the torque is nice.

[Kurlon]

If you get a Ridgeline, Honda offers a factory wheel chock for it... it's designed for dirtbikes and cruisers and anything else with small front rotors. Had to stuff a piece of wood in a friend's to keep the rotors from hitting on his Triumph.

[Expat]

If you get a Ridgeline, Honda offers a factory wheel chock for it... it's designed for dirtbikes and cruisers and anything else with small front rotors. Had to stuff a piece of wood in a friend's to keep the rotors from hitting on his Triumph.

I don't use anything in mine, the groove in the bed is about 1/2" deep and the surface has a slight texture to it, I havent had anything move around.

BTW, the in bed storage is superb, watertight and lockable.

[McBiggity]

I just picked up a Ridgeline 2 weeks ago. Love it. I have yet to tow anything or carry a bike in the bed. I do have the factory tonneau cover so not sure how easy that comes off and goes back on if I want to toss the bikes in the bed.

[Garandman]

Since I was asked about it today and sine there's a passenger version available.

I am a big fan of the Transit Connect, in theory (haven't looked at one up close). How do you secure your bike in there? Are there any anchoring points for straps?

There are anchor points in the back corners, and I used the seat bases in front.

Much more convenient to load with the two sliding doors than a regular full-size cargo van.

SV650.