Anybody try one of these??

[brendanp]

Ok, rather than to go buy the whole trailer thingy, I was thinking about picking one of these up. They are rated for 600 lbs. My trucki is a Dodge 2500 4X4 that has the factory Tow pkg. so I know my hitch has plenty of balls.
I can get one of these things for just over 400 bucks new. Yes I can get a ramp and just put it in the back of the pickup, but my truck sits high with 35" tires and according to the online ramp calculator, I would need a 12ft ramp!!
This thing mounts right into the tow hitch.
I basically want to be able to haul my bike on and off by myself. The gixxer only weighs about 350 lbs.Here is a link to the site if you wanna check it out.
Sport Motorcycle Carrier From Discount Ramps.Com

[Jim]

there was an article on here that i read before of someone selling theirs. never had a problem with it, but upgraded to a trailer

[OreoGaborio]

Just remember you're putting 400lbs on that rear suspension in addition to the hitch. If your truck can take it, it can take it.

I opted for the Harbor Freight folding 4x8 trailer rig. only $238 for an actual trailer that folds up for easy storage. Throw another 1-200 bucks at it for lumber or aluminum pannels & you've got yourself a nice little trailer that can haul two bikes w/ only a little bit of Crisco.

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

[Tricky Mike]

I think Scott sold his?
here's the thread if you want to PM him.

[catch2otwo]

the suspension of your HD should not have a problem with the weight of your bike, as it will handle at around 500 lbs of tongue weight no problem. i use a pair of 10ft ramps that i made with metal ramp ends and 2x12x10 planks. no trouble getting the cbr600 up and down by myself. truck is a chev. 2500 with a 6 inch lift and 35s. theres no way you need a 12ft ramp if your on stock springs.

but id rather look for a 4x8 trailer like oreo said. a simple trailer that small wont cost much more then the 400 your going to spend on that. your truck will pull the trailer alot smoother compared to having your bike hanging off the hitch. id rather also have my bike sitting on a trailer rather then the 2x2 reciever.

[KillBill]

Motorcycle/ATV Trailer

[butcher bergs]

id rather also have my bike sitting on a trailer rather then the 2x2 reciever.

Uhh...isn't the trailer being towed by the 2x2 receiver you speak of?

[catch2otwo]

Uhh...isn't the trailer being towed by the 2x2 receiver you speak of?

ya but a small trailer with your bike on it doesnt equate to 400+ lbs of tongue weight. would you rather hold a cinder block with your arms outstretched or would you rather drag it on a radio flyer wagon? plus as you travel down the road, every bump in the road is translated to your bike and to the hitch, but on a trailer some is transfered to the trailer = less stress on your frame/hitch. im sure that thing is perfectly safe to haul your bike, but id just rather have a trailer.

[butcher bergs]

Dude...I was just at ya.

I agree with you.

Seeing one of those carriers loaded with a bike that's bouncing around on the back of a vehicle makes me cringe.....all the flexing and bending...<shudder>


Trailers, FTMFW!

[catch2otwo]

Dude...I was just at ya.

I agree with you.

Seeing one of those carriers loaded with a bike that's bouncing around on the back of a vehicle makes me cringe.....all the flexing and bending...<shudder>


Trailers, FTMFW!

gotcha, didnt get wut that icon meant until now. stupid icon things

[butcher bergs]

[brendanp]

I could get the ramp and just stick the bke in the back of the truck. My truck also has a 2" body lift over stock. The ramp is like 600 bucks shipped!! I just didn't want to have to deal with a trailer and my wife bitching about that taking up room ect..... I like to be self sufficient. I dont like having to rely/bother anyone to help me get my bike on my truck to make a track day.
I had a beautiful enclosed trailer at one time and all she did was bitch about it...

[catch2otwo]

I could get the ramp and just stick the bke in the back of the truck. My truck also has a 2" body lift over stock. The ramp is like 600 bucks shipped!! I just didn't want to have to deal with a trailer and my wife bitching about that taking up room ect..... I like to be self sufficient. I dont like having to rely/bother anyone to help me get my bike on my truck to make a track day.
I had a beautiful enclosed trailer at one time and all she did was bitch about it...

instead of buying metal ramps for a million dollars just make your own.



buy those at home depot or lowes, i believe they were about 20 bucks a pair when i bought mine.

buy two planks, 2 inch thick x 12inch wide x 10 ft long.

put planks and ramp ends together with supplied hardware.

then ad a 2x4 spine down the middle to ensure the ramp doesnt bow when you go up it. done deal for about 50 bucks you get some quality ramps. ill take some pics tomorrow.

bike safe and sound

[butcher bergs]

Justify the trailer by purchasing....I dunno....say....a new dining room set for her.

All that furniture certainly can't fit in your truck at one time, right? You'll need a trailer!


FWIW: There's a guy right up the street from me who's selling an enclosed trailer for like 1500 or something. I know he'll go lower because it's been out there for a while. I'll grab some pics if you want.

A trailer is the way to go, IMHO. Ugly or not, a trailer is going to afford you capacity and stability over a carrier.

Reasons I'm not crazy about a carrier:

You don't bash your knees in the dark when trying to walk around a trailer

You don't try to parallel park and end up hitting a car behind you with a trailer

You can see a trailer's location at night (as opposed to a carrier; see reason 1)

[catch2otwo]

ah, found the pics i used to build my ramps.

he used a 1x1 piece for the spine but i used 2x4 since my ramp is 10 ft long his was 7 ft.






but i agree, if you can swindle your way into a small trailer thatd be the way to go. im going with a 4x8 that i can stand on its tail for easy storage. this summer we'll be moving two bikes to track days and such.

[brendanp]

I like all the ideas coming here guys. Now, not trying to be a dink, but where am I supposed to put the (2) 10 FT. planks in the back of a 6 ft. bed. Or am I missing something here? Maybe I forgot to mention it was a shortbed..

[catch2otwo]

I like all the ideas coming here guys. Now, not trying to be a dink, but where am I supposed to put the (2) 10 FT. planks in the back of a 6 ft. bed. Or am I missing something here? Maybe I forgot to mention it was a shortbed..

ooo shortbed eh? should have been a man and got the long box, jk. do you got a problem with leaving the tailgate down? i did that for a while but since i have a reg. cab i had to put all the helmets and stuff in the back so i need the tailgate closed. i simply cut the ramp to length, then hinged it, and added two hinged legs to the bottom with some 4x4s laying around. ill grab some pics of it tomorrow when its light out.

[OreoGaborio]

slide the ramps under the bike, corner to corner.... or if that doesn't work & you can close the bed w/ the bike in the truck, just leave them sticking up & out of the back.

Or, man up & buy the folding aluminium ones.

It ain't rocket science

[butcher bergs]

...you can close the bed w/ the bike in the truck...

Not happenin' with the Ram shortbed.

Ain't rocket science, Pete. :

[OreoGaborio]

put the bike in diagonally.
(see last pic)

[Tricky Mike]

I've got a 6' bed. I put em in diagonally like in the pic. It's easier with the 220lb motard, but have done it with plenty of streetbikes. Just walk it back and forth. With the front wheel pinned in the corner it makes for a real secure transport. Ramps go in diagonally in the opposite corners.

[ChrisNoF4i]

I had a beautiful enclosed trailer at one time and all she did was bitch about it...

I remember that trailer.

You could have at least been a little more subtle.

[Jim]

brendan, i think you should try one of these first.

then worry about the bike ramp

[hammadown]

My ranger has a 6' bed and I can close the gate with my tard or 600rr if they are diagonal. The other thing I have done if the bike is in straight so I cant close the gate is use a tiedown strap from one of the anchors in the bed to the tailgate latch and ratchet the gate closed as much as possible. You can then put stuff in the bed and it wont fall out.

[brendanp]

brendan, i think you should try one of these first.

then worry about the bike ramp

She is soo fucking HOT!