R3 + shortbed = what the hell are you doing?

[Danvitt]

I've hauled my R3T in my RAM1500 short bed (5'-6"). But I use a MountainMaster bike loader. Wife has arthritis in hips so can't ride long. Haul bike to destination than un

load and ride.

Wow! this is all the picture I need to not want to load my new bike in my truck! I'm sure it's safer than it looks, but that looks scary!

 

[Danvitt]

I was attending a convention in Daytona, FL and bought a Rocket an hour away. I rented a U-haul one way (Titusville, FL to Huntsville,AL) the week before last.
It cost $143.78 for 4 days. I could not find a Uhaul bike trailer, so I rented a 5x9 Utility Trailer with Ramp (only difference is it does not have a front wheel chock). As germ79 posted, it is cheaper to rent and bring back.

Here is a pic of mine, at my Orange Beach,AL home, on the way back to Huntsville.

Minus the bags and fly shield we got the same bike I'll post some pics when I'm loaded and otw home.

 

[breeze]

was going mention try putting it sideways in the truck but rent the trailor like he said IF you have to haul it to many options to go wrong WITH a rusty tailgate better yet like they say take a bus and ride it back just be wary of the throttle with the indiana winter weather

 

[Jerry C]

When we took our Rocket to Arizona a few years ago, I acquired one of the steel pallets used to ship the bikes from the home country. I drove the rocket on the pallet and strapped it to the pallet. I used a fork lift and set it in the pickup. The pallet extended onto the tailgate. Then I strapped pallet and bike to the pickup. In Arizona we backed up to a sand dune after digging a couple holes for the pickup tires to drop into and unloaded the bike. No problem.

The dealer gave me the steel pallet and the straps that were used to ship the bike over at no charge.

Later,
Jerry C

 

[Ygransom]

Wow! this is all the picture I need to not want to load my new bike in my truck! I'm sure it's safer than it looks, but that looks scary!

It's easy and safe. Loader allows one person to load or unload bike in about 5 minutes. We generally take 2 trips a year, so it was worth it.

 

[albertaduke]

Anyone ever haul one of these in a short bed truck? Going to go get my bike tomorrow. 10 hours there and 10 hours back. From my measurements of what I can find online the rear tire will sit on the tailgate. Might buy a 2x10x8 for the tires to sit on so all the weight wont be on the gate. If it works it'll save me a couple hundred, if not I'll just have to hit U-haul up for a trailer when I get there. I'm impatient and I don't always do the smartest thing (Like having someone else bring it to me).

do you have a very good ramp, before you even think of hauling your bike do not skimp on the ramp and if you have for a few$ get a winch and winch up the bike do not motor it up. believe me.
I use a 8 foot ramp 36 inch wide and my truck box is 7 feet long i also built a lock up system which hold the bike upright without straps but that is a bit of work , at least get a front wheel stirrup/wheel choke, it will make things easier when you do not have to hold it upright all the time. if you use straps for the rear do not make the mistake of straight pull each side but cross over so the side forces are not pulling but pushing and a 3\4 inch thick plywood will hold the rear weight pm me if you want details but a trailer is a lot simpler

 

[Zonechamp]

I have hauled mine in the back of a shortbed (6.5') without issue. I have a long box now so the bike fits with the end gate up. It's a 20 hour drive to Vegas from where I live and I'm not towing a trailer that far and bothering with parking, storage, theft and extra fuel expense when the back of my truck is empty. It's not that hard to load, most guy's get anxiety and wig themselves out before they even try. Use common sense. You need a ramp that has traction, you can put both feet down and is long enough that the bike won't get hung up. Lowering the ass of the truck makes it just that much easier.

 

[Willyone]

The longer the ramp the better, wider too!! Loading and unloading the underside of the bike can (often will) scrape bottom where the ramp meets the bed of the truck....hence the need for a long ramp. I've moved bikes both in the back of my truck, and using a trailer. Trailer is way easier. In February I drove from home here in central NY down to Georgia to pick up a bike. I arrived in GA and figured fuggit, and rented an enclosed Uhaul for the return trip. No worries about theft or protecting the precious cargo from rain/snow/salt.

 

[1K9]

Pain in the arse getting it in and out of the truck. UHaul trailer safer easier . My 2 cents worth.

I bought a new F150 long bed and 12 ft ramps to do this. Tried once and.... rented a trailer instead. Traded the truck for a Yukon XL for Cathy. Ask Steel what happens when you are coming off the ramp in reverse.

 

[Steel]

I bought a new F150 long bed and 12 ft ramps to do this. Tried once and.... rented a trailer instead. Traded the truck for a Yukon XL for Cathy. Ask Steel what happens when you are coming off the ramp in reverse.

Have 12 foot ramps and a long bed, with a wheel choc mounted in the truck. Works really well as long as the ramps are dry. That high speed downhill reverse off a wet ramp gets a little bit exciting.