NEW OWNER QUESTION ON TRUCK BED

mikey_750

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sail2xxs said:
I've used a 2x10 a bit longer than the truck bed to help with the "don't trust the tailgate" sort of issue in the past. It works.

Chris
That was my plan too. 85" 2x10. I would love to go the trailer route but I don't have a hitch built in that thing.
 

mikey_750

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I've had my supermoto (300+) and a sporty (450 ish) in the bed at the same time several times using two 2X10 to ease my paranoia and all went well.
 

Kevhunts

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mikey_750 said:
I am driving to pick up my Tenere on Saturday ::013:: and I'm a bit concerned it may not fit in the bed of my ridgeline. Has anyone put a S10 in the bed of a Honda Ridgeline? Other shorter bikes have fit but I want to calm my nerves......

Great forum BTW. I can see myself burning hours upon hours of time here.
Hope this helps...
 

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offcamber

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The easiest way to load a bike into a truck bed is to find a small hill to back up to so the ramps are as close to level with the back of the truck as possible. I realize that's not always the available but it can be worth finding one. It doesn't need to be much a few feet will make all the difference. I have done with with my KLR a few times and with two ATV ramps I can walk the bike right into the truck. The bike on one ramp and I walk on the other....easy peesy
 

Topgear

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There's a reason I bought my Tundra with an 8' bed and 9' ramps for loading. :D That video in the other thread was hilarious! The common thread there was either a ramp too narrow, or a ramp not strapped to the truck. I don't think I would trust a rear wheel on the tailgate. Here's my old Stratoliner:



And here's the Tenere:

 

John D

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FYI.... I have a Tundra and the tailgates are pretty thin... Lots of posts about bent tailgates from loading bikes on them. Be careful.
 

bikerdoc

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Just so happens there is a review of a "ReadyRamp" over at Motorcycle.com

http://www.motorcycle.com/products/readyramp-review-91517.html?utm_source=mo02142013&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly

ReadyRamp Review, an all-in-one truck bed extender and motorcycle ramp; By Tom Roderick, Feb. 12, 2013.

"Maximizing the available bed space of a mid-size pickup truck is a top priority when it comes transporting multiple motorcycles, extra fuel, riding gear, beverage cooler, etc. Never was this more apparent than during my recent downsizing from a vintage 1966 Ford F250 to a late-model Toyota Tacoma. In the exchange I effectively lost 2.5 feet of bed length.

Lowering the tailgate on the Tacoma regains 18 inches of lost length but sacrifices the security of having the tailgate in the upright and locked position. A bed extender seemed the obvious answer, but while researching available options, it became apparent that owning both a bed extender and motorcycle ramp was redundant. So I searched for a combined version and found ReadyRamp.

While ReadyRamp isn’t a new product, 2013 models feature a new I-beam construction that ReadyRamp claims is both stronger and lighter than previous versions. Weighing 19 and 21 pounds for the compact and full-size versions, respectively, both are constructed of 6061 T6 aluminum and rated with a 600-pound load capacity. According ReadyRamp’s Shawn Ryan, their products have been tested up to 1100 pounds, but advertising at nearly half that strength should ensure no liability issues.

ReadyRamp self-tapping screwsAll ReadyRamp pieces are individually wrapped in plastic inside their cardboard container ensuring a scratchless arrival. ReadyRamps arrive semi-assembled and require only the attaching of the rungs to the I-beam frames — a process taking approximately 15 minutes. Our package was short one rung, but the company immediately sent another. Self-tapping screws for attaching the rungs and other mounting hardware are all included.

Once assembled we went to install the ReadyRamp on the tailgate as a bed extender but were tripped up when we realized we didn’t know how to properly attach the device to the truck. No instructions were included in our package, ReadyRamp’s website was down, and any amateur instructions found on the internet were deficient in their explanation.

Ryan was able to talk us through this part of the installation process over the phone, but, considering the variety of different ways in which to affix the ReadyRamp to a tailgate and variety of included hardware with which to do so, it would behoove the company to either include these instructions in the delivered box or have the instructions more readily available on the ReadyRamp website.

The compact ReadyRamp measures 89 inches (7.4 feet) when extended and 46 inches when folded. The full-size ramp at 100 inches (8.3 feet) is 11 inches longer when extended.

With an MSRP of $270, the compact ReadyRamp is $30 less expensive than the full size’s $300 asking price. Both prices include shipping costs.

Each rung is cut in a V shape to create more traction than a similar rung with a simple square shape. All the components of the ReadyRamp are top quality and its application is well thought out. Silver ramps are anodized and clear coated, while black ones are E-dipped, “a wet coating process using heat and an electric charge that leaves a durable finish,” says Ryan.

With a price similar, if not less than, purchasing both a bed extender and a ramp separately, we don’t see a reason, other than load capacity, to consider another product(s).

In the upcoming months we’ll be using the ReadyRamp to load and unload a plethora of motorcycles from scooters to sportbikes to cruisers — some of which will assuredly weigh more than 600 pounds. If the ReadyRamp fails in its duties, you’ll be hearing from us."
 

Don in Lodi

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LOL, I guess because most thought it shouldn't be done in the back of a Ridgeline Honda.

Ron, add in a lowering kit, now that's a pick-up truck!
::025::
 

mikey_750

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Appreciate all the help and concern....I think. After several measurements of the Super and my bed I WILL be using it to pick up the bike. There is a perfect sized hill close so it will almost be going in flat, I have a 80" 2x10 to disperse the weight and 4 great tie downs that will all be utilized to secure the 10. The Ridgeline (even though most may not consider it a truck) have 6 sturdy build in tie down areas that work great for situations like these.

Wish me luck or hope I fail. Either way it's happening and I will post the good or bad results in a few days.....
 

Checkswrecks

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immigrant said:
interesting nobody gave any pointers on tying the bike down once on the back of the truck

You mean like the two at the bottom of this page?
http://www.mad-ducati.com/TechStuffMain.php
I haven't seen Mike in years but still use his method of tying to the wheels, front & rear.


Lots of other good info on the page, which is why I posted it instead of just about tie-down.
 

mikey_750

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FlaDave said:
Enjoy the new ride Mikey!
I'm sure you'll be fine with the Ridgeline.
Well, my "truck" as some of you say, did the job just perfect ::002::. She is home and in the garage now after a 900 mile roundtrip to Philly in 24 hours. Worst part was the blizzard like patches of PA mountain weather. 80" 2x12 worked perfect. I double up the supports on the gate (paranoia) used 4 heavy duty support straps and an additional strap through the rear wheel (thanks for the video above). Loading was cake thanks to a perfect height brick landscaped area. Unloading wasn't bad either with 3 ramps and two good friends, even though it was snowing the whole time. Still averaged 20.3 mpg over the whole trip too ^-^

If I get around to posting pictures of it loaded I'm sure several of you will question my methods (most probably are already). The end of the contact patch on the rear tire was about 3" from the edge of the bed. Looked sketchy but worked fine. I didn't even have to put it on an angle.

Regardless, it's home. My maiden voyage was in an inch on snow.....
 

Don in Lodi

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Whew, that's great to hear. Now for Spring and ::26:: .
 

John D

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Congrats on getting her home safe. ::012:: ::012:: ::012:: Now if spring would ever get here. . . ::017:: ::017::
 
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