Motorcycle People

drrv1 · 10-28-2004, 05:05 PM

I race sportbikes and usually haul them in a trailer. Tonight, however, I needed to take just one to a friends house for some work so I decided to put it in the bed of the truck. For those of you familiar with Canyon Dancer tie-down strap, thats what I was using. I got the bike up near the front of the bed and started to ratchet down the straps. Once the bike started to get good and tight I noticed that the front of the bed started to bend forward toward the cab. My last truck was an F-150 and I hauled many bikes this way and never had a problem with the front of the bed bending. Anyone have any ideas??? I thought such a big truck would have a little more money spent on some quality metal for the bed.

Itchy · 10-28-2004, 05:11 PM

Not sure, how much "bend" are we talking about. I haven't put my TL in the bed of the Titan yet. I use virtually the same straps but only compress my front forks about 2 inches. I can shake the tail of the bike and it barely moves. Thanks for the heads up though.

Tom Roper · 10-28-2004, 05:19 PM

Do you have the utilitrac system? The rail at the front helps reinforce the box from what you are talking about. I have tied down my street bike and dirt bikes without problem, using the permanent hooks at the lower front corners of the bed. You were probably overdoing it with the ratchets. They don't need to be cinched so tightly, if (and you should) use two more straps at the rear. That also takes some load off the front, by equalizing (pulling) toward the rear. I always use (4) straps, even for dirt bikes, two at the front, two at the rear. Use ANCRA or MSR (Malcom Smith Racing) tiedowns, if your bike is worth keeping upright. Of course, if you are racing it, it's already been down, or will soon

(been there).

...but if you don't have the extruded aluminum utili-trac bar across the front, you're taking a chance. FWIW, I see lots of trucks get the bent up front rail from motorcycles. Beds need reinforcement up there, even if it's just bolting up a 2x4, or a piece of angle iron, (or the utilitrac channel).

ensclark · 10-28-2004, 05:24 PM

My old ford did it too. Part of it was the front wheel pushing on it as I would push it down. I would just stand on the pegs with my weight on the front and have my wife pull the straps tight. It was enough that I could go anywhere with it not bending to out of shape. Now I have the rails in the titan and have used the bed floor to tighten down and the sides for a extra hold. I have used this to move a couple of "dirt bikes". There is no way I can get my harley up there but I have seen it done by some others. I would be happer to hook up my trailer and and tow it. Less hassel and I don't have to take the top off of the bed.

Tom Roper · 10-28-2004, 05:37 PM

I can get your Harley in there easy...you just need a bi/tri-folding ATV ramp, and back your rear wheels into a ditch, dip, over a curb etc., to get the tailgate lower.

Walk alongside the bike with the engine running in 1st gear and clutch it. Easy duz it! Do it all the time. I became sick of being a trailer mechanic, wheel bearings, seals, tires, lights...whatever can go wrong will. If you are racer, you have to though...too much equipment to carry, including tents/awnings, tools, tires, wheels, gas, riding apparel, etc., and a place to stay dry.

Mydog · 10-28-2004, 05:53 PM

Damn muscle man. Put down the roids...lol

I haul many MX bikes in the back and the bed does not bend. If I am only towing 1 bike I will still put it on one side or the other, not right in the middle.

I just stap them down until snug. Not to tight. Bad on fork seals!

ensclark · 10-28-2004, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Roper

I can get your Harley in there easy...you just need a bi/tri-folding ATV ramp, and back your rear wheels into a ditch, dip, over a curb etc., to get the tailgate lower.

Walk alongside the bike with the engine running in 1st gear and clutch it. Easy duz it! Do it all the time. I became sick of being a trailer mechanic, wheel bearings, seals, tires, lights...whatever can go wrong will. If you are racer, you have to though...too much equipment to carry, including tents/awnings, tools, tires, wheels, gas, riding apparel, etc., and a place to stay dry.

It’s not that easy with my '99 heritage, saddle bags and all. I’ve done it. Have the ramps and all. It’s a lot easer to get a small trailer from Home Depot and drive it up in it. They are easy to maintain. Easy grease fittings on the inside of the hubs. I picked it up right after I had to load the bike up the first time. No problems with it and I have to pull it along with my gear where ever I move to with the Navy. And it’s a great storage place when parked.

Hatchman · 10-28-2004, 07:09 PM

My old Dodge Dakota would bend up as well. The best thing is to use a Baxley Trailer chock when tieing the bike down. When using the Baxley Chock, the bike will stay up by itself, you just ratchet it down to keep it from slideing back and forth, really easy for one person to handle too. And, you don't have to ratchet down real tight on the rachets, just enough to keep it in one spot.

I use the Baxley trailer chock, Canyon Dancers, 4 Akra rachet tie downs with the back two directly to the swing arm so I can rachet them a little tighter without having to compress the hell out of the rear shock, and the bike stays in place no problem.

milleniamarv · 10-28-2004, 08:32 PM

I agree with ensclark that a small trailer makes loading a lot easier. And one should never scrimp on proper tie-downs. Who knows when a senior moment might happen!!!

I was lucky in fairly minor damage to the van and less to the trailer (new tongue and I was back on the road). Sure remembered the trailer was behind me the rest of the trip!

the head · 10-28-2004, 08:53 PM

I didn't notice any real bowing when hauling my R6 racebike or the CRF150 playbike.

SmokenTitan · 10-28-2004, 09:19 PM

I didnt notice it either, however, I've only had a bike in there once...

2 or 3 ATV's, but only the one time wih the bike, thanks for the heads up, I'll be looking next time...

Tom Roper · 10-28-2004, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milleniamarv

I agree with ensclark that a small trailer makes loading a lot easier. And one should never scrimp on proper tie-downs. Who knows when a senior moment might happen!!!

I was lucky in fairly minor damage to the van and less to the trailer (new tongue and I was back on the road). Sure remembered the trailer was behind me the rest of the trip!

I had an '83 GS1100ED just like your '82, only red with blacked out engine. Many fond memories...even a trophy...

Huey130 · 10-29-2004, 07:08 AM

I carry a LOT of bikes and used to in my F-150. I bet you a dollar the bed always bowed and you just never noticed it.

The Baxley chocks are nice but a bit of overkill for my taste. I like the more simple pitbull or pingle chocks:
http://www.pingelonline.com/removable_wheel_chocks.htm

Not only can you pull tight up against them but they also hold the tire from side to side movement that happens even with a propoerly installed canyon dancer.

As much as I llike Charlie V at Pitbull I gotta say I like the pingle chock better but I will point out that we use nothing but pitbull stands!

Hey: My first post here!

hogboy · 10-29-2004, 10:55 AM

It would be nice if Nissan (or aftermarket) would make a wheel chock that would fit into the utilitrack that would handle a full size dresser.

rholland · 10-29-2004, 11:37 AM

I prefer to use a trailor, but if I had to use the bed, I would get a board, 2x8, about 5 ft long to put in frount of the tire, between the tire and the bed. That should protect the bed somewhat.