which truck to haul bikes?

Discussion in 'Racing & Track Days' started by MiddleTBabb, Jan 25, 2012.

  1. MiddleTBabb

    MiddleTBabb New Member

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    Hello all


    looking to do my first tray day(S!) this year and looking to buy a truck to haul the bikes. I want a regular cab b/c it will be my daily driver as well. Do I need to buy an 8 ft bed? I just measured the pig and it was about 6.5 ft ...

    plus: i heard that they sell these awesome roll out ramps that would be easy to use. (i.e. no trailer required)

    taking a peek at this puppy in the morning:

    2004 ford f150 (reduced price)

    thoughts?:confused:
     
  2. 82ndGreasemonkey

    82ndGreasemonkey New Member

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    I usually use my trailer because I HATE unloading bikes off of a pickup by myself (higher ramp angle. gonna drop one eventually), but the ramp I bought works for both really well. I got it on sale at Harbor freight for $100 or so. Rated to 1500lbs, and is a piece of cake to secure.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  3. BoneJj

    BoneJj New Member

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    I personally prefer extended cab trucks myself. I need room to put stuff.....

    As for bed length, if you are concerned about having the rear tire on the tailgate just put a sheet of plywood in the bed, something around 3/4" thick should do a good job.

    Most trucks use cables on the tail gate but you can get replacements that are basically just 2 metal rods that fold up, they work great and keep the gate from slamming up and down. As long as you secure the bike well it wont be an issue as it is as the rear tire will keep the gate from jumping and braking the cable, but for the price of the replacement solid gate wire/rod or whatever the hell they are called it's not a big price for piece of mind.

    Trailers are nice but can be a royal pain in the butt..... but for long trips they are certainly worth it.
     
  4. rbednar

    rbednar New Member

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    Grease, that's a nice set up. :)
     
  5. 82ndGreasemonkey

    82ndGreasemonkey New Member

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    Thanks rbed

    The trailer was cheap enough to rig up, & it's awesome to have the space for bikes, gear, tools, & a place to sleep if need be- but aerodynamically the damn thing is like towing a barn... it absolutely kills the gas tank.
     
  6. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    I could never go back to a standard cab myself. The extra place just to put your gear is priceless.

    as far as tailgate, I haul with the rear on the tailgate all the time. zero concern or problems.

    I have occasionally turned the bike in the back corner to corner and then you have the room to close the gate - just more difficult to strap.
     
  7. BoneJj

    BoneJj New Member

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    especially if you want to go out of town for the weekend with a friend and their bike as well... lol. Then you have the back to be able to store stuff like bags with clothes and all...
     
  8. crustyrider

    crustyrider New Member

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    the truck you listed has 135K miles? and he said low miles? that is a bit high priced for that "low " of miles but my 2001 extended cab F150 has 200K on it. Get one with an 8ft bed. You will regret it if you don't...
     
  9. Echo3Niner

    Echo3Niner New Member

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    Whatever truck, trailer for sure... Crew cabs are great, people can get in the back, and you don't have to move, just makes life too easy...


    Well, if you get a truck with enough guts (as in 800 ft-lbs of torque), you won't have to worry about that. I can haul a big toy-hauler, with all the trim, and my mileage doesn't change, and I forget the things back there, if I don't look...

    Course, I've got Babe (as in Paul's Blue Ox):
    0204091154.jpg
     
  10. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    crusty is nuts. I don't regret the short bed at all.

    this pic is only to one-up Echo and Greasy - two trailers
    [​IMG]
     
  11. DaHose

    DaHose New Member

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    I say the truck ded length/type doesn't matter if you get something like this.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    You can find models like the top one starting at around $200, but the ones made from nice thick steel seem to really sit in the $400 range.

    Get a good frame mount hitch with a 1000 lb. tongue capacity and you just stick the bike on the back end and put WHATEVER you want in the bed. You can still use a truck topper too, wich doubles as shelter in rainy weather.

    Jose
     
  12. Fazer1Sniper

    Fazer1Sniper New Member

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    After over 200K miles, my frame broke and the motor finally let go on my 91 F150, I replaced it with this 08 Chevy half ton a week ago.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    8ft bed, rubber floor, and crank windows and TOW PACKAGE.
    I have a trailer but sometimes just ramping the bikes up in the bed is a beeter choice for me. I'll be building some bed rails and places to tie down here soon.
     
  13. MiddleTBabb

    MiddleTBabb New Member

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    Wow. Thanks for all the replies this is exactly what I was looking for.

    I want regular cab and short bed to help me run around town (shorter wheelbase, parking, etc)

    Avoiding a trailer cause I don't wanna look at it ( nor do my neighbors)

    Sweet stuff guys thanks
     
  14. BoneJj

    BoneJj New Member

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    having and extended cab isn't all that difficult to park.......... ro drive around. I drove an extended cap s10 and 1500 for years and never had an issue. They just work and are work horses. Trust me, if you get an extended cab you will much more prefer life in general with it. Once you have that extra cab space you will never want a regular cab again. I'm not saying go quad cab, just regular extended cab. Quad cabs are nice but not really needed all that much for myself but the extended cab was always a pleasure!
     
  15. Matasickle

    Matasickle New Member

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    The new Ecoboost F150 (or Raptor) would be nice..
    My friend has a Tundra 5.8L crew cab that hauled two bikes/camping gear/PPE to the track no problem.
     
  16. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    I did that very thing myself. My poor bike. It deserved better than me. I abused that thing from day 1.
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2012
  17. Comicus

    Comicus New Member

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    Babbs you're not really a truck kind of guy. Two words: Molester Van.
     
  18. BoneJj

    BoneJj New Member

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    that would make things really damn easy, lol....

    hell, it's well secured and easy to maneuver as needed and plenty of room for 2-3 bikes maybe 4 if you get one of the big 18 person vans. hell in one of those you could probably put 5 bikes.

    They do have those newer taller vans as well now, I'v been seeing a lot of those on the roads the last couple years. probably could find a few of those used and you would have room to stand and a nice easy vehicle to move stuff in nice and secure.
     
  19. Rollin_Again

    Rollin_Again Member

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    I think you should go for a used El Camino.


    Rollin
     
  20. danr915

    danr915 New Member

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    TBabb.. What do you need a truck for? Just ride the bike! :cool:
     
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