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Hauling a motorcycle in a short bed double cab....

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by ALawrence, Jun 7, 2013.

  1. Jun 7, 2013 at 5:19 PM
    #1
    ALawrence

    ALawrence [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The mrs and I are tossing around the idea of going to sturgis this year with the harley... Well I'm pretty sure all the hotel rooms are probably booked up already.. And way over priced. Was thinking about renting a casita camper to tow behind the truck and putting the sportster in the bed.... Big 1 million dollar question is Will it fit? Would I have to fabricate some type of steel plate to extend the length of the bed? Put it at an angle to clear the wheel well humps? Maybe fabricate some type of winch system for easy loading unloading? Would this work? The harley weighs 556lbs dry... Is that too much weight to put in the bed and pull a camper?
     
  2. Jun 7, 2013 at 5:22 PM
    #2
    ALawrence

    ALawrence [OP] Well-Known Member

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  3. Jun 7, 2013 at 5:37 PM
    #3
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    Yeah, that loader is meant for full-size trucks with 8-ft beds. The loader itself weighs 500 lb!

    You might be able to fit the bike diagonally with the tailgate down. The only way to know is to take a few measurements.
     
  4. Jun 7, 2013 at 5:40 PM
    #4
    ALawrence

    ALawrence [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah... May end up just tent camping.. Was just thinking its going to be a long ride on a sportster...
     
  5. Jun 7, 2013 at 10:48 PM
    #5
    Yamaha Dave

    Yamaha Dave Well-Known Member

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    All you need is a bed extender like the one I have here. My R1 fits PERFECTLY in the back with the extender down.


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2013
  6. Jun 7, 2013 at 11:51 PM
    #6
    gnstalodz

    gnstalodz Well-Known Member

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    i got a fxdx and haven't tried to make it fit yet. but would like to know if it would. they make bike bed extenders
     
  7. Jun 8, 2013 at 9:17 AM
    #7
    my6

    my6 Well-Known Member

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    The problem I see with putting it in the truck is you are gonna have to leave the gate down. If the scoot's in the truck and the rear is on the gate, how are you gonna connect the trailer? It would be difficult to lift the gate to connect the trailer with the rear on the tailgate plus turning with the gate down makes me think it's gonna make contact with the trailer eventually. I'd look into one of the smaller toyhaulers.
     
  8. Jun 9, 2013 at 7:10 AM
    #8
    Yamaha Dave

    Yamaha Dave Well-Known Member

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    ^Ive had the R1 in the bed and connected a boat trailer. Even with the tail gate down, there is pleaty of clearance, but I guess that depends on the style of trailer you're using.
     
  9. Jun 9, 2013 at 7:14 AM
    #9
    Matic

    Matic The "OFG" Baby!!!

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    Yea. My R1 fit in my DC as well. Strait in the rear tire was just past the tailgate crack. Rode really well. I think wet weight was 425?
     
  10. Jun 9, 2013 at 9:04 AM
    #10
    ohpyramids

    ohpyramids Well-Known Member

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    My 460lb KTM made it in ok. You may want to look into a tailgate reinforcement plate though.
     
  11. Jun 9, 2013 at 9:19 AM
    #11
    my6

    my6 Well-Known Member

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    I think you are right. I tried to connect a modified PWC trailer to my 1st gen when helping my Dad move and it looked like it would easily make contact. I sit corrected.
     
  12. Jun 10, 2013 at 7:20 AM
    #12
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

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    Depending on your quality of living standards, I could probably find you a few places to stay in Rapid City (eliminating the camper problem)
     
  13. Jun 10, 2013 at 8:35 AM
    #13
    ALawrence

    ALawrence [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My quality of living standards are low. Was going to stap a tent to the back of the bike if all else fails.
     
  14. Jun 10, 2013 at 8:40 AM
    #14
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    x2, see if the bike will fit diagonally. You probably wouldn't be able to tow a camper with the tail gate down.

    The bed extender does nothing to help with carrying a motorcycle... All it does is give you more room for bulky things, it won't keep the bike in place.
     
  15. Jun 10, 2013 at 10:59 AM
    #15
    ALawrence

    ALawrence [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I measured it diagonally... The wheel wheel hump would put the front wheel to the middle alittle. Looks like I am still two feet short.
     
  16. Jun 10, 2013 at 12:32 PM
    #16
    Yamaha Dave

    Yamaha Dave Well-Known Member

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    Are you kidding me? You dont know what your talking about. LOL how are you telling me it does nothing have you used or seen MY bed extender with MY R1 in the back of the bed? :facepalm:

    I'm telling from first hand experience, I've hauled my R1 400+ miles in the back of the bed with that bed extender. The bed extender closes right down on the rear tire, and locks in with steel locking pins perfectly keeping it from rolling or rocking back. Its not an OEM extender you know. Then I strap everything down, and lock the extender in place. Doesn't rock, move, or buldge one inch.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2013
  17. Jun 10, 2013 at 12:38 PM
    #17
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    I know exactly what I'm talking about and I'll say it again, a bed extender does not do anything for hauling a motorcycle... The bike should be properly secured using straps and should not be able to 'rock' back and forth. If you're relying on the bed extender to keep the bike in the bed, you need to learn to tie a bike down the right way. Just sayin... :rolleyes:

    A bed extender will only help to keep gear in the bed, they're not structural and aren't meant to be.

    Look Ma, no bed extender :laugh:
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2013
  18. Jun 10, 2013 at 1:19 PM
    #18
    ALawrence

    ALawrence [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah I'm not arguing with you guys about a bed extender... I know for a fact it won't hold the bike. I'm worried about weight on the tail gate from the back wheel.
     
  19. Jun 10, 2013 at 1:21 PM
    #19
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    I'd put a piece a board or piece of plywood in the bed that extends onto the tailgate to help the tailgate support the weight. Harleys have a heavier back end than a sport bike.
     
  20. Jun 10, 2013 at 1:24 PM
    #20
    Yamaha Dave

    Yamaha Dave Well-Known Member

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    Your putting words in my mouth I didn't even say. I NEVER once said I use only an extender to haul my motorcycle. I said it HELPS to have one to prevent it from rocking back IN THE EVENT your tow straps come loose or loosen up. My trips consist of 400+ mile trips, and of course I strap everything in correctly I've hauled more bikes than your age, but I also don't drive with my eyes in the rear view mirror 100% of the time on long road trips, which are mostly at night. As far as it being structural, if you knew anything about physics you'd know that when the bike is in the back of the bed, its center of gravity is full forward, not full aft, so the structural loads are no where near the rear of the tail gate. This is also the reason why your able to haul a 400+ bike and not exceed the design loads limits of the tailgate. When the bike is in the bed, its within the CG range. The straps hold the bike in place, the extender is just an added margin of safety.
     

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