Transporting motorcycles in bed (support bracing)?

Hey all,

One of the main reasons I purchased my taco was to have the option to transport my motorcycles.

I noticed that the front of the bed nearest the back glass windshield of the truck is seemingly flimsy in regards to holding a larger motorcycle strapped tight up against it.

I am thinking of getting a piece of angle iron to cut and bolt to the top lip of the front of the bed...something like this

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-2-in-x-72-in-Plain-Steel-Angle-with-1-8-in-Thick-42110/202183506

has anyone else done this? if so what method of support did you choose? pics would be helpful!

Thanks dudes.

 

I carried my KTM strapped up tight to the front of my bed for years with no issues. If you want to have extra support get a tire stop mounted in the bed..

 

I could do that. but I am looking for a more versatile solution. Thanks

My truck bed "headboard" is starting to bow towards the cab. I feel that it will touch the cab once I get my shovelhead strapped up tight. The thing is heavy as shit.

 

a piece of 1/8" angle is not going to do all that much!!

Maybe it is the way your strapping things ??

I haul many strange and interesting things some as much as 1000 pounds

Then I have 4 points to attach to on each side plus the two that are factory that seldom get used

I keep a 4"x4" at the front of the bed

I am sure the rack makes things more solid

 

4x4 sounds like a decent solution but I would loose that 3 inches of space up front. it would certainly be easier though!

 

Do you need every inch of space??

I secure most loads on wheels like a suicide coil .

One strap pulling front

One strap pulling to the back and one over the top

Ratchets all on the right side Because of the bed liner things need to be tightened after they settle


This gives you a look at my rear window protection

 

What about a 1/8-3/16" sheet of steel welded to the front of the bed on all 4 sides - lose practically nothing in terms of space and will reinforce way more than a top brace.

 

When tying down a motorcycle in the bed of the truck you don't need to bind it down until it becomes a monolithic part of the truck. You only need to keep it from moving. 2 ratchets straps up from compressing the forks about 1/2 way are all you need So many people use too many straps and tighten them down until they sounds like a guitar strings then add 2 more straps for god measure. All you are doing is overtaxing your suspension, stressing the bike and tie down points.

The only thing in addition to 2 ratchet straps I use is a Baxley wheel chock. More so because I load/unload bike typically by myself so the wheel chock acts like a second set of hands to hold the bike upright while I get it strapped "in" not "down".

If you are bending deflecting the bead head wall you are doing something wrong.

 

A front wheel chock is about as versatile as you can bet. Drop it in when you need it, pull the oi s and pop it out when you dont. You're back to full bed use. Beyond that if you're strapping it down to the point you're bending things you're doing too much. You just want to keep it from moving too much.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

 

You're pulling too hard on those straps, it doesn't need to be that tight!

Just use 4 straps: 2 to the front tie downs, and 2 to the rear. All 4 straps should go on the h-bars.

 

I added some (3) tie down rings to the bed floor for my bike. they are removable and are completely flat when the attachments are removed. Probably doesnt help with the front bed flex (mine isnt bad even with 2 dual sports in the bed).

 

buy a harbor freight wheel chock and bolt it to a piece of wood. drop it in when you to and slide it out when youre not

 

thanks all,

Just ended up using a pingle wheel chock and converting it to removable so that I can leave it in or remove it as I please...

I decided it was too much work to weld or bolt a piece of steel to the headboard of my bed!

Thanks

 

this is what I use on my trailer, minus the cross piece. I have two bolts running through the bottom front and use the sled piece that holds the wheel.

I also have a second one with the cross piece that I use when I change the oil, that I only need to keep it upright on level ground as it doesn't move.


Now this may be different on the trailer but if the bike is not ratcheted down tight it will move all over the place and it's a pain in the ass to deal with.

depending on the tie-down points determine how you can load. little bikes are probably not a big deal, but when my 700lb baby is in the back I'm taking care not to get it damaged. I use 4 ratchet straps and compress the suspension "enough" to keep it from bouncing and allowing the straps to come loose (which they have on a trip to Florida, so lesson learned right there). my tie-down points are on the floor about 8 inches on either side of the wheels (fronts are as far forward as they can be to "pull" the triple trees downward).