Honda FourTrax in '02 XTRA Cab Bed Question

I've scoured the nets for this, and I've got some ideas, but wanted to see if anyone else on here on the TW would have an exact answer for me...

So, I have a '99 Honda FourTrax that I need to haul in my truck bed this weekend, and I can't keep the tailgate down because I'll be hauling the boat as well. My boat is a custom, 12' aluminum skiff that is super lightweight so I'm not worried about the weight, I just need to be able to haul the trailer and would like to not have to keep the tailgate down.

Does anyone have this kind of a set-up? Do you know if I'm going to be able to fit it in the bed or am I going to have to make some type of modification?

I'm hoping someone out there will be able to help with something this specific.

Thank you.

 

My mom has one of those, and I want to say that it would fit buuuuutttt... I've never tried it.

The internet puts the 4trax at 78.1 inches long, and the tacoma's bed is 74.4 inches long. But you might be able to close the tailgate and have the rear fender and muffler stick out over it.

You could also get a Diamondback tonneau cover and load your fourtrax on it.

 

roll it up the bed, strap it down securely, leave tailgate down, get extended hitch, lock in boat. Get the fuck out there and catch me a big one w/ a beer in each hand. like a boss.

Oh right if you have the converter for trailer lights you might need to get an extended harness for that too.

 

Extended hitch is a good idea... I'll definitely get a picture for you We'll be shooting ducks this weekend (I hunt every Saturday morning during the season) but my wife wanted to go and bring the wheeler so we could ride my son around (he's 4). I have a trailer for the wheeler, but obviously can't take both trailers at the same time.

I'll get extensions and get it hooked up. Thank you for the suggestion- I'll try that route.

 

OH shit, you're in Houston.

Just make sure the extended hitch, ball, is also secured. I hate shit flying around on the highway. Take measurements of how much room you need to safely have the tailgate down and go to a shop and ask them for suggestions.

 

When I haul my motor bike in truck and pull a trailer I push the tailgate tight to the rear tire and run a ratchet strap from bumper to truck tie downs. Nothing has ever moved on me.

 

Honda FourTrax TRX300 1999 specs

Below are some specifications of the Honda FourTrax TRX300 1999 model



ATV Type : Utility Quad Bikes
Model ID : TRX300

Engine

• Engine Detail : 282cc, air cooled, single cylinder, 4-Stroke
• Engine Capacity : 282cc
• Type : 4-Stroke
• Cooling : Air-Cooled
• No of Cylinders : single cylinder
• Bore / Stroke : 74mm x 65.5mm
• Ignition : Solid state digital CD with electronic advance

Fuel

• Fuel Tank Capacity (Gal) : 3.3 gal.
• Fuel Tank Capacity (Liters) : 12 liters

Dimensions and Weight

• Length (Inches) : 75.2 in
• Width (Inches) : 45.6 in
• Height (Inches) : 42.9 in
• Seat Height (Inches) : 31 in
• Ground Clearance (Inches) : 8.6 in
• Wheelbase (Inches) : 48.6 in
• Dry Weight (Lbs) : 526.9 lb
• Length (mm) : 1910mm
• Width (mm) : 1158mm
• Height (mm) : 1090mm
• Seat Height (mm) : 787mm
• Ground Clearance (mm) : 218mm
• Wheelbase (mm) : 1234mm
• Dry Weight (Kg) : 239 kg

Suspension, Brakes and Tires

• Suspension - Front : Double wishbone, 5.1
• Suspension - Rear : Swingarm with single shock, 5.1
• Brakes - Front : Dual Hydraulic Drum
• Brakes - Rear : Drum
• Tires - Front : 23 x 8-11
• Tires - Rear : 24 x 9-11

Carry Racks

• Rack Capacity - Front (Lbs) : 66 lb
• Rack Capacity - Front (Kg) : 30 kg
• Rack Capacity - Rear (Lbs) : 132 lb
• Rack Capacity - Rear (Kg) : 60 kg

Towing Capacity

• Towing Capacity (Lbs) : 850 lb
• Towing Capacity (Kg) : 386 kg

 

Hey, neat. I looked up 'my' info on a page I had bookmarked for my mom's fourtrax (I order parts for her occasionally) but hers is a 2002. That's a whole three inches shorter lol
http://www.atvsource.com/manufacturers/honda/2002/rancher_4x4_and_rancher_4x4_es.htm

 

Just be careful loading and not to smash your back glass out, especially if you have a winch. I have a 6x6 I put against the front of the bed to make sure this doesn't happen.

 

yeah it seems they ran from 93-00 and then changed in 01.

 

Stupid question, but have you tried hitching up the trailer with the tailgate down? I know my pop-up tent trailer fit with the gate down, but would hit during tight turns. My little utility trailer, however, fits with the gate down no problem.

Also, I've seen plenty of people load 2 quads in the bed of a full size truck, where they load them both on their ass end. You look to only be a couple inches longer than the bed, so you would't have to load it all the way vertical, but maybe throw a 2x6 on the front of the bed so the wheels sit on top, then, if the gate still doesn't fully close, I bet you can strap it most of the way closed and be plenty clear of the trailer.

 

any reason why you cant stand it on its end and tie it down?

 

where theres a will theres a way... :/

 

not on a highway...

 

That looks like a roll over waiting to happen

 

Imagine maneuvering tight, narrow, lanes when they have construction going on. AKA 35 TO DALLAS.

 

I have inverted my receiver hitch and switched the ball around so you have a drop down on your receiver hitch. As light as your boat is should not affect anything.

 

Only in a world where trailers don't exist.....

 

Well boys, we're half way there. It would fit in the bed with the tailgate- I believe- but when I have the tailgate down it will give me room to put all the bags and stuff in the bed in front of the tires. Also, I was really worried about breaking my back glass, so the extra room will keep that from happening. I got the electrical extension from Tractor Supply ($5.00) but they didn't have the extension I was looking for.

With my boat trailer, I'm worried about tight turns and smashing my tailgate. If I just had to drive straight, we'd have no problems, but any sort of tight turn at all- I'm worried I'd crush or break either the winch post or my tailgate.

Here is what it looks like:

 

I did not see this (I read back through just to be sure), have you tried hooking the boat up and see what articulation you have with the tailgate down? maybe you won't even need to worry. as long as you are not cutting 90° angles it may be fine.