Motorcycle in the bed

Hey guys, Just had a quick question, I've got a 2011 DBSB, annnnnd with my toolbox in the back, when i load my bike in the back of the short bed, my back wheel basically will be about 4 inches past my tailgate with it down. Now, I've got a pretty good bike ramp...

My question is, is there any I can just slide my ramp up under the tire while its hanging off the tailgate, and have it all strapped down, so the bike is essentially still on the ramp and hanging off the end of the tail gate?

A) is that illegal?
B) I will have many many straps tieing it down and keeping it stable
C) Is there anything else instead of the ramp I can use for this?

I know it seem like alot of work for all of this, but having to take the tool box out everytime I want to haul the bike up to OC is a hassle!

Also, does anyone have any experience with the Hitch motorcycle carriers? I have the fully upgraded tow package and all that, so I guess that would work, I just get nervous thinking about my entire bike only attached to me tow hitch lol!

Oh and I have a @005 Triumph Sprint ST 1050, about 530ish wet weight. Slowly trying to drop weight on it...

 

anythingpertruding 12 inches off the back of a vehicle in louisiana must have some sort of caution device on it such as a red towel or extra brake light. it is legal but must be made clearl visible that you made an effort to show the car behind you that the whell/ etc is sticking out. im not exactly sure what your asking regarding the ramp but best thing is to post pics. my dads a cop, and im sure theres a few cops on here that would love to help..

 

I would just take the tool box out when hauling the bike

 

or there is this option ....

 

Ugh, I know, that's what I usually do, but it's just a hassle lol, having to take the toolbox out, and then hauling it up to my apartment and putting out on the patio..

Mainly what I'm asking is if i can use the ramp as a sort of bed extender, I think it'll work, but will have to anchor the ramp down really tight as well as the bike.

I'm pretty sure CA has laws about things extending out as well, I was already planning on hanging some sort red rag or flag or something off the back of the bike. Just wasn't sure if that was legal to even have it hanging off the tailgate like that or not

 

I'm assuming this is a dirt bike not a street bike... I really hope it is. I cannot imagine putting any type of bike in a SB with a toolbox, the bed is only 5' to begin with.

Might be hard on the rear end but have you looked into a hitch carrier if it is indeed a dirt bike you are hauling?

Like this...

 

Its a sport bike, wet weight of about 530 lbs. Without the toolbox it fits fine, i think the edge of the back tire is like an inch off the tailgate (not the wheelbase). I'm looking into ways to carry the bike without having to remove my toolbox.

 

Bike is a 1,000cc race-style bike. Light but I wouldn't want it hanging off the back end like that. OP, either remove the tool box or get a trailer.

 

Sigh, Yea, these hitch ones make me SUPER nervous, Don't think I could ever get one of those.

However, wondering if anyone read some more about using my ramp as a bed/tailgate extender, obviously a bit more work, having to get the bike up and then lifting the bike to push the ramp up and in...

 

You could do what you're talking about but there are a few things to consider... You'd want a ramp with some sort of V-channel, or a way to keep the rear tire centered instead of just on a flat ramp. You'll also want the ramp secured in the bed so it can't slide side to side or slide out the back. Ideally, if I were to make something like this, I'd use a metal C-channel and find a way to secure it in using ratchet straps or a use the bed bolts to create a secure mounting system.

 

That's a super good idea, I wonder if i can get my fab guy to basically just make me something that I can mount to my 2 back bed bolts that just extends like a foot past the tailgate. just throw it on, have the ramp go to the extender, get bike up on it. Thanks for the brain storming!

would basically be a T. flat plate to mount to bed bolts, C rail at center going out past tailgate...

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that kinda thing...

 

crap those are supposed to be centered lol

 

pic of toolbox in truck from back with tailgate open please...

maybe you can get a piece of metal or even diamond plate and have it cover most of your bed and go about 5" past tailgate? put a hinge on it someplace so you can leave it in there and close tailgate. Maybe in same shape as a bedrug so front wheel will hold it down. You could try and get longer bed bolts so you can bolt whatever u use down to the bed and it wont move around. just some thoughts

 

Yeah, something like that. I'd imagine you want something you could put the ramp at the end of, so you could run the bike up the ramp and it'd be in position. Probably want it fairly easy to remove unless you spend a lot of itme hauling your bike.

Just a thought, you might want to reinforce your tailgate while you're at it. That will put a substantial point load in the middle of the tailgate.

Here's an idea:
2"x2"x1/4" angle iron across the tailgate, welded to a c-channel that extends from about a foot or 2 inside the bed to whatever length you need it behind the tailgate. That way the heavy tailgate reinforcement would be build into that c-channel motorcycle hauling contraption and not on the truck full time. I don't know how you secure the front part to hold it down though but you could put a loop on the back and a simple strap to the D-rings on the bottom of the bed to hold it forward.

 

Ask me how I know. Or you could somehow fabricate a wheel chock to the front of the ramp with the supports on each side, kind of like you wanted your diagram to be. Once the front wheel locks in, side everything forward, end of the ramp comes up,and secure it down!?, or do like my lazy ass and opt for the utility trailer converted into a bike hauler. Sorry, I was probably no help at all.

 

Heres what i use.

 

I personally would not haul my sport bike in a short bed often. That's just me though. I like my bike too much and paid too much for it to let it hang out the back of my truck goin down the road. There are foldable bike trailers that store easy and haul 2 or 3 bikes. That's what I would look into OP. Even with my long bed my rear tire is near the edge of the bed and the tailgate doesnt close if the bike is sitting straight and not angled.

 

Yea, I really only haul it maybe once a month about 100 miles. Im with you, i love my bike,but i haul it for a canyon ride with a friend up north and then don't want to be stuck on a bike all weekend. I fully plan on getting a trailer if some sort, some day, but right now I live in an apartment, so I have no room to store a trailer. This foldable ramp/bed extender idea intrigues me though

 

With a shortbed truck, Id be more concerned about weight sitting on and bouncing on the already weak tailgate on our trucks. Everytime i load up my 1098 i watch the tailgate flex and it only weighs about 400lbs. Can you pull the toolbox and leave it at a friends house or something?

 

What's wrong with hauling a motorcycle in a short bed?? If it's tied in properly, there's no difference between the bike being in the bed vs. flat bed trailer. The bike is actually better protected in the bed vs. an open trailer because it's not eating all the rocks and dirt your rear tires kick up. I used to haul my bike all the time in a short bed and the rear tire ends up being on the tailgate. I made a chock for the front tire so it can't turn, use 4 good straps and the bike doesn't move at all. Maybe I'm missing something but I love my bike and never saw an issue hauling it in a short bed...