Hauling

Any problems hauling bikes in the four door short bed models? I have a 2004 Honda CRF 250X and 2007 Suzuki DRZ 400s. I have measured and it appears it will work with the tailgate down of course. It is approximately 6ft to center of the back wheel on both bikes but have not actualy hauled them yet. Are the tiedowns on the rail system strong enough to haul a bike? Any tips would be appreciated.

 

I would not use the rails to die down the bikes, add some d-rings in front but other than that my drz fits in my short bed, well did.

 

I dont work for them or anything, I just like this product
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/product-reviews/69666-hook-ups-dirtbike-solution.html

 

I just put my DR650 into my Acces cab this evening to see how it fits. It is longer then the bed by about 2". So I put the bike in sideways, corner to corner on the side stand. I put a strap to the front D-ring on the opposite side of where the front wheel is. I then used two of the rail tie-downs (TD) to hold the other side of the bike up front. This spread the force to two rail TD. Then I found frame area on the back of the bike to tie down the rear. When I first hooked into the rail TD's it seemed to pull a little so I moved the TD to a point in the rail that has a mounting screw in the rail and it is much better. The Rail TD's are rated at 200lbs.

I hope this makes sense, I'm going to be loading it again tomorrow and I'll try to remember to take some pics. The bike was very secure.

I have a friend that has a GSXR600 and all he has is a piece of plywood with a wheel chock in it on the bed to hold the bike up and he ties the bike to the rail TD's. He does this a lot and travels long mile to where ever he may be racing.

Paul

 

So I took these pics before going to a 2 day 300 mile dual sport. this bike hangs over the tail gait and I wanted it closed.

Left side using 2 rail anchors


View of where I put the anchor over the rail mount bolt


Rear view. You can see there is still room left on this bed. May be different on yours


Right side front is tied to D-ring on bed floor/ rear is to rail anchor


The bike was solid a rock back there. Here is the total rig


The ride was awesome as well!!! WVA is a beautiful state even though I bent the rear wheel, blew out a fork seal and blew out the rear shock seal... It's all good though



Hope this helps

Paul

 

x2. I wouldn't trust those bed rails to hold up a bike. Put some D rings in the front of the bed. I haul a road bike in a short bed without any issues.

 

The JPMetal Fab brackets ktmrider suggested are the best. Bikes sit solid in the back...unlike using the jenky D-rings that Toyota supplies.

I discovered that putting the front wheel against the front and side of the bed also helps. Plus it gives you a tad more room in the middle to tie your gear bag down.

 

I bought the Yotarack, a bit more money, but seems better able to handle two bikes. www.yotarack.com

I used to use the stock tiedowns in the rail, but had repeated heart attacks over railroad crossings, and most any other bumps.

 

Thanks for the pics PSMCN and it looks like that setup works great.

 

The nice thing about JP's solution is that it uses both the front and side rail to stiffen things up.



Never a problem loading two bikes in the truck.

On the other hand, the stock D rings feel like they'll rip out at any minute.



In all fairness, I do know a guy that carried his 950 Adventure around using only those stock D rings for a while. Jenky yes. But they held.

 

When I haul my bike I bolt a 4 ft piece of 90 degree bar to the bed rail and works perfectly the bike doesn't move an inch. I'll take pictures after school

 

Hauled my wifes Suzuki Intruder 800 from southern Tennessee to western Ohio using the bedrail sliders, but had to "double" up on them......slid the back ones up against the fronts and tightened them both down good and hard........can't believe Toyota didn't put Drings in the front of the bed too -- I mean, who the hell hauls their bikes backwards anyway?