R3 + shortbed = what the hell are you doing?

[Danvitt]

Anyone ever haul one of these in a short bed truck? Going to go get my bike tomorrow. 10 hours there and 10 hours back. From my measurements of what I can find online the rear tire will sit on the tailgate. Might buy a 2x10x8 for the tires to sit on so all the weight wont be on the gate. If it works it'll save me a couple hundred, if not I'll just have to hit U-haul up for a trailer when I get there. I'm impatient and I don't always do the smartest thing (Like having someone else bring it to me).

 

[Mittzy]

Anyone ever haul one of these in a short bed truck? Going to go get my bike tomorrow. 10 hours there and 10 hours back. From my measurements of what I can find online the rear tire will sit on the tailgate. Might buy a 2x10x8 for the tires to sit on so all the weight wont be on the gate. If it works it'll save me a couple hundred, if not I'll just have to hit U-haul up for a trailer when I get there. I'm impatient and I don't always do the smartest thing (Like having someone else bring it to me).

I like your style mate, asking the questions sounds smart to me.
I assume the 2x10x8 is a timber plank??? Good idea maybe brace it or put on rubber to avoid slipping assuming the bed of the truck is painted or poly liner.

 

[warp9.9]

Pain in the arse getting it in and out of the truck. UHaul trailer safer easier . My 2 cents worth.

 

[Bob R]

Pain in the arse getting it in and out of the truck. UHaul trailer safer easier . My 2 cents worth.

I'll double down on his 2 coppers.

If you go to youtube and look for motorcycle load fails you will see they all have nearly one thing in common, a high (think pickup) platform they are trying to load on. If watching them doesn't convince you to get a U haul then at least you may be able to learn from the mistakes others have made trying to load motorcycles into pick up trucks.

bob

 

[Danvitt]

Lol, I love watching those videos. In my case the dealer has a loading dock. Not sure if its fit for pickup truck use though (it may be too high). To unload I intend to use a ditch or whatever terrain I can find. In any case I won't be using the ramp thing. I think I might be leaning towards the trailer. My gate is rusty and while the a board under the tires will hold it up I'm bet a worried about sliding. If I can just find someone to drive the truck I'll ride the bike back

 

[rocketjohn]

Yep ride the bike and get someone to follow in the truck! Rockets are heavy heavy and way too pretty to drop from a height!

 

[Rocket3Pilot]

+1 don't do it! Not just heavy, but very top heavy and you have at least 2 chances of screwing up, one loading, and one unloading. Not even worth doing in a regular bed pick-up IMO.

Rent or borrow a low trailer and be patient. The other option is take a bus and ride it back?

 

[1olbull]

Perhaps someone has a trailer to loan . . . ?
I have a great new solo trailer that just hauled my R3R 2500 miles on way to Texas.
Too bad I be in WA State . . .

 

[Kruser]

Anyone ever haul one of these in a short bed truck? Going to go get my bike tomorrow. 10 hours there and 10 hours back. From my measurements of what I can find online the rear tire will sit on the tailgate. Might buy a 2x10x8 for the tires to sit on so all the weight wont be on the gate. If it works it'll save me a couple hundred, if not I'll just have to hit U-haul up for a trailer when I get there. I'm impatient and I don't always do the smartest thing (Like having someone else bring it to me).

If you have access to a truck loading dock at each end of the trip, it can be done. I took a day and built a Harbor Frieght 1700# trailer to drive 1000 miles one way to get my Rocket. About $350 complete.

 

[budman]

fly out, ride it back..