Would you vote for a motorcycle trailer or just haul your bike in your pickup?
I'd like to take my bike with me on trips sometimes when we have to use a cage. I've got a Dodge Ram shortbed that it would fit in, but I'm not real crazy about driving up and down a ramp all the time because it's 4x4 and the tailgate is kinda high off the ground. So I'm kicking the idea around of getting a one-bike trailer. If I did that I could pull it with either my pickup or the family car... but then there's the hassle of a trailer, where to store it, flat tires, bearings going out, etc.
Either way has it's pros and cons...
Any opinions on which way to go?
I would vote for long, folding ramps and hauling it in the truck. One less hassle to tow behind you. Plus some states (Kalifornia) have a rather strict speed limit (55) when towing anything and will be more than happy to write you a ticket for going over that limit.
Some of the smaller utility trailers do fold in the middle to make their stored footprint smaller...
+1 with Garth, I use ramps and tie it off in the bed...
Truck is the easy(ier) way to go if you already own truck. Cycle Gear has a nice 1500 lb rated, curved & hinged ramp for ~$80. I paid about 2x for the same thing.
Riding into a 4x4 truck bed? Are you nutty***??? Get help & push in, then tie off. Same with exiting the truck, get assistance to help on the curb side to stop the FJ from going over center, and pulling you with it!
***The bed/tail gate of my 4x4 is about 4 ft high. I'd NEVER ride any bike into there!
Ed
Same here I have carried both my 86 and 89 at the same time in my f250. I use an ATV ramp. Folds in half width wise that way you and your helper can walk up with the bike. Also used 2 HF wheel chock/ stands. The self standing ones. Perfect spacing for 2 fjs.
Put the folded ramp under the rear tire if hauling one bike or between the 2 for spacing.
I always find (even a small) incline to back the truck up to. Helps a lot.
Oh yah I always ride my raptor into the truck. But would never ride a bike, not even into my enclosed trailer. Clearance is reduced too much. A dirt bike, or an adventure bike maybe.
Hey Billy,
Derek and Donna have hauled their bikes in the bed of her Toyota Tacoma for many trips. They use a ramp, but will find something to help with the steep ramp angle such as a loading dock or a small hill to back up to in whatever town they find themselves in. I was around to help load on one occasion and it would have been sketchy if being done alone.
If you have just NO space to put a trailer in or around your house, this question has been answered. As Garth suggested, you're not the first with this issue and there are quite a few small, folding, or portable trailers out there. If you have no need for anything but hauling the bike, there are some very cool trailers that easily fold up for winter storage. :good2:
(http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/2000x2000/147/14717_2000x2000.jpg)
(http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-trailer/folding-motorcycle-trailer/foldable-motorcycle-trailer.jpg)
Even a non-folder like this is light enough that you can just lean it up against a wall when you're not using it.
(http://www.nealtrailermfg.com/images/products/6X8CYCLE-1.jpg)
If you have ANY need for a utility trailer, you will get a ton of use out of a small flatbed that you can put a front wheel chock on when you need it for the bike. My auto-hauler trailer has hauled everything from cars, to 3,000 pounds of construction rubble, a pool table and even my 7-foot tall wine fridge!! I just bought a simple front wheel chock and it's now a motorcycle trailer! Kinda like this:
(http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-trailer/diamond-c-motorcycle-trailer/diamond-c-motorcycle-trailer.jpg)
There's the issue of towing something too...I don't mind it a bit and it gives me lots of room in my tow rig for camping gear and spare parts. If you have something *else* to tow...like a camper...well, you're forced into the pickup bed option for the bike. I typically tow at around 65-70 MPH...even in California...and I feel like I'm holding up traffic. I have never had an issue with tickets for speed, but I have had a cop blip the siren and tell me to get over a lane. Even on a five-lane freeway, you are only allowed in the right-most two lanes for most situations. You wouldn't have that issue with the bike in the pickup.
It's a personal choice with a lot of factors. For me, I prefer to just ride the bike...but if I had to haul it somewhere, I'd go for the trailer for ease of loading alone. :yes:
Maybe this will help?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRvuuCzckJU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRvuuCzckJU)
Yeah Ron, that makes sense. Plus if I get a little trailer, I could pull it with the car for a longer trip, save gas, etc. It's an 08 Impala SS with the 5.3 V8, so torque is not an issue :diablo:
Here's a trailer a guy has that's interesting me:
(http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af341/BILLYMINDER/00909_5wBVAqittwf_600x450_zpslzbeeb5s.jpg)
Wouldn't it look cool all painted up with Chrome rims and maybe some LEDs to light it up?
:good2: :biggrin:
As simi_ed mentioned..... Never ride your bike into the bed of a truck......You will end up on youtube.
https://youtu.be/XRvuuCzckJU (https://youtu.be/XRvuuCzckJU)
I have a SUV, so if I don't ride to my destination, my only option is a trailer. I have a Harbor Freight folding 1200lb capacity trailer. I have over 6000 miles of hauling my FJ to both the West coast and the East coast. 1600 miles of that had 2 FJ's on the trailer. Storage is real easy once folded and stood on end.
Loaded in Florida, ready to head to Kansas.
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/temporary_zps56650978.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/temporary_zps56650978.jpg.html)
Donner Pass, California headed to Utah.
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/IMAG0663_zps81c0a338.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/IMAG0663_zps81c0a338.jpg.html)
I have the Harbor Freight silver wheel chocks.
Fred
I was looking at those Harbor Freight trailers, and read good reviews about them, and horrible reviews about them.
So you've had good luck with them?
Some of the reviewers said they were very cheaply built, had weird size bearings, and the hubs were loose and or wobbly.
Quote from: Bminder on March 11, 2015, 06:17:24 PM
I was looking at those Harbor Freight trailers, and read good reviews about them, and horrible reviews about them.
So you've had good luck with them?
Some of the reviewers said they were very cheaply built, had weird size bearings, and the hubs were loose and or wobbly.
I read up on the reviews also. I agree, they are mixed.
To stack the deck in my favor. When bolting it together, I used blue locktite on ALL the nuts. Before I installed the bearings, I soaked them in Kerosene to get the cheap waxy manufacturer grease out, used compressed air to blow them dry and packed them extremely heavy with Lucas heavy duty synthetic grease. I bought high speed wheels/tires at Northern Tool Company. A few squirts of grease after every long haul and all has been good.
Fred
My vote is a trailer by far after having done it both ways.
There is a bit more to take care of with a trailer -- tires, bearings, lights ... But a lot easier on my body and a whole lot less chance of a very bad oops.
I have a Toyota tundra 4 by 4. I simply find a ditch, and back the truck in with the tailgate down. Once it touches the ground, I drive the bike in. Ramps scare the crap out of me. I will only use them when absolutely necessary. Those little trailers like Aviation Fred's look very handy and easy to load. The only issue for me would be that in crappy weather your bike gets pasted with road grime.
Having said that I also own a 15 foot aluminum box trailer and a ten foot dump trailer. I never use them for picking up bikes. However when travelling long distances in Canadian winter weather a covered trailer is a must. The issue with box trailers is the decreased fuel mileage. My 22 mpg tundra drops to 10 -12 when towing a box trailer.
Trailer...either bike specific or a utility trailer with a wheel chock and tie downs. Makes for easier loading/unloading under normal conditions but also, God forbid, after an accident or breakdown :yes: :good2:
I bought my used, three place trailer...two bikes left/right or one up the middle...for $160.00. Put another $100.00 in to her: new lights, repaint, tongue jack and 10 tie downs in the floor and she works great for long distance hauling with very little effort, (I run a Trailblazer with an in line 4.2 motor).
John.
Quote from: giantkiller on March 11, 2015, 04:41:55 PMI always find (even a small) incline to back the truck up to. Helps a lot.
Oh yah I always ride my raptor into the truck. But would never ride a bike, not even into my enclosed trailer. Clearance is reduced too much. A dirt bike, or an adventure bike maybe.
Giantkller,
Yeah, never ride it into a truck or trailer. Even a tiny mistake can cost a small fortune, beside the risk of injury.
YouTube has videos of many bikes getting high-centered at the top of the ramp, spinning the rear wheel, followed by an expensive crashing sound.
If you can't find an incline, berm, or suitable loading dock, park with both rear wheels in the same dry little ditch, to lower the rear end of the truck.
Bring good help, too.
Cheers,
Red
High centers suck. I knocked my XJ750rh pipes pretty bad loading it into my pickup bed when I bought it. Since then I've built some 14 foot 2x12 side by side ramps re-enforced with angle iron to prevent sag. Even still, getting the bike up-hill of the truck when loading is smart, and I'm not sure I'd try it with something as large as an FJ.
Yah I figured I've taken about 55lbs of the 86 1350 89 about 20lbs. When I pushed them both up into the truck I realized what a big difference 35lbs makes. 86 felt like a dirt bike, compared to the 89.
I have hauled fjs many times in the back of a pickup. My ramp is a 2X10 with 2X4s nailed vertically on each side, eight feet long. On the end of the ramp which rest on the truck I have cut the 2X4s at angle otherwise the bike fouls on the lower fairing. I remove the tailgate and set the ramp on the top of the bumper so there is a smooth transition into the bed of the truck. It takes two committed guys (better with 3!) to get the Fj up the ramp using the front brake for control. Putting the truck in downhill position to the bike or shallow ditch helps a bunch. Stick the front wheel in the front corner of the box...works a bit like a chock.
A bike trailer would be much better....
Jeff
Quote from: simi_ed on March 11, 2015, 04:25:33 PM
Truck is the easy(ier) way to go if you already own truck. Cycle Gear has a nice 1500 lb rated, curved & hinged ramp for ~$80. I paid about 2x for the same thing.
Riding into a 4x4 truck bed? Are you nutty***??? Get help & push in, then tie off. Same with exiting the truck, get assistance to help on the curb side to stop the FJ from going over center, and pulling you with it!
***The bed/tail gate of my 4x4 is about 4 ft high. I'd NEVER ride any bike into there!
Ed
Yup, get help, 2-3 other guys....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLkVIWvf6I4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLkVIWvf6I4)
I do both....
Both have thier challenges,
Loading the bike in the truck by yourself can get challenging, but then again backing and storing a trailer can be a pain as well.
I have an older F-150 2wd and load/unload bikes into it several times a year by myself. After doing it a few times its not a big deal, but then again my bikes are lighter than an FJ... and I spent 20 years racing offroad so got plenty practice.
I do try to get an advantage when loading /unloading like others mentioned above. At home I have a slope next to my driveway that makes loading a snap. When I het to my destination I try to find the same but as long as I plan ahead its not a big deal getting the bike out of the truck.
I use the trailer (14' single axle enclosed) when hauling more than one bike or a large amount of gear (trackdays). I have also used the trailer as a "tin tent" at several rallies when money or accommodations were a little short. I would use it more, but the hassles with traffic, parking, and otherwise dealing with a trail are seldom worth it to me. I also do not like not being able to see my bike, especially after driving down a rough road or crossing RR tracks. I always worry if it fell over or not, no matter how securely it is strapped in.
In the 70's I had a '67 Dodge van and a plywood ramp. In the '90's I had a '92 Dodge Ram 50 (by Mitsubishi) with a different plywood ramp, 24" by however long. The Ram 50 was so low that I was able to load the XVZ1200 by myself, with proper use of terrain. I still have the ramp, but no pickup. In this century I bought a used "trailer in a Bag" at a very good price. In the summer it's in the back of my '03 Vue, which is my "motorcycle rescue vehicle". My wife likes it. If I need rescuing she just drives my car. My first choice would be a van, but it's not practical for me at this time. Second choice is the trailer. I can trailer to WV then store the trailer in the back of my car while I'm riding around Pocahontas County. Which I'm thinking of doing this June with the 650 on the trailer. It and I are too old to ride that far and enjoy it. I rode the XVZ1200 there last year.
Anson
Trailer it. Tractor Supply offers a 6X10 for like $1,300. I know from personal experience that it'll haul three bikes, plus it's useful for all sorts of other things.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/2/12_24_07_11_8_32_08.jpeg)
Cheers,
Dan
Quote from: Dan Filetti on March 13, 2015, 06:17:39 AM
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/2/12_24_07_11_8_32_08.jpeg)
Something's wrong with this picture. :unknown:
Oh, there's no FJ in it! :rofl:
Quote from: FJ1100mjk on March 13, 2015, 07:26:40 AM
Oh, there's no FJ in it! :rofl:
The point has been made previously that there's no way that I could have shoe-horned three FJ's onto that trailer, hell I suspect adding even one FJ would limit trailer capacity to just two bikes.
I have not read all the replies in this thread, but I say trailer. I can load & off-load an FJ on a trailer by myself. I would not try loading or off-loading an FJ into the back of a tall truck by myself, unless I could back up to an embankment or loading dock. The FJ is somewhat of a top heavy, tip over candidate by itself to begin with.
Depending upon your state of residence, you may not have to register your trailer if it is under a certain size. I would look at a flat bed trailer with stake pockets so you could use side-boards on the trailer to haul brush, dirt, etc, & then remove them for bike hauling. Having a "side-board" mounted up front will protect your bike from road grime & rock chips.
Owning a small trailer is very convenient & handy.
I have a Chev S10 low to the ground and this past summer i hauled a few,the 87 is a parts bike and 88 was for Weirzy
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh578/Sabre093/Mobile%20Uploads/20140917_124501.jpg) (http://s1252.photobucket.com/user/Sabre093/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140917_124501.jpg.html)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh578/Sabre093/Mobile%20Uploads/20140820_193420.jpg) (http://s1252.photobucket.com/user/Sabre093/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140820_193420.jpg.html)
A lot of good info here. I will just reiterate that you really don't want to try loading the bike by yourself into the back of a 4x4 pickup bed. Though you might be able to do it no problem, you have a high risk of something going wrong. For example, the bike might tip to the right beyond the point of no return and barrel roll off the ramp. The front fender might hit the top rail of the truck's bed and shatter, while the rear fender cap might land on some nice soft grass and only suffer a small hairline crack (if your lucky). If your luck continues to hold, the bike might continue to roll onto it's tires thus limiting further damage.
(http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab144/FeralG/Arizona%20Trip%202011/DSC00229.jpg)
On a side note, ABS cement works very well fixing shattered front fenders, and electrical tape can provide a certain artistic flair.
You need a minimum of two people to load in a truck, trailer can be done solo .
Trailers are handy for other things but can be a pain to store if space is limited . You can always rent a trailer if needed or borrow from your buddy who never uses his anymore.
When I vacation with my wife , we will take the truck with the fj in the back .. trailer at a hotel /motel kinda sucks with the scumbags trying to steal it.
I bet I am not the only one who pushed the fj inside motel room for the night.
My other bike is longer and in the pickup the back tire would be just on to the tail gate, and I'd hate to have the tailgate bend over time...
Quote from: aviationfred on March 11, 2015, 06:09:59 PM
As simi_ed mentioned..... Never ride your bike into the bed of a truck......You will end up on youtube.
https://youtu.be/XRvuuCzckJU (https://youtu.be/XRvuuCzckJU)
I have a SUV, so if I don't ride to my destination, my only option is a trailer. I have a Harbor Freight folding 1200lb capacity trailer. I have over 6000 miles of hauling my FJ to both the West coast and the East coast. 1600 miles of that had 2 FJ's on the trailer. Storage is real easy once folded and stood on end.
Loaded in Florida, ready to head to Kansas.
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/temporary_zps56650978.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/temporary_zps56650978.jpg.html)
Donner Pass, California headed to Utah.
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/IMAG0663_zps81c0a338.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/IMAG0663_zps81c0a338.jpg.html)
I have the Harbor Freight silver wheel chocks.
Fred
Ahhh so thats where u hook straps on a FJ. The guy that I bought it from hooked it on the grips I did the same when I hauled it to the repair shop now rising sun stickers will be covering the ugly rub through :dash2:.
This is a real handy contraption for clearing the fairing with your tie down straps: http://www.amazon.com/CANYON-DANCER-HARNESS-MOTORCYCLE-32505/dp/B00851UX7Q/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1426292748&sr=8-7&keywords=motorcycle+handlebar+tie+down (http://www.amazon.com/CANYON-DANCER-HARNESS-MOTORCYCLE-32505/dp/B00851UX7Q/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1426292748&sr=8-7&keywords=motorcycle+handlebar+tie+down)
As Ron said, my wife and I have used her Tacoma for many road trips with one or two motorcycles in the back. It is a 4x4 with a 3" lift which makes it fairly high. We have 2 folding steel ramps that store nicely between the bikes. I built 2 wheel chocks that mount to the rail along the top of the box. The Tacomas have a continuous rail on the front and sides that allow you to easily slide tie down hooks to where you want them and lock them down. It's a great system.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/34_14_03_15_9_45_19_0.jpeg)
It's pretty snug but the both fit in there nicely.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/34_14_03_15_9_45_20_1.jpeg)
This was Yellowstone in 2012 on the way to the rally in Colorado. Had to load the bikes in the mud and snow. I try to find a spot with a little higher ground to back up to. It makes loading much easier.
I'm building a trailer to tow behind my SUV for this year's Black Hills rally. It will have a fairly low deck and a folding ramp gate.
Derek
Hey Derek, I'll be Bringing Donna's back up bike. She looks better on it than I do :drinks:
Scott
Hi Scott. She sure does look good on it! That`s one sweet motorcycle!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/34_15_03_15_8_46_44.jpeg)
Thanks again for the loan!
Derek
I like trailers over the back of the truck. Lower to the ground makes it easy to load and the back of the truck is available for storing my gear. You will use more fuel pulling a trailer and half to deal with the extra length. I also have a shell on my truck, taking that on and off sucks.
Kurt
Try to find a trailer with a long tongue on it. Some have an extendable tongue. The longer length will come in handy when backing up. Short tongued trailers will jack-knife on you much faster.
Quote from: ~JM~ on March 16, 2015, 09:24:00 AM
Try to find a trailer with a long tongue on it. Some have an extendable tongue. The longer length will come in handy when backing up. Short tongued trailers will jack-knife on you much faster.
+1
A longer wheel base on the truck and a short wheel base (hitch to axial) on the trailer makes backing up a real $#@&!!!
Quote from: FJmonkey on March 16, 2015, 11:10:58 AM
Quote from: ~JM~ on March 16, 2015, 09:24:00 AM
Try to find a trailer with a long tongue on it. Some have an extendable tongue. The longer length will come in handy when backing up. Short tongued trailers will jack-knife on you much faster.
+1
A longer wheel base on the truck and a short wheel base (hitch to axial) on the trailer makes backing up a real $#@&!!!
Your tongue weight should be 10-15% of the total loaded trailer weight. Backing a short wheel base trailer can get interesting.. The key is to back real
slowly and to do small corrections
immediately. I mean just at the hint of the trailer moving and if it gets over 10 or 20 degrees out of control don't fight it, pull forward and get it back in "trim" then start over.
And no matter how good you are, you will be a bad day and of course you will have an audience of the whole neighborhood of beer drinking friends giving you advice :lol: :lol: :dash2:. But there are those in the bleachers and those on the field.....
George