[siam]

So just got a new TRD 4by Taco and shiet ! takes getting used to ramping up the bikes up there.. and on stock height too.. So the question is are there junkies out there with lifted pick-ups and how hard is it to get your bike on the bed?

 

[jonesti]

What I used to do was to back up to any type of hill, driveway, embankment so when I droped the tailgate it would lessen the angle. Watch the ramps though! The guy I bought my KX250from was walking it up his shoe slipped, his leg went between the bars, and he snapped his leg. Worst part was he was alone in his alley for about 3hrs till his neighbor heard the screams!.

 

[gnarly sprockets]

I bought an extra wide (24") aluminum cargo ramp from a metal recycling center. It is kinda heavy but real strong and stable and I ride my bike into my truck.

 

[siam]

I bought an extra wide (24") aluminum cargo ramp from a metal recycling center. It is kinda heavy but real strong and stable and I ride my bike into my truck.

This is a good idea, a good solid wide ramp. thinking of lifting the truck 3' .. :hmmm:

 

[Jekyll]

I got one of those wide ramps too. The kind that folds in the middle. Makes loading any bike alot easier.

 

[woods247]

have you considered a hitch rack? joehauler.com has a good one.

 

[Eric Landstrom]

I'd like to buy a full size truck, but these days all the trucks are too high. Now I'm looking at a 2WD Dakota, and then not the new '05 ugly one.

 

[fivestar13]

I got one of those wide ramps too. The kind that folds in the middle. Makes loading any bike alot easier.

This is a great way to go. Easy to load and very secure. Plus if you ever pick up a quad for the kids or something...it can tackle that job as well. Get the one that has a slight curve...works great and you can pretty much just ride it up. I have also seen a ramp that attaches to the tailgate and slides out...pretty trick. Local bike shop rolls like that to pick up customer bikes. By the way...for the guy buying the 4wd Taco...that's what I drive and I am happy with it

 

[siam]

hehe I got a 14 inch wide and 7 1/2 feet long.. just have to develop the balls to ride it up I can ramp it up nice, that is now that it's on stock trim.
Have a hitch attachment on my Rover but I only want to use it for my dirtbike.

 

[bdmmotard]

using friend's trucks i find it's really easy to ramp up in the morning, and waaaaaaaaaay harder at the end of the day. Damm things seem to get taller while you're on the track.

long ramp + using your bike stand as a step stool on the way up works well. i plan on just getting a little beater 4 banger toyota...thems is easy to load!

 

[brian]

I share a 2wd van and use a 2 wheel drive Toyota.....I have helped push bikes onto stock 4 x4's nooooway after a long day of racing....not a chance......I guess I'm gettin old ,function before form.....

 

[isldtime]

I have a 4wd Ford 150 & use the wife as a bit of push & a milk crate as a step at the tail gate but only on a slope, otherwise it's 2 big dudes on the flat.

 

[SCQTT]

Most new trucks, the Taco included, have an ass high stance that looks bad anyway. This makes loading bikes even more of a bi yotch.

Get some 3" over Old Man Emu coilovers for the front and leave the back stock this will give you a nice aggressive somewhat pre-runner look and make your bikes much easier to load.

Be careful, I got rid of my Taco after hauling a bike and having the tailgate fold up like a cheap suit (short doublecab bed so the rear wheel was on the gate) Toyota said tough luck the tailgate was not designed for that use. I sold it the next week, the only reason I need a truck is for motorcycles. Maybe one of those aluminum diamond plate inside tailgate covers would increase the strength.

 

[The Mad Brit]

Guys, you are ALL missing the boat here................TWO RAMPS! REPEAT.............TWO RAMPS! (Alloy ones, at least 8 feet)

One for the bike, pne to walk on. Use tie-downs on BOTH ramps to attach to your tailgate or bumper, then start the bike and walk it up on the clutch. EASY EASY EASY/

TWO RAMPS! Trust me, I've been loading streetbikes SOLO into trucks for years! I have even loaded a BMW K1200LT into a trcuk singlehanded in SNOW!

TWO RAMPS, Tie them to your truck so that if you give it too much gas by mistake, it doesnt spit the ramp out, then walk it up on the clutch.

 

[Moistmaster]

Guys, you are ALL missing the boat here................TWO RAMPS! REPEAT.............TWO RAMPS! (Alloy ones, at least 8 feet)

One for the bike, pne to walk on. Use tie-downs on BOTH ramps to attach to your tailgate or bumper, then start the bike and walk it up on the clutch. EASY EASY EASY/

TWO RAMPS! Trust me, I've been loading streetbikes SOLO into trucks for years! I have even loaded a BMW K1200LT into a trcuk singlehanded in SNOW!

TWO RAMPS, Tie them to your truck so that if you give it too much gas by mistake, it doesnt spit the ramp out, then walk it up on the clutch.

Yup, that's what I do, Actually I use a nice Alloy ramp that I bought for the bike and I bought a 6 x 2 plank with a 4 x 2 bolted to the back for strength which I use for me to walk the bike up. "Easy Peesy Lemon Squeezy".
Note to self though, make sure you tie the ramp to the truck when you are loading the bike. I didn't do that one time...gave the thumpa a little too much gas, and the ramp flew 20 ft down the street, luckily no-one was hurt.

Moisty

 

[sporty 66]

use two ramps but if your having alot of trouble trade it in for a van (gmc savana or sumthing similiar)

 

[SMR]

Watch the tailgate on the new 05 Toyota Tacoma....200lbs limit on it. I just bought a little 4-banger prerunner and found that out after a bit of research.

My advice....two ramps makes like easier...and tie them down like others mentioned.

 

[keithwwalker]

I was thinking of getting one of those double cab VW's - either the old pre'67 Type 2 or the Transporter/Vanagon variety.

The beds on them are just as high as most new V6 pick ups.

 

[yamatr3]

That tailgate load rating is crap! What can you do withn 200 lbs? Almost nothing. I guess that means my old girlfriend couldn't even sit on the tailgate!! LOL One big question though, I believe I have seen advertisements with motorcycles in the truck beds of Toyota's right?? If I have, how did they get the bike in there? I guess you have to buy a new trailer (to haul your forklift, so you can load your bike into the back of the pickup so as to not touch the tailgate). LOL :laughingr Siam, I'm not trying to bag on your new taco purchase, just poking fun at Toyota.

 

[want2race]

I just ride it up. I use a single 7 or 8 foot long 14 inch wide ramp, has a slight bend to it for strength. Loaded in a 4x4 F150. No way I can push it up after a days ride.

After getting used to it with the dirt bike, I started riding my ZX6R up the same way. I do get odd looks when I do that though.

I've never dumped the race bike, but I did have one mishap with the dirt bike. Make sure you get a nice level (left to right), long run towards the ramp and strap it to the truck. I tried to hurry it up on a sideways slope with a short runway. Launched myself over the side of the bed. Bike stayed in, I didn't. It was kind of funny, after the embarassment wore off. No stitches, but it was bloody.

On level ground, it's pretty easy.