Getting the old girl in my pickup - SV650.org

johnnyrod · 08-05-06, 01:35 PM

Anyone got any top tips for getting my bike into the back of me pickup truck, and for strapping it down? The bed of the pickup is 2.1m and the bike is 2.5m long - it could go in straight with the tailboard down, or at an angle with it closed. What do you think?

08-05-06, 01:52 PM

Have you considered doing it diagonally? Depending on the width of the truck, it might just fit. I'd put the bike almost all the way forward in the middle (say 2" in front of the front wheel) with the tailgate down then do the "pivot on the sidestand" trick to get the front wheel into the front right hand corner (and back wheel into back left) putting the tailgate up should then be possible.

Depending on what your truck's back end is made of, may be worth putting a sacrificial bit of wood under the sidestand before pivoting on it!

Let us know how you get on.

08-05-06, 05:39 PM

At an angle. You can't lock your tailgate open can you?
With the tailgate down and weight on it if you hit any serious bumps the tailgate could get damaged or dislodge the bike. DAMN VW CADDY!! I leave it at that.

08-05-06, 07:03 PM

Our local bike dealer uses a Caddy to move bikes all the time [He has saftey chains on the tailgate] but most bikes fit diagonal across the body

08-05-06, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justmacsv650

[He has saftey chains on the tailgate]

Now you tell me

tinpants · 09-05-06, 12:47 AM

Hmm. Could you not borrow a bike trailer?

09-05-06, 07:54 AM

Get it in diagonally and shut the tailgate if you can, like someone else said get the front wheel as far into the corner as you can. If you have a tie point in the corner tie the front wheel to it.

Get some proper ratchet straps if you can (£10 from Halfords).

Put the bike on the sidestand and strap it down.
Bang it in gear and bungie the fron brake on.

My mate has a Nissan Navara King cab and we've had a CCM R30 in the back this method no problem. Hardest part is getting the bloody thing up the ramp!

Good Luck

johnnyrod · 09-05-06, 08:24 AM

Thanks guys, will give it a go at the weekend. Truck is a Hilux so a bit sturdier than a Caddy, tailgate looks like it's made for jumping up and down on. Don't know anyone I could borrow a trailer from, also haven't wired the towing socket up yet....

09-05-06, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tricky

Get it in diagonally and shut the tailgate if you can, like someone else said get the front wheel as far into the corner as you can. If you have a tie point in the corner tie the front wheel to it.

Get some proper ratchet straps if you can (£10 from Halfords).

Put the bike on the sidestand and strap it down.
Bang it in gear and bungie the fron brake on.

My mate has a Nissan Navara King cab and we've had a CCM R30 in the back this method no problem. Hardest part is getting the bloody thing up the ramp!

Good Luck

As Tricky said, but I'd add; put old cloths between the ratchet straps and the bike to help minimise any rubbing from the tie down straps on the paint/frame, etc.

johnnyrod · 18-05-06, 09:47 AM

Must have boobed the measurements cos the bike went in fine. Made a 7' ramp out of two bits of scaffold plank side by side, and it went straight in, tailboard closed, and a few inches to spare. Didn't fancy the sidestand idea, have done it on ferries but think I might damage the truck bed, so went for straps on the fork tops and across the seat. Managed to go for a drive and get it in and out without destroying it!

http://ww.johnnyrod.co.uk/biketruk.jpg

Thanks for the advice guys

08-05-06, 01:35 PM	#1
johnnyrod Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Doncaster, oop norf Posts: 2,122	Getting the old girl in my pickup Anyone got any top tips for getting my bike into the back of me pickup truck, and for strapping it down? The bed of the pickup is 2.1m and the bike is 2.5m long - it could go in straight with the tailboard down, or at an angle with it closed. What do you think?

09-05-06, 12:47 AM	#6
tinpants Ubique Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire Posts: 643	Hmm. Could you not borrow a bike trailer? __________________ Jesus loves you. Everyone else thinks you're a pillock

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08-05-06, 01:52 PM	#2
Ceri JC Guest Posts: n/a	Have you considered doing it diagonally? Depending on the width of the truck, it might just fit. I'd put the bike almost all the way forward in the middle (say 2" in front of the front wheel) with the tailgate down then do the "pivot on the sidestand" trick to get the front wheel into the front right hand corner (and back wheel into back left) putting the tailgate up should then be possible. Depending on what your truck's back end is made of, may be worth putting a sacrificial bit of wood under the sidestand before pivoting on it! Let us know how you get on.

08-05-06, 05:39 PM	#3
Razor Guest Posts: n/a	At an angle. You can't lock your tailgate open can you? With the tailgate down and weight on it if you hit any serious bumps the tailgate could get damaged or dislodge the bike. DAMN VW CADDY!! I leave it at that.

08-05-06, 07:03 PM	#4
Dicky Ticker Guest Posts: n/a	Our local bike dealer uses a Caddy to move bikes all the time [He has saftey chains on the tailgate] but most bikes fit diagonal across the body

09-05-06, 07:54 AM	#7
tricky Guest Posts: n/a	Get it in diagonally and shut the tailgate if you can, like someone else said get the front wheel as far into the corner as you can. If you have a tie point in the corner tie the front wheel to it. Get some proper ratchet straps if you can (£10 from Halfords). Put the bike on the sidestand and strap it down. Bang it in gear and bungie the fron brake on. My mate has a Nissan Navara King cab and we've had a CCM R30 in the back this method no problem. Hardest part is getting the bloody thing up the ramp! Good Luck

09-05-06, 08:24 AM	#8
johnnyrod Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Doncaster, oop norf Posts: 2,122	Thanks guys, will give it a go at the weekend. Truck is a Hilux so a bit sturdier than a Caddy, tailgate looks like it's made for jumping up and down on. Don't know anyone I could borrow a trailer from, also haven't wired the towing socket up yet....

18-05-06, 09:47 AM	#10
johnnyrod Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Doncaster, oop norf Posts: 2,122	Must have boobed the measurements cos the bike went in fine. Made a 7' ramp out of two bits of scaffold plank side by side, and it went straight in, tailboard closed, and a few inches to spare. Didn't fancy the sidestand idea, have done it on ferries but think I might damage the truck bed, so went for straps on the fork tops and across the seat. Managed to go for a drive and get it in and out without destroying it! http://ww.johnnyrod.co.uk/biketruk.jpg Thanks for the advice guys