Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
posted January 21, 2003 06:14 AM
Edited By: Ninjaman12R on 21 Jan 2003 06:15
Need Info on Bike Ramps......... Ok, I know somebody here can help a brother out on this one. Instead of trailering my bike to DG5 this year I want to haul it in the back of my truck. My trailer is made to haul 2 bikes, and is really too big to use just for one bike. I've used it for one bike several times, but it's almost not worth the hassle, plus I can't tow it in overdrive. No O.D. with a 3:55 gear ratio equates to around 3k rpm when I run the speed limit. Take my word for it, a 5.9L Mopar will goddamned suck a 26 gal. tank dry way too fast in that situation. Anyway, I need suggestions on a good ramp.
I saw some guys using ramps at DG1 to load their bikes. They were arched instead of being flat. I'm sure this is to try and help prevent dragging the fairing while loading the bike. That's my only concern, I do NOT want to scratch my bike up while loading or unloading. My truck is a 2WD, but still sits kinda high for a 2WD. ('99 Dodge Ram Quadcab) Who can point me in the right direction???? I know I could probably call Chaparral, or do a search, but I'd rather hear from someone who has experience with a particular unit. I'd like to order one asap. Thanks in advance.
____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
posted January 21, 2003 07:28 AM
Hey YCIS...... I bet you've got the 750lb capacity ramp. I just talked to Marty @ Handi-Ramp and he give me the "skinny" on the ramps. The 500lb. capacity ramp is 78" long, the 750lb. capacity ramp is 89" long with a 2.5" arch. The 750lb. cap unit is $107 and some change. (I think) Both ramps are 12" in width. Looks like quality stuff, and worth the loot. Now I'm trying to figure out exactly how I'm going to haul the ramp with the bike loaded. I'm not even sure I can close my tailgate with the 12 loaded, I haven't measured it, or my truckbed. It's a standard truckbed, not a longbed.
Also, will the front fender hit the front of the truckbed????
Just trying to get all this sorted out before May. Thanks for the input. ____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
posted January 21, 2003 08:13 AM
I guess I could.......
quote:What? You can't lift your bike into the truck yourself? Pussy!
I guess I could let you stand in the back of my truck and inhale real hard to load my bike 4 me. "Hey Otis, suck my bike up into the back of my truck". Ya fuckstick........
swft,...I'll check that one out.
Ycis, sounds like you got a good deal, not sure I understand about the "foot" part????
____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
posted January 21, 2003 08:30 AM
Hey swft...... I definitely like the "Ready Ramp" the best. I wish it had some "fingers" to go over the tailgate. I think that would give you a little more clearance when loading & unloading. Other than that, and the price, I can't find anything wrong with it. Very versatile IMHO. Thanks for the info.....
____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
posted January 21, 2003 08:45 AM
I bought one like YCIS has from my local dealer for around 50 when I bought a bike a few years ago. I put duct tape under the ramp where it touches the tailgate so it wouldn't scratch anything. Mine will "barely" fit crossways in the back of my S-10.
When I haul a bike in the back, I just secure the ramp with some bungees alongside my bike since my tailgate won't close then anyway. The ramp has a lil arch to it and has worked flawlessly for me. Sometimes you need to put a block of wood in front of the tire to keep the fender from rubbing. A Blackbird was that way for me. My 12 wion't rub in my S-10, but in a taller bed it would for sure. Wheel chock would fix that problem.
Also, if you decide to ride your bike into the truck, make sure you secure the stinking wire cable to your bedside so the ramp won't slip out from under you on the way up. Ask me how I know.....
Since your truck is so high, try to find a ditch or hill to use for loading. Makes it easier for sure.
____________
RED NINJAS RULE!!
posted January 21, 2003 09:24 AM
I need a digital camera.
I have a homemade ramp made of a 2x12 and some 1/4" diamond plate. I welded a 1 1/2" angle iron across the plate for a pocket the 2x12 slips in and left about 12" of plate sticking out the front then bent it down(with heat). This big "foot" gives lots of leeway for sliding around without coming off the tailgate. Bolt the 2x12 to the plate then cut to length so it will fit in your bed. Then cut another the same length. Now build an adjustable stool with a wide base that you can put in the middle. Now you have a 6' board up to the stool and another 6' board up to the tailgate. Adjust stool height to give the desired "arch". You can do this in an hour for under $25 and still be able to shut your tailgate. You need a 12' 2x12 and a couple 2x4's...... and someone to make the plate (you can buy 'em at some hardware/sporting goods stores).
____________
"Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional."
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
posted January 21, 2003 09:53 AM
Greg........ I've actually thought about building my own. It just depends on what "scrap" materials we have in the fab shop. I've got access to the machine shop and can build just about anything, the problem is getting off my lazy ass and out of the office long enough to go do it.
____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
posted February 13, 2003 11:05 AM
I had one made... several layers of 3/4 ply, about 8' long... 1" tall edges and an expanded metal surface... it's loaded many a bike.
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
posted February 13, 2003 11:13 AM
my ramp is made flat, and folds in half in the middle...it cost me 189 dollars from my dealer, when opened up its 48 inches wide.....it rocks...I can remember who made it though sorry
____________
When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
posted February 13, 2003 01:09 PM
As to the problem of securingthe bike in the truck....
When me and Ted (Wrenis Pinkle) put his bike in the back of his truck, we used one of those Pingle (I think) things that hold the front wheel.
We had to do some rigging with that because it gets way too close to the brake disks. We cut a large rubber pipe seal in half and attached it to the front side of the pingle and placed a board under the tire to raise it up a little.
If you don't wanna go to all that trouble, people have been jamming the front wheel of motorcycles against truck beds for years, you'll just have to take off the front fender.
We could not close the tailgate as I recall, but it wasn't a longbed truck.
YMMV
____________
If you build something Idiot Proof, The world will build a better Idiot.
posted February 13, 2003 02:02 PM
I put a 2x4 up against the back of the bed in the truck...kept the front wheel far enough out to keep the fender from hitting.
____________
Do not taunt happy fun ball!
HOME
NEW TOPIC
posted January 21, 2003 06:14 AM
Edited By: 
posted January 21, 2003 07:14 AM
posted January 21, 2003 07:28 AM
Ya fuckstick........
posted February 13, 2003 10:33 AM
