Truck loading ramp solutions

[Bad324]

This year it looks as if I will be making some road trips where I want to take the bike with me. I have an 04 Silverado from work that doesn't currently have a hitch so trailering isn't an option....yet. In the mean time I am trying to find a decent solution for a good, safe yet inexpensive ramp to load the bike in the back of the truck solo

[granda080]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44649

$70 bucks

[MidgetTodd]

He'll rake the hell out of his lower fairing with those on the tailgate. too steep.

[Bad324]

they are gonna be too short. I shoulda mentioned I'll probably need 8-10' ones because of the height of the truck

[MidgetTodd]

I find somthing to back up to

[swingset]

I find somthing to back up to

Yup, sounds incredibly simple but almost everywhere you go there's a driveway slope or grade that makes this simple with even a short ramp. I do it whenever I load a big bike in my truck....sure helps when you're by yourself.

[granda080]

How about going to Lowes/Home Depot and buying a nice piece of lumber. Get some nice heavy steel, 2 heavy duty nuts and bolts and make some. I guess it depends on how much you want to spend.

Google is our friend: http://www.ehow.com/how_2364131_build-motorcycle-ramp.html

[garysol1]

I spent $15.00 at Lowes for a ramp "kit" that consists of 2 pieces of angled aluminum that bolt onto a pair of 2x8's. You can cut the 2x8's as long or as short as you like....

[natedogg624]

http://www.readyramp.com/

[Tonik]

You need something wide, so you can plant your feet and power walk it up. And you need something strong and it has to be curved like a hill. It ain't gonna be super cheap. 300 t0 500 for the basic models.

Here is how you do it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iucl8PYZX5E&feature=related

The website from the video...they look expensive.

http://www.scorpionramp.com/BuyNow.php

Here are some cheap ones I found on google, but I have no idea of the quality.

http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle_ramp_page.htm

[garysol1]

So where do you put that monstrosity once the bike is in the truck?

You need something wide, so you can plant your feet and power walk it up. And you need something strong and it has to be curved like a hill. It ain't gonna be super cheap. 300 t0 500 for the basic models.

Here is how you do it:

The website from the video...they look expensive.

http://www.scorpionramp.com/BuyNow.php

Here are some cheap ones I found on google, but I have no idea of the quality.

http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle_ramp_page.htm

[SAMBUSA]

A hitch is pretty cheap. So are trailers

[jarvismb]

I spent $15.00 at Lowes for a ramp "kit" that consists of 2 pieces of angled aluminum that bolt onto a pair of 2x8's. You can cut the 2x8's as long or as short as you like....

I have this exact solution. I used a length of 2"x12" and it's plenty of width to load it into a cargo van from a level surface, then I just toss the thing in the back with the bike.

Super cheap, super easy. I was surprised how little it bent when the bike went up it. A lot sturdier than I thought it would be. Just push the little bastard up and you're ready to go....

[vw151]

Iron Pony has a bunch of Ramps. You could go down there and look at the very least to get ideas. Or just buy one while you are there. That is how I have always seen people put bikes in trucks.

[Bad324]

A hitch is pretty cheap. So are trailers

That would be my preferred plan honestly but I have to see if I can clear it with the boss, afterall we do have a full service maintenance garage. Its just a matter of depending how business goes this year, rumor has it we may be getting new trucks so not sure if he would sign off on me having the guys install a hitch.

I like those wide ones because I just feel like my dumbass would find a way to drop the bike trying to walk it up a single narrow ramp

[chevysoldier]

Well, hills are always a great alternative.

or

$270 and they fold up

http://www.rvprotectionproducts.com/index.php?p=product&id=741&parent=5

When you get a hitch this may be an option:

http://www.amazon.com/MasterBuilt-Receiver-Mount-Motorcycle-Carrier/dp/B00067MVBS

Edited February 4, 2010 by chevysoldier

[garysol1]

Again I have to ask.....with a ramp that big where do you store it once the bike is in the bed of the truck?

Well, hills are always a great alternative.

or

$270 and they fold up

http://www.rvprotectionproducts.com/index.php?p=product&id=741&parent=5

]

[chevysoldier]

Just fold it up and set it between the bike and wheel well of the truck. Or if you can manage it, park the bike on the ramp. or even right up against the back of the cab maybe?

[garysol1]

As big and heavy as some of those folders are I would be really worried about them tearing up some plastics on the bike if they at all shifted while going down the road. I use the 2x8's but I am a bit nervous when loading or unloading alone

[flounder]

I have a set of the steel lawnmower ramps from sears. Long, Folding, and arched so you dont scratch your bike's underbody. $100 oh yeah and they are damn stong. I actually lay them on cinder blocks and drive my car up on them when I need to change the oil.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=ramps&x=0&y=0&vName=

[Ziggy]

I have the Harbor Freight ramps and have used them to load bikes into lots of different trucks, ranging from my 2wd S10 all the way up to stock 4wd Rams and Silverados. I've found that the pitch of the ramps isn't so bad if you back up to a curb for loading and unloading. My subdivision has those sloped "no-cut" curbs, and I just park the truck at the end of the driveway out in the road for a couple of minutes, and run the bike up there. Last summer, I loaded my lowered VStar in a 2009 4wd Silverado that way, and didn't scrape a thing.

Also, if you've got a pair of oil change ramps, you can drive the front end up on those, and it'll really affect the angle of the ramp in the back.

[Bad324]

I have a set of the steel lawnmower ramps from sears. Long, Folding, and arched so you dont scratch your bike's underbody. $100 oh yeah and they are damn stong. I actually lay them on cinder blocks and drive my car up on them when I need to change the oil.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=ramps&x=0&y=0&vName=

Bingo....that would be an excellent alternative, I'll have to look in this

[jblosser]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07124649000P?keyword=ramps

I have these. $130. Curved at the top as you can see, and as Flounder said. 5 years of loading the tractor, no issues except the plastic thingys that cover the 'fingers' will go missing if you aren't careful... The holes are serrated, like a cheese grater, to provide traction.

If you're worried about scraping bodywork just whoolie it up the ramp then grab the brakes real quickly, ya pansy.

[wrillo]

When I needed a ramp I used a good ladder, and put wood over the ladder

its really handy with hover trucks

[MidgetTodd]

^^^^^^^^ graphic artist