Tiedown Locations in truck bed for multiple bikes

[mayhem]

Have the occasion to haul two harleys in the back of my truck and am wondering what others have done to add tie down locations. Adding square D-shackles, etc and where. Did you cut out the bed and put them in flush? Thanks

[Wingnut]

I would think that you could put two back there without adding any. I've done it with dirtbikes many times.

 

That said....I believe that 4WheelParts sold me the ones I added in my old Jeep, and they were made to fit the contours of the bed floor.

 

Look up a local fastener store, they should carry some tie downs that will easily bolt right in with little fuss.

[Shaners]

Hauling 2, 600 lb+ bikes in the back of your truck will be hard to tie down no matter how many tie-downs you have.

 

Personally I wouldn't haul 2 bikes of that size in anything but an enclosed 8' wide trailer.

 

I think you'll have problems with the bars hitting eachother, and the sidecases and pipes hitting the wheel wells.

[mayhem]

I have seen it done on many other trucks but only in passing. I never got a chance to check out the inside of their beds. Also, I am not looking to haul them for days but just for longer day trips. I'll take a look at some fastener stores.

[Larr]

I see you have a 6 inch lift and 35 inch tires.How will you load and unload ?

[KurtMcMouth]

I have experience in this area, but with 2 crotch rockets, bout 400 lbs. each. I strapped the front forks together on the inside and grabbed the outside handlebars and down to the hole in the top of the bed there, just behind the cab. Worked just fine. No issues.

 

Haven't ever tried tieing down a couple pigs , so can't say whether it is different or not. In any case, hopefully my info is helpful here.

[JimWilson]

Take a look at this pic of my truck. See those tie-downs on the inside of the bed, just below the stake pockets. Is that the kind of thing you're looking to do?

[KurtMcMouth]

Given my motorcycle hauling experience, I would guess not. Ideally, you would have tie downs in the bottom of the bed to strap the inside handlebar down to, while compressing the forks a bit.

 

Will let original submitter answer your question though.

[mayhem]

Yeah, I'm looking for something down on the bottom of the bed - something like D-shackles. With Harley's you have to compress the forks a little and spread the ties out to the sides. As far as linking two bikes together - that would make me real nervous especially with the front wheels further out than sport bikes. I think ideally I would like to have the same shackles as what you see in actual motorcycle trailers that have the eye hook that pops up. Problem is I dont want to hack up the bed to make them flush even though I am installing a spray in liner that would seal cracks.

 

As far as loading them - Ramp Master makes great 3 piece ramps that are longer for higher trucks and lower bikes. I just have a longer one than many others.

 

Thanks for the replies -

[KurtMcMouth]

hey, if you find something slick for this application, drop me a line, although i use the "tie the forks together" workaround, i am interested in something more robust. thanks.

[Wingnut]

You could always go this route. It's made for ATV's, but I don't see why it wouldn't work....Other than giving you a higher center of gravity.

[KurtMcMouth]

2 comments:

 

1) Wow! My rockets would look really cool on there, all high and visible

2) If a strap broke loose, no more rocket, strap breaks with it in the bed, at least it doesnt go sliding down the highway.

[Wingnut]

Oh I wouldn't have one. For what they are asking, I could get a pretty nice flatbed that would do a much better job....Or a used enclosed trailer for that matter.

 

I was just throwing it out there as an option. Everybody has their poison, and maybe his is that rack.