New truck. What size bed?

[daygoboi02]

I am looking into getting a new truck. A Toyota Tundra Crew Max to be exact. It comes with a short bed though. I was wondering if the short bed would lead to many problems or complications with having my bike in it.. Anybody have any helpful information??

[Cutty72]

How long is toyota's short bed?
You will need a 6.5' to be able to fit a sport bike and close the tailgate.

[daygoboi02]

the bed itself is 66.7 inches and the gate im assuming is 22.

[Captain Morgan]

5'6" bed? That is short. Sounds like you may need to invest in the ramps that convert to a tailgate rail/cage because you'll need the tailgate open to have the bike in there. http://www.pickupspecialties.com/loading_ramps/ready_ramp_and_bed_extender.htm

[daygoboi02]

5'6" bed? That is short. Sounds like you may need to invest in the ramps that convert to a tailgate rail/cage because you'll need the tailgate open to have the bike in there. http://www.pickupspecialties.com/loading_ramps/ready_ramp_and_bed_extender.htm

Thank you Captain Morgan

[derf]

I have a 5 ft bed, and all I do is put the bikes on the truck with the tailgate down, then slide the ramps under the back tire for extra support, tie the whole thing down and never had an issue. I use 4 straps, one for each handlebar, and one on each side in the rear, the straps pull the bike forward against the front of the bed. Then I'll drive a mile or so, check the tie downs, and again in another 30 miles after that. Pretty stable that way and Ive done hundreds of miles with no issues.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/7329_152692972395_5335762_n.jpg

Not strapped down in the photo

[daygoboi02]

[QUOTE=derf;516381]I have a 5 ft bed, and all I do is put the bikes on the truck with the tailgate down, then slide the ramps under the back tire for extra support, tie the whole thing down and never had an issue. I use 4 straps, one for each handlebar, and one on each side in the rear, the straps pull the bike forward against the front of the bed. Then I'll drive a mile or so, check the tie downs, and again in another 30 miles after that. Pretty stable that way and Ive done hundreds of miles with no issues.


alright.. ill have to try that.. THANKS!

[Cutty72]

I have a 5 ft bed, and all I do is put the bikes on the truck with the tailgate down, then slide the ramps under the back tire for extra support, tie the whole thing down and never had an issue. I use 4 straps, one for each handlebar, and one on each side in the rear, the straps pull the bike forward against the front of the bed. Then I'll drive a mile or so, check the tie downs, and again in another 30 miles after that. Pretty stable that way and Ive done hundreds of miles with no issues.


Not strapped down in the photo

What do you tie the center handlebars to?

[derf]

What do you tie the center handlebars to?

When I have 2 bikes like that, they get tied together between the upper tripple trees, and between the swingarms in the rear, and they also get tied through both the lower triple trees to the tie down hooks in the bed. Basically they both get tied down independantly, then get hooked together.

[Rangerscott]

If you have a way to get your bike in the bed and your serious about the purchase than Id talk to the salesman and see if they would let you load your bike up.

[wildchild]

mosty of my trucks have an eye bolt installed in the middle of the bed floor for tying the center down. it has workd for years. reinforced underneath to keep it from pulling through the floor with force.
gate down on the truck won't be a problem, brought my cruiser to florida in a shortbed with the gate down. along with many many other bikes having been back there that way.

[derf]

Ive also seen quite a few people put a few boards down with eyelets and the front wheel chock.

As far as the tailgate, I'm always scared that the bike tire will collapse it, thats why I put the ramp boards under the tire.

[askmrjesus]

If you have a way to get your bike in the bed and your serious about the purchase than Id talk to the salesman and see if they would let you load your bike up.

Ask them to let you try out a load of gravel too, just to make sure.

JC

[Hydrant]

I have a short bed (not 6') on my Silverado Crew Cab, I was able to get the TLR and CBR in there. The wheel sits about 2" inside the bed, but I can't get it closed. I run the canyon dancers, and have a strap on the back pulling forward just in case. I have a long 1/2" stainless steel machine eyebolt, that is 6" long. I then have a piece of 1.5" x 1.5"x1/4" stainless angle iron that spans 2 of the bed frame rails underneath for strength, with a pipe nipple that takes up the open space on the open threads of the rod, so it doesn't pull the bed down as you tighten it.


Something like this.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/KEN-FORGING-Eyebolt-3ZHG5?Pid=search

[No Worries]

I am looking into getting a new truck. A Toyota Tundra Crew Max to be exact. It comes with a short bed though. I was wondering if the short bed would lead to many problems or complications with having my bike in it??

I've seen Ford crew cabs with a long bed and they look as long as a Greyhound bus. Plus they say "Off Roader" on the back. As if they could take that thing on any four-wheel road in Colorado.

As for putting a single bike in a short bed, how about putting it in diagonally?

[goof2]

My truck's bed isn't quite that short but it is just over 6 feet. My rear tire is on the bed, not the tailgate, but sticks out far enough I can't close the tailgate if it is in straight.

[askmrjesus]

sticks out far enough I can't close the tailgate if it is in straight.

That's what she said.

JC

[Cutty72]

My 1125R was snug with the tailgate up on my '00 F150, but the Buell has a shorter wheelbase than most sport bikes.

Fits great in my F250 w/6 3/4' bed!

[Sean]

I have a Titan, the bed is tiny, but it's no problem because the back of the bike rests on the tailgate. I have a ReadyRamp to keep things inside if anything goes loose.

[shmike]

Ive also seen quite a few people put a few boards down with eyelets and the front wheel chock.


That's basically what I use.

2 2x10's together with eye bolts in the middle. The weight of the front tires on the boards keeps it steady so I don't have to drill hole in the bed. I can also pull the set up out and have a factory bed in about 3 seconds.

There is absolutely no concern with collapsing the tailgate on any decent truck out there today. If that were the case, you'd never be able to load a bike without the gate bending.

The readyramp that Sean has is the best ramp solution out there.

[Homeslice]

By "collapsing" I'm assuming he meant the plastic trim?

[Sean]

Tacomas used to bend their tailgates down the middle when you load a motorcycle into there. It's since been fixed. Most full sizes have tailgate limits of ~1000lbs +

[azoomm]

Ive also seen quite a few people put a few boards down with eyelets and the front wheel chock.

As far as the tailgate, I'm always scared that the bike tire will collapse it, thats why I put the ramp boards under the tire.
Collapse from a motorcycle tire? No way.

[azoomm]

By "collapsing" I'm assuming he meant the plastic trim?

Sorry, just saw this. That must be the case. I was just so confused how a tailgate would do that otherwise.

Though, be warned, if you're thinking of a f150 or f250 the tailgates can be removed without tools. They are the number 1 stolen truck part. I never ever left mine unlocked.

[wildchild]

Sorry, just saw this. That must be the case. I was just so confused how a tailgate would do that otherwise.

Though, be warned, if you're thinking of a f150 or f250 the tailgates can be removed without tools. They are the number 1 stolen truck part. I never ever left mine unlocked.

that's interesting to know. I have never locked mine. now their rusted enough inside no one would want them.

remember the old days it was 3 seconds to remove a tailgate. LOL

[azoomm]

that's interesting to know. I have never locked mine. now their rusted enough inside no one would want them.

remember the old days it was 3 seconds to remove a tailgate. LOL

My previous F250 had an airgate when I bought it. So, I went around to junkyards to find a 150 or 250 tailgate to replace it with. It took about 6 stops and 32 seconds to take it off. Open, then slide cables down and pull off. They told me the tailgates are the first things sold off the trucks that come in and advised me to lock mine. F350 gate is too big to fit on the others - I still lock it.

[derf]

Collapse from a motorcycle tire? No way.

Yes way, the very center of my tailgate is an inch in vs where it is supposed to be. In the very center they are not any supports because thats where the handle and latch are.

[Homeslice]

Yes way, the very center of my tailgate is an inch in vs where it is supposed to be. In the very center they are not any supports because thats where the handle and latch are.

What model and year?

[derf]

2004 chevy colorado. Its just a bad tailgate design

[Sean]

2004 chevy colorado. Its just a bad tailgate design

Tacomas have the same issue, lots of V-shaped tailgates at trackdays out here. The biggest issue with hauling bikes in small trucks is the tailgate capacity.

[Cutty72]

I would be more worried about the cables breaking than collapsing the tailgate itself...


My previous F250 had an airgate when I bought it. So, I went around to junkyards to find a 150 or 250 tailgate to replace it with. It took about 6 stops and 32 seconds to take it off. Open, then slide cables down and pull off. They told me the tailgates are the first things sold off the trucks that come in and advised me to lock mine. F350 gate is too big to fit on the others - I still lock it.

All SuperDuty tailgates are interchangeable. 99-12. Some additional hardware is needed to put a 08+ tailgate on a prior year, but they fit just fine.