Hey all I need some input on a getting a decent ramp for loading the bike in my truck
preferably I'd like
-light
-easy to use by myself
-folds up for easy storage
-plated in carbon fibre
What kind do you use? any input is appreciated, thanks
Bryant8 has a pretty nice ramp for his pickup. If he doesn't post here shoot him a PM.
discountramps.com that's where i got the one for my bike and the one for my big bear 400. they work great. no probs in over 2 yrs for the 4 wheeler and 1 yr with bike ramp.
Aluminum Ready-Ramp.
http://www.readyramp.com
I got a $40 dollar one from home depot, light, folds in half and good quality... its black, im sure they have it down there...
I have a Black Widow ramp from discountramps.com. It's a 9' arched ramp that folds Dow to 4'6" It's a bed width ramp so loading and unloading is pretty easy solo. It does break down into 3 parts via changing pivot bolts.
The height of your truck's tailgate when open and the clearance of the underside of your bike should determine the type of ramp you get. If you have a pretty low truck/high clearance, you don't need to worry about length/arch. If your truck is average a standard arched aluminum ramp should work pretty well if it is at least 7' long. I ended up buying two folding aluminum ramps similar to Item #370054237356 on ebay. I say similar because I would've liked these better I think. Mine are flat aluminum plate with oblong holes punched out for traction. Not the best. I usually set one to the left of the center to walk up and one in the center of my truck for the bike. I turn up the fast idle and clutch the bike up the ramp while walking next to it. I should say that I drive a ranger edge, it isn't too high. Once in a while, the rear tire will spin a little, but mostly I can do it myself. Another cheaper option would be to get 1 ramp and a milk crate/step to help when you need to get up on the truck. Don't know if that helps or not.
Steve
sdlrodeo is correct, a lot of it depends on your truck dimensions.
In my case having the extra length and arch makes loading easy and won't damage the belly pan. Most of the full size trucks now have a higher bed and the short 6'-7' ramps won't let you clear the plastics if it isn't arched.
Quote from: bryant8 on May 28, 2008, 07:40:08 PM
I have a Black Widow ramp from discountramps.com. It's a 9' arched ramp that folds Dow to 4'6" It's a bed width ramp so loading and unloading is pretty easy solo. It does break down into 3 parts via changing pivot bolts.
Yeah, I have the same ramp. Works great. I can ride my Harley in and out of the back of my Frontier. Not much room left in the truck for the ramp though. So taking it along with me has been a bit difficult. I can break it down and slide it into the back seat of the crew cab; have done that.
Quote from: n2f on May 28, 2008, 07:05:08 PM
Aluminum Ready-Ramp.
http://www.readyramp.com
That one looks good and having it double as a bed extender is definitely a plus.
It looks skinny though.... skinny ramps make me nervous :-\
Quote from: NorDog on May 29, 2008, 08:10:56 AM
Yeah, I have the same ramp. Works great. I can ride my Harley in and out of the back of my Frontier. Not much room left in the truck for the ramp though. So taking it along with me has been a bit difficult. I can break it down and slide it into the back seat of the crew cab; have done that.
Well the ramp would definitely have to come with, the idea is to haul the bike somewhere cool and ride it, then haul it back. I've got a Frontier too so that's cool it works well with it.
Quote from: factorPlayer on May 29, 2008, 03:48:27 PM
That one looks good and having it double as a bed extender is definitely a plus.
It looks skinny though.... skinny ramps make me nervous :-\
Well the ramp would definitely have to come with, the idea is to haul the bike somewhere cool and ride it, then haul it back. I've got a Frontier too so that's cool it works well with it.
I recommend the Black Widow. It's basically one wide ramp with two narrow side ramps. 6 parts in all. Each ramp is hinged in the middle. You can either have the three ramps separate and lash them together with the included tiedown type straps (included for that purpose), or bolt all three together at the hinges (you still want to strap them together with the strap though).
I strongly recommend that you use the latter method as it's more stable. It's more steps in the set up and break down, but that's cheap insurance to having the ramp slip on you as it did me when I tried to go the easy route.
Also, have a couple of ratcheting tie downs on hand for the ramp. I use the same ones I secure the bike with. Use these to secure the ramp to the truck. There are two padeyes on each side of my trailer hitch. I run a tiedown from each of these to the each of the narrower side ramps and sinch it up tight. It makes for a very safe and stable ramp.
2x6x12 i hear they are very sturdy! [evil]
you might be able to lowball McCain with an offer he can't refuse...
Quote from: USMC18996 on May 29, 2008, 05:30:32 PM
you might be able to lowball McCain with an offer he can't refuse...
no bro, I dont buy my bikes to just resell them for a great deal, like someone else we know. [roll]
Quote from: NorDog on May 29, 2008, 04:13:47 PM
I recommend the Black Widow.
Which size? they come in two, right?
Does it break down to a transportable size?
Quote from: factorPlayer on May 30, 2008, 01:50:02 AM
Which size? they come in two, right?
Does it break down to a transportable size?
I have the 8 footer. If I break it down into all 6 parts, I can fit it all in the back seat of my Frontier Crew Cab. It fills up the back seat.
Quote from: factorPlayer on May 30, 2008, 01:50:02 AM
Which size? they come in two, right?
Does it break down to a transportable size?
Here are some pix of the Black Widow...
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll176/nordog59/Ramp01.jpg)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll176/nordog59/Ramp02.jpg)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll176/nordog59/Ramp03.jpg)
awesome man, thanks for the pics - and now I finally read it all and see you got the same truck as me :)
also consider a Baxley Sport Chock. It's one of my best purchasing decisions, no question. Makes loading a bike soooo much easier, especially if you're loading by yourself. Don't cheap out- I've seen the others in action- get the Baxley [thumbsup]
Quote from: Duc L'Smart on June 01, 2008, 05:56:43 AM
also consider a Baxley Sport Chock. It's one of my best purchasing decisions, no question. Makes loading a bike soooo much easier, especially if you're loading by yourself. Don't cheap out- I've seen the others in action- get the Baxley [thumbsup]
I was going for the Baxely, but I won't work on my Harley with the 19" front wheel.
When I was in Dallas having a new tire put on the Monster I stopped into Stroker's Dallas and saw a "Smart Chock". It automatically adjusts for tire size. When I get home from work I'm going to get one of those.
http://www.smartchock.com/site/welcome-motorcycle-chock-stand-smartchock.php (http://www.smartchock.com/site/welcome-motorcycle-chock-stand-smartchock.php)