Here are the 7 best DIY methods for transporting a motorcycle in a truck bed. We have added the required tools with this step-by-step guide.
How to Transport Motorcycle in Truck Bed? You can transport a motorcycle in a truck bed by measuring the size of both, set up a ramp for loading, add wheel chock, load and tie the motorcycle, and inspect the truck after loading.
This is one of the easy and cheap ways to transport your own motorcycle. You should know the load capacity of your pickup before doing this process.
How to Transport Motorcycle in Truck Bed?
In this article, we have added proven and easy methods for loading and transporting your motorcycle on a truck. Before going into the details of the methods, you should know about the required tools.
Tools Required
- Folding ramps
- Wheel chocks
- Bed extender
- Tie-down straps
- Microfiber rags
- Canyon dancer
Measure the truck bed and motorcycle
Measurement is essential as we are going to estimate how much space is available for motorcycles and area it will occupy. Before measuring the vehicle, clean all the dirt and debris from it.
You can use some soapy water to clean all the grease present on it. Start measuring the bed length from the tailgate point because it is the point where the front tire will coincide.
Now measure the width, it is necessary for the secure placement of the bike in the vehicle.
Now measure the length with the help of a measuring strip. While measuring, the width of the front tire is most important.
You can measure the length by placing some flat surface beneath the front tire and rare tire.
Measure the length from the front tire’s outer edge to the contact patch of the rear tire. The contact patch is the actual area of the tire that is in contact with the road.
You can simply measure the length by measuring the distance between the outer edge of the front tire to the center of the rear axle. It gives you an approximate length with which you are going to work. If you are planning for a night journey, you can add underglow lights on your truck.
Set up a ramp to load the motorcycle
Before setting up the ramp, the first thing to do is find some inclined position for this process. Parking the pickup at a flat place with secure ramps can be a difficult task. The equipment and you can lose balance during loading, and it will roll down on sideways.
The incline position is essential for the angle of loading. The incline should be steeper for an appropriate flatter angle of loading. The flatter angle will make the loading easy and you can complete it quickly.
Parking in the driveway is the best option as all the driveways have slight angles. This incline position can serve its purpose.
A suitable quality ramp with the required features is essential for loading it. The ramp should have the capacity to lift the weight, and the slope should have an arched shape at the top where it connects to the tailgate. Always check the weight lifting capacity of the ramp and compare it to the weight of the equipment.
Try to use two ramps, one for loading the bike and the other for you to walk in the vehicle. It also gives you more area for loading the pickup.
Correctly place the rubber edge of the ramp on the tailgate. Secure the slopes on the tailgate with tie-down straps.
Set up wheel chock
Before loading, just make the pickup secure for your bike. Wheels chocks are somehow optional equipment, and you can skip this.
The wheel chocks provide extra safety to your bike. It should weigh approximately 20 to 30 pounds. Use the wheel chocks which you use in your garage. The wheel chock is usually set up in the center and pushed against the front of the pickup.
You can use the DIY method using plywood. Just cut a piece of plywood and place it gently. Then place two boards of wood to create a place to accommodate the front tire in it. These plywood boards serve expertly as chocks.
You can also use lightweight chocks of steel. These chocks are cheap compared to another one, But you need to bolt the chocks with nails. You can also use straps to bolt them in place.
Load the motorcycle
After making all the preparations related to ramp and chock, it is now time to load the bike in the pickup. You can do it by using two methods. One is bike power, and the other is pushing it manually on the ramp.
Driving it can be risky, and it can injure you if you cannot handle it on the ramp. When you try to push it quickly, it may end in a collision between the bike and the front of the vehicle.
Clutching it on-ramp is the most suitable option to load it. This way you can easily transport heavy bikes. When you have two ramps, then you can easily walk on the ramp with the bike.
Be careful about the loading angle and if it is not correct, then bring it down and start again.
Pushing up the equipment on the ramp is the safe and secure option for loading, But you need the assistance of some people to do it.
You can quickly push it on the ramp, just keep the balance in coordination with each other for safe loading.
Tie-down the motorcycle
After loading it securely, now, you need to secure it on the bed. You can use many ways to tie it down on the bed.
First, check out for some contact points on the pickup. You should have at least two contact points along with the front tire.
To make it more secure, two more contact points on the rear wheel are necessary. When using wheel chocks, only two ties down straps are enough for placing it.
When you have built a stable contact point, then use some good straps to tie it down. Good straps not only fix it but apply enough pressure to prevent it from bulging. When buying a tie-down belt, a canyon dancer is a good option.
Canyon dancer is a single strap, and it secures the front wheel. It starts from one side, attaching to handlebars with loops and comes to the opposite side for achieving it.
You can use a bed extender to secure it further in case it gets loose from straps. Tie it down properly until the suspensions are almost half compressed. Do not over-compress the suspension because it can hinder its performance.
You can use some soft piece of cloth beneath the contact point of straps to prevent scratch. Microfiber rags can also serve this purpose. Microfiber glass not only protects it from scratches but also protect straps from sharp edges. Follow the methods to remove the rust from the truck frame.
Inspect the truck after loading
When you have entirely completed the procedure, make sure to check everything twice. Check for proper placement in the automobile. Check the straps are tight enough to hold it in place.
Check the proper balance of weight on the bed of the vehicle. It should stand right in the center. Placing it on the extreme left or right can disrupt the balance of the vehicle. Check the engine and AC, if your truck AC is blowing hot air, it can be due to overload.
Drive or accelerate your automobile to check the secure placing. Keep some extra tie-down straps to use in case of an emergency. Leave it on the gear position to stop it from moving and keep it in time at the time of loading.
Unloading the motorcycle
Unloading it from a pickup is exactly reverse to the loading. After driving to the destination, park it again on some incline position.
Then set up ramps precisely as you did at the time of loading, Now the ramp should touch the rear wheel from the center for balance. Then open up all the straps and unclutch it from ties. Climb on the bed and stand straight on the right-hand side to control it properly.
To unload, pushing it in the opposite direction is a suitable option. Push it safely while walking along with it down the ramp. When both wheels are on the slope, ease down it slowly from ramp and control front brakes. Fold the ramps after unloading for future use.
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