strapping bike down in pick up

I don't know how to strap a bike down in a pick up. Type of straps to use , where to place them on the bike to securely transport it. etc. Suggestions where to purchase a bike ramp off line. Thanks

 

To load a bike either find a ditch or a ramp. When I first loaded the maxim all I had was a 2*12 and some rope. It worked just fine.

If you have a ditch, a bank, or something in a parking lot - use it to your advantage. Back the truck up to it, bringing the bed lower. Less work. Otherwise do it the old fashioned ramp way.

When the bike is on the truck - have the smallest person sit on the bike. That way you wouldn't have to worry about it falling over.

Both the sidestand and the centerstand are up - we will NOT be using them.

Press the front wheel into the front of the bed of the truck. Tie a rope as low as you can on the front sides of the bed. I had to tie to the holes in the rail and that worked fine - lower is better so if they have convient bed mounted hooks use those.

When you tie to the bed or rail use a solid type knot like a bowline. This is your anchour point.

Bring the drivers side rope up and find a good tie on point. This is different for every bike. The triple trees are generically good. The handlebars are ok on some bikes, but bad on sportbikes as they are made of cast and snap very easily.

Run the rope through the tie point on the bike. Make a loop (another bowline perhaps) between the bike and the trucks rail. Run the free end of the rope from the bike through the loop. This is your first pulley.

Do the same on the other side.

Now, pull each pulley a bit so the front suspension is compressed. The suspension being a bit tight will cause the bike to ride in the bed of the truck, never letting the ropes get slack.

When you're happy with the tension on the front pulleys, tie a truckers hitch to lock the pulley in place. (Just take the rope around itself, through the gap between the loop you just made and the pulley and snag it tight. The weight of the pulley tightens the hitch, meaning it won't come undone.

Now the front is secured the bike is pretty much immobile. Have your friend that is holding the bike standup and slowly let go of the bars. The bike SHOULDN'T move.

Now - we need to secure the rear of the bike so it can't hop side to side. Make the same pulley mounts on the rear as you did on the front. Find a good tie spot. The rear frame or suspension would suffice. Remember the back ties are only to keep the bike straight, not to pull it in half.

Tie the same knots and voila, the bike is secure.

The tailgate might not close, that is fine. The ropes won't let it go anywhere.

Drive a few miles, stop check your knots. They should be as tight as they were when you left. Check again a few times, because it's your new bike and you don't want to drop it in the truck.

 

In AZ most folks have a pickup truck so hauling bikes and stuff is a rather commonplace thing.

Woot's writeup is very well done so I will only elaberate on the one thing I do different.

Ratchet Tiedowns

Back in the 70's I was a firefighter in Phx and so I do know all the knots, but, this is quick clean and when I'm done I throw them behind the seat in the truck and they are ready for the next use.

No frustrating knots to get stuck!

 

The one minor problem with ratchet tiedowns is that some people can't stop when it's tight enough. They keep tightening until something breaks...

But, yes tie downs are fantastic, I'd agree to that change.

 

That's how I did it, and the bike never moved.







Based on my past experience, I also tie the bottom part of the front tire to both sides of the truck to keep it from skipping sideways and letting the bike fall. I had this happen on a pair of KLR's once.

This set-up went 450 miles last Saturday.

Jim

 

When the front cross overs are tight enough to compress the suspension they shouldn't let the front tire move - but you are right - that is a good idea.

One other solution is wheel chocks... a really nice blocking method for the front tire to do exactly what you did with the second ties - keep it from moving side to side.

Nice pictures.

 

Using those Truck-bed anchors:



I use 2 ratchet type tiedowns (like the heavy duty towing style), one on each side, run through the anchors, then I ratchet them both down at the same time. It makes it impossible to tip over, and wont budge an inch.

 

IF you get the straps tight enough it likely wont fall, but even with tight straps, a hard bump can compress the suspension more, and then on rebound it allows the tire to slip to the side. A couple times like that and the tire could be far enough over to allow the bike to slide out.

This is more likely on a smooth trailer than a corrugated truck bed.

Jim

 

I moved bikes many times in the bed of my truck and finally decided that it was too dangerous.

I'm generally alone and I've dumped more than one bike trying to load it with cargo ramps. Very frustrating. With help, this would be no problem, but I never seem to have it when I need it.

I finally bought a 5X10 landscaping trailer and sold my truck. Much easier and safer loading and unloading.

I pull it behind my Outback and have never had a problem.

Not suggesting that this is the solution for everyone but it works great for me.

Greg

 

Hi to all, Thank you for the advice to tie down. When i get my bike i will use it . thank you again.