[sholtz21]

4” wider and 8” longer. Don’t sound like much but it’s a lot compared to my old little 500 I think I’m going to name it my fat chick 🐥!!!! Lol

Your right, that doesn't sound much, but I think in the truck bed, it's huge!

Mine fits in a short bed but it's sketchy backing down. I since purchased an enclosed trailer. When backing down you can't see the ramps. If you notice in my pic I also place ratchet straps on the tailgate. I don't trust the cables on the tailgate. I also built boxes similar to the pic above so I don't take out my back window. Lastly, as you can see in the pic, I have two 2 X 10's running the full length of the bed to better distribute the weight of the machine across the bed and away from the tailgate. View attachment 100679

After reading everybody's posts, I was thinking of doing something similar with the boards, or almost making a box for it to sit on, so I can slide the house under it. Just depends on deep i can go.

I have access to an enclosed trailer, but I can't store it at my house and it's a pain to have to go get it every time.

 

[DesignProf]

Your right, that doesn't sound much, but I think in the truck bed, it's huge!

After reading everybody's posts, I was thinking of doing something similar with the boards, or almost making a box for it to sit on, so I can slide the house under it. Just depends on deep i can go.

I have access to an enclosed trailer, but I can't store it at my house and it's a pain to have to go get it every time.

Here's a pic of what I constructed. I made two of these...one for each set of wheels. This worked out great because it saves your rear window. While I didn't hit my window with the four wheeler mine did need to be replaced for another reason at a cost of $1200. You definitely don't want to take out your rear window in these newer trucks.

The advantage of hauling in the bed of the truck was convenience. You don't have to mess with a trailer or worry about the trailer as you are towing it. However, in my opinion, there were two main disadvantages. When you back the atv out of the bed you are coming down blind...you cannot see the ramps. I always felt it was sketchy and it was just a matter of time before something bad happened. Maybe it's because I watched too many YouTube videos on ATV/truck loading fails. The second disadvantage was how heavy these machines are. I had so much weight in the rear of the truck it made the steering of the truck feel like jello. If I continued hauling in the truck bed I would have definitely installed air bags in the rear suspension.

 

[sholtz21]

Here's a pic of what I constructed. I made two of these...one for each set of wheels. This worked out great because it saves your rear window. While I didn't hit my window with the four wheeler mine did need to be replaced for another reason at a cost of $1200. You definitely don't want to take out your rear window in these newer trucks.

The advantage of hauling in the bed of the truck was convenience. You don't have to mess with a trailer or worry about the trailer as you are towing it. However, in my opinion, there were two main disadvantages. When you back the atv out of the bed you are coming down blind...you cannot see the ramps. I always felt it was sketchy and it was just a matter of time before something bad happened. Maybe it's because I watched too many YouTube videos on ATV/truck loading fails. The second disadvantage was how heavy these machines are. I had so much weight in the rear of the truck it made the steering of the truck feel like jello. If I continued hauling in the truck bed I would have definitely installed air bags in the rear suspension.
View attachment 100693

Something like that is what I was thinking. I may have overlooked the extra weight though.

 

[sholtz21]

Just came across these as well. a little spendy, but get the bike up in the truck and and strap the ice house to the back of the ramps.

https://madramps.com/product/mad-ramp/

 

[hillsdweller]

Here's a pic of what I constructed. I made two of these...one for each set of wheels. This worked out great because it saves your rear window. While I didn't hit my window with the four wheeler mine did need to be replaced for another reason at a cost of $1200. You definitely don't want to take out your rear window in these newer trucks.

The advantage of hauling in the bed of the truck was convenience. You don't have to mess with a trailer or worry about the trailer as you are towing it. However, in my opinion, there were two main disadvantages. When you back the atv out of the bed you are coming down blind...you cannot see the ramps. I always felt it was sketchy and it was just a matter of time before something bad happened. Maybe it's because I watched too many YouTube videos on ATV/truck loading fails. The second disadvantage was how heavy these machines are. I had so much weight in the rear of the truck it made the steering of the truck feel like jello. If I continued hauling in the truck bed I would have definitely installed air bags in the rear suspension.
View attachment 100693

I like that angle of the trailer way way better then the angle of the bed of the truck way safer 👍 but yeah trailers can be a pain

 

[Jobofly]

Id rather haul in the bed of my truck instead of a trailer personally

 

[Kusa]

Id rather haul in the bed of my truck instead of a trailer personally

Same here. I have several trailers and they certainly have their purpose but not for hauling my bike around. I had a trailer get out of control once and it’s no fun.
In my truck, I can’t hardly tell that it’s back there while driving. Only difference is the rear view mirror can’t see through the bike.
As far as not being able to see the ramps while backing up, if you line them up correctly and back out straight, it’s easy peasy lemon squeezey.
I will say that I did order the tailgate braces last night though. That is a great idea. Kudos to the poster that pointed that one out.

 

[DesignProf]

Same here. I have several trailers and they certainly have their purpose but not for hauling my bike around. I had a trailer get out of control once and it’s no fun.
In my truck, I can’t hardly tell that it’s back there while driving. Only difference is the rear view mirror can’t see through the bike.
As far as not being able to see the ramps while backing up, if you line them up correctly and back out straight, it’s easy peasy lemon squeezey.
I will say that I did order the tailgate braces last night though. That is a great idea. Kudos to the poster that pointed that one out.

I never had a trailer get out of control (knocking on wood) but I was following behind a guy on the expressway in the passing lane and his trailer came off ball. All I seen was a shower of sparks and started hitting the brakes. He was able to get safely off the road but had some serious damage to the front of his enclosed trailer and the bed of his truck.

 

[HuntingQuad]

Just came across these as well. a little spendy, but get the bike up in the truck and and strap the ice house to the back of the ramps.

https://madramps.com/product/mad-ramp/

if you are looking for ramps.. check out these ramps. I got them 2 years ago and used them a handful of times. The straps they send with it are useless because they are not long enough. So have your own ratchet straps to secure them. They fold up nicely so you care store them in your cab when you are not around your truck. keeps them from getting stolen!

Black Widow Steel Folding Dual Runner ATV Ramps

ST-AF Series folding ATV Ramps constructed from heavy duty steel with a black powder coat finish

www.discountramps.com

I have loaded my quad in the bed of my F150 a handful of times, and once into the bed of my 2500 cummins. It gets easier/faster the more you do it. However whenever i do it, i make sure both ramps are 100% lined up. I will place them on the tailgate and strap them into place, but not tight. Ride my quad up to the base of the ramps, but not on them, and make sure my front tires are exactly in the middle of the ramps. Once i have that lined up correctly, i will then strap down the ramps so they don't move. Then i will drive my quad onto the ramps, but only have the front tires on them until the back tires are at the base.

I hop off again, double checking to make sure i'm still straight. If everything is fine, i back up a little bit, and then go all the way into the bed of the truck.

When unloading, i actually remove the 'princess seat' on the back, and even the cargo box i have on the back. This helps a little to see the rear tires. then i repeat the process of loading, but obviously for unloading the quad lol. I always secure the straps to safety chain loops on my receiver and i make sure the straps are good and snug before i put any weight on them.

A trailer is much easier because there is WAY less involved, however you can get to your destination faster if the quad is in the bed of the truck, versus a trailer. Plus you don't have to worry about backing up a trailer, finding enough parking for your rig and trailer, or having a tire trailer pop on you.

I've hauled the quad both ways.. trailer and in the bed of my truck. I prefer trailer, but i don't mind ramps

 

[DTH]

Get the longest ramp you can. Short ramp = steeper angle.

 

[Kusa]

This is the ramp I got. Works great.

 

[HuntingQuad]

Get the longest ramp you can. Short ramp = steeper angle.

this! Mine are like 7' long when opened and even have an arch to them.

 

[sholtz21]

I know I would prefer using the trailer as well, but it's just not as convenient now that we've moved. As far as ramps go, I'll get those longer ramps, would definitely make loading and unloading easier! Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[DesignProf]

I know I would prefer using the trailer as well, but it's just not as convenient now that we've moved. As far as ramps go, I'll get those longer ramps, would definitely make loading and unloading easier! Thanks again for all the advice!

Even though I now use a trailer, when I purchased my ramps for the truck someone recommended making sure the ramps have an arch to them and are not straight. I purchased a set of arched ramps from Cabela's and couldn't have been happier with them.

 

[DesignProf]

I know I would prefer using the trailer as well, but it's just not as convenient now that we've moved. As far as ramps go, I'll get those longer ramps, would definitely make loading and unloading easier! Thanks again for all the advice!

Here's a link along with a decent pic of the ramps on my truck. Cabelas Ramps

 

[sholtz21]

something like that would be perfect! Thanks!

 

[HuntingQuad]

Even though I now use a trailer, when I purchased my ramps for the truck someone recommended making sure the ramps have an arch to them and are not straight. I purchased a set of arched ramps from Cabela's and couldn't have been happier with them.

yep! long arched ramps are the best option!

 

[Kusa]

Here's a link along with a decent pic of the ramps on my truck. Cabelas Ramps
View attachment 100740

I do think the arch looks good and would give a smooth transition but I’m sketchy about there being two separate ramps.
The one I have is a trifold. There is no separation between one side or the other. As long as you have the front lined up (it would almost be impossible to have it off actually), the part on the ground is certain to be lined up as it is one unitized ramp.

This isn’t my truck but the ramp is the same. I don’t worry about backing out because I know the ramp is there and in line.

 

[WIOutty]

I use the same a kusa, but I have the longer version as I use it for snowmobiles also. Very nice ramp.

 

[DesignProf]

Even though my truck pic doesn't show it because the ATV is in the bed and sagging the rear of the truck, the rear of my truck sits up pretty high. I would be concerned about bottoming out. If they do clear, the one piece ramp looks great!