Riding with a pickup tailgate open?

forceten · 06-25-2007, 4:43 PM

I have a dodge Ram 1500. Just picked up a wide ramp so I can drive my bike up on to the bed. But the bed is just slightly short of being able to close the gate with the bike in it (rc51)

I was thinking of putting it on an angle, but straight is much easier to tie down.

So riding with the back gate open and the rear tire sort of resting on it. Any problems it transporting this way? Gonna be driving about 500 miles with the bike on the back. I'm not worried much about the bike in the back - its strapped very secure.

But will riding with the gate down and some weight from the rear tire on the gate damage it at all? Bumps and stuff...........

benvfr · 06-25-2007, 4:52 PM

Nope, you'll be fine... I do it almost every weekend........ did it just the same going to Taos to Dallas and back this last week..........

1pcbr · 06-25-2007, 7:09 PM

It won't hurt the truck, but you should check the local laws. It might get you a ticket. The lowered tailgate presents a hazard for anyone rear-ending you (it also discourages tailgaters), and defeats the 5-mile an hour bumper which is supposed to minimize damage if you back into someone. If there is a law, the police may or may not want to enforce it.

jhonda41 · 06-25-2007, 7:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1pcbr

It won't hurt the truck, but you should check the local laws. It might get you a ticket. The lowered tailgate presents a hazard for anyone rear-ending you (it also discourages tailgaters), and defeats the 5-mile an hour bumper which is supposed to minimize damage if you back into someone. If there is a law, the police may or may not want to enforce it.

local law may prohibit having the tailgate open without a bed extender of some sort to keep the cargo "secure"

good luck

-jh

LITEITUP · 06-27-2007, 12:50 PM

I will tell you that the two cables that hold the gate are definately needed. One of mine broke and I wasn't thinking anything of it. I was moving stuff in and out of it all day long, stepping on it, lots of pressure from couches and what not. The next day I see my tailgate is dented in, me thinking someone hit it. Upon closer inspection it was due to the cable being broke. Replaced that cable.

f1_hurricane · 07-04-2007, 1:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhonda41

local law may prohibit having the tailgate open without a bed extender of some sort to keep the cargo "secure"

good luck

-jh

wouldnt it be the same as having a lod of lumber that sticks out past the end of the bed? just hang a red flag on the end of it to warn drivers

jhonda41 · 07-04-2007, 9:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1_hurricane

wouldnt it be the same as having a lod of lumber that sticks out past the end of the bed? just hang a red flag on the end of it to warn drivers

Well 'round these parts... having a load of lumber sticking out past the end of the bed, and having a sportbike hanging off the tailgate will attract different types of attention from law enforcement for sure.

as always your miles (km) may vary

Evan 929RR · 11-21-2007, 2:41 PM

I use to tow motorcycles on my flatbed all the time you'll have no problems but the extra straps arn't a bad idea.

forceten · 11-21-2007, 5:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evan 929RR

I use to tow motorcycles on my flatbed all the time you'll have no problems but the extra straps arn't a bad idea.

Ahhh an old post..............

I since resolved the situation and the bike fits in the truck nicely using a baxly sports chock and 4 tie down ratchets.

The back tailgate I strap up to meet the tire so its mostly closed. Had a few track days since the start of this post now.

http://forceten.org/pictures/truck.jpg

Twincam · 11-21-2007, 5:40 PM

Hmm, over here if you put a bike onto the back of your truck or in a van, the cops would pull you over and think that you have just stolen it...

slickwill · 11-21-2007, 6:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twincam

Hmm, over here if you put a bike onto the back of your truck or in a van, the cops would pull you over and think that you have just stolen it...

In Idaho every third truck has a bike of some sort in the back of it. The back of my truck was the permanent storage spot for my dirt bike during the summer. I put some big eye bolts through the bed of the truck and ran a chain through the bike with padlocks on both sides to help prevent theft but since I was always on the bike there was no point in taking the bike out every time I got home. I even did most of the maintenance with it still in the back of the truck.

CBR_Rob · 12-22-2007, 8:24 PM

get a bed extender on there. my newest truck came with one and i don't know how i lived without it before.

Doomwitha929 · 12-22-2007, 11:54 PM

Impossible! Having your tailgate down with a bike sticking up in back will effect the trucks aerodynamics causing an uncontrolable instability. The truck will go into a wiffle ball spin at anything over 30mph and kill anyone with in 30 feet.

Twincam · 12-24-2007, 1:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomwitha929

Impossible! Having your tailgate down with a bike sticking up in back will effect the trucks aerodynamics causing an uncontrolable instability. The truck will go into a wiffle ball spin at anything over 30mph and kill anyone with in 30 feet.

You on crack?

The truck may be a little more un stable, and may wobble at high speeds, but whats this about killing people?

Doomwitha929 · 12-24-2007, 5:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twincam

You on crack?

The truck may be a little more un stable, and may wobble at high speeds, but whats this about killing people?

LOL are you seriously asking me?

slickwill · 12-24-2007, 5:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twincam

You on crack?

The truck may be a little more un stable, and may wobble at high speeds, but whats this about killing people?

I think it's called "sarcasm." And no, it won't even be more unstable or wobble at high speed.

croue · 12-31-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickwill

I think it's called "sarcasm." And no, it won't even be more unstable or wobble at high speed.

I beg to differ. I find sarcasm to be quite unstable at high speed!

Sorry, couldnt' resist!

I haul my bike with a baxley chock and tiedowns with the tailgate open all the time. I used to tie everything up securely though until I got a readyramp for a tailgate extender. Never had a problem with tickets, etc. this way either. (both in Minnesota and California)

C

Twincam · 12-31-2007, 1:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomwitha929

LOL are you seriously asking me?

Hehe

Nah im just kidding - crack is for naughty people

CBR929RE · 12-31-2007, 6:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by croue

I beg to differ. I find sarcasm to be quite unstable at high speed!

Sorry, couldnt' resist!

I haul my bike with a baxley chock and tiedowns with the tailgate open all the time. I used to tie everything up securely though until I got a readyramp for a tailgate extender. Never had a problem with tickets, etc. this way either. (both in Minnesota and California)

C

that will be the exact set up I'll be using this year. just ordered a baxley sport chock the other day and ordered a ready ramp today. I liked the ramp so much that even though they have the absolute worst customer service I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with I ended up buying one. although I got it on ebay from another company.

raptor · 03-05-2008, 12:05 AM

One of the easiest solutions I have used (in addition to the sport chock). Used to use a tailgate extender, but this is too cool: Vehicle Systems Introduces the Tailgate Latch Bar – Motocross News, Race Reports, Videos, Photos, Interviews, How-Tos

No affiliatio, blah blah. Just a really satisfied user

CBR929RE · 03-08-2008, 1:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raptor

One of the easiest solutions I have used (in addition to the sport chock). Used to use a tailgate extender, but this is too cool: Vehicle Systems Introduces the Tailgate Latch Bar – Motocross News, Race Reports, Videos, Photos, Interviews, How-Tos

No affiliatio, blah blah. Just a really satisfied user

those are pretty sweet but I know they won't work for newer Tacomas and a sportbike. my bike's rear wheel sits on the tailgate. so I use a readyramp which folds into a bed extender.

Vtec44 · 03-08-2008, 2:32 PM

I put my 600RR on my Tacoma PreRunner regular cab, with the tail gate down. If you want to make sure, use 6 tie downs instead of just 2 or 4. Of course, you also need to make sure that the weight rating for those tie downs exceed your bike's weight (2x is good).

Twincam · 03-08-2008, 4:38 PM

And also check the straps within the first 5 miles or so (they may work loose as the bike shifts into position..

CARBONRRPILOT · 06-09-2008, 8:03 PM

id tie a red flag as f1 hurricane said, you should be alright, ive trucked mine many places with the gate down and its a full size dodge, the gate down will give you a few more mpg (less drag) you will def see a big difference in mpg on a 500 mile trip (have all the bikes papers on hand in case johnny law checks you out), drive safe! ride hard!

pradervr · 06-25-2008, 4:10 PM

I bought an older chevy astro van on e-bay--stripped out the interior and made a fold out bed--now I can haul my bike covered and safe in the van and have a little bed to sleep on at the track or where ever I end up. Very nice and gets about 24 miles to the gallon.