Hummingbird Posted May 14, 2009 #1 Posted May 14, 2009 http://www.rampagelift.com/ I want to take our travel trailer and our bike to the Grand Canyon this year and this seems to be the only way I can do it. I bought one yesterday and it should do the trick. I guess I'll have to take some polish and cleaning rags since the bike will be exposed to the elements.
Rottdoglover Posted May 14, 2009 #2 Posted May 14, 2009 Haven't had personal experience, but saw one in action and it was a slick operation. Didn't get to see how it unloaded though. We will await your first hand report. Biking the Grand Canyon sounds like a great vacation plan.
Patrick46 Posted May 14, 2009 #3 Posted May 14, 2009 The local Harley dealership uses on in their chase truck. I've watched them use it...pretty slick set-up. 1 man operation.
loehring Posted May 14, 2009 #4 Posted May 14, 2009 Silly Biker, trailers are for boats. Ride baby!! Ride!
Naked Rider Posted May 14, 2009 #5 Posted May 14, 2009 i hope you have a long bed and not a short bed truck looks like you will be letting the tailgate down the whole trip so watch those sharp turns:scared:
Freebird Posted May 14, 2009 #6 Posted May 14, 2009 I've seen them demonstrated at a couple of bike shows and they worked really slick.
gibvel Posted May 14, 2009 #7 Posted May 14, 2009 I think I see a general consensus that they're, what's the word, "SLICK".
Hummingbird Posted May 14, 2009 Author #8 Posted May 14, 2009 i hope you have a long bed and not a short bed truck looks like you will be letting the tailgate down the whole trip so watch those sharp turns:scared: I have a short bed Z71 and I will have to leave the tail gate off just to be able to hook up the travel trailer. That's the whole object - I want to camp and still have a flush toilet, microwave, TV and of course my laptop. I also want to ride the bike when I get to various locations - scenery is much more pleasant when you're on a bike.
SapperMedic Posted May 14, 2009 #9 Posted May 14, 2009 It looks like you could build one for 4-600 bucks, a 2500 lb winch is affordable and rollers in 6" channel iron with your bike cage made from 5" drilled and pinned to lock them together after loading. With a piece of diamond plate at each end and and a wheel block and tie points. Most of the pieces (not the metal) should be available from northern tool or harbor freight don't you think. I may have to get the welder out and make a project. I will keep you informed. I won't be as "perty" as that one but It would allow me to haul the beast to Utah and then Washington this summer without the wear and tear on the bike
Hummingbird Posted May 15, 2009 Author #10 Posted May 15, 2009 It looks like you could build one for 4-600 bucks, a 2500 lb winch is affordable and rollers in 6" channel iron with your bike cage made from 5" drilled and pinned to lock them together after loading. With a piece of diamond plate at each end and and a wheel block and tie points. Most of the pieces (not the metal) should be available from northern tool or harbor freight don't you think. I may have to get the welder out and make a project. I will keep you informed. I won't be as "perty" as that one but It would allow me to haul the beast to Utah and then Washington this summer without the wear and tear on the bike I wouldn't doubt you could build one for that. good luck !! I just find it easier and much simpler to let someone else do it. I just happened to have the extra $$$$ and my wife already said that she wouldn't put it in the casket with me.
Sleeperhawk Posted May 15, 2009 #11 Posted May 15, 2009 It would allow me to haul the beast to Utah and then Washington this summer without the wear and tear on the bike What's this, I do not wear and tear on the bike :confused24: I thought 1st gens were meant to be ridden, not hauled
YamaDuck Posted May 15, 2009 #12 Posted May 15, 2009 That looks slick. Now that I got that out of the way. You said you would be using it without the tailgate and on a shortbed pickup. In the home page demo I can't tell if the truck in use is a shortbed or longbed so lets assume it is a shortbed. The rear wheel of the motorcycle hangs out of the truck and is supported by the loading devise. The loading devise is supported by the bed of the truck AND the trailgate. I can't tale from the demo how it is made but if you remove the tailgate and there is nothing supporting the rear of the loading devise, with the weight of the motorcycle loaded onto it is it strong enough to support the motorcycle bouncing down the highway on it without it bending? You may want to run that by the manufacturer and get their blessing before doing that. It appears it was not designed to be used without the tailgate so just in case you have a warranty issue you may want to check with the manufacturer first. IMHO
Hummingbird Posted May 15, 2009 Author #13 Posted May 15, 2009 That looks slick. Now that I got that out of the way. You said you would be using it without the tailgate and on a shortbed pickup. In the home page demo I can't tell if the truck in use is a shortbed or longbed so lets assume it is a shortbed. The rear wheel of the motorcycle hangs out of the truck and is supported by the loading devise. The loading devise is supported by the bed of the truck AND the trailgate. I can't tale from the demo how it is made but if you remove the tailgate and there is nothing supporting the rear of the loading devise, with the weight of the motorcycle loaded onto it is it strong enough to support the motorcycle bouncing down the highway on it without it bending? You may want to run that by the manufacturer and get their blessing before doing that. It appears it was not designed to be used without the tailgate so just in case you have a warranty issue you may want to check with the manufacturer first. IMHO I'm not a mechanical engineer but I was told several years ago that the same model works on long and short bed trucks. :think:
YamaDuck Posted May 15, 2009 #14 Posted May 15, 2009 Yes I'm sure it does because either way it has support for the motorcycle via the truck bed or the truck bed and the tailgate. I'm not saying don't use it without the tailgate I would just make sure it is strong enough to support a motorcycle if your not going to be using your tailgate. Remember safety first. If you do use it without a tailgate let us know how it goes.
Condor Posted May 15, 2009 #15 Posted May 15, 2009 I have a short bed Z71 and I will have to leave the tail gate off just to be able to hook up the travel trailer. That's the whole object - I want to camp and still have a flush toilet, microwave, TV and of course my laptop. I also want to ride the bike when I get to various locations - scenery is much more pleasant when you're on a bike. Have you thought about a hitch extension.....and leave the tailgate on??
Hummingbird Posted May 15, 2009 Author #16 Posted May 15, 2009 Have you thought about a hitch extension.....and leave the tailgate on?? Yes I did think about an extension but the mfg. says it works just fine w/o the tailgate
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