Fitting 2 dirtbikes in the bed

[Edge Haley]

The guy I bought the GS from used a 'Black Widow" hitch mount sort of like Versa-Haul but less $$$, on his RV and really liked it.

The above Kendon trailer is very hard to beat....all steel, can be stood upright, takes 5 square feet to store in end of garage.

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[Rkbrumbelow]

I checked my old Ford Ranger today and the down tail gate adds roughly 3 inches to the length of the bed...the tail gate hinges outward....so Maverick tail gate is probably similar. I "haul" the below BMW-GS from Atlanta to Idaho and Montana just about every summer for off-road trails. Have 2 well made Harbor Freight trailers ($320) that I've used in the past but NOTHING TOUCHES the convince of a little Kendon Trailer (used $650)(full sized car tires, no ramp needed)(1, 2 or 3 bikes no problem)...ride it on and strap down the bike in 5 minutes....trailer weights 335 lbs but can easily haul a 1000 lb bike. Honda Element 4 banger has no problem pulling it, looking for a Maverick Hybrid to save gas and higher trailer weight pulling.

The problem I ran in to with the HF trailer or my Ranger was getting to a destination and find a low place to unload, then struggling with loading and unloading 350-400 lbs bike with ramps....with the Kendon you just ride it on and off the trailer. I will easily sell the Kendon for 3/4ths of what i paid for it when I retire from riding...do have 2 HF trailers for sale.

I'd never load a bike cockeyed (front wheel sideways) in a bed for the potential of having to hit the brakes hard, and bike's front wheel needs to be in a chock for stability, strapped up high. (my dirt bike, no problem). I'm pretty sure with the tail gate length will be at least 74, 75 inches....but my concern will be putting too much weight on the tail gate, and waiting to hit a big bump and breaking a tail gate cable and loosing my GS. Rigging an extension might help but when you are off the bike your dealing with 300-400 DEAD weight....most any bike will have the rear tire on the tail-gate.

My chair outweighs your bike I understand. So isn’t the answer to load it rear wheel to the front?

 

[Rkbrumbelow]

Sort of funny! Motorcycles, except Goldwings,etc. don't have reverse...once you get one in a trailer or trunk bed they are dead weight....pushing one up a ramp in reverse and balancing it upright would be tricky.

I thought we were still talking about dirt bikes. Yes, I was a daily rider for years from an 80 Kawasaki KZ750 to a 92 Sportster.

 

[Peps]

Just today I saw this video where the author measured the bed with the tailgate down.
it is 6'7"

go to 19' minute here:

 

[Rkbrumbelow]

Just today I saw this video where the author measured the bed with the tailgate down.
it is 6'7"

go to 19' minute here:

Had this conversation, Ford gives different dimensions. Trust the guy who casually tries to measure something and does not keep the tape perpendicular or trust the manufacturer

 

[Terrenceyao]

Here’s my take on it.
yes 2 bikes will fit, I would put in some u channel at rails to help distribute the weight of the bike to the bed. Bikes may be light, but when strapped down, I‘m sure it’ll get close to the tailgate load limit.
I know the length of the Sargon with tailgate down in not 100% confirmed, but even worst case of 73” can work. I used 75“ in my mock-up.

 

[Old Ranchero]

Wheel well spacing is important in this case cause the wheel wells reach all the way to the front of the bed. I’ll most likely load it so that the motorcycle tires are right up against the wells.

ok folks, look at this picture closely. See where the D-Rings are? You need those to attach your tie downs to secure the bike. If you try to put 2 bikes in, the rings will be blocked by your front wheels. I'm still of the opinion 2 bikes are not going in there side by side without modifications and even then it will be a tight fit PIA.

 

[Terrenceyao]

ok folks, look at this picture closely. See where the D-Rings are? You need those to attach your tie downs to secure the bike. If you try to put 2 bikes in, the rings will be blocked by your front wheels. I'm still of the opinion 2 bikes are not going in there side by side without modifications and even then it will be a tight fit PIA.

I’ll have to weld something up that bolts where the d rings go that will give more anchor options. Then add a cross bar that connects to the 2 upper rails to get 2 more anchors. I’ll lose some inches on bed length, but I plan on using u channels anyway to get extra length and reduce load on tailgate.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

I’ll have to weld something up that bolts where the d rings go that will give more anchor options. Then add a cross bar that connects to the 2 upper rails to get 2 more anchors. I’ll lose some inches on bed length, but I plan on using u channels anyway to get extra length and reduce load on tailgate.

Isn't there an opportunity to add tie-down points using the bolt-in rail feature?

HRG

 

[dvibs07]

Here’s my take on it.
yes 2 bikes will fit, I would put in some u channel at rails to help distribute the weight of the bike to the bed. Bikes may be light, but when strapped down, I‘m sure it’ll get close to the tailgate load limit.
I know the length of the Sargon with tailgate down in not 100% confirmed, but even worst case of 73” can work. I used 75“ in my mock-up.

What an awesome write up lol I’m still hoping I can get my dirtbikes in the bed!

 

[BILLNOROVILLE]

I hauled lots of motorcycles in my 2002 short bead Ford Sporttrac but just one at a time and with tailgate down and metal struts to support the tailgate better. Fitting 2 dirt bikes offers more challenges for sure.

The major problem with a trailer is the reduced speed limit and some trailers axles an tires are kind of wimpy.

Here is a new thought: Why not make a platform that sits on the wheel wells. This will allow moree clearance to the sides as the engine and frames are higher AND the tires can then be wedged into the corners which brings the tail end closer. Also raising the front wheel up also brings the tail end closer. You could even secure blocks to the platform that chock the wheels where you need them. Even this method requires the tailgate to be down no way around that. Also you could put the rear wheels closer together with the front in the corners and that makes for a shorter length too.

food for thought.

 

[Inkbath]

I just saw this on Instagram. Looks like two 450’s will fit just fine.

 

[Dr.Steve]

Awesome to see it confirmed and works!
Both those dirt bikes weight about 275 each so no way it is over the 500lb lift gate limit.

 

[Postman]

I'm only planning 1 bike in the bed with the tailgate down, but it's a Husqvarna Svartpilen 401. Wheel base is short at 53.4". Half the diameter of the front wheel/tire is 12.5". This gives me a distance from the leading edge of the front tire to the rear contact center point of 65.9". This leaves enough room to also have some type of front wheel chock setup in the bed as well for enhanced stability when transporting. I'm not sure how to secure a regular wheel chock in the bed yet. But maybe fabricating a DIY wooden support using the front flex bed slots would work so as not having to drill anything into the floor of the bed.

Anyway, it'll be nice to not have to get a rental trailer like I've been doing with my GTI...

Does it fit like I think it will in the bed? Will it fit with bedliner?

 

[Terrenceyao]

Save yourself the hassle and don’t bother with any extra add ons like wheel chocks. 3 bikes (more like 2.7 dirt bikes fit.) I have a yz125, 690 enduro, and an xr100 in the middle. Works fine using straps only. Need that extra piece of mind, get a tailgate net.

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