New-to-me goldwing hauler

[canuckxxxx]

Bought a gently used '98 GMC yesterday. Seller assured me that his mother just drove it to church. :yes:

It's a reg cab, long box so GW should fit in. Any suggestions on how 1 old guy can load such a heavy bike SAFELY? :shock:

Thanks Brian

image

• canuckxxxx
• Oct 8, 2014

 

[joedrum]

well brian ... one old guy and pic up truck is not much fire power ....LOL ....that what concluded about me ..

 

[Ansimp]

canuckxxxx » Wed Oct 08, 2014 11:14 pm[/url]":2ey3zk1o]
Bought a gently used '98 GMC yesterday. Seller assured me that his mother just drove it to church. :yes:

It's a reg cab, long box so GW should fit in. Any suggestions on how 1 old guy can load such a heavy bike SAFELY? :shock:

Thanks Brian

image

• canuckxxxx
• Oct 8, 2014

Nice ute :good:

Safe loading ramps

• Ansimp
• Oct 8, 2014

A bid pricey but they are the only ramps I have seen that you could stop for a beer half way up :yes:

 

[ekvh]

Driving them on is fairly easy. You need a little speed, but not too much. Make sure the front of the ramp is secure so as not move. Lots of Youtube vids showing fails on that.

Taking them off is another story.

Rule number 1. Kickstand up.
Rule number 2. Darn, Kickstand up.
Rule number 3. Darren blankety-blank kickstand up!!!

Your front brake is almost useless. You can't use your back brake, so have the bike in gear and "pay" yourself out by releasing the clutch cable.

The above disaster was a result of failing both of these. I have since done it using just the clutch and it was easy. Note the body work I did on the car.

 

[slabghost]

easiest way on and off is a crane. I don't have one so a ramp of some kind or fix it where it sits and ride it home.

 

[canuckxxxx]

slabghost » Wed Oct 08, 2014 8:55 am[/url]":3sawzvty]
easiest way on and off is a crane. I don't have one so a ramp of some kind or fix it where it sits and ride it home.

I do have a hook attached to a roof truss in my garage. I have lifted SB chevy with auto tranny, with a chain hoist without problems. I also lifted my GW. So I could lift bike up, back truck under, then let bike down.

Would be scary have my pride and joy way up off the ground. :beg:

 

[brianinpa]

Pick-up trucks are made for hauling crap... not motorcyles. That is my opinion and I have that opinion because of all of the awesome videos where motocycles are falling out of pick-up truck beds that support my opinion. If you want to haul a bike, especially one that weighs more than the rider, this is always the best option...

Oh, and I don't just say that because I work there.

 

[Ansimp]

Likely story Brian :smilie_happy: :wave:

 

[canuckxxxx]

ekvh » Wed Oct 08, 2014 7:33 am[/url]":2iydkxxw]
Driving them on is fairly easy. You need a little speed, but not too much. Make sure the front of the ramp is secure so as not move. Lots of Youtube vids showing fails on that.

Taking them off is another story.


Rule number 1. Kickstand up.
Rule number 2. Darn, Kickstand up.
Rule number 3. Darren blankety-blank kickstand up!!!

Your front brake is almost useless. You can't use your back brake, so have the bike in gear and "pay" yourself out by releasing the clutch cable.

Ouch!! I came so close to doing that when I first bought my GW home and foolishly tried to unload it myself. Had it part way down on the ramp but front tire hung up on top of ramp. Could barely hold the old beast up and was almost ready to start calling HELP. Swore I would never do that again.

The above disaster was a result of failing both of these. I have since done it using just the clutch and it was easy. Note the body work I did on the car.

 

[Steve83]

brianinpa » Wed Oct 08, 2014 10:24 am[/url]":1vqrlriq]
Pick-up trucks are made for hauling crap... not motorcyles. That is my opinion and I have that opinion because of all of the awesome videos where motocycles are falling out of pick-up truck beds that support my opinion. If you want to haul a bike, especially one that weighs more than the rider, this is always the best option...

Oh, and I don't just say that because I work there.

Love the U-Haul trailers - the only way to go for me! Unfortunately, my current tow vehicle is an Explorer, and U-Haul won't allow their trailers to be towed by Explorers. Mercury Mountaineers and Mazda Navajos are OK, even though they're the same vehicle! Oh well... I guess I'll get a hitch installed on the Taurus.

 

[dan filipi]

Steve83 » Wed Oct 08, 2014 6:13 pm[/url]":1b1fy6yj]

brianinpa » Wed Oct 08, 2014 10:24 am[/url]":1b1fy6yj]
Pick-up trucks are made for hauling crap... not motorcyles. That is my opinion and I have that opinion because of all of the awesome videos where motocycles are falling out of pick-up truck beds that support my opinion. If you want to haul a bike, especially one that weighs more than the rider, this is always the best option...

Oh, and I don't just say that because I work there.

Love the U-Haul trailers - the only way to go for me! Unfortunately, my current tow vehicle is an Explorer, and U-Haul won't allow their trailers to be towed by Explorers. Mercury Mountaineers and Mazda Navajos are OK, even though they're the same vehicle! Oh well... I guess I'll get a hitch installed on the Taurus.

Crazy.
Is that from the bad Firestone tires way back?

 

[slabghost]

Put the Mountaineer badges on. :smilie_happy: :smilie_happy:

 

[canuckxxxx]

joedrum » Wed Oct 08, 2014 6:35 am[/url]":2xsxai97]
well brian ... one old guy and pic up truck is not much fire power ....LOL ....that what concluded about me ..

I hear ya Joe. The fire power is leaving. :fiddle:

 

[brianinpa]

dan filipi » Wed Oct 08, 2014 9:29 pm[/url]":3ajs4gxj]

Steve83 » Wed Oct 08, 2014 6:13 pm[/url]":3ajs4gxj]

brianinpa » Wed Oct 08, 2014 10:24 am[/url]":3ajs4gxj]
Pick-up trucks are made for hauling crap... not motorcyles. That is my opinion and I have that opinion because of all of the awesome videos where motocycles are falling out of pick-up truck beds that support my opinion. If you want to haul a bike, especially one that weighs more than the rider, this is always the best option...

Oh, and I don't just say that because I work there.

Love the U-Haul trailers - the only way to go for me! Unfortunately, my current tow vehicle is an Explorer, and U-Haul won't allow their trailers to be towed by Explorers. Mercury Mountaineers and Mazda Navajos are OK, even though they're the same vehicle! Oh well... I guess I'll get a hitch installed on the Taurus.

Crazy.
Is that from the bad Firestone tires way back?

Not related to the tire issues:

"U-Haul has chosen not to rent behind this tow vehicle based on our history of excessive costs in defending lawsuits involving Ford Explorer towing combinations. This policy is not related to safety issues."

2011 or newer is ok, but the older model Explorers and anything that is a convertible is a no-no.

 

[AApple]

Well...we don't call them "Exploders" for nothing.... :ahem:
I used to have a three bike trailer that was always being borrowed to move someone's bike. It was just the perfect size, had real tires on it, full floor, and everything. Hauled many a bike on that thing. Sure wish I knew what happened to it....and the car trailer I had, too. Both just vanished. :headscratch:
I loaded a bike in the back of a pu ONCE....it was a 125 Yamama Enduro, and my buddy's brand NEW Ferd. Put a make-shift ramp on it, got back a few feet, and took off on the bike...landed halfway up on the roof of the cab.... :blush: Boy...was he pizzed..... :smilie_happy:

 

[Gashog]

My solution to that problem came after I dumped me and my Harley coming off the truck. Five stiches in the side of the head got me to thinking! I modified an old motorcycle trailer that I had. I am sure a much neater job could be done if built from scatch, but I tend to like repurposing things. I have five eye-bolts mounted in the bed. Four in the corners and one in the front center to hook the winch cable. I use a small AGM motorcycle battery to power the ATV winch mounted under the front of the modified trailer. Loading a bike is now a SAFE one man job.

 

[joedrum]

what knock out blow fix...... fight over ....TKO...technical knock out

 

[Gashog]

Dang near knocked me out when me and the Harley fell down-Haha

 

[canuckxxxx]

That is a very sweet setup. :good: Even looks like the same truck as mine.

Brian

 

[Gashog]

Truck is an '88 2500 with a 350 and granny four speed replacing the original 305 and automatic.