Forum Discussion

suprz's avatar
suprz
Explorer
Feb 21, 2019

? About towing a truck 4 down with....

At some point my wife and i would like to retire and maybe do some workcamping at NP's etc... Our idea is to tow a small truck ( ford ranger, etc..) with my wifes 2005 suzuki Boulevard S40 in the bed of the truck (bike weighs about 420lbs)
My class c is a 31SS Jayco greyhawk on a 2006 Ford E450 chassis. My question is about the weight in the back of the truck unloading the front wheels and the effect it may have while the truck is being towed 4 down
  • discovery4us's avatar
    discovery4us
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2019
    Should be just fine. If you can drive the truck with the load than it will tow just fine with the load.
  • samsontdog's avatar
    samsontdog
    Explorer
    Feb 22, 2019
    I towed my Toyota P/Up thousands of miles behind my MH with my MC in the bed of the P/UP
  • JoeH's avatar
    JoeH
    Explorer III
    Feb 22, 2019
    I used to haul my 1000 lb Road Glide in my Ranger.... many cross country trips with no issues. I did put air bags on the rear, with the S40 that won't be needed. I also have an S40 and sometimes would take that instead of the HD.

  • mike_brez's avatar
    mike_brez
    Explorer
    Feb 22, 2019
    You'll be fine.

    Joe, love the road glide my favorite bike.
    I'm down to two hopefully get them gone in the spring.



    This one is homemade

  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Feb 22, 2019
    I think the bed of a PU is designed to carry more stuff than 450 lbs. I would buy a good trifold ramp that lets you walk the bike up after you strap it to the hitch so it does not come off the tailgate.
  • JoeH's avatar
    JoeH
    Explorer III
    Feb 22, 2019
    mike brez wrote:
    You'll be fine.

    Joe, love the road glide my favorite bike.
    I'm down to two hopefully get them gone in the spring.



    This one is homemade



    Nice-- I still have my 1953 panhead and am hopefully in the process of selling a trike I build a few years ago. After that, I'm on the lookout for a 1920's Harley once the trike is gone and I have room in the garage.
  • camperdave's avatar
    camperdave
    Explorer
    Feb 22, 2019
    JoeH wrote:
    I used to haul my 1000 lb Road Glide in my Ranger.... many cross country trips with no issues. I did put air bags on the rear, with the S40 that won't be needed. I also have an S40 and sometimes would take that instead of the HD.



    That poor tailgate! :E :B

    Bike in the truck is a perfect way to go. It's my plan as well, but I don't yet have the truck for it. Maybe in a few years. For now my bike just goes on a hitch carrier, but it's a light(er) weight dualsport.
  • JoeH's avatar
    JoeH
    Explorer III
    Feb 23, 2019
    camperdave wrote:
    JoeH wrote:
    I used to haul my 1000 lb Road Glide in my Ranger.... many cross country trips with no issues. I did put air bags on the rear, with the S40 that won't be needed. I also have an S40 and sometimes would take that instead of the HD.



    That poor tailgate! :E :B

    Bike in the truck is a perfect way to go. It's my plan as well, but I don't yet have the truck for it. Maybe in a few years. For now my bike just goes on a hitch carrier, but it's a light(er) weight dualsport.


    The tailgate has no weight on it. The bike is sitting on a rampage lift which bolts to the bed and sits about 1/2" above the tailgate. On my new truck, I typically take the tailgate off before putting in the lift.and then the bike. Now I'm taking a 750 HD... a lighter bike that is easier to get around on as most of our rides are from whatever CG we are at to maybe 100 miles away. Don't need the big cruiser for that.

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