How to Load Dirt Bike in Truck
Introduction:
This post will discuss an easy technique of how to load dirt bike in truck. Loaded dirt bikes in the back of a pickup truck are not just for off-road enthusiasts. In fact, there is no shortage of people who need to load their dirt bikes in the back of a pickup truck on any given day. Whether you’re hauling it to a new location or loading it up and taking it with you wherever you go, there comes a time when loading your dirt bike into a truck is necessary. In this guide, we will give you some step-by-step instructions on how to load dirt bike in truck .
Required Materials:
- A dirt bike with a kick stand, key removed, and gas tank empty
- Pickup Truck: A flatbed or box truck may still require some modifications, but this example is for a full-size Toyota Tacoma on an extended cab model.
Steps on How to Load Dirt Bike in Truck:
- Place the front wheel (on which it turns) against the tailgate so that when lowering it down onto the ground from inside of your truck, there will be enough clearance for turning once out on pavement; keep tired touching tailgate as much as possible during the loading process.
- Lift and lower dirtbike into position by yourself, ensuring rear tires are where they need to be and that the bike is sitting on its kickstand; use a mirror to confirm.
- Lower tailgate and take dirtbike off of the truck bed by pulling it towards you. Take your time to lower not damage the rim, tire, or brake rotor with contact against any metal surface.
- Move wheel an inch away from backside of pickup cab in order for you (or assistant) to be able to lift up onto tailgate without having wheels touch ground where they may get stuck under rear bumper during loading process.
- While holding the front end down securely, ensure another person can easily hold handlebars while lifting the front wheel upwards toward tailgate – this will make sure there are no surprises with the balance later on as we load additional weight on the front end.
- With rider weight off, use a ramp to move dirtbike from the ground onto tailgate while taking care not to block any of the truck’s sideview mirrors or hit any other protruding parts on vehicles such as bumper bars and tow hitch.
- Be aware that metal drums are often located under the rear section of the pickup bed (likely containing spare tire), so be sure they remain clear by moving it out of the way if necessary.
- Once the dirt bike is in position with its kickstand resting against the outer edge of the tailgate (so you can see underside), securely tie down both wheels using ratchet straps which have been preloaded through hooks found just above each wheel; tension until no slack remains then make final adjustments at the point where the strap is attached to the tailgate.
- Place a generous amount of padding on the kickstand with the end of the hose or towel and then place the dirt bike onto it, resting one side against the truck’s bumper bar at the rear. Next, rest the second wheel against another bumper bar in front so that both are securely supported by the vehicle.
- This will help protect the finish from any damage caused by contact with a hard surface while transporting it inside the truck bed.
- Drive forward until the pickup box is lined up under the ramp; this usually means you’ll have to back out again once or twice before getting close enough for your loading height requirements to be met (generally within 18 inches).
- Once the correct position has been found, drive forwards into the parking spot allowing the truck’s front bumper to ride up the ramp and into the back of the truck.
- Put the kickstand down as you make a U-turn so that the dirt bike is next to the loading ramp; this will help balance weight while lifting it onto the truck bed.
- Place ramps against pickup box, one on each side between tire fenders at the rear.
- They should be positioned where they meet in the centerline of the vehicle body for maximum stability when fully extended (usually around 18 inches from tailgate). Utilize end bolt holes or other attachment points if your ramps don’t have them built-in.
- This will allow both wheels to contact the ground evenly without tipping over backward due to unequal angles created by an unstable surface.
- Lift dirt bike onto the top-level ledge of loading ramp and position to the side so that it’s at a 90-degree angle, with front wheel facing back of the truck.
- Place both ramps on the ground in the rear of the pickup box (with the kickstand down), then place the dirt bike onto the top-level ledge of the loading ramp with the front tire touching the end cap or metal ridge welded into the centerline between your tires for maximum stability when fully extended .
- This will allow you to use the second set of ridges as an axle stand while balancing weight during transport.
- Use parking brake if available to make sure dirt bike remains secure during travel.
Key Considerations While Loading Dirt BIke in Truck:
- Dirt bike manufacturers make it easy to load dirt bikes on a truck, but you can also use the following tips and tricks when loading your own.
- Consider things like weight distribution and placement of other items in the bed before adding dirt bikes as they may throw off balance or create unwanted wear and tear.
- Use ratchet straps for securing cargo if necessary; these are available at any hardware store while bungee cords work well too.
- For extra safety, consider using plywood under each tire so that tires don’t catch on top of metal parts from tools or supplies back there. This is especially important with large trucks where clearance might be an issue.
Safety Precautions for Performing the Process:
- Ensure that the truck bed is clear of any clutter, oil and grease spills, or other debris. This will help avoid dirt being spread throughout your vehicle in the process.
- Place a tarp on the ground below where you’ll be loading dirt bike to prevent creating an oily mess on asphalt when spreading tarps over it for protection from scratches.
- If there are many layers of tarps stacked up side by side, avoid overlapping them too much because this can trap moisture, leading to mold growth. For best results: overlap one quarter onto another three quarters (for example). You don’t want all six layers touching at once while stacking multiple layers.
- Avoid dragging dirt from the ground onto your bike, or more importantly, loading it up with dirt that may fall out of tarps and make a mess in the truck bed during transit.
- If you are transporting bikes on different days for multiple loads, keep them separated so they don’t get mixed up when removing from bed to avoid any confusion which one is what bike gets loaded first.
Conclusions:
You know you’ve got a big ride ahead of you when it comes to loading your dirt bike in the back of a pickup truck. The technique we have mentioned will surely help load your dirt bike. But before executing the process, you must be well aware of the personal safety and safety of both vehicles. Thank you and have a nice day.
You may also read – How to Push Start a Dirt Bike
Darren Matlock
Hi, I'm Darren. I love dirt bikes and everything about the off-road lifestyle. I'm passionate about motorbikes, cars, racing sports and going on adventures. If you're like me and enjoy extreme sports, you've come to the right place! I like to write articles about dirt bikes to help beginners get started. Whether you're interested in buying a dirt bike, ATV, motorcycle or want to ride for hobby, I hope my articles will inspire you to learn more about how this machine can be used to ride.
