Two Motorcycles in the Bed - 2018 WT Extended Cab with Long Bed

3036 Views 17 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Skrongbed, May 17, 2022

Hopefound

Discussion Starter · May 16, 2022

3

Looked around for good proof that two small/mid sized sport bikes would fit in the bed comfortably at once and didn’t find anything for the gen2 Colorado. Tried it myself and turns out it works pretty well so here are some pictures for anyone else wondering if it will work.

Four ratchet straps per bike, two from the lower half of the triple tree to the front corner bed anchors and two from the rear around exposed frame tied to the rear bed anchor points. I had to thread the inside straps through the front tires in the front and through the swing arms in the back to get everything connected but with a little trial and error I got it figured out. YMMV on bike side anchor points depending on the bikes you need to move.

I was able to do this solo but I definitely recommend having a friend help keep the bikes positioned where you want them and the suspension pre-compressed when you start tightening everything down. Took me maybe an hour solo with time included to figure everything out for the first time, and probably would have taken just 20 minutes with a buddy.

Bought a titan brand 8 foot folding loading ramp with a wide center piece and two smaller side ramps for my feet. Rode the bikes up into the bed, felt super solid and confident both on the way up and back down, definitely recommend Titan ramps.

Figured I’d post my success here since I’m sure someone else will at some point wonder if it can be done like I was before trying this out. Took the bikes over a 3 mile long suspension bridge at 80mph on a windy day and everything was rock solid. Looking forward to a road trip to better riding roads in the near future.

This is the main reason I bought my truck and I’m glad my hunch that this would work was correct.

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1 - 18 of 18 Posts

gherbert

· #2 · May 16, 2022

Looks great. Nicely done and obvious secure for transport,

I have a question:

What did you do with the ramp when done loading? (Wouln't you need them at your next destination to off load and reload?)

Reactions: 2

cstumpf750

· #3 · May 16, 2022

Nice job. Good ramps make for less stress loading. But I’d be careful with how much other gear you load as you will be near max payload with just you and the bikes.

Reactions: 2

Skrongbed

· #4 · May 16, 2022

I can confirm a 3 dirt bike load up in 6 ft bed is any easy fit. Middle one has to be backwards but it works well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 3

C21964

· #5 · May 16, 2022

cstumpf750 said:
Nice job. Good ramps make for less stress loading. But I’d be careful with how much other gear you load as you will be near max payload with just you and the bikes.

Good idea to check GVW and Rear Axle weight (3500 max) that said, it bugs me that GM chooses to derate the GVWR for the extended cab long bed 2WD vs CC 4WD and CC 4WD Diesel. The only relevant difference seems to be the front spring rate. I believe this is a GM decision so you won't feel penalized by ordering diesel or 4WD or CC.

Ford and others do it a bit differently, as they have the same GVWR for all cabs and beds on the Ranger, and then deduct payload lb for lb for every option, so the 2WD extended cab has the highest available payload.

Reactions: 1

gregg6668

· #6 · May 16, 2022

Skrongbed said:
I can confirm a 3 dirt bike load up in 6 ft bed is any easy fit. Middle one has to be backwards but it works well.

Back in the old days (before Quads) I would regularly put three dirt bikes in the back of my pickup, with the tailgate up!
Tying them down was kind of tricky.

Reactions: 1

Abe17ZR2

· #7 · May 16, 2022

gherbert said:
Looks great. Nicely done and obvious secure for transport,

I have a question:

What did you do with the ramp when done loading? (Wouln't you need them at your next destination to off load and reload?)

Good question, I just assumed that he threw them in between the bikes because they fold and they're only 8 feet unfolded, but I can't see then in the pics. Very interested to see what op replies.

Reactions: 2

snowwy66

· #8 · May 16, 2022

So did I read his post right. He bought 3 titan ramps?

Hopefound

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 16, 2022

gherbert said:
Looks great. Nicely done and obvious secure for transport,

I have a question:

What did you do with the ramp when done loading? (Wouln't you need them at your next destination to off load and reload?)

Good question. They’re in the back seat. The plan long term is to secure them on the floor of the bed between the bikes/stack the big one on top of the gate cover in the photo but I didn’t bother with that for my dry run because I was hot and just wanted to see if things were stable. The ramp is three pieces that fold in half to be about 4 feet long and no more than 2 feet wide each. They’ll fit back there fine once I’m prepared to secure them so they don’t scratch the bikes.

Reactions: 1

Hopefound

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 16, 2022

snowwy66 said:
So did I read his post right. He bought 3 titan ramps?

One ramp. Came with 3 pieces. I think it was this one.

https://www.titanramps.com/vehicle-ramps/motorcycle-ramps/8-ft-4-beam-folding-arch-ramps/311906.html

Reactions: 3

gherbert

· #11 · May 16, 2022

Hopefound said:
Good question. They’re in the back seat. The plan long term is to secure them on the floor of the bed between the bikes/stack the big one on top of the gate cover in the photo but I didn’t bother with that for my dry run because I was hot and just wanted to see if things were stable. The ramp is three pieces that fold in half to be about 4 feet long and no more than 2 feet wide each. They’ll fit back there fine once I’m prepared to secure them so they don’t scratch the bikes.

That is so awesome that they will fit in the back seat.
That gives you another option besides in the bed.

I totally dig how you did it.

Hopefound

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 16, 2022

C21964 said:
Good idea to check GVW and Rear Axle weight (3500 max) that said, it bugs me that GM chooses to derate the GVWR for the extended cab long bed 2WD vs CC 4WD and CC 4WD Diesel. The only relevant difference seems to be the front spring rate. I believe this is a GM decision so you won't feel penalized by ordering diesel or 4WD or CC.

Ford and others do it a bit differently, as they have the same GVWR for all cabs and beds on the Ranger, and then deduct payload lb for lb for every option, so the 2WD extended cab has the highest available payload.

I’m not sure about the rear axel payload specifically but the total weight add from the bikes and ramps comes in at 850lbs and change. Definitely well below the 1550 the bed is rated to hold. The front tires are up against the wall of the bed so the weight is biased on the rear axel, but not fully on it alone. The rear tires just barely avoid being in the tailgate as well so no worries there either.

My truck is the 2.5L 4 cylinder with a manual transmission and it handled an extended uphill grade with this weight in the back no issues in 4th gear at 70mph and 3rd easily handled 55-60 which is probably what I would end up sitting at if I were in the mountains.

Going by the stated GVWR of 5400lbs and a bed load limit of 1550, i should be good yeah?

Hopefound

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 16, 2022

gherbert said:
That is so awesome that they will fit in the back seat.
That gives you another option besides in the bed.

I totally dig how you did it.

Thanks! I’m pretty stoked it’s working well so far. The real test will be the 6 hours up to NC for better roads. If it fails catastrophically I’ll be sure to update lol.

Reactions: 1

snowwy66

· #14 · May 16, 2022

Hopefound said:
One ramp. Came with 3 pieces. I think it was this one.

https://www.titanramps.com/vehicle-ramps/motorcycle-ramps/8-ft-4-beam-folding-arch-ramps/311906.html

Thank you sir

C21964

· #15 · May 16, 2022

Hopefound said:
I’m not sure about the rear axel payload specifically but the total weight add from the bikes and ramps comes in at 850lbs and change. Definitely well below the 1550 the bed is rated to hold. The front tires are up against the wall of the bed so the weight is biased on the rear axel, but not fully on it alone. The rear tires just barely avoid being in the tailgate as well so no worries there either.

My truck is the 2.5L 4 cylinder with a manual transmission and it handled an extended uphill grade with this weight in the back no issues in 4th gear at 70mph and 3rd easily handled 55-60 which is probably what I would end up sitting at if I were in the mountains.

Going by the stated GVWR of 5400lbs and a bed load limit of 1550, i should be good yeah?

Technically, the 1550 is not just a bed rating, it is total payload so that includes driver and passenger and gear in the backseat. I would guess you are fine, but for added confidence if you get a chance run it over a CAT scale and check your rear axle weight vs the RAWR on the sticker. Likewise with GVW vs GVWR. I was impressed that it seems pretty level with the bikes in the bed, not a lot of sag.
Looks like a great choice for your purpose!

Reactions: 1

snowwy66

· #16 · May 16, 2022

I'll say this. It don't me much weight to bottom out on speed bumps

Reactions: 1

Abe17ZR2

· #17 · May 17, 2022 (Edited)

C21964 said:
Technically, the 1550 is not just a bed rating, it is total payload so that includes driver and passenger and gear in the backseat. I would guess you are fine, but for added confidence if you get a chance run it over a CAT scale and check your rear axle weight vs the RAWR on the sticker. Likewise with GVW vs GVWR. I was impressed that it seems pretty level with the bikes in the bed, not a lot of sag.
Looks like a great choice for your purpose!

Never mind lol

Skrongbed

· #18 · May 17, 2022

It is nice you can fit them in the back seat. Instead of leaving them exposed in the truck or having to hassle with a bike lock just toss em in the back for security. My single 7ft folding moto ramp got tossed in the passenger to avoid theft. I occasionally would use a bike lock but it was more tedious.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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