Need suggestion on ramp length

I just lifted my F150 with a 6" lift and now have 35" tires. Before that it wasn't easy as it was loading my XR into the bed with a 6' ramp. Anyone here have experience with a longer ramp, say an 8' one? If so, are you loading it into a higher bed as well? Just curious as to whether an 8' ramp would work fine.

[G-Force Junkie]

I got an 8 footer arched Oxlite you can try out.

My buddy has a Chevy 4X4 and it is a pain to load without using 2 people. At a minimum I would use an 8 footer with the truck at the base of a curb to lessen the angle. Otherwise use 2 ramps, the second one to walk up next to the bike.

Those are pretty sweet. http://store4.yimg.com/I/pitposse_1763_3156194

You can still fit it in the truck after it's fold

Found here

Originally Posted by ULEWZ

My buddy has a Chevy 4X4 and it is a pain to load without using 2 people. At a minimum I would use an 8 footer with the truck at the base of a curb to lessen the angle. Otherwise use 2 ramps, the second one to walk up next to the bike.

I had to use a curb or downgrade as it was before with the 6' ramp. Just wondering if 2' more of ramp would offset an 8" increase in height into something I could still load myself. I think the problem here is there aren't enough dirt riders here that at least one might have the experience to pass on to me in this situation. I agree with you lewz but I do about half of my riding alone and would still want to keep that option of being able to load this thing in myself.

Those Oxlite's look pricey G-force. Don't know. But that does look like a great start. And that it's arched would probably be just the thing.

I do like jetbdude's ramp and the fact it folds up but it isn't quite long enough.

Think I'll just have to get the longer ramp, find a good hill or sumpin', and run that bike up hard! Can't say I'm looking forward to this one.

[G-Force Junkie]

DOH! I didnt realise we were talking dirt bikes here. An 8 footer should be plenty, preferably something that folds other wise you cant put it in with the tail gate up. Two ramps are ideal, but I usualy just use an ice chest or an MX bike stand as a step to get up on the tailgate.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by DevilDog

Just wondering if 2' more of ramp would offset an 8" increase in height into something I could still load myself.

Use a tape measure or string from the tailgate down to the ground to estimate the ramp length you'd like.

Or we could do some geometry. If you have the previous hight of the tailgate (when down) and the new height, we can do some simple calculations to find out how much better each length ramp will be.
B

[SomeStrangeGuy]

If I was guessing Id say previous deck height was about 38-39", and if its a true +6 (Ill spare the math here), but id add between 2' for length if you were doing a streetbike up it, but if its a dirtbike - 4ft (total length) should be fine at speed .

One of the 77" folders (with a milkcrate) should be fine unless you are planning on beating the hell out of yourself to the point of exhaustion - then go with an 8'. The trick is getting yourself up to the deck at the same time to prevent awkwardness of a heavy XR tumbling around on you. Some people prefer ramps, some prefer step stools/crates, some buy 2wd trucks and still try to offer advice - I've found crates or the 2 step rubbermaid stepstools to be more useful then a second ramp.

Just remember when you find a ramp you think you like and finally buy one, to go out and get well lit the following night and go to bed at ~4am. Set your alarm to 5:30 and immediately run outside and practice-load the thing, if you can do it hungover/half-wasted and asleep - it probably wont be much harder after a good day of riding.

Related Sidenote: not that I condone or advise the behaivior - but my local Sams Club has (2) flavors of loading ramps, one is 77" (single rail arched style) and the other is an 84" platform type (similar to a 3 panel straight Oxlite). They have a prett lienient return policy if you discover either of the (sub 80$) ramps dont work for ya. Both ramps are made by Dee-Zee and are capable of 500+ lbs. I own the 77" type and Ive loaded my (previous) streetbike into a 42" bed with it and no scrapes, Id think it would do a dirtbike more then easy for another 4-6" up.

[ND4SPD]

Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy

If I was guessing Id say previous deck height was about 38-39", and if its a true +6 (Ill spare the math here), but id add between 2' for length if you were doing a streetbike up it, but if its a dirtbike - 4ft (total length) should be fine at speed .

One of the 77" folders (with a milkcrate) should be fine unless you are planning on beating the hell out of yourself to the point of exhaustion - then go with an 8'. The trick is getting yourself up to the deck at the same time to prevent awkwardness of a heavy XR tumbling around on you. Some people prefer ramps, some prefer step stools/crates, some buy 2wd trucks and still try to offer advice - I've found crates or the 2 step rubbermaid stepstools to be more useful then a second ramp.

Just remember when you find a ramp you think you like and finally buy one, to go out and get well lit the following night and go to bed at ~4am. Set your alarm to 5:30 and immediately run outside and practice-load the thing, if you can do it hungover/half-wasted and asleep - it probably wont be much harder after a good day of riding.

Related Sidenote: not that I condone or advise the behaivior - but my local Sams Club has (2) flavors of loading ramps, one is 77" (single rail arched style) and the other is an 84" platform type (similar to a 3 panel straight Oxlite). They have a prett lienient return policy if you discover either of the (sub 80$) ramps dont work for ya. Both ramps are made by Dee-Zee and are capable of 500+ lbs. I own the 77" type and Ive loaded my (previous) streetbike into a 42" bed with it and no scrapes, Id think it would do a dirtbike more then easy for another 4-6" up.

[threadjack]

DOOOD!!! Where ya been???

[SomeStrangeGuy]

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

[threadjack]

DOOOD!!! Where ya been???

sans the manditory daily requirement of .org, if that helps

Just busy with a ton of stuff the past few months, no internet @ home really, never there, and work doesent think mc related websites help me get my job done

thats it in a nutshell...Im back, when I can be anyways...nothing changed except my hosts. file at work and my pc @ home has signs of reliable usage ahead so Im planning on being around here a little more again.

You act like you missed me or something?

[ccwilli3]

check out that post!?

Who doesn't miss you???