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12-13-2018, 05:01 PM
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#1
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FLHTK & FXDWG
2003 25' Safari
Ridgeville
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 22
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Bring the Harley with us
How do you bring your Electra Glide with you, Van or Truck? Do you cover your motorcycle while in the bed of the truck? I have always enjoyed driving a truck but I think the idea of getting the big girl in and out of the lower van and the idea she is almost always protected from the elements is a good thing? We can always sell the AS and buy a S.O.B. toy hauler but we love our A.S. almost as much as Ginger. Any thoughts?
__________________
Ron & Tina
08 F250 4x4 w/FXDWG
03 25' Safari w/Hensley
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12-13-2018, 05:07 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,620
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I started with this exact dilemma, and ended up buying a motorhome and towed a covered trailer. For 10 years it was a great solution, until my riding buddy was no longer riding, and upkeep on a motorhome was too much. No regrets, but today the Airstream fits my needs better.
I've considered all the options, loading a bike in a truck bed is iffy, and although there are power loaders, they use up all your carrying capacity.
I'm convinced a van is the most practical solution. Get a package with enough power and carrying capacity for the job.
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12-13-2018, 05:07 PM
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#3
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Going to be tough to put that bike in the bed of that F150 and then pull that 25’ trailer. A 3/4 ton would be in order.
P.S. I’m not trying to be the 3/4 ton truck guy. It’s just the payload of that 150 will be beyond maxed.
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12-13-2018, 05:33 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Hendersonville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,092
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Where to put that Harley
Go look at a Nissan 3500 van with the raised roof. I know a guy who has one and he hauls his BMW 1200 GS in it and pulls his 25' Airstream. Plenty of power, plenty of payload. Secure and out of the weather when towing. Vans are great tow vehicles when properly equipped. Nissan does not charge a crazy price either. Check it out. you may be surprised.
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12-13-2018, 05:34 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,349
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I have hauled mine in an 8ft bed with tailgate up and towed a trailer.
No cover. It flap and ruin the paint.
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12-14-2018, 09:11 AM
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#6
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Rivet Polisher
1973 31' Sovereign
Mt Pleasant
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 169
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I have a Chevy Express 3500 and I can vouch that the van can handle it but the doors aren't tall enough (49") - so I have resolved myself to taking my 24' Enclosed trailer when I want to ride and the Airstream when I don't. I have been looking at the new Honda "Monkey" or Grom as street legal bikes that we could use to "get around" when we get someplace with the Airstream.
__________________
-Jim Pantas
1973 31 ft Sovereign
2009 Chevy Express 3500
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12-14-2018, 09:50 AM
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#7
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Trailer Sold, Waving
2019 26' Flying Cloud
Stettler
, Alberta
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,032
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I've seen several HDs in the bed of long pickups towing a trailer. Not sure how they get it down, or up, but they are out there.
__________________
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2019 Airstream Flying Cloud 26RBQ
WBCCI #6679
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12-14-2018, 10:29 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,214
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Hauling a Harley plus the tongue weight of a larger Airstream moves one into a one ton dually class to handle the load and have the stability to handle the increased center of gravity having a motorcycle that high in the air in the back of the truck.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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12-14-2018, 10:46 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
2018 30' International
Prescott
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 59
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Here’s how I do it. (Just ignore that road runner. He’s been following me for weeks)
Load-all ramp system. Long and short bed ramp designs.
Link to a video I made showing how it works. Fast, safe and easy.
https://youtu.be/zgrQhVTiDoU
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12-14-2018, 11:38 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Hendersonville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,092
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Quote:
Originally Posted by switz
Hauling a Harley plus the tongue weight of a larger Airstream moves one into a one ton dually class to handle the load and have the stability to handle the increased center of gravity having a motorcycle that high in the air in the back of the truck.
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One more reason for checking out a NV3500 Nissan van. You can position the motorcycle further forward in the vehicle cargo area resulting in a more balanced load front to rear. A large bike like the Harley (approx. 900 LBS) directly over the rear axle of a pickup truck puts a pretty good dent into rear axle capacity. Throw in 900+ LBS of tongue weight and some travel stuff and it may be close to axle rating and total cargo capacity. Whatever vehicle you purchase pay close attention to listed axle and cargo capacity. Happy shopping!
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12-14-2018, 11:39 AM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
1975 27' Overlander
Galena
, Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 172
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I carried my Road King in a 6 1/2 foot bed pulling a tiny camper to Sturgis. Had a aluminum 2 fold ramp to get the bike on. I have 4 wheel drive and would find a small hill to park the truck on so the ramp was horizontal and I drove it on. Do not try to cover the bike as the cover will probably destroy the paint job. I even took off the wind shield. You didn't say if you have a 8 foot bed. When the bike was on the truck, the tailgate had to stay down. Had a blast. But personally I'd be real careful about that much weight with a F-150 pulling an Airstream, I mean you and I both know your WAY over the weight recommendations of safe people. Maybe just stay away from any mountains, stay in the right lane and hope no one cuts you off. Oh yeah have good insurance and maybe even wear your helmet inside the truck lol
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12-14-2018, 12:55 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
2018 25' International
chino hills
, California
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 154
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Airstream did make a 33 or 34 foot trailer with a garage on it. I don’t know how many they made. But I saw one at an airstream dealership in Los Gatos many years ago 2010 or 11. It was awesome. And in mint condition. The folks that owned it wanted to downsize. It’s sold back then for $91,000. What a deal I understood that they made about 30 or 40 units of these Airstream‘s with a garages. And would fit two or three motorcycles. Put the word out and you might find one . Good luck to you. Hope you find one.
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12-14-2018, 01:42 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 51
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Have you considered a front hitch.
There are some heavy duty racks that can handle a large bike. I'm considering putting on a double front receiver on my wife's RAM 2500 cummins diesel and bringing my beemer.
I have lots of experience towing with my dirt bike on the front rack and pulling a 2016 Flying Cloud 23FB on a 2016 Tacoma. Loading is really fast because the deck is at bumper level and the loading ramp is at a pretty shallow angle.
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12-14-2018, 05:05 PM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
1999 28' Excella
Lake Mary
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 255
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Motorcycle
Too much work and too much weight. Let alone the potential for personal injury getting the bike out of the bed of a truck. Just take your bicycles for short trips, then rent a Harley when you get to a destination!
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12-16-2018, 02:11 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
2019 27' Tommy Bahama
London
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,343
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A Ford Transit or Mercedes Sprinter work very well for carrying a bike. The load height is much lower than a pickup. The bike is inside out of the weather. Either van rides and handles better than a pickup. The diesel models get better fuel economy as well.
__________________
Andrew Thomson London, Ontario
"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions." Tex Johnston, Boeing 707 test pilot
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12-16-2018, 05:54 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2018 27' International
Southeastern MI
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,344
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I’d have my wife drive the rig, and I ride the Harley. Problem solved
__________________
2018 International Serenity 27' FB
Michelin 16” tires
Hensley Arrow hitch
Tow Vehicle: 2020 F-350 6.7L Diesel
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12-17-2018, 06:33 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Hendersonville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,092
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Towing with a Ford Transit van
The towing ratings on the Ford Transit vans are very low. I checked these out prior to buying a 2013 Ford E150 XLT Premium van with factory tow pkg to pull a 2017 23D. My van is the old style with full frame, 5.4 V8, ect. The tow rating of the T150 Transit wagon (van with factory interior, not a cargo style) is less than 5k LBS. The T250 and T350 are not much better. I went old school because those vans are good to tow with. V10 engines and 6.0 diesel were also available. I am sure the Transit van probably drives nicer when not towing, but the rating was just not enough for me. Transit vans do not have a full frame like the E series vans.
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12-18-2018, 10:50 AM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
1975 27' Overlander
Galena
, Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 172
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Quote:
Originally Posted by suncoasteng
Too much work and too much weight. Let alone the potential for personal injury getting the bike out of the bed of a truck. Just take your bicycles for short trips, then rent a Harley when you get to a destination!
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Unfortunately, this is probably the best answer. If your a HOG member you get a large discount on a rental.
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12-18-2018, 11:45 AM
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#19
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FLHTK & FXDWG
2003 25' Safari
Ridgeville
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 22
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Thank you
I love this site and everyone who took the time to reply. It makes me feel better to know others have struggled with the same dilemma. I will likely go with a used Loadall loading system in the back of the truck. And although I might try it cautiously a few times in my F150, I see a 3/4 ton truck in my future (you're right, she is heavy). I had a Kawasaki Versys that was so easy to load. I think a cover over her when she's sitting at the campsite will keep her happy.
I have read all of your posts multiple times and our local HD dealer has quit renting motorcycle and I'm hearing/fearing other places will be doing the same thing. I was trying to convince the wife I needed a lighter HD to take on trips and she was not so receptive
Much thanks, to all of you
Ron
__________________
Ron & Tina
08 F250 4x4 w/FXDWG
03 25' Safari w/Hensley
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12-18-2018, 12:21 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2005 30' Classic
Kingston
, Washington
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 692
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightmare67
Here’s how I do it. (Just ignore that road runner. He’s been following me for weeks)
Load-all ramp system. Long and short bed ramp designs.
Link to a video I made showing how it works. Fast, safe and easy.
https://youtu.be/zgrQhVTiDoU
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Nice video!! Looks like a great solution.
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