Tail Gate for Dirt Bikes??

[EnduroDude]

Got a problem, need a solution-

I Have a full size truck with 6' bed and while hauling dirt bikes I have to leave the tail gate down because the rear wheels stick out, I can't leave the tail gate down when pulling our camp trailer because the trailer tung is short.

I would like some sort of closure to retain gear and gas cans etc..What do you use?

I have seen steel mesh gates with a cut out for 5th wheel trailers, what about something similar with slots for the rear tire?
That would even retain the bikes and nix the need to tie down the rear to separate the bikes.

Any ideas welcome...

[MTRHEAD]

Just take one of those mesh gates and have somebody notch it out, if you can't do it yourself.

[EnduroDude]

Originally posted by MTRHEAD
Just take one of those mesh gates and have somebody notch it out

I may just do that! Only thing is all I have found are horizontal louvered gates, little more work modifying one of those. A mesh gate would be better if I cant find a supplier. Thanks...

[huskymatt]

I seem to remember that FOX made a truck for Ricky Carmicheal that had notches cut in the tailgate for the rear tires. Im sure that would be pretty expensive, especially when you start to consider rerouting the linkage for the tailgate to lock.

[Bandit9]

you can't just angle the bike in the truck bed?

[Russ VCHSS]

I leave my tail gate down 24-7. Maybe try and take your tailgate off and leave your wheel sitting on the edge of the truck bed. Then take some bungees and bungee everthing up front. Just make sure your trailer will clear your bikes rear wheel.

[MTRHEAD]

May be just as easy to go to a fab shop and have one built. ???

They are out there though. I see them all the time around here. We've got lots of horse heads with big dually 5th wheels.

[EnduroDude]

Originally posted by Bandit9
you can't just angle the bike in the truck bed?

Not when I am carrying 2 bikes

[Andy Winters]

sounds like you have 3 options:

get a long bed truck
get a toy hauler camper
or remove the tailgate

I have a friend with a 30' travel trailer that removes the tailgate, and hauls 2 bikes this way without a problem, just use straps to keep the gas cans in place, there should be plenty of room inside the camper for your gear.

[razorhead68]

When I had a chevy with a 6 foot bed I used to use a tie down from the bikes footpeg to the latch mechanism on the end of the tailgate. When tightened it would pull the tailgate up tight against the bike tires. Keeping it out of the way of the hitch and keeping the stuff inside. My rm125 was only a few inches over 6 foot. if you angle the bike towards the oustside you should be able to get the taligate almost all the way up and then use the tie down. Worked for me.

[EnduroDude]

Originally posted by razorhead68
I used to use a tie down from the bikes footpeg to the latch mechanism on the end of the tailgate. When tightened it would pull the tailgate up tight against the bike tires.

Great idea, I will give that a try. Too spendy to replace the truck and trailer- if that won't work I have found a company that will either modify my stock gate or build me one.

[EnduroDude]

Originally posted by Russ VCHSS
Maybe try and take your tailgate off and leave your wheel sitting on the edge of the truck bed. Then take some bungees and bungee everthing up front.

Good idea, for now that is what I am doing but in the long run I would like it closed off.

[hotshoe]

Have you thought of one of the old air gates that were made of flexible material . They were the rage around here for a while and I have seen them still around in some parts stores. Might be enough flexibility to stretch over the tires and still keep things inside. I ran one for a while and it actually helps fuel economy just a little. I also noticed that Cabelas has 7, 14 and 18 inch hitch extensions available pretty cheap, may put too much load on though depending on the weight of camper......Rob

[Bandit9]

Hitch extenders! That is the ticket. Great idea. I was thinking he could maybe extend the tongue of the camper but extending the hitch is the way to go.

[EnduroDude]

Originally posted by Bandit9
Hitch extenders! extending the hitch is the way to go.

I checked into that but its a nogo for the size trailer I have- 25 foot, 5500lbs with over 400lbs tung weight.

Neat idea though especially for small short trailers that have too short of tung. My trailers tung is pretty short but needs to be because the axle set is pretty far back so there can be trouble going around corners as the trailer tends to cut the corners.

[Bandit9]

Well then, what about extending the tongue of the camper? You could also just hitch a trailer to the back of the camper. I see that being done all the time. Tough to back up though but it is done. Looks like it works pretty good.
I have seen a truck pulling a camper with two bikes in a short box that tied down the front of the side by side bikes like normal, then just kick the back tires of each out toward the rear corners of the bed. The bikes are just as stable as if they were straight. On my truck, a tacoma 6' box, I can kick the rear out to where I can close the tailgate. You should try that before you spend some cash. Plus the space you create in the middle could hold your gas cans etc... Just brain storming.

[EnduroDude]

Originally posted by Bandit9
On my truck, a tacoma 6' box, I can kick the rear out to where I can close the tailgate. You should try that before you spend some cash. Plus the space you create in the middle could hold your gas cans etc... Just brain storming.

Good idea, I will try that first and if it wont close all the way maybe I can cinch the gate up enough with a tie down strap on each end.

After that the next test will be to see if I can jack knife the trailer enough to get the bikes out without having to disconnect.
Some events I will disconnect anyway so the Wife can cruise around while we ride but remote one nighters I would like to stay connected since I will have to fool with the load levelers and sway control.

Before we had a small class C motor-home with an open trailer and that was pretty simple. The new travel trailer has more room, is much nicer and allows for a separate vehicle to run around in but has presented some other issues, I just want my cake and eat it too!

[Patman]

I'm guessing you can't leave the tailgate down because of a conflict with it and the tongue jack maybe? If that's the case maybe just a simple relocation (down or back), a shorter bodied jack, or a foldable jack would be easiest? I have a large flat-bed tandem axle that I use to haul my tractor and other stuff that has a similar short frame tongue. If I needed to haul bikes and pull it that would be my first and least expensive solution since that's all that is causing the conflict. I guess If I totally jack knifed the truck/trailer it might hit but in normal use that is not anywhere near a problem.

[EnduroDude]

Originally posted by Patman
I'm guessing you can't leave the tailgate down because of a conflict with it and the tongue jack maybe?

True while stationary but turning while in motion may cause interference with the propane tanks. I will check that out..thanks!

[DustyDandLilG]

Are you SURE you can't get two bikes in there and shut the tailgate? I know a guy that hauls a kdx 220, kx 85, and rm 125 with the tailgate shut(6' bed) and pulls a 28' camper.

[EnduroDude]

Originally posted by DustyDandLilG
Are you SURE you can't get two bikes in there and shut the tailgate? I know a guy that hauls a kdx 220, kx 85, and rm 125 with the tailgate shut(6' bed) and pulls a 28' camper.

Nope, won't go. The RM250 and the YZ250F are too long. The only way to get the gate closed is to haul one bike. For now I will just leave the gate at home when pulling the travel trailer AND hauling 2 bikes.
I researched a special gate and can get one made up but don't think it would ever look a nice as the stocker which would mean I would always want to put the nice gate back on when not pulling the trailer so it just makes more since to leave it off and secure the contents.
Gear can go in the trailer but fuel and campfire wood will need to be positioned so there is no chance something could slip out and in front of the trailer.