In order to transport your motorcycle safely in the back of your truck, whether you are heading to the track, the trail, or a bike show, motorcycle loading ramps are a necessity. It is usually a solid span which contains some perforations to give traction to vehicles going on it. Aluminum motorcycle ramps also have the advantage of being lightweight enough to be easily carried around for use. A motorcycle ramp is made up of metal, usually aluminum, and often has holes or a similar design to add texture to its surface and make it easy to push or ride a motorcycle on it. These ramps are often designed to have straps on one end in order to securely attach itself to the back of a hauling vehicle and to make loading and unloading easier and safer.
One such product is the Hullavator by Thule, this hydraulic assist rack folds down the side of the vehicle where the kayak is loaded at waist height and the whole thing folds back onto the roof with the aid of mechanical assistance – Nice! Thule Hydro Glide: helps when loading your kayak from one end of your vehicle and also acts to hold the kayak during transport. Rack pads are a very good choice if you transport you kayak face down (the seat area facing the roof), by carrying face down you are placing the load on the gunwales (the strongest part of the kayak) and it is the way many kayak companies recommend to carry the kayak to prevent distorting or damaging the hull.
Many vehicles come with factory bars (usually the flat oblong shaped ones) and these can work fine to transport your kayak and can usually be fitted with most kayak carriers, but they lack the carrying capacity and long term strength of a good after-market rack system. If you are planning to transport a motorcycle in your truck or trailer to go to a racing or exhibition venue, then you would need a motorcycle ramp (also referred to as a motorcycle loading ramp or ATV ramp). Motorcycle loading ramps are made with metal, often aluminum.
Loading Bars: Thule as well other companies make a bar that extends out so you can lift one end of the kayak on the bar and then lift the other side onto your rack. A popular way to transport two kayaks with a factory system is to transport one in a J-type carrier and the other flat or face down on the bars. Most SUV’s come with factory racks that work well to receive most kayak carriers and transport accessories.
The shorter the distance between the straps/bars the less secure the system will be. Always, use bow and stern lines when transporting by car or any vehicle with a short roof span – a favorite of ours is the Thule Quickdraw. Also, if you are going to transport 2 kayaks, cradles do limit the usable space on your rack bars. These types of racks offer the most weight capacity and are the safest way to transport kayaks on a vehicle.
Aluminum versions of these ramps are lightweight enough allowing it to be easily carried or maneuvering. 3. Ramp extenders – This kind of ramp has two portions: the inclined motorcycle ramp and an additional 2 feet to act as a level truck bed extender. Folding motorcycle ramps usually have a higher weight capacity in order to wheel larger motorcycles and even three-wheeled all-terrain vehicles.
Like all ramps, it is used to easily transfer a heavy object from a lower surface (i.e. the ground) to a much higher one, such as a truck’s flat bed. Station, Chris “Motorcycle Loading Ramps – Get a Good One.” Motorcycle Loading Ramps – Get a Good One. Check out the huge variety of specialty motorcycle loading ramps – at the site.
Motorcycle loading ramps come in many styles and designs and with the added features available make loading or unloading your motorcycle both easy and safe. Motorcycle loading ramps generally come in one of three main styles. Options include a bed extender, tail light “garnish”, chrome bumper trim, 17″ wheels, body side protectors, roof rack, fender flares, running boards and a towing package mentioned above.
Other options include heated leather seats, a six-disc CD changer, satellite radio, sunroof, grille cards, bed extender and 18-inch wheels. With the right equipment and techniques, loading, transporting, and unloading your kayak is very manageable. Racks and kayaks will decrease your vehicles MPG.
(An extender can also be reconfigured to support your kayak over the bed, with one end resting on the cab roof and the other on the extender in the vertical position.) They will also maximize your roof space to allow for extra kayaks or other accessories. This method is kind of like the duct tape approach to kayak transport.
So if you need to carry multiple kayaks or even one heavy single kayak, investing in a good rack system will be your best option. The bars can be used alone or they can serve as the base for additional kayak carriers and accessories. For instance, if you have a very tall vehicle it may not be practical for you to load your kayak on the roof – maybe a trailer is the way to go, or a Hullavator.
The ramps are also useful to safely transport large loads like furniture, wooden planks or other oversized items. These are a convenient option for people who use trucks to transport motorcycles in truck beds. A folding ramp is often used by people who need to transport motorcycles long distances.
The following are just some of the many accessories available to owners of Ford’s F-150 pick up truck: air deflector, air scoop, bed extender, bed rail cap, bed rails, bed wing, body armor, body kit, brake light cover, bug shield, bumper, bumper cover, , tailgate cover, tailgate handle, tailgate handle cover, tailgate handle relocator, tailgate net, tailgate protector, tailgate spoiler, truck bed rack, truck bed side rail, valance, vent visor, visor, wheel well trim, window covers, windshield wiper, wiper cowls etc.
The Product Variations
Aluminum ramps of this type have can handle load capacities of 500 pounds or higher. Some ramps even have rubber padding on this end to keep it in place while in use; this is an ideal option for people who usually ride the motorcycle on and off a truck. Today’s Explorer Sport Trac is the only vehicle in its segment to offer a durable color-coordinated cargo box and an available swing-over tubular bed extender that dramatically increases its capability to haul oversized cargo.
It makes good sense to use a good solid aluminum loading ramp Why trust your four wheeler to just any old ramp? With folding ramps, aluminum is the most common material used. Folding motorcycle ramps may have greater weight capacity than non folding ramps.
In general an aluminum loading ramp is able to handle loads of greater than 500 pounds. Geers, K. (2008, August 9). Using a Truck Bed Extender. And remember, the tailgate also swings to the side so you can easily access the in-bed trunk.
Some of the more innovative features of the Ridgeline are its tailgate, which can fold down or hinge to the side, and an 8.5 cubic foot “In-Bed Trunk” below the truck bed. Retrieved July 26, 2019, from ?Kayak-Transport-and-Carriers&id=3322545. To learn more about kayak transport, kayaks, and kayak fishing please visit:
Also, if you find that some part of your kayak is making contact with the roof after you tighten it down then placing a piece of rug or padding there is a good idea to protect the car from scratching. We recommend passing the straps through the scupper holes of the kayak and tying that off in the bed of the truck. When transporting in a flat bed pickup don’t choose places on the kayak to fasten to that can fail – like the handles.
If the kayak is sliding back and forth on the bars or in the carriers than you need to go back and tighten the straps. Just to place the mat (with rubber backing down – so it won’t slide) on the rear of the vehicle and place one end of the kayak on the mat and slide onto the rack. Roller Loader: This little device works to help you get your kayak up on your vehicle.
Lift Assist Accessories: Companies now make accessories to help you get your kayak unto your roof. Thule Roller Coaster: a roller attached to a set of saddles that allows you to push the kayak up onto the roof from the rear of the vehicle. Another option which makes this method of transport safer and more practical is a bed extender.
Factory racks systems do have weight limits, but most can handle 1 or 2 medium to light weight kayaks without a problem.
Andrew D Perez Info 