how about making a bike hauler out of a car dolly? here in ind. you don't have to put tags on it and it would be simpler to load and unloas by yourself. some guys on this site have made some great looking ones.
If you go the truck route, opt for the 2wd version. Nothing scarier than riding a big bagger into the back of a 4wd truck. Put mine in the back of my 2006 Dodge 2500 4wd and putting it in wasn't too bad, but coming out scared the .... out of me! Never again, now I just ride or leave it at home.
Yeah, I looked at loading/unloading that way with my 4WD Tundra, and it ain't happening. I used to do that with my dirt bikes, but it ain't happening with my bagger.
If you go the truck route, opt for the 2wd version. Nothing scarier than riding a big bagger into the back of a 4wd truck. Put mine in the back of my 2006 Dodge 2500 4wd and putting it in wasn't too bad, but coming out scared the .... out of me! Never again, now I just ride or leave it at home.
I don't understand this. What difference can a front differential possibly make? Are you actually talking about the truck being taller? You can jack up 2wd too.
A trailer option to consider if storage between uses is a problem is 'Trailer-in-a-Bag'. No tools needed, works great, weighs 120 lb or so. I keep one in my truck, like a spare tire. If I have to call mama for a rescue, all she has to wrangle is my spare key. 250 miles ia as far as I've towed mine, but there are guys here who've pulled them cross country.
I think RKC has it right on the truck. If it's 1/2 ton rated and has an 8' bed, you're good (although a 4 cyl truck might be a mite sluggish when loaded). With your traveling, I think I'd prefer 4WD. For loading, you can back up to a dock or a ditch. There are contraptions, with winches, you can put in the bed to load your bike with.
There are Condor looking wheel holders you can hang from a receiver hitch, leaving the rear bike tire on the ground.
If it were me ..... covered cargo trailer. Easy to load, can be used for weather-proof bike storage, and other goods that you don't want the public to view. Lockable, can be towed easily by just about any vehicle, and you will get a big part of your investment back when it's sale time.
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'91 FXRT ... 113" S&S.....stripped down hotrod
Im on the trailer band wagon. You really need to make sure that what ever set up you choose you can load and unload your scoot by yourself and that would be a nightmare trying to get out of a bed of a pick up no matter which truck you have. good luck!
I gotta vote trailer.
Spent too many years in the 60's and 70's hauling dirt bikes in pickups... now too old and mortal to risk my (bike) gettin a dresser into something that tall... got an open trailer (8x16) several years ago... used it a lot the first year I had it... sometimes hauled 3 bikes in it... haven't used it the last couple of years for bike hauling, in fact last time was cuz it had a problem I didn't want to fix, so hauled it to the indie...
I figger I only got another 20 or 30 riding years left, so find riding whenever I go somewhere more desireable... even if my girl drives there...
Even if I were still young and immortal, and needed to haul (for whatever reason), I'd go trailer if there were any way possible.
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'10 FLHTCU StageI <Xperimental>
<Where next?> ANOTHER GMR under construction
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My (GMR) 117ci FLSTC gone to ...
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If ya just want to go the truck route, get a F150 or bigger. But I like the ease of using a trailer vs. finding ramps, level ground, a friend or two to help.
Had a small utility trailer but sold it. Looking for a enclosed one now.
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US ARMY 2004-PRESENT
CVMA 45-1 WISCONSIN
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