Hauling 2 bikes with mini quadcab pickup

[Bruce]

Not that I can afford one or anything, but I was wondering if anyone has one of those small fourdour pickups (Ford Explorer Sport Trac, Toyota Tacoma 4 door, Dakota four door) and has carried bikes. Looking at moving two full size bikes. I understand i would probably need a bed extender.

are they worth it?

Bruce
KDX 250

 

[CAB]

I've owned Toyotas for 16 years and I think that V-6 Tacoma four door would haul two bikes fine. The only problem is that stubby little bed. They need to put a regular length bed on those trucks and slip a v-8 in so they can tow camper trailers at the same time. I've seen a few of them loaded with bikes and the rear tires literally hang over the end of the tailgate. Slightly unnerving.

 

[mtngoat]

Just checked out the new longbed supercharged Nissan. Pretty nice and and a very responsive motor. Bed looks like 6', maybe a little short for hauling with the gate up.

 

[motojunkie]

I have a Tacoma 4 door, and have hauled 2 bikes in it no problem. The rear wheels rest on the tailgate, and you have to be a little creative to pack everything in, but really no different than any other compact truck.

 

[Silver Bullet]

I have an '01 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab and love it. For me it was perfect. I needed a back seat for my daughter but still needed to haul my bikes. The Dakota Quad has a full size rear seat and the bed is just long enough with the tailgate down to haul 2 bikes. What I like best is the V8. I have the "Next Generation" 4.7 V8 and it cranks. Perfect truck for family & riding plus it looks pretty hot too.

 

[Jeff Gilbert]

Originally posted by Silver Bullet
I have an '01 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab and love it.

How much weight (trailer wise) do you think your truck will handle in reality? I know it's rated pretty high but I'm looking for a real world experiance.:D

Before I bought my 01 1500 quad cab, I test drove a 4x4 Durango with a 360 and stopped by the house to hook up my 16' trailer loaded with p.a. gear and the Durango didn't even squat much. I towed it down the hgwy and it pulled fine. The Dakota is supposed to be on the same frame as the Durango isn't it?

 

[Silver Bullet]

My Dakota is rated to tow up to 6000 lbs. I have only towed my jet ski and naturally I don't even feel that. The truck has an awesome feel to it. 6000 lbs is alot of weight but my guess would be this thing could haul it fine. I have loaded the bed up with bikes and gear and it barely sags in the rear. The factory towing package is pretty heavy duty. It is very similar to the Durango but the frame is longer and the suspension is tougher. If you liked the way the Durango towed then you will be just as happy with the Dakota. It is basically a Durango with a bed in the back. I get lots of compliments on the truck.

 

[Ramski]

I just bought a Toyota Tacoma Double Cab on Saturday and will see how my bike fits tomorrow. Looks like it will barely make it. I went with Toyota after visiting MANY different truck related message fourms. Reliability is most important to me and the Toyota's are virtually bulletproof.

 

[Silver Bullet]

You waited until AFTER you bought it to see how the bike fits??? Wow, I was paranoid. I took a tape measure and all my bikes measurements with me to the dealer and measured eveything out. I would have died if I got it home and the bed was too short. I'm sure it will be fine but I would have measured it out ahead of time. Good luck with the new truck.:cool:

 

[Ramski]

The reason I was not too concerned about the fit before I bought it was that I have a 4x8 flatbed trailer that I used before I had the truck. If everything fits with all my gear, I'll sell the trailer. I feel bad since the trailer is only a year old and has the nice big 15" wheels, but at the time I thought it would be much longer till I bought a truck.