Ideal bike configuration for ram1500 and 3 bikes

[trout]

Is it possible to put 3 bikes in the back without having to use a bed extender? What configurations have worked best for you guys?

Its a ram1500 quadcab, bed is ~6'2" with gate up, over 8' with gate down.

Bikes are 1 cr250, 1 xr100, 1 yz85 and riding gear for three folks.

I have not had the bedliner sprayed in yet, so I have not yet played around with it. I was just curious to what works for most guys and if anyone like the bed extender device.

Thanks

 

[Treejumper]

I havent had more than 2 YZF's in my bed yet. Had to leave the tail gate down. I dont think you will have any problems with putting 3 in there. I'll let you know on the 21st. I've never used the bed extender as it wouldnt get much use.

 

[trout]

I'll see how it goes, I may be able to angle the cr250 enough to close the gate as it is considering that the other 2 bikes are very small. If not, I'll just get the extender. I may just get the extender anyways since the other two bikes belong to my wife and daughter...and the extra footage will help hold all of their luggage. You know...women.

 

[Philip]

Trout I have a 1500 club cab and I put 3 bikes in it. I put my 250 behind me(driver side) the 85 behind Josh(passenger side) and I put the 70 in backwards ( with the front wheel facing the tailgate). That seems to be the only way i can cram all 3 in. If you find a better way please share. :thumb:

 

[NVR FNSH]

I drove a Dodge 2500 CC short bed (against my will) for ~1.5 years and I bought a bed extender because with two full size bikes the tail gate wouldn't go up. I kept the bed extender and use it on my Dodge 2500 QC long bed when I haul 3 full size bikes (2 facing front, middle bike backwards) because it gives me enough room for gear bags/tool boxes/gas cans/coolers/etc. I'd seriously consider the one that unfolds into a loading ramp.

Brian

 

[trout]

Thanks. I am able to fit them in pretty good with the 85 in the middle facing backwards. I use a tiedown and strap the middle bikes bars to outside bikes bars. It looks like a tangled mess but seems pretty secure. I had them up to 85-90 with no troubles.

 

[Camstyn]

I wish I had a pic, but I crammed 4 bikes into my '99 Chevy 1/2ton shortbox once. Two KX250's (normal position), one RM250 (backwards in the middle) and a XR100 sideways on the tailgate. Not that I would want to do that again! :scream:

 

[CaptainObvious]

Short bed or long bed? That is the question. I'll be buying a new truck this winter and I'm only considering an 8' bed. Should I re-think this?

 

[Camstyn]

Long bed is the only way to go. The short bed is ok if you're going to a local track with two bikes/people.. Anything more than that and you'll need a trailer or you'll be deciding what stuff you can get away with not bringing.

 

[DK]

94 Nissan cab and a half - DRZ400 (outside), XR250 (outside), XR200 (middle offset with milk crate), three riders and gear. Comfortable???? Well... A Dodge 1500 would have been a luxury.

 

[trout]

Originally posted by RV6junkie
Short bed or long bed? That is the question. I'll be buying a new truck this winter and I'm only considering an 8' bed. Should I re-think this?

It all depends on the truck. We looked at f150 quadcabs and the bed was only 5 feet something. The dodge ram quadcab had a 6 foot 4 inch bed and over 8 feet with the gate down. We put the gate down and have the aluminum bed extender and put in three bikes and riding gear for 3 and a cooler, ramp, and the extra crap. The inside of the ram quadcab is huge too. I can fit them in with the tailgate up but it is really really crammed in also keep in mind the 2 of the three bikes are pretty small (xr100, yx85) but with the bed extender its not bad at all. I think what I like most about the truck is the hemi though :aj: !

The long bed would be good, but with the extra length of the quad cab plus an 8foot bed, it would be sooooo long.