I've got a 6.5' on my Chevy and I always haul two bikes with the tailgate down. I've got a folding ramp that fits perfect sideways so I just stick that in front of the rear tires and it keeps the gearbags and junk from flying out. It actually works out really well. On the very rare occassion that I'd have a trailer in tow I just strap the tailgate up as high as it'll go.