Loading my RT-S in the bed of my Short bed F-250 Super Duty

[DrewNJ]

That's a really cool idea. How long does it take you to load/unload?
I agree, your fine with the truck. The spyder doesn't weigh THAT much. A SD won't even know its there...

 

[James & Julie]

Loading time

I'm still testing it to some degree, but loaded and ready to roll 20 minutes complete if all goes well.
It takes 5 minutes to set the ramps, and bring the loader to the tail gates. Drive up the ramps, set park brake, crawl off at the steep angle lol.
Once on the loader, strap both wheels down, and remove ramps. Install safety strap on under side. (Just incase strap)
Install the support blocks, and push the button. Lifts into truck to the balance point in 30 seconds or so. Then switch to other winch and lower it down to rest on top of the fuel tank. Loaded.
Add two straps in front, one in back. Hit the road.

If this were more frequently used, I could add clamps for the front wheels, and an auto locking device in the front and rear to speed it up. At this point I only need to use it 3 times.
I do enjoy the build more than the use. lol

James

That's a really cool idea. How long does it take you to load/unload?
I agree, your fine with the truck. The spyder doesn't weigh THAT much. A SD won't even know its there...

 

[jaherbst]

Me thinks it would have been cheaper and much less risky to ride the Spyder the 600 miles. The great "Swamie" see's some danger in your future. LOL

Jack

 

[Noral]

I used ramps to get it to the loader and tie it down. See picture attached.

Wow, What a wheelie didn't know a spyder could do this. Great job be safe on your travels !

 

[mrfats]

Here's a man with big kahunas!! Good luck!

 

[chuck gross]

DUDE!!!!

That is totally stark raving cool!! you have to be a Carpenter? cause that looks like something I might try. My hat is off too you. :thumbup:

 

[maliamd]

:yikes: :yikes: :yikes:

 

[johnnyrocket]

I know there are other post on this subject, but they all say you can't do what I did....

I'm hauling my boat to Florida this week. I would like to take the Spyder and the boat. Problem is I don't want to drive the Spyder 600 miles, and I can't pull double trailers with my boat trailer. (Aluminum)

So, I decided to load the Spyder in my pickup, and tow the boat. Everything I read online shows loading the Spyder backwards with the front wheels on the tailgate. This will not work with my boat trailer. Need the tail gate up, and I really don't want to take the windshield on and off every time we stop. I plan to visit friends alone my route requiring the Spyder to be loaded and unloaded 3 times during the trip.

I need to load the Spyder facing forward, and it be relatively easy to load and unload. I also have a tight budget. Oh, and to all the guys that said you "can't", please read on lol.

The fact that several people stated "it can't be done" probably helped make this happen.
I started drawing on a piece of paper a crude idea of a way to lift the Spyder into the back of my pickup. The bed is 52" wide, the Spyder is 51 1/2" wide. Too tight for my comfort, so I changed my plan to set the Spyder in top of the bed rails.
I designed and constructed a 4 point linkage attached to a wood 4X4 tee frame. Installed a winch to pull the loader into the truck, and another to pull it out. All of this is attached to my existing 5th wheel hitch rails.

After 3 weekends of construction I tested the loader. See pictures.

Cost:
Northern tool has 2000 warn winche for $99.00, The loading winch I used was given to me by my son, I purchased another Warn 1700 on Craigslist for $65.00.
The pulleys used for the block & tackle were $6 each at Northern Tool and I bought 10 of them, so another $60.00
I bought a trailer fender at Northern Tool for $16.00, cut it in half to use on both sides for the front wheel supports.
Spend about 20.00 in misc. bolts and pins.
Grand total I have $161.00 cash invested, and probably 40 hours labor, and another 10 hours design time.
I already had the wood, misc. angle iron, aluminum plate, misc. bolts, screws, nuts, and some eyelet connections. Could have been purchased for $100 or less.

Trial and error:
I used a 4 part block and tackle to pull the rig into the pickup, and a 6 part to pull it out due to that being a smaller winch. I used some cheap variety store pulleys on my trial run and the weight crushed the cheap aluminum pulleys. Picked up 6 more heavy duty ones today to replace them.
I added a vertical support under the rear shock to gain a bit of height in the rear to allow the tailgate to close.

The rear wheel will be strapped to the Reese hitch. Both front tires are strapped to the 4X4 and then again strapped down to the tie downs inside the bed.
I'm using some heavy duty Reese aluminum ramps, that I drilled holes in to bolt on the underside of the wheel support (fender cut in half).

This Thursday is my last work day to complete the build, and then off to sunny Florida with my boat and my 2014 circuit yellow Spyder.

Let me know what ya think guys,

James & Julie

Where are you going to be in Fl?

 

[cyclelover63]

I salute your ingenuity!!!...I hope you don't run into any strong winds...

 

[r1100rider]

Question: Any type of concern because of the weight of the Spyder being so high if going into a hard or sudden turn?


Looks Good. :thumbup:


Cruzr Joe

Compared to a 2500lbs camper sitting 2 ft above the cab this is a very lite load for a f250

 

[James & Julie]

I thought of that, but needing to haul the boat, and riding the Spyder at the same time would require a remote control for one or the other, and I would probably get a ticket trying to drive and use the remote control. It would be cool to build though. Hmmm, where is my scratch pad??

Thanks guys,

Me thinks it would have been cheaper and much less risky to ride the Spyder the 600 miles. The great "Swamie" see's some danger in your future. LOL

Jack

 

[James & Julie]

Trip Details

We are going to Daytona Beach area first to meet up with friends, then on to Largo (Tampa St. Pete area ) to see my Mom next week.

Where are you going to be in Fl?

 

[James & Julie]

Hi

Thanks my friend,
You are correct, I came up as a carpenter, foreman, and now a Senior Superintendent for a large General Contractor in the water and wastewater construction business.

I have always loved to invent things to save myself time and money. It's amazing what a carpenter can do with a saw, cutting torch and a welder.........

That is totally stark raving cool!! you have to be a Carpenter? cause that looks like something I might try. My hat is off too you. :thumbup:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I can't wait to see the video of loading and unloading. :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: That's what I'm also waiting for! :thumbup:

:bbq::bbq::bbq:

 

[James & Julie]

Video

If all goes well, I will try to upload a loading video Thursday. All depends on time, lots to do, no time.......

I can't wait to see the video of loading and unloading. :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Good Luck... :2thumbs:

 

[PW2013STL]

You sir are one very brave and talented person :bowdown:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

YOUR INGENUITY

I love a DIY'er...............I faced the same problem ( transporting TWO Spyders to Spyderfest ).......But mine was much easier because I had already decided to remove and sell the "cherry " pk-up bed of my 03 Tacoma .......My platform ended up only 24 inches from the ground after I welded up a new frame ...........You did a great job :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:..................Mike :firstplace:

 

[Lin]

That is a real nice piece of engineering!!!!!!!
Safe journey.