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quick question

boomer

New member
has anyone hauled a :spyder:in the back of a full size pickup truck .according to mcg. spec. it should fit. loaded with rear end in first with front wheels possibly on tail gate. 2008 chevy .
 
Mine fit in a 2000 model F350 Long bed. We had to back up to a bank and used wide set of ramps to get it in the truck. It fit with about 2 inches left on each side. There was not enough room to shut the tailgate. I know one2doo has a 2007 chevy 2500 and it will not fit in his due to width. It was a nervouse trip back from florida with it and I will not do it again. Good luck.
 
It was a nervouse trip back from florida with it and I will not do it again.
Beg, borrow, rent, or steal a trailer! That is a lot of weight on a tailgate, and an expensive load to possibly damage. Better safe than sorry.
-Scotty
 
:agree: I totally agree with Scotty.....I trailered mine, and arrived in Vegas yesterday from Iowa. You have way too much invested, to be hauling that

in a pickup.
 
One other thing to consider, especially if you have a newer truck, is bending the tailgate of the truck. Years ago i was hauling a small bike, a 350 in the back of a truck. And althought when loaded i was able to close Tailgate. Just loading it from bank driving across tailgate multiple times slighlty bent tailgate. i caught it and stopped before it bent it enough to give trouble with tailgate latching. It was an older farm truck, so didn't matter. Imagine that wheel setting on tailgate with the weight bouncing up and down when you hit a bump. My 08 Chevy HD has a lightweight tailgate made out of some sort of composite. I wonder if it would crack it.:dontknow:

Wayne
 
There was a Ford Sporttrac at the Pontiac Lake BBQ in MI that had a self-loader set up for a Spyder, I'm looking for the info.
 
My trailer is great, with one exception; without it, I get 20 mpg on the highway, with it, I get 12. A trip to Roscommon last July cost me over $500.00 for gas!
 
My trailer is great, with one exception; without it, I get 20 mpg on the highway, with it, I get 12. A trip to Roscommon last July cost me over $500.00 for gas!
That is all part of a sinister plot by BRP to make you think the 30 mpg you get with the Spyder is great, and make you want to ride it where you are going instead of pulling it in a trailer. ;)
-Scotty
 
Hey Scotty, compare the Spyder to other trikes and sidecar bikes, we don't do all that bad. A neighbor of mine has a Ural Patrol, top speed 62 mph, mileage 26 to 32 mpg. We get same ballpark mileage, much better performance.
By the way, I'm looking at an aluminum trailer, costs a lot more, weighs less than half as much. I do quite a bit of traveling for construction missions through my church, need the trailer for Spydee, the truck is loaded with tools.
 
Hey Scotty, compare the Spyder to other trikes and sidecar bikes, we don't do all that bad. A neighbor of mine has a Ural Patrol, top speed 62 mph, mileage 26 to 32 mpg. We get same ballpark mileage, much better performance.
By the way, I'm looking at an aluminum trailer, costs a lot more, weighs less than half as much. I do quite a bit of traveling for construction missions through my church, need the trailer for Spydee, the truck is loaded with tools.
I was just joking about the mileage. My only complaint is the tank size limits the range a bit. We considered a Ural a few years back. You are right. Mileage and performance are lacking. The only way they really do 62 is off a cliff, IMO. Reliability is better than what it once was, but not earth-shaking. Glad we saved our money until the Spyder came along.

Do think hard about an all aluminum trailer. They are great! We bought a 7x12 Deluxe V-Nose R&R, and it is great. Extra tall, yet only weighs 1,200 pounds (single axle). I can haul four bikes in it, or the Spyder and two small ones. The extra width and the longer ramp from the extra height make loading the Spyder a snap. We camp in it at the bike shows. They make them right here in Michigan, in Three Rivers. I suspect some of the northern Indiana manufacturers have similar models.
-Scotty
 
Please read thislll

I bought a used covered trailer (7x16 - single axel) for $1800 (like new), and found a tri-fold ramp that was 59" wide. My spyder fits - just. Mid tire on the ramp, and clears the door by 2" on the side.

Plus: easy to load, secure for hauling, fully lockable, out of any weather & away from prying eyes, can be towed with a truck or SUV.

Minus; can't take the travel trailer. Reasons for preference:

A couple of years ago, I had a Yamaha Rhino (1,100#) that I wanted to haul to the beach, and use my TT. I found a kit that had a winch, and angled ramp, that allowed me to actually close the tailgate for additional safety, and put the front of the Rhino over the cab. It was very similar in operation to the loader on this thread, all aluminum, and designed to be fairly easy to install and remove. However, initially, the unit's bolts didn't "quite" match up with the truck, then the supports allowed the whole thing to move (side to side) on the road.

The loading (1X) went OK, and the Rhino seemed fairly secure. We got to the beach & off loaded the Rhino, fairly easily, with a large crowd watching. We played for two days, then, late in the day, started to load-up - with very few people in the lot - one of which was a 5yo on a minibike...

When the Rhino was 80% loaded, the winch support broke (the welds broke), and the 1100# Rhino was probably doing 25+mph by the time it hit the pavement, and JUST missed the 5yo. Fortunately, I had strapped the wheel, so the Rhino went in a straight line.

I left the lot and went to town & bought a trailer ($1200), which required two trips to transport everything home - an extra 600 miles.

Since that experience, I like ramps, conditions where I can drive the bike on/off, and not worry about security.

Please consider this very true story, before you consider unusual loading and/or transportation aids....

Given the choice offered by the loader - I'll still opt for my enclosed trailer.

I still have all the photos of this experience... as well as the memories.
 
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