Hauling ATV in Bed of 2500

[DCornelius]

I will be hauling a 650 lbs ATV (Yamaha Grizzly) in our 04. 5 2500 at the end of December. I've never carried an ATV before so I have a few questions:



What is the best way to tie the beast down using the built in anchors? (i. e. What type of tie down straps, Where to anchor on the ATV, etc. )



Should I use any sort of stop at the front (cab) end of the bed?



Thanks for your help!



David

 

[hintonJ]

From one Tarheel to another:



Get 4 ratchet straps, secure them around the footpeg/floorboard area, (2 on each side) cross under the ATV, and secure in the truck bed floor to the rings. Cinch up your ratchet straps nice and tight, and it's not going anywhere...

 

[Jeepr]

A Grizzly will definately be taller than the bed, and can take out the back window. I usually pick up the ramps and put them in front of the ATV to keep it off of the window, then I strap it down as hintonJ already described. And maybe this goes without saying, but if you have a shortbed, you won't be able to close the tailgate with a Grizzly in there. I can close it with my Polaris Scrambler, but not with my Honda Foreman.

 

[DWeiler]

I always put a old tire between the front bed rail and quad for the "just in case" it does move forward. I"v met lots of fellow quad riders who have replace the window more than once. CHEAP INSURANCE. ---DW

 

[SSalzer]

I have a Kodiak (not too much smaller than your Grizzly). I just make sure the quad is in park once it's in the truck bed. I park it so it's got a few inches between the front of the quad and the truck so when it bounces around the quad or truck doesn't get scratched. Most of the time I don't even use ratchet straps and make sure I don't drive like a fool. If I do use a tie down strap, I'll just put one in the front of the quad from the frame down to the cleat in the bed. I've never had a problem. When the quad is in park, it's pretty hard to move it.

I guess if you do happen to get in an acciden't this isn't the best way. But for me, it's the easiest and it works.

 

[MScheiper]

Have been hauling my '07 Honda Rancher around in my 04. 5 all last summer. Have a tool box in truck so window issue is not a problem, but usualy I use 4 2" wide rachet tie down straps, one on each corner of the four wheeler. Usually attach on the rack. Otherwise if you have a clevis that will fit in the rear hitch, I run one rachet tie down through it across the back two tie downs. This is ok as long as you have something to protect your back glass as that method will most definitely put pressure and move four wheeler to the front of the box. Just my . 02 Hope it helps!

 

[SSell]

couple ratchet straps, leave it in gear. cable lock if you have to leave it unattended will slow down the thieves. if you do a wheelie riding it up the ramps when you load it, it's not hard to totally buckle the front of the bed (even if you miss the window). :{

 

[Jeepr]

if you do a wheelie riding it up the ramps when you load it, it's not hard to totally buckle the front of the bed (even if you miss the window).

Yup, I did that #@$%! The Polaris Scrambler is a CVT and bogged on the ramps, I gave it more go and it launched and bent the bed and put a mark in the window frame. A friend put a CVT Grizzly through the back window of his S-10. I LOVE the non-CVT Foreman, it crawls nicely and under control up the ramps!

 

[Task125]

I have a 650 Raptor and with a 6x6 in front of the bed it fits perfect,the tailgate pushes on the rear tires and its snug in the bed

 

[DCornelius]

Thanks to all for the great advice. Hey Task125, do you know the overall length of your Raptor?

 

[AMink]

I put my Sportsman 500 in the bed, then run straps from the front hook to the rear bed tiedowns, then run from the hitch to the front tiedowns. It will hit the middle rear window (slider) with the winch hook, so I let that out and dangle it down low. I did lose the window on the drivers side, but don't know what hit it. I was bombing down a dirt road and BLAM!, no window. I pushed, pulled, and leaned on the quad. Still don't know what hit the window. I have a rack and have to remove the rear and middle cross pieces to get the quad up. The tailgate doesn't close all the way, so I use the built in straps from the rack to hold the tailgate against the rear tires.

 

[dclassens]

I had a Kawasaki Sport four wheeler for a couple years and had no problems hauling it around in my 02 quad short bed. I would leave the tail gate down and ratchet strap it in the bed. Worked great!! Drive and RIDE safe. Accidents happen so fast.



Dave

 

[DCornelius]

Well I think I have my list of things I need:



1 old tire

4 ratchet straps

Confirmation of insurance coverage (heh,heh)

Fair winds and smooth roads



I appreciate everyone's input. I actually hope that I'll have enough room to cinch up my tailgate to the rear tires at least a little. I want to be able to haul the ATV from time to time, when pulling our camper. I believe with the tailgate down, I'll hit my propane tanks when turning sharp.



Thanks again to all.



David

 

[Task125]

Thanks to all for the great advice. Hey Task125, do you know the overall length of your Raptor?

Its about 5' 8" like I said with the 6x6 in the front the tailgate touches the rear tires when closed