New ATV won't fit in PU bed?

[Larv]

Just bought an ATV and have discovered it probably won't fit in the bed of the Dodge (with the tail gate closed). I have a shortbed. Evidently, the Ferd (nasty, nasty word) shortbed is approx 6 inches longer than a Dodge. Anyone carry their ATV w/o the tailgate? Obviously the ATV will be strapped in but is anyone doing this? Any problems?



I have a 2 place utility trlr but am not interested in pulling doubles with my camp TT.



Thanks in advance!



Larv

 

[Dl5treez]

I don't, but a co-worker hauls around his Polaris 700 EFI Twin in a shortbed Chevy w/ toolbox. It sits on the gate & has for about a year--no problems yet.

 

[WDixon27]

i can't remember the name of it but somebody makes a device that probably would help, it's a adjustable bar that fits into your hitch and extends up and forward to hook onto the atv securing it when you don't have a tailgate, i've seen them in action and it looks like it does a good job

 

[Larv]

I don't have a problem leaving the tailgate down except when pulling my TT. Therein lies my problem. I have the utility trailer for the ATV when not towing the TT... ..... Larv

 

[mbadger]

I hauled my 500 Suzuki in my 1996 3/4 ton OK and was disappointed when I discovered it wouldn't fit in my 2004! I do have a utility trailer and haul it that way. I like the weight in the winter. I would remove the tail gate and stap it in if I needed to. I added some more attachment points inside the box. Good luck. Have a great day.



Mike

 

[MicroOutlawRacer]

As long as the center point of the rear wheels/tires is inside the bed and sitting solid there won't be a problem. One thing I would do is put a strap across the rear of the atv just to keep it from jumping around and possibly turning in the bed and dropping a tire off the back. Just keep an eye on it and it will fine.



David

 

[EricBu12]

Looks like you need to get one of these... .



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This is very comfortable... has two slides, a separate garage (12')... this maker has a new 3 slide model... .



This trailer GVW is 15,500..... has 2500# pin weight... .



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[AndyMan]

You could build/buy a short set of "mini" ramps to drive the atv up on once in the bed. That would effectively "shorten" the ATV. You don't want the front tires up too far cause they'll hit the window, too low and you won't be able to shut the tailgate. I had a friend that did thist in order to get a full size frame atv in the bed of his mini pickup with the tailgate shut. It worked great. It raised the front tires off the floor of the bed about 12-14" or so.



If you are like me, you only need about 3 or 4 inches to be able to shut the tailgate. That's the way it was on my 03 shortbed anyway. Man I was HOT the first time I realized I coulnd't haul my full size atv with the tailgate shut.



The ramp trick should be cheap and should work great.



Best of luck,

Andy

 

[Okie-Go]

I am glad I have the long bed. Never could use the short bed, I have the long bed and a trailr. On occassion I still run out of room.

 

[BrianJ]

Looks like you need to get one of these... .



#ad

One big problem with toy haulers...



We have two ATV's and we looked at several toy haulers and were about to take the plunge and realized it just wouldn't work for us. Unless you camp where you want to ride or pack up the RV every time you want to ride, you still need to get the ATV's to the trailhead. We ended up keeping our 32' pull behind travel trailer and double pull when we want to take the ATV's. Now when camping we don't have to pack everything up to go to various trail heads. I am very pleased in how the set up pulls and hardly know the second trailer is behind us, even at almost 69 total feet



As far as addressing the original post, it sounds like the post about small ramps might be the only way to go. If you can angle the ATV up a little bit (without going through the back window) you may be able to get the gate closed. It wouldn't take much of a turn with the gate down and TT hooked up to crunch them together.



Another option, although rather expensive, are racks that go on the top of the bed rails that would allow you to pull the ATV up sideways. This would also give you the area under the rack in the bed for storage. I have seen a couple of these on the road, and have seen them at local ATV dealers.

 

[AAllen]

atv wont fit

Had the same issue when I bought my TT this is what I had built to solve my issues

 

[dresslered]

Now that is thinking outside the box!

Great idea for the TT! Unfortunately, I carry a slide-in.

 

[BrianJ]

Had the same issue when I bought my TT this is what I had built to solve my issues



[/QUOTE]



That's exactly what I was talking about here:

[QUOTE=BrianJones]

Another option, although rather expensive, are racks that go on the top of the bed rails that would allow you to pull the ATV up sideways. This would also give you the area under the rack in the bed for storage. I have seen a couple of these on the road, and have seen them at local ATV dealers. [/QUOTE]



Even though I have the two spot ATV trailer and double pull, I may still look into a rack like that one of these days.

 

[DHayden]

I got one of these, it holds 1500 pounds, mounts to your tailgate and only takes up about 4 inches of space when not in use. You can also pull out to the first slat (bracket on your tailgate) and tilt the closed ramp up to act like a tailgate. Then you have the added length of your tailgate for the bed and still have a gate.



Oh yeah, you can also get a couple poles with it (or make your own) that prop up the extended ramp when not in use. Makes a good table or work bench.

 

[WDixon27]

when you are not hauling a trailer this should keep it secure

http://www.atvramps.com/guard_dog.htm

 

[AAllen]

the one in my post is for sale $550. 00 obo.

 

[DieselFiend]

load your ATV in backwards. It should fit, just make sure your back bumper doesn't contact the back window. I learned that lesson the hard way.

 

[HOBrian]

I have a sportsman 500 HO that WOULD fit in my Dakota with the tailgate up!!! My 03 has to have the tailgate down :{ how sad, fullsize no go midsize no problem

 

[HOBrian]

load your ATV in backwards. It should fit, just make sure your back bumper doesn't contact the back window. I learned that lesson the hard way.

Tailgate might be to high, plus that is real steep and not the safest way to load an atv.

 

[DPelletier]

Ah yes, the ATV's keep getting bigger and the boxes keep getting smaller!



I had a similar problem with my dirt bikes in my long box because of my tool box. I also was towing a TT at the time and what I did was custom build a tailgate that extended back 4-5 inches or so. It was built out of angle iron and expanded metal. I really liked it because I could strap gas tanks and stuff to the expanded metal and when I got to my destination, I unhooked it and used it as a step into the back of the truck. It was easy to take on and off because it was much lighter than a regular tailgate.



Just another option.



Cheers,

Dave