I’ve been to countless races and trail rides with friends, and my trusty truck has always been there to transport my bike wherever I need to be.
But I know for first-timers, the question of “will a dirt bike fit in a short bed?” might come up.
Short truck beds are a popular option among dirt bike riders, so it’s a valid concern.
A dirt bike can fit in a short bed trailer, in most cases. The dimensions of the dirt bike and the truck bed play a crucial role in determining its compatibility. The most common methods of loading a dirt bike in a short bed are placing the dirt bike diagonally or attaching truck bed extenders to the tailgate.
I’ll guide you on how to properly apply these tips, but first, let’s dive into the significance of matching your dirt bike and truck bed dimensions.
Understanding dirt bike dimensions and your dirt bike truck bed size
A truck’s compatibility with a dirt bike is imperative to ensuring both the bike’s and truck’s safety during transport.
A truck bed that’s too short can pose a risk to personal safety during loading/unloading and damage the bike.
A bike that’s too large for the bed can be illegal to transport and may fall off, causing road accidents or delays.
So, how can you ensure your truck bed is a fit for your dirt bike? There are a few key dimensions to consider:
- Length
- Width
- Height
- Weight
When checking the compatibility of your dirt bike and truck for transportation, you’ll want to measure your dirt bike’s length from the front tire to the back tire and the height from the front tire treads to the handlebar.
You’ll also want to measure your truck bed to ensure enough room for your bike and any accessories you have mounted. T
he width of dirt bikes is typically around 32.4 inches, so make sure your truck bed is wide enough for your bike.
Additionally, consider the weight of your bike.
A heavy dirt bike may slow down your truck’s speed, while a truck that’s too light may not be able to support the bike’s weight.
Dirt bike truck bed size
A dirt bike transportation truck can come in different sizes based on your truck’s brand and model.
Here’s a quick overview of the common types of truck beds and the size of dirt bikes that fit in each:
- Short Bed: Usually 5 to 6 feet long and can carry dirt bikes up to 7 feet or less.
- Standard Bed: 6.5 to 8 feet long and can fit smaller and larger dirt bikes up to 7 feet or less.
- Long Bed: 8 to 9 feet long and can accommodate dirt bikes with longer wheelbases and wider widths.
- Crew Cab: Has a back seat and a shorter bed but can still carry dirt bikes up to 7 feet or less.
- Extended Cab: Has longer bed compared to a crew cab but is still shorter than a long bed; ideal for dirt bikes up to 7 feet or less.
How to load a dirt bike in a truck bed
Whether you’re loading your dirt bike into the truck with a friend or by yourself, here’s how to do it safely and efficiently:
1. Prepare all the necessary gear and equipment to load and secure your dirt bike
Here are the essential items you’ll need:
- Lightweight yet heavy-duty ramp for easy setup and support of your dirt bike’s weight; A foldable ramp is portable, but any suitable ramp will do.
- Wheel chocks to keep the bike’s wheels steady and prevent rolling
- Sturdy stool or mounting block to provide height leverage while loading the bike on a tall truck
- Tie-down straps to secure the bike in the truck bed
2. Park your truck and load the ramp
To load your dirt bike, park your dirt bike transportation truck near your bike on a level surface, but leave enough space for the ramp.
Open the tailgate, place the ramp, and put a stool near the highest part of the ramp to aid in loading.
You can try parking your truck on a downward-facing slope for extra leverage. Just be extra cautious when rolling the bike into the truck bed.
If you can’t figure out where to place the ramp on the tailgate, you can do a dry run to determine the proper placement of the ramp and stool.
3. Ready the straps
Tie your tie-down straps to your truck’s anchors, then set them aside to avoid tangling with wheels when you load your bike.
4. Load the dirt bike
Push the dirt bike up the ramp by holding the handlebars and walking it in slowly but firmly.
Try putting some distance between you, the bike, and your truck to build momentum and make it easier to load the bike.
5. Secure the dirt bike in place.
Once the dirt bike is in the truck bed, secure it with tie-down straps.
Then cross over the handlebars with the front strap, avoid tangling any cable, and tie both ends securely.
When driving with the tailgate down, strap the bike’s rear to protect it and the tailgate.
6. Check the bike’s stability
Pull the straps tight to secure the bike, then gently sway it to see if it moves.
If the straps are not secure, adjust the straps.
Here’s a good demo of how to load your dirt bike into the truck bed:
Will a dirt bike fit in a short bed?
Got a short truck bed? No worries. With a bit of creativity, you can still transport your dirt bike.
Here’s how:
1. Measure your dirt bike and truck bed
To fit your dirt bike in a short truck bed, measure both the bike’s and bed’s dimensions.
Get the length, width, and height of your dirt bike and truck bed, and check if your bike fits vertically and horizontally.
2. Try placing your dirt bike diagonally
This is a common placement strategy when placing dirt bikes in short beds.
Fit the dirt bike in the truck bed by pushing it forward and angling the handlebars diagonally so the rear portion fits inside.
If some part of the rear tires still won’t fit, keep the tailgate down and secure the rear portion of the bike to prevent damage while driving.
3. Use a truck bed extender
Use a truck bed extender if your dirt bike’s length exceeds the truck bed.
With a truck bed extender, you can carry larger items and longer items in the truck bed.
Once your dirt bike is secured in your short bed, fasten the truck bed extender to the tailgate with bolts, clamps, or brackets.
If you’re using bed extenders, regularly check them during transit to ensure everything is still intact.
Conclusion
Fitting your dirt bike in a short truck bed may seem challenging, but with a little creativity and proper safety measures, you can make it work!
You can either try loading your bike diagonally or use a truck bed extender for added space.
Whichever option you choose, make sure to secure your bike properly with ties to prevent any damage during transit.
And don’t forget to use tools like ramps and wheel chocks to make loading easier and safer for you and your bike.
Take your time, and if needed, don’t hesitate to ask for a helping hand!
