How to Properly Load Dirt Bikes into a Pickup Truck
Loading a dirt bike into a pickup truck may seem like a difficult task, but loading two dirt bikes? Sounds even more difficult. In this article, we are going to walk you through our step-by-step guide for loading and tying down dirt bike(s) into a truck bed. If you are new to dirt biking you may hit “a few bumps in the road” when beginning the loading practice, but after a while we are confident you will get the hang of it with no problems.
Before we get started, there are a few pieces of equipment you will need to have:
Wheel chocks are optional. Personally, we have never used them. The method we use to tie-down our bikes at Rhino eliminates the need for a wheel chock, even if you are tying more than one bike down.
How to Load & Tie-Down a Dirt Bike:
Begin by parking your truck in a flat area. Doing so will ensure that your loading ramp is at an easier angle when lifting the bike into your pickup truck bed. Now simply unfold your ramp, and place the finger ends onto the tailgate with the opposite end on the asphalt.
PRO TIP: If the loading ramp feels a bit wobbly, or loose, and you are unsure that it will hold stable during the load, simply use tie-down straps to secure it to a metal endpoint underneath the tailgate.
Loading The Dirt Bike into Your Truck
This part is a lot easier than it looks. Start by setting the dirt bike into neutral, and line it up a few feet back from the foot of your loading ramp. Now, stand on one side and hold it by the handlebars. In one swift and effortless motion, begin rolling your dirt bike up the ramp and into the bed of your truck.
If you are loading a single bike, have it sitting diagonally in your truck with the front wheel in the front corner, and the rear wheel in the rear opposing corner. If you are loading two bikes, have them sitting straight with the front wheels turned inwards facing each other. This is especially necessary if you do not have wheel chocks, as it will add more stability for your two bikes during transportation on the road.
Tying Down Your Dirt Bike(s)
If you have an extra set of helping hands now would be the time to put them to use, especially if you are going to be tying down more than one dirt bike. However, if you are only tying down a single bike, you can use the above-mentioned diagonal load to brace the bike well-enough to hold it upright with one hand. Use your other hand to grab ahold of your tie-down straps and prepare to tie-down the bike.
To tie-down the dirt bike, start by hooking the hook-end of the strap into front-right metal ring inside of your truck bed, then attach the opposite soft loop-end to the right handle of your dirt bike. Once this is complete, begin tightening the ratchet mechanism to remove any slack from your strap. Once you have finished tying down the first side, go ahead and repeat the process for the second side of your bike. Repeat this process as necessary for tying down more than one dirt bike in your truck bed.
If you are new to using ratchet straps, read this informative guide with detailed step-by-step instructions on using ratchet tie-down straps. We recommend learning this before transporting your bike.
Featured Product: Rhino USA Cambuckle Tie Down Straps
Optional: Tie-Down the Rear Wheel(s)
Tying down the rear wheel of your bike(s) is optional, and in most cases, unnecessary. Especially so if your rear tire is on a diagonal axis like our guide instructed above. However, if you would like to tie the rear wheel down, simply run a tie-down strap through the wheel, loop it around your tire once, and attach both ends of the tie-down strap to the left and right metal loops in the rear of your truck bed.
If you have any questions regarding this guide, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our experts at Rhino. Give our team a call anytime at +1 (800) 575-7310 and we would be more than happy to help.
FAQ's
What are the best dirt bike tie downs?
At Rhino USA, we recommend using the cambuckle tie down straps for securing your dirt bike in the back of a pick up truck. It only requires two cambuckle tie downs to secure your dirt bike. Alternatively, we also have the best ratchet tie down straps for dirt bikes, which can also be used to secure your bike.
Are dirt bikes street legal?
Dirt bikes are typically not street legal by default. They are designed and built for off-road use, and they may lack essential components required for safe and legal operation on public roads. This is one of the main reasons why it is so important to have the right tie downs when transporting your dirt bike. However, it's important to note that some dirt bikes can be modified to become street legal in certain jurisdictions. The specific requirements to make a dirt bike legal vary depending on your local laws and regulations
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