Slate as Motorcycle Hauler: Fit, Estimated Range & Real Limits (Article)

[motorolas]

Slate Truck Motorcycle Hauler: Fit, Loaded Range & Real Limits

https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/20...torcycle-hauler-fit-loaded-range-real-limits/
I don't have a motorcycle, but I found this article interesting of someone considering carry load of motorcycle(s) and use cases in a Slate truck.

 

[AZFox]

Their range estimates are noteworthy.

Range estimates at steady speed with one motorcycle loaded:​

• 55 mph: 165-180 miles
• 65 mph: 145-165 miles
• 70 mph: 130-150 miles
• 75 mph: 115-135 miles
• 80 mph: 100-122 miles

 

[E90400K]

I guess the writer forgot about the frunk to transport gear bags during foul weather.

The article would have been more complete had towing a motorcycle on a trailer been discussed. That would be my use case. Interesting the article mentions the Goldwing; I doubt any motorcyclist will carry a large cruiser, bagger, or touring bike in the short bed of the Slate.

 

[GaRailroader]

I don't like how they show the front tire of the motorcycle hitting the center of front bulkhead. Once you cinch the straps down that is a lot of force in middle of that bulkhead. I would put the bike on one side or the other and turn the front wheel into the corner where the bulkhead meets the side of the bed. That will be a much sturdier place to put that kind of load. Bikes are very stable carried in this manner.

 

[FloppaEnjoyer8067]

I guess the writer forgot about the frunk to transport gear bags during foul weather.

The article would have been more complete had towing a motorcycle on a trailer been discussed. That would be my use case. Interesting the article mentions the Goldwing; I doubt any motorcyclist will carry a large cruiser, bagger, or touring bike in the short bed of the Slate.

I’m going to put my Harley Dyna Wide glide in the bed. It’s about 700 lbs and will fit in the bed with the tailgate down

 

[E90400K]

I’m going to put my Harley Dyna Wide glide in the bed. It’s about 700 lbs and will fit in the bed with the tailgate down

I hope you have help with loading and unloading. I have no help for loading. No way I'm putting my Valkyrie Interstate (800 pounds) nor my K1600B (760 pounds) in the bed.

 

[FloppaEnjoyer8067]

I hope you have help with loading and unloading. I have no help for loading. No way I'm putting my Valkyrie Interstate (800 pounds) nor my K1600B (760 pounds) in the bed.

I’ve done it before. The trick is to strap the ramps down so they won’t move, quadruple check nothings moving, and then send it up the ramp.

It’s still sketchy, but I’ve never dumped it. The worse part is getting down… I’ve never done that alone.

 

[GrizzlysGhost]

I hope you have help with loading and unloading. I have no help for loading. No way I'm putting my Valkyrie Interstate (800 pounds) nor my K1600B (760 pounds) in the bed.

Same. Not even thinking about trying to load/unload my 2016 Indian Chief Vintage ; if I have to haul her, she gets a trailer.

 

[AZFox]

$15 U-Haul trailer rental FTW.

That's workable for a dirt bike, but pushing my 500-pound bike that's 7' 3" long up a ramp (which I'd need to buy and then store) and into the 5-foot bed of the Slate wouldn't be a trivial task, even considering the low entry height.

OTOH trailer rental is $15 and it's drop-dead easy to put the bike on the trailer and take it off, and it can be done solo. Get a little running start and up she goes. The ramp is wide enough for you to step up the ramp next to the bike..

 

[E90400K]

I’ve done it before. The trick is to strap the ramps down so they won’t move, quadruple check nothings moving, and then send it up the ramp.

It’s still sketchy, but I’ve never dumped it. The worse part is getting down… I’ve never done that alone.

So, back in the day, I winter stored the Valk in an 8' x 12' shed I built in the backyard. The yard was sloped so I built it on posts to level it. The floor was about knee height. I built a ramp to ride into the shed. With too much Evel Kinevil stupidity and lots of dirt bike experience, I used to ride the big Valk into the shed come Thanksgiving time. Stopping it on the oil-soaked floor on clod wet tires before going out the back wall was always the trick. Five times in and out never a mishap. I had help in the Spring getting the Valk out of the shed. And the ramp was just 12" wide (leftover scrap wood).

Oh, and I had to duck a bit to not hit the door header (windshield cleared it) - LOL. Some 23 years later I no longer have the nerve... but now I have a nice big shop to keep it in <big grin>.

 

[E90400K]

$15 U-Haul trailer rental FTW.

Which was the issue I had with the 1,000-pound tow rating. A U-Haul M/C trailer is 650-pounds empty, throw a 800-pound scooter in it... Someone at U-Haul wouldn't like it.

 

[FloppaEnjoyer8067]

So, back in the day, I winter stored the Valk in an 8' x 12' shed I built in the backyard. The yard was sloped so I built it on posts to level it. The floor was about knee height. I built a ramp to ride into the shed. With too much Evel Kinevil stupidity and lots of dirt bike experience, I used to ride the big Valk into the shed come Thanksgiving time. Stopping it on the oil-soaked floor on clod wet tires before going out the back wall was always the trick. Five times in and out never a mishap. I had help in the Spring getting the Valk out of the shed. And the ramp was just 12" wide (leftover scrap wood).

Oh, and I had to duck a bit to not hit the door header (windshield cleared it) - LOL. Some 23 years later I no longer have the nerve... but now I have a nice big shop to keep it in <big grin>.

I’ve got a lift table and when backing up off of it the front will lock up once the rear hits the ramp…

I can’t say the first time that happened I didn’t nearly dump my bike

 

[AZFox]

I think we determined that with a 1,000-lb tow rating U-Haul won't rent any trailer to you.

FWIW the U-Haul M/C trailer weighs 870 pounds.(!) It's a hefty, over-built beast that's also a utility trailer.

The new towing capacities are a huge improvement.

 

[FloppaEnjoyer8067]

The capacity now shows 2kip so it should be alright.

Also, just lie to uhaul. Usually the employees don’t care.

 

[AZFox]

A wheel chock helps keep a front wheel from moving around during transport.