Moving...need some advice please

[d4ster]

I am trying to figure out how to move my bike the easiest. I have to move my apartment contents, my car, and the bike. Now, I can either figure out a way to get her up in a truck, if I can find a truck with a good enough ramp, or have someone else move it.

If I use someone else, I am looking for anyone's advice on who is both inexpensive and careful. Has anyone used a bike mover that they would recommend?

Or, if anyone knows of a kick ass way to load/unload a bike in a uhual type truck, I am all ears.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Raywood]

How far are you moving it? Do you have a hitch on your vehicle? U-Haul has the 9ft trailer with the loading ramp on the back. That's what I use if I have to take my bike to the shop. It's $24 for the day. I used one on my last move also from Kalifornia to Washington.

 

[Mad Dog]

Ride it and have a friend drive the car if it's practical. Then fly you're friend back home. Just a thought.

 

[d4ster]

I am going about 550 miles. Again, its the whole house, a car with no hitch and the bike to move. And, I am alone in doing this, no wife (thank god she's gone!!)

 

[wibsdogg]

U-hauls got the best ramp you can get built in. I helped my cosin move and I drove the dog right up in the truck straped her down good packed his stuff all around. We unloaded and I rode home. It was a little spooky backin down the ramp but it worked out.

 

[O-man]

Back the truck up to a loading dock or in a bar ditch and use ramps.(just thinking out loud) Good luck.

 

[bpernie]

go to a golf course and use the ramp people use to load and unload golf carts from behind their pick-ups i 've done this before when i had a smaller bike

 

[coach]

Back the truck up to a loading dock or in a bar ditch and use ramps.(just thinking out loud) Good luck.

FYI: Back-up to a loading dock or even a retaining wall does work well. Buddy of mine used that method all the time transporting his bike in a 1/2 ton pick-up......as in your case.....I used a U-Haul moving from Calif. to Fl. Felt like Evil Knievel riding the Harley up the ramp and hitting the brakes inside the truck, then stacked it in between two mattresses .....I did have two guys, one on each side, help me back it out. Then there are those guys hauling and delivering bikes around the country in bike trailers, but they charge too much.

 

[KnotSo]

U haul sells/installs hitches on most every vehicle, so they can set you up for a trailer.

Better to rent a large truck and car trailer. Put the car on the trlr, and the home contents and bike in the box of the truck rental.

Backing up to something is a great way to load bikes, or on some trucks they come with a load ramp. If the angle is too steep, drive up on blocks of wood under the front tires which will lower the angle in the back.

Now everything you own is with you on a one way trip.

 

[RoofDude]

U-hauls got the best ramp you can get built in. I helped my cosin move and I drove the dog right up in the truck straped her down good packed his stuff all around. We unloaded and I rode home. It was a little spooky backin down the ramp but it worked out.

Did this years ago. Wasnt a Dog but, rode my Yamaha Virago up the ramp, secured it, packed around it. Was definately scary riding it down the ramp :loony: I was young & stupid then :loony: Wow, just thinking about it reminded me that, that was nearly 20yrs ago

FYI: Back-up to a loading dock or even a retaining wall does work well. Buddy of mine used that method all the time transporting his bike in a 1/2 ton pick-up......as in your case.....I used a U-Haul moving from Calif. to Fl. Felt like Evil Knievel riding the Harley up the ramp and hitting the brakes inside the truck

I use that back up in a ditch method when loading the 4 wheeler in the back of a pickup. "Evil Knievel" :roll: Funny thing is... I know EXACTLY what you mean..!

 

[txchopperguy]

As far as professional bike movers, a company called "Keyboard" is regarded as one of the best. They only move high end pianos and motorcycles. These are the folks used by most major buliders to get bikes to and from rallies and shows.

 

[d4ster]

Thanks for all the quick replies. I will use what I can here. If my new employer is willing to pay, I will look up the Keyboard guys. Otherwise, I will attempt any combo of the mentioned things.

I tried this before with a trailer. The K9 is just so low and long I had a hell of a time getting her up in the trailer, even using a fairly steep hill. It needs to be nearly flat I think. I may just use a loading dock at work.

 

[Mickeetwo]

Thanks for all the quick replies. I will use what I can here. If my new employer is willing to pay, I will look up the Keyboard guys. Otherwise, I will attempt any combo of the mentioned things.

I tried this before with a trailer. The K9 is just so low and long I had a hell of a time getting her up in the trailer, even using a fairly steep hill. It needs to be nearly flat I think. I may just use a loading dock at work.

When loading it in a trailer and the K9's to low to the ground....jack up the front of the trailer until you get the right height. I carry some wooden blocks that I put under the trailer jack and jack the tounge of the trailer high enough and drive in.

 

[kiwi]

Motorcycle shipping, motorcycle transport, motorcycle transportation, motorcycle shippers
these blokes are good for moving your bike too. if the boss is paying

Ryan

 

[Cobrafast1]

I moved my entire house, two cars and a motorcycle from Novi, Michigan to Bonita Springs, FL back in 2002. I used Bekins-Stevens moving.

That was a Volvo S-60, my Superformance Cobra and a Harley Softail plus all my belongs from a 3,500 sq ft home with full basement all in a 53' trailer. They built a floor above the cars for boxes and everything.

The move was 100% successful. Not a scratch on any object, furntiure, art work, cars or bike. They do know how to pack.

If you're moving 550 mile, it might as well be a 1,000. Pack it all into a big ass trailer with competent packers and moving company.

 

[bdmridgeback]

I went to a local pallet company in Michigan, bought a 8' or 10' pallet. Reinforced it a bit and bolted a home made wheel chock to it. I then put the pallet in the back of our 26' U-Haul that we used to move to Florida. I made two of these one for the wifes bike and one for mine. Strapped the bikes down to the pallets and off we went. Mine were shoe horned in the very back of the truck and I bolted the two pallets together so they wouldn't move.

It worked great for the 2500 mile trip. backed the truck into a hill and rolled the bikes down the U-Haul ramp on the back of the truck. The ramp was almost flat at the hill we used. Loaded them the same way.

 

[Raywood]

I went to a local pallet company in Michigan, bought a 8' or 10' pallet. Reinforced it a bit and bolted a home made wheel chock to it. I then put the pallet in the back of our 26' U-Haul that we used to move to Florida. I made two of these one for the wifes bike and one for mine. Strapped the bikes down to the pallets and off we went. Mine were shoe horned in the very back of the truck and I bolted the two pallets together so they wouldn't move.

It worked great for the 2500 mile trip. backed the truck into a hill and rolled the bikes down the U-Haul ramp on the back of the truck. The ramp was almost flat at the hill we used. Loaded them the same way.

When my bike was shipped to Florida last year for Daytona it was done on a pallet like this. Worked great.

 

[MisterMister]

Uhaul 9 ft trailer with ramp

I have an 08 k9. I used the 6 X 9 foot trailer from uhaul. The ramp works great. I had to park my k9 justa little bit diagonal. That way there was enough clearance between the rear of my bike and the tailgate/ramp. Hauled it 615 miles there and 615 miles back. Trailer worked great!! There are only 4 tiedown rings, one in each corner. The side rails are strong enough to tie to as well.
But it sounds like the 26 footer is the way to go for you.
Good Luck with the move.