Harley in the box?

As the title says, will these 3rd gen Tacomas be able to safely carry a smaller harley in the box? tailgate down due to length. It's a 2004 Wide glide, dry weight around 650, wet probably 700ish. It's not an even load distribution so I'm worried about busting the tailgate off when we try and unload or load it.. anyone have experience with this?

Thanks!

 

I have hauled my KTM 990 that weighs 460ish lbs. in the bed. I just moved it local, 30 miles and it did ok. I used a chock on a wide piece of plywood and 4 tie downs. It nerve racking to get up and down on the narrow ramps I used. I wouldn't haul it a long distance that way

 

I hauled my Yamaha Fz09 multiple times over hundreds of miles with weight on the tailgate without issue, but that thing only weighed about 500lbs wet.

 

DO NOT put that amount of weight on the tailgate. Put long (preferably curved, wide) ramps directly on the bed edge after removing your tailgate. The length of the bike might require you to load it diagonally in the bed. If your ramps are too steep you will bottom out the bike. Seriously be darn careful and have extra eyes and hands when you are attempting this. Backing truck in towards an uphill can help reduce the ramp incline. Strap the ramps in place to prevent them from kicking out. Look up some motorcycle loading fail videos first! They may make you change your mind if your loading situation looks similar to any of the ones you see!

 

The tailgate will support it but if you are going very far, the ride of your truck is gonna be terrible if you have stock leafs.

Personally I use a trailer. Much easier loading and unloading. Better drivability and ride.

 

Get a trailer. You will screw something up trying to put that bike in the bed.

G.

 

I am one of those people who carries WAY too much in my bed. (I probably had 2k Lb in mine a few weeks ago https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacome-bed-weight.661205/#post-23183886)

I would only do it with air springs (or similar).

I would personally build a platform for it... without running any numbers I would do something like this. Is this more effort than using a trailer?, yes...
ONLY tie down straps to the bed bolts. Make 100% sure you are providing restraint for fore/aft loads besides the bed front wall, you will destroy it with a hard stop.

Warning, I did not run numbers on this, but it seems ample to me... PowerPoint engineering ahoy.

BTW, I would install that over a rubber bed mat, and shim with plywood at the tailgate as required.

 

came here looking for a new joke toy like Elf on a shelf.. Harley in a box

 

I hang mine off the back...truck rides like it’s not even there although the setup (bike and carrier) is around 540lbs.

 

My hauling motto: If it fits, it ships.

 

there are a few different steel tailgate reinforcement plates that some companies sell that may help keep your tailgate in tact/reduce bending

you may want to look into those if this is a common occurance for you

 

If you have a ditch next to the side of a rode back the truck into it and try to drive the bike in. Much easier than ramps.

 

first gen zx10r (widowmaker), NICE! i had a blazing pearl orange one, up until about 2015 when i upgraded to the 4th gen. havent hauled the sportbikes in the tacoma yet but, i dont see an issue. we haul 2 dirt bikes back there all the time. pic for attention, me at "the gap". Ski

 

1981 Suzuki GS850G weighs in at 605 pounds as it sits. Dropped tailgate, put ramp on tailgate and secured with a tie down strap. 600 pound bike with 190 pound rider rode up ramp over tailgate. Bike tied down and then drove 600 miles to new location. Unloaded bike. Hauled from Norfolk to Ohio through the Virginia and West Virginia mountains with no issues at all. Never knew the bike was back there until I looked in the mirror. Fuel mileage didn't suffer much either.

 

I used to haul around some light bobbers and cafe bikes that were sub 500lbs with no problem however I did a favor and picked up a buddy's Dyna once and buckled my tailgate. It was just too heavy that the rear leafs couldn't absorb properly. Nice $600 lesson learned. Throw down a half sheet of 3/4 ply first and you should be okay. Other option, as mentioned, is to get one of the tailgate reinforcement plates. Loading will not be an issue, its the transport that will do the damage.

 

excellent taste sir. Mines a 2015

 

I fit my Sportster 72 in there with tailgate down

 

I've gone cross country like this, though the bike weighed in a bit less than your Harley.

 

Geez you guys worry too much. OP, get you a piece of 3/4 plywood and set the bike on it. Tie it down with 4 straps and move on with life.

 

Thank you everyone for the great tips and tricks! I have a few things up my sleeve now! Very much appreciated. It's a good 650km trip so wanted to make sure it would be safe.

You guys rock!