Anyone use the F-150 loading ramps?

9/22/2016 8:04pm
About to buy my first real bike, and will be hauling it around in my F-150.

Looking for something sleek to help with loading/unloading the bike. Not interested in carrying around a board.

Has anyone used the F-150 ramp?

I like that it 'clips' into the tailgate, and that it stores nicely on the wall of the bed. But it's definitely overpriced at $370.

https://accessories.ford.com/ramp-asy-11273.html
|
Hut
Posts
10286
Joined
4/27/2010
Location
WA US
9/22/2016 8:07pm Edited Date/Time 9/22/2016 8:07pm
I have never seen that before but it looks easily worth that price to me. Very nice!
NHtoWA421
Posts
549
Joined
8/4/2014
Location
Bremerton, WA US
9/22/2016 8:24pm
Dang! I have never seen that! I I will definitely look into that. Do you know if it works with the f150 bed extender?

Just bought a lariat ecoboost last month. Worth every penny!

731chopper
Posts
4076
Joined
1/2/2015
Location
DFW, TX US
Fantasy
390th
9/22/2016 8:41pm
I've never seen one in person. I thought about getting it when I ordered my last truck but was leery of how well it'd hold up and if its storage spot would even work after loading 2 bikes. I got the bed extender which was a good buy even though it doesn't work for 3 bikes. Here's a picture of the bed extender (and my old man's rear end). With either 1 or 2 bikes in the back it locks together fine.

For a ramp, I've been using a folding aluminum ramp I bought from Cycle Gear for years. You can use a tiedown strapped to the ramp and your trailer hitch to make it secure while loading the bikes.



mirramaxx
Posts
887
Joined
12/15/2011
Location
NE US
9/22/2016 8:42pm
Here's my setup
I use one for the bike and one to walk on. Also fold up to store in the cab if I want. My brother got them for me at Walmart haha. Nice getting good mpg while hauling the dirt cycle!

The Shop

RandyS
Posts
6184
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
9/22/2016 10:06pm
I have an F150, I have a 2 x 12 with an aluminum tongue. The very first time I ever rode a motorcycle in 1969 my Z50 went up it. I don't think I've ever put a bike in my truck when I didn't use it. When I was little my Dad told me never to ride up it so when I started driving myself of course I rode up it and have every time for the last 38 years. Same aluminum, same 2 x 12. Sucks that you can't get old growth lumber anymore.
billyslap
Posts
86
Joined
9/3/2016
Location
Temecula, CA US
9/23/2016 5:10am
I have had a dealer demonstrate them for me to see if I would want them.

Nope they were hoakie. Didn't like them at all.

Before you buy find a dealer with one and use them you'll see what I mean.
UpTiTe
Posts
7743
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
CA US
Fantasy
4000th
9/23/2016 5:35am Edited Date/Time 9/23/2016 5:36am
370 bucks for a motorcycle ramp? Wow. Are they gold plated?
MxKyle (MD)
Posts
72
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Orlando, FL US
9/23/2016 7:02am
SweetDaddy wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/09/23/153095/s1200_KTM_Muddy.jpg[/img]


Now why do you own a pickup again?? :-)
MX558
Posts
1750
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
9/23/2016 7:10am
6 ft ramp harbor freight. I also used a 2x10 for 5 years lol
4rings
Posts
125
Joined
9/23/2016
Location
NY US
9/23/2016 7:21am
+1 for the harbor freight ramp.
9/23/2016 8:13am
billyslap wrote:
I have had a dealer demonstrate them for me to see if I would want them. Nope they were hoakie. Didn't like them at all. Before...
I have had a dealer demonstrate them for me to see if I would want them.

Nope they were hoakie. Didn't like them at all.

Before you buy find a dealer with one and use them you'll see what I mean.
Mind expanding upon that? Were they flimsy? Too steep?

Like I said I've yet to own a full-size bike, and have never tried to load one in a truck so have no ramp experience—not sure I'd pick up on what's bad about them until it's too late.
UpTiTe
Posts
7743
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
CA US
Fantasy
4000th
9/23/2016 8:34am
MX558 wrote:
6 ft ramp harbor freight. I also used a 2x10 for 5 years lol
Yep, set of two for 69 bucks
kkawboy14
Posts
11494
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
TX US
9/23/2016 8:44am
If someone in the Austin tx area is looking for a Trailor, I have 1 on Craigslist for sale.
9/23/2016 8:59am
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes sprinter) or a trailer. Pick ups are just so impractical.
ga_pike
Posts
2606
Joined
7/14/2011
Location
Valdosta, GA US
9/23/2016 10:23am
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes...
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes sprinter) or a trailer. Pick ups are just so impractical.
Because 'Merica!!!

I have a pickup because I haul lots of different stuff including dirt, gravel, trash, dogs, and even a bike or 2. Let's see you drop a load of cow manure in your van and drive it across town.
crusher773
Posts
1747
Joined
12/23/2009
Location
Coweta, OK US
9/23/2016 10:57am
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes...
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes sprinter) or a trailer. Pick ups are just so impractical.
ga_pike wrote:
Because 'Merica!!! I have a pickup because I haul lots of different stuff including dirt, gravel, trash, dogs, and even a bike or 2. Let's see...
Because 'Merica!!!

I have a pickup because I haul lots of different stuff including dirt, gravel, trash, dogs, and even a bike or 2. Let's see you drop a load of cow manure in your van and drive it across town.
I agree I have a double carrier even and it leaves the back of the truck for all the gear and other stuff. It hauls 2 big bikes no problem. I could haul 5 bikes easily if I wanted to. Good alternative to a trailer has worked great for years.
9/23/2016 11:31am
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes...
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes sprinter) or a trailer. Pick ups are just so impractical.
ga_pike wrote:
Because 'Merica!!! I have a pickup because I haul lots of different stuff including dirt, gravel, trash, dogs, and even a bike or 2. Let's see...
Because 'Merica!!!

I have a pickup because I haul lots of different stuff including dirt, gravel, trash, dogs, and even a bike or 2. Let's see you drop a load of cow manure in your van and drive it across town.
We have tractors for that.
Krazyk2774
Posts
378
Joined
12/20/2010
Location
Alberta CA
9/23/2016 11:42am
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes...
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes sprinter) or a trailer. Pick ups are just so impractical.
ga_pike wrote:
Because 'Merica!!! I have a pickup because I haul lots of different stuff including dirt, gravel, trash, dogs, and even a bike or 2. Let's see...
Because 'Merica!!!

I have a pickup because I haul lots of different stuff including dirt, gravel, trash, dogs, and even a bike or 2. Let's see you drop a load of cow manure in your van and drive it across town.
We have tractors for that.
Way more space over here, the farms are huge! it would talk half a day to drive a tractor from one side of some farms to the other. I have 2 good friends that farm, one does about 7500 acres ant the other does 5000. I bought a set of aluminum quad ramps. I use one for the bike and one for me.
MX4EVR
Posts
836
Joined
7/27/2010
Location
Canton, OH US
9/23/2016 2:29pm
Real ballers use a board like me Smile
billyslap
Posts
86
Joined
9/3/2016
Location
Temecula, CA US
9/23/2016 3:07pm Edited Date/Time 9/23/2016 3:09pm
billyslap wrote:
I have had a dealer demonstrate them for me to see if I would want them. Nope they were hoakie. Didn't like them at all. Before...
I have had a dealer demonstrate them for me to see if I would want them.

Nope they were hoakie. Didn't like them at all.

Before you buy find a dealer with one and use them you'll see what I mean.
Mind expanding upon that? Were they flimsy? Too steep? Like I said I've yet to own a full-size bike, and have never tried to load one...
Mind expanding upon that? Were they flimsy? Too steep?

Like I said I've yet to own a full-size bike, and have never tried to load one in a truck so have no ramp experience—not sure I'd pick up on what's bad about them until it's too late.
Sure no problem. The F150 bed has 4 places you can put these cleats in the bed for tie down straps. You can see the first pic below. To use the loading ramps those cleats come out and another bracket pops into place.

So number 1 you will lose the cleats for tie downs.

Then the whole process of getting the ramps onto the brackets was a pain in the butt. Now granted this was mine and the salesmans first time messing with them so with some practice it may become easier.

Anyhow once in place they take up a lot of room in the bed because they don't fit as close to the bed side wall as you may think. So that is con number two.

Then to secure them on there bracket is another pain. It's been almost a year since I have messed with them so I can't recall but there are a couple of pins or cables to secure them. You can see them in the last pic. One is the lock in the back you can just see the orange lock above the "F" in Fairway Ford. Then there is one on the front too.

So to take them out you have to unlock two locks, undo two cables, pop a couple pins then wrangle them off the brackets. Then there was this piece on the tailgate that you had to wiggle them in from the side. It was also a pain as it was sorta a tight fit. Really that was the only reason I really wanted them was the security of it being locked to the tailgate.

But after messing with them for twenty minutes I realized this was more trouble than it was worth. Just throw an aluminum ramp in there and be done with it. Plus it was $5-600 option.

I would just advise anyone that wants these to go to the dealer and play with them for a minute. Have them all locked up and secure then take em out and set them up. Then resecure them in the bed. If you think about it for one minute you'll realize the old fold in half aluminum ramp you slide under or in between your bikes is faster, easier, cheaper, better.








rbabb524
Posts
26
Joined
6/9/2014
Location
Lake Hopatcong, NJ US
9/23/2016 3:19pm
I use one of these. Works awesome. Don't have to angle bikes. Don't have to worry about anything falling out and doesn't take up any bed space. Also it's pretty strong. I used it once to load a Harley for my friend.
billyslap
Posts
86
Joined
9/3/2016
Location
Temecula, CA US
9/23/2016 3:36pm
rbabb524 wrote:
I use one of these. Works awesome. Don't have to angle bikes. Don't have to worry about anything falling out and doesn't take up any bed...
I use one of these. Works awesome. Don't have to angle bikes. Don't have to worry about anything falling out and doesn't take up any bed space. Also it's pretty strong. I used it once to load a Harley for my friend.
That looks cool
Hut
Posts
10286
Joined
4/27/2010
Location
WA US
9/23/2016 3:42pm
Honestly I don't even use ramps that often. I just pick up bike and roll it into the bed.
Hut
Posts
10286
Joined
4/27/2010
Location
WA US
9/23/2016 3:44pm
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes...
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes sprinter) or a trailer. Pick ups are just so impractical.
Impractical? That is all I own. Hauls everything
JWACK
Posts
2479
Joined
8/7/2009
Location
NM US
9/23/2016 3:46pm
Hut wrote:
Honestly I don't even use ramps that often. I just pick up bike and roll it into the bed.
You beast.
JWACK
Posts
2479
Joined
8/7/2009
Location
NM US
9/23/2016 3:54pm
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes...
I don't get why all the americans use pick ups to put their bikes on.... Here in Europe everybody uses either a van (vw transporter, mercedes sprinter) or a trailer. Pick ups are just so impractical.
I drive a Ford F-350 for safety. If a car or van hits me, I win. I lose only to semis and trains. That seems fairly practical to me.

Post a reply to: Anyone use the F-150 loading ramps?

The Latest