Advice on ATV in bed of Crewmax

Like @ColoradoTJ and @Medic said, block of wood in the front, go super slow when loading up and ratchet straps across the back wheels and tie down the ramps DURING and after loading up to prevent kickback and sliding out.

But I do think trailers are a MUCH safer and easier option. Also leaves your bed empty which increases load capabilities (coolers, tents, kennels, etc)

I've seen too many careless mistakes from both rookies and vets when loading up. Rookies don't know what they're doing, and vets are so used to it they overlook small but important stuff.

Be safe whatever you decide brother!

 

3x4 block of wood for the front tires. 6 foot long sturdy ramps strapped for loading and unloading. Set the E brake on the quad then strap it in and good to go. The tail gate should handle the wait easy.

 

I have two 2001 Sportsman 500 HO's, to be honest the week I bought them I intended on buying a brand new Grizzly, but the Sportsman's were a great buy I couldn't refuse.

Everyone has their own opinions, so I'll voice mine. I have been impressed with Polaris and after owning these, if I were to buy a new ATV, it would be a Polaris.

I love their ground clearance, their AWD system, and the heavy weight for plowing.

I haven't put either in the bed of my truck though. I picked up a 2 place trailer instead and I have to say my advice would be to go with a trailer.

Loading/unloading is cake, no worries about it falling out, falling on you, or smashing your rear glass, plus you have room in the bed for other stuff for your trip.

From growing up riding/racing at tracks I have seen too many mishaps loading quads into trucks. Even if I picked up one I still would have bought a trailer.

The trailer also doubles as my bed's intern when it comes to hauling anything nasty that I don't want to put in the bed. It does all the dirty work and keeps the truck bed clean and dent free. Mulch, gravel, cement bags, scrap, lumber, topsoil, etc.

 

Brian, Chris is absolutely right about the ramps. I almost had mine spit out from under me while loading my 13 foreman 500. I was working on figuring out how to secure the ramps to the truck and tie two two together(two ramp setup). Then I bought a trailer. I might be willing to sell the ramps. Their byfold, aluminum and close to seven feet long opened up. Get a honda, best quality atv you can get. They run forever. I just wish Toyota made atv's!

 

Oops, tie the two together. I got a stick of 1/2 allthread to fasten them together at the right width to keep them from sliding apart and was going to attach them to the receiver with tie down straps. The nice thing about the ones I have is that the length reduces the angle you have to ride up and when folded they fit under the atv.

 

http://www.diamondbackcovers.com/hd/

 

I've seen guys with atv's and snowmobiles on those. Looks like a lot of weight way up high. It seems like your truck would ride like it's got a massive cabover camper on it. I didn't even like having mine down in the bed. Never hauled it in the 13, already had a trailer. That was with my 2000, made me feel like I was going to get run over by by my own machine!

 

Those harbor freight fold up trailers are a death trap. I wouldn't trust it to go anywhere except maybe around the block. I got a really nice brand new Diamond C from complete trailer, cool guy named Brett. He was in Henderson, but was looking for a bigger location. It's a 5x10 fully boxed and round tube powder coat with a bifold gate. 3500 lb Axle. $1600, got him to throw in a spare tire because it had a couple dings from shipping. Basic angle iron ones that size go for around $1200. Or keep your eyes on CL.

 

This. I have had crappy experiences with Polaris until they upped their game with the 570EFI. So unless you're looking to spend more go Honda for reliability.

 

I don't think I would load anything I cared about on one of those trailer. At least not at highway speed. Keep an eye on CL for a used trailer, if you decide to go that route.