1999 Valkyrie in a Pickup Bed

[Bill H]

I have a 1999 Valkyrie Tourer.  I recently bought a new toy, a boat and trailer, that weighs ~ 5,500 lbs.  Currently my only vehicle is the Valk and it doesn't have a trailer hitch.  (My wife has a 2008 Honda Ridgeline, which has a 5,000 towing capacity.)  So, needing to buy a tow vehicle.

My question, will a 1999 Valkyrie fit in the back of a 8' pickup bed?  My measurements look like it would be close, but I haven't measured next to a truck.  It could push me to get a long-bed truck if I could take my boat and bike both on the same trip?  Looking at F-250 Crew Cab Diesel long-bed trucks.

What have others' experience been with hauling a Valk in a pickup?

Thanks,
Bill

[alph]

i think it will, but you'll have to have the gate down.  if i remember correctly, my cycle is 8' 6".

maybe if you put it in rooster eyed you'd be able to close the gate.

[Varmintmist]

I had my std in the back of a F150 short bed. Rear sat on the tailgate. Front was in a chock bolted to plywood.

My 150 broke down in WV, got a ride home, went down on the Valk to get it from the shop.

BTW, I have the F250 now, long bed extended cab, and she turns just inside the radius of a light cruiser. If you go long Penn Dot Limo cab, keep your captains hat on after you get off your boat.

Any way you go, you will probably not be towing with the tailgate down. The trailer has a jack that will be rough on the paint. You can haul at a angle or just leave the tailgate at home.

Just a question, why on earth are you getting a 250 diesel to pull 5K and carry less than 1/2 ton in the back?
Unless you are getting a large toy hauler in the very near future and will be traveling 6 months at a time, that is way over trucked. A gas 15 series of any major maker with auto is rated at just under 8K towing, a 250 gas is rated at about 10K same as the diesel, and will drag that yacht around with the bike in the back without pushing hard and for the 99.995% of the time you are not towing, it will get 150 class MPG if you drive it a little conservatively and save you the money it will cost to own that boat up front. Unless you are using it for a living, you will never see a savings in diesel over gas, and with less than 6K towing, and 1K hauling, you will never really use that much truck.
   Just my O

[Jabba]

Thinl about getting the Valk into and out of the truck bed... probably by yourself. 

That's a scary proposition IMO, and I am a big strong dude.  I used to ride dirt bikes into the truck bed, and I'd drop them once in a while getting them out.  NBD.  Drop the Valk there, and it's tore up, and that's assuming that you don't hurt yourself.

I agree with Varmintist too.  You're looking at too much truck, unless you just WANT it... then it doesn't really matter and more power to you.  I mean after all... we ALL have TOO much bike right?

IMO... put an oil cooler on the Ridgeline, and pull the boat.  Rating are WAY conservative.  Just be reasonable with it, and make sure the surge brakes work good.  Squealey's uncle Ronny pulls a pretty heavy trailer with his wife's Ridgeline, and claims he's really surprised at how well it does it.  He's got a 1/2 ton Chevy, and a 1 ton Dogde Diesel as well, so he HAS options.

Hell, I used to pull a 20' I/O ski boat and trailer with a std cab S-10.  It worked out OK.  Although I needed to keep the brakes working on it or I would get in trouble fairly quick.

 
Jabba

[Scott in Ok]

I had to haul my I/S home when I bought it in Dallas and it fit fine in the Chevy Silverado extended cab shortbed I had at the time.  Rear tire sat a few inches onto the tailgate but was plenty sturdy for the job.

-Scott

[Rams]

I agree with the posts above about the 3/4 ton diesel pickup being more truck than needed for the task you're asking of it.  A 1/2 ton pickup will do it more economically and is more applicable to the task in this case.  You really don't even need a V8, in fact, I'd recommend an inlne 6.  But, that doesn't mean you can't have what you want.

I own, drive a 3/4 ton Dodge Camper Special with HD suspension, Cummins diesel truck.  90% of the time it's coupled to my 30 foot goosenecked dovetail car hauler.  For what I ask of it, it's a better platform for what I use it for.  The Cummins engine has more torque and gets better fuel efficiency than a gasoline engine in this application.  BUT, I pull and transport some pretty heavy loads.  The Cummins engine is the main reason I love my truck.  I needed the heavy duty 3/4 ton suspension for the loads I transport.  

As far as trailering in general is concerned, you can pull many loads with undersized trucks/engnes, the area I see folks get into trouble is in braking.  Pulling a large/heavy load is easy but stopping it in a panic situation isn't doesn't always give the desired results.  My best advice is to match the load to the trucks capability and if possible, always have trailer brakes.  I personally don't like surge brakes but, they do have their applications where they are a better application.  

The truck you're considering will do the job but, it is overkill.  Still, if that's what you want, go for it.

blackrams

[Pete]

Do not ever buy just enough truck, because it will always be not big enough. I made that mistake once, never again.

Gas or diesel, you choice on light duty or heavy duty. The big plus on the heavy duty is the suspension, frame strength and brakes, all will handle the light or heavy load better and safer.

Personally  I prefer the diesel, having owned and used both. The diesel in a heavy duty is just a better tow and haul truck.

But as always, it is your money and your choice.

[keythumper]

... have you considered a van?

[hubcapsc]

I fetched mine home in the back of this longbed...



Lots of people here are freaked out by the ramp angle in the picture, these guys didn't bend my kickstand
bracket, but perhaps I am just lucky...

 1- watch the ramp angle.

 2 - I wouldn't rooster the forks on tiedown... I don't remember if the tailgate shut or not, but it's
      no big deal if it doesn't

 3 - use good tie downs, not too loose, not too tight, at about a 45 degree angle - Ancras just
      don't come loose if you use them right.

 4 - some folks here get weirded out if you hook your tiedowns to the handlebars, so you might
      want to get some advice on where else to hook them... I always hook to the handlebars,
      brought the Valk home from Philadelphia with a stop-over in West Virginia, with Carolyn
      driving in West Virginia  (there's no smiley icon for about-to-hurl)...

I unloaded by myself using an old farming terrace at my house, no trouble. If you don't have something
like that handy, unloading might be a big deal...

-Mike

[Rams]

Do not ever buy just enough truck, because it will always be not big enough. I made that mistake once, never again.

Gas or diesel, you choice on light duty or heavy duty. The big plus on the heavy duty is the suspension, frame strength and brakes, all will handle the light or heavy load better and safer.

Personally  I prefer the diesel, having owned and used both. The diesel in a heavy duty is just a better tow and haul truck.

But as always, it is your money and your choice.

While I do agree with your thoughts, one can easily get a whole lot more truck than needed.  A good example is a neighbor that has a 1 ton Ford Powerstroke.  All he pulls is his 20 foot bass boat.  Way to much truck for the task but, he likes the truck.  Then again, money doesn't seem to be an issue in his case.

Ron

[alph]

after giving it more thought, i can see were you're coming from with getting a huge truck!  (it's a guy thing so women won't understand that power thing)  that's why we ride Valks and nothing else!! 

i've got an F-150 supercrew with the 5.4 liter triton V8.  when you're pulling a camper, i wouldn't get anything less.  bigger is better in that catagory. 

try this with the wife;  IT'S A SAFETY THING!!  she'll feel better if she feels safer.  and if you're ever in the deep snow, you'll love the 4wheel drive (i use mine about three times a year, but i'm glad i've got it when i need it!!)  it's like having AC up here in wisconsin, only gets used three or four days out of the year, but when you're sweetting you love it!! 

you're just trying to justify getting it aren't you???

[Rams]

after giving it more thought, i can see were you're coming from with getting a huge truck!  (it's a guy thing so women won't understand that power thing)  that's why we ride Valks and nothing else!!  

i've got an F-150 supercrew with the 5.4 liter triton V8.  when you're pulling a camper, i wouldn't get anything less.  bigger is better in that catagory.  
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you're just trying to justify getting it aren't you???

Well, if that's the case then, you're fully justified.   

blackrams

[Bob E.]

My dad has a '03 Dodge Ram 2500 with the deisel.  My brother has the same truck, but an '06 (I think).  Dad's truck gets between 12 and 14mpg while pulling a 11,000lb camper, about 17mpg normal driving, and about 22-24mpg when on a trip without the camper.  The truck is totally stock without any sort of chips or programmers and has about 70,000 miles.

On the other hand, I had an '04 Dodge Ram 1500 with a gas motor.  That thing got about 10.5-11mpg normal driving around and about 14mpg when on a trip not towing anything.  When I took Dad's truck and got better gas mileage towing the camper than my truck got daily driving, I traded the truck on a new mini van for the wife.  Even that thing doesn't get as good of gas mileage as my Dad's Ram 2500.  

My next full size truck will be a diesel (I'm really liking the new Ford Super Duty's right now), whether I need that much truck or not (I really do not).  

[Rams]

Dad's truck gets between 12 and 14mpg while pulling a 11,000lb camper, about 17mpg normal driving, and about 22-24mpg when on a trip without the camper.  The truck is totally stock without any sort of chips or programmers and has about 70,000 miles.
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My next full size truck will be a diesel (I'm really liking the new Ford Super Duty's right now), whether I need that much truck or not (I really do not).  

My 02 Dodge Ram (Cummins) got very similar mileage although 14.4 is the worst mileage I've ever gotten with a load.  I picked up about .5 miles per gallon when my exhaust finally rusted off and I replaced it with a four inch Banks exhaust.  Planning on getting the Banks Power Package eventually to go along with that.  They advertise a significant increase in power and mileage, 12% if I remember correctly.

blackrams

[deadvelvet]

my 99 i/s will fit in a f 350 with a full size bed with the gate closed. my battery pooped out and thats what my brother in law had

[Westernbiker]

Buy a small trailer to put the Valk on and hitch it to the back of the boat trailer. Then you don't have to deal with getting it in and out of a truck bed. SCARY!!!

[Big Mike]

I have a ford f-250 XLT diesel 4x4 with an 8ft bed. I carry bikes, including Valks, in it all the time. it is not a problem. if you are coming to INZANE and you are there when I arrive you will see my diesel with my 99 i/S in the bed, 2 more in the 24ft car hauler along with all my merchandise I will be hauling at least 10K. The ford diesel is a great choice!

[Big Rig]

I built my own ramps and have loaded my 99 IS in the back of my stepside F150 with the tailgate down the rear tire sat right on the end of the bed...As I said, I have loaded (road) my valk onto my truck several time. I used 4'x8'x3/4 ply and 4 2"x6"x8' with anti skid tape up the middle..

Two part ramp that you could split and store on either side of the bike when tied down.

If you need more info, send me a PM.

[fudgie]

While I do agree with your thoughts, one can easily get a whole lot more truck than needed.  All he pulls is his 20 foot bass boat.  Way to much truck for the task but, he likes the truck. 

I know a few people with problems like this with their bikes. They buy the best touring bike with all the bells and whistles for touring and throw it in a trailer and head 200 miles down the road. WTF do you need a touring bike for then I ask. 

As for the op'er, try and tow it with the ridgeline, it might pull just fine. He who has a truck has over loaded it a few times, right folks?  I have alot with wood, gravel, hay/ straw, women, etc. If you really are pulling the boat to the water will you have time to ride anyway?  ???

[Varmintmist]

I was not saying to not get the 250, it is more than you need but it will handle that boat easy. The extra $$ for the diesel just is plain overkill. The 250 5.4 v8 will get 13 for me local and I can squeeze 16 on a trip with just the pups, brats and SWMBO. 10 with a full load of hay on a 16 foot trailer and the truck. You will NEVER, repeat NEVER make up the $$ from the initial cost and maint of the diesel in fuel MPG. The upside of a 250 is suspention, the downside is suspension. It rides like a truck when its empty. 36 sheets of plywood smooths it right out though.

A 150 will pull your trailer and haul your bike. When you are empty, it will ride a lot nicer. Ford is claiming up to 11300lbs towing on a new 150 so maybe it wont grunt that much...

[Wingman]

I'm going to throw in with the rest of the Cummins guys. I have an 03 Dodge 2500 4WD. It gets 18-20 around town, over 20 traveling. I can haul my 14 ft aluminum (15hp) fishing boat or a 30 ft fifth wheel.
It is my favorite truck and possibly my favorite 4 wheeled vehicle I've ever owned.

I always bring enough truck!

[Gunslinger]

Diesel motors are inherently more fuel efficient than gasoline motors, is this really a secret to anyone?

the differences between a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton pickup are relatively small and have much more to do with suspension than engine in most cases. Many manufacturers offer the same engine in both models.

A smaller motor is ONLY more efficient when paired with a properly sized vehicle. I purchased a 6 cyl Ford Explorer several years ago BECAUSE I made the (stupid) assumption that the 6 cyl was more economical. not only did I pay more money for a 6 cyl (used) I quickly figured out (and researched and proved) that a more powerful V-8 got better mileage simply because it didn't work as hard to pull the heavy POS. (not even factoring in towing ANYTHING)

[Jabba]

A smaller motor is ONLY more efficient when paired with a properly sized vehicle. I purchased a 6 cyl Ford Explorer several years ago BECAUSE I made the (stupid) assumption that the 6 cyl was more economical. not only did I pay more money for a 6 cyl (used) I quickly figured out (and researched and proved) that a more powerful V-8 got better mileage simply because it didn't work as hard to pull the heavy POS. (not even factoring in towing ANYTHING)

My cage is a dodge Magnum RT.  It gets about 1 MPG less than the 6 cyl ones, both in town AND on the highway.  I get 17 or so in town and 21-23 on the highway.  Plus... the SMILES per gallon on the RT are WAY WAY more!

Jabba

[Wingman]

Diesel motors are inherently more fuel efficient than gasoline motors, is this really a secret to anyone?

Actually its not as widely known as you might think. Most make the assumption that the decision to use a diesel has more to do with low end grunt than fuel economy. But the fact is that they are more economical because of: A. Diesel is a high compression engine (twice as high as gas in some cases) and therefore gets more power per stroke. B. Diesel fuel contains more energy per gallon.  With the advent of "Common Rail Injection" and Piezo controlled injectors, fuel economy and power were improved once more. For as long as they are available and I can afford them, I will have a diesel in my pickup.

[Spirited-6]

 smaller motor is ONLY more efficient when paired with a properly sized vehicle. I purchased a 6 cyl Ford Explorer several years ago BECAUSE I made the (stupid) assumption that the 6 cyl was more economical. not only did I pay more money for a 6 cyl (used) I quickly figured out (and researched and proved) that a more powerful V-8 got better mileage simply because it didn't work as hard to pull the heavy POS. (not even factoring in towing ANYTHING)

I agree, you can over power and you can under power. Case in point, in early 70`s, GM`s 455`s  got better MPG than 350`s, and 4 barrel`s was better than 2 barrel`s   

[Varmintmist]

Diesel motors are inherently more fuel efficient than gasoline motors, is this really a secret to anyone?

Nope, it is also a fact that upfront price and standard maintenance are more for the diesel. Enough so that unless you really need the grunt that you get from the diesel and intend to put 300,000 on towing 8-12K/lbs it is a waste. Diesel is running about .20 a gal more than gas and was closer to 4.50 a gal not that long ago. You cant make up the fuel cost to justify the up front price. The only way you can justify a diesel is by towing a lot, a long way.
I am watching  a guy at work go through this. He bought a 2500 diesel to tow his camper. He moves it twice a year.

the differences between a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton pickup are relatively small and have much more to do with suspension than engine in most cases. Many manufacturers offer the same engine in both models.

With different transmissions which is what really matters.

[lakehunter]

Now come on guys ... 3/4 ton diesel crew cab 4x4 owners just love the satisifing crunch of a Prius going under those big mud grip tires !!!

[hubcapsc]

it is also a fact that upfront price and standard maintenance are more for the diesel.

Buy Used! (Ask me next year if it worked out  ) Just got it back from a giant going over by the
Dealer in Walhalla... besides changing every fluid (except the transmission) they fixed some stuff
(couple of door buttons, front rotors, universal joint, ... ) It is lined up to be seen by a transmission
shop I like where they're going to put on a studly cooler, change the fluid and the filter...
 


With different transmissions which is what really matters.

Around 1990 we had a f150 4x4, I was convinced they put the same transmission in it as they
put in Pintos.

I like the old square body-style... I think the new giant ones where you can't see over the hood if you're
standing next to it look like jelly beans.

-Mike "no offense to any jelly-bean owners..."

[Madmike]

Diesel motors are inherently more fuel efficient than gasoline motors, is this really a secret to anyone?

Nope, it is also a fact that upfront price and standard maintenance are more for the diesel. Enough so that unless you really need the grunt that you get from the diesel and intend to put 300,000 on towing 8-12K/lbs it is a waste. Diesel is running about .20 a gal more than gas and was closer to 4.50 a gal not that long ago. You cant make up the fuel cost to justify the up front price. The only way you can justify a diesel is by towing a lot, a long way.
I am watching  a guy at work go through this. He bought a 2500 diesel to tow his camper. He moves it twice a year.

the differences between a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton pickup are relatively small and have much more to do with suspension than engine in most cases. Many manufacturers offer the same engine in both models.

With different transmissions which is what really matters.

I agree that the costs of initial purchase and the costs of ongoing maintenance have to be considered if you want to get an accurate measure of the overall costs of ownership of the vehicle.  When considering the costs of a diesel pickup don't forget to add fuel filters, glowplug or preheater maintenance costs (if you live somewhere cold), added costs of insurance and registration because of the heavier GVW etc.

I had a diesel in '86 and kept  it for several years - when diesel fuel was way cheaper than gas and I got lots of fuel free from places I worked.  I believe that unless a person does high mileage towing or hauling then they are not justifiable on a cost basis.

Lots of guys here that have welding rigs etc. and leave their trucks idling all day, especially in cold weather, the diesels do better than gas in this case.

[Master Blaster]

Used to haul mine sometimes in a F350 Dually with the tailgate closed.  Was scary loading and unloading, but if you can put rear wheels in a ditch makes it much easier.  I Kept the F350 for 13 years with very little maintenance required.  Have a 3500 Crew Dodge now, and can tell you the Cummings Diesel is light years ahead of the ford Navstar.  Gets diecent mileage also. 

[Wingman]

Have a 3500 Crew Dodge now, and can tell you the Cummings Diesel is light years ahead of the ford Navstar.  Gets diecent mileage also. 

Love the Cummins! I know everyone is saying that a diesel is too much to have for a daily truck, but my Ram 2500 (3/4 ton) 4WD is my favorite truck; I'm hoping to have it a long time!

[MP]

Ran my 12 valve Cummins 145,000 miles.
Got a 97 24 valve new, now has 298,000 miles on it.
Just bought a 04 with 125,000 miles on it.

Never had a glow plug/heater grid problem, and I live in ND.

I use on the farm, so diesel is handy and needed.

MP

[Rams]

Ran my 12 valve Cummins 145,000 miles.
Got a 97 24 valve new, now has 298,000 miles on it.
Just bought a 04 with 125,000 miles on it.

Never had a glow plug/heater grid problem, and I live in ND.

I use on the farm, so diesel is handy and needed.

MP

If it's possible to be emotionally involved with a diesel, I guess I am guilty.  I think my 02 Dodge Cummins is the best towing rig I've ever been involved with.  I did have one problem with my rig.  The lift pump failed causing the injection pump to overload and eventually fail.  That my friend was an expensive failure but.  I now have an intank pump versus the out of tank Dodge initially put on it.  Ironically, when Dodge decided to go this route, Cummins advised against it.  Cummins told Dodge upfront the lift pump was a bad idea and would lead to injection pump failures.  Sure enough, Cummins was spot on.  

Not suggesting that you use "red" fuel but, if you do, don't get caught.  That's an expensive issue also.

Ron

[alph]

one of the good things about having a diesel is, if you heat your house with fuel oil, you get a discount on your vehicle fuel!!   

what uncle sam doesn't know won't hurt him!!

[MP]

blackrams,

I too, have had a lift pump failure take out a main injection pump.  When it first started acting up, I called my local Cummins shop, not dodge, and they told me to go ahead and go on a trip, it would not cause a problem.

Well, after it took out the main pump, due to a lack of lubrication in the fuel, ie running dry, they said it was not their fault, I should not have driven it!  I was PO'd.

MP

[MP]

Also, never used red fuel in it.  Once in a while around here they check tanks, $10,000 fine.

MP

[wdvalk]

You can close the gate after you cinch it down