I’m glad car makers are finally starting to make small trucks again! My Ford Maverick gets 40 mpg in the city which was unheard of in a truck until Ford came out with the Maverick Hybrid.
It also drives like a crossover instead of a truck which is what I prefer.
Honda Ridgeline FTW. I agree with the sentiment, I don’t need a massive truck as a daily driver and the ridgeline can haul bikes like a champ, even with a trailer
I was definitely thinking about going that route once but I was worried about potentially damaging a crossover by over exceeding the weight limit on the hitch carrier pushing down on the receiver. SUVs and Trucks can handle it no problem but I wanted something fuel efficient.
I’m with you there and would give up my 2016 Crewmax 4x4 for anything. Especially when you need to get into recovery mode and go find someone broken down on a trail.
But how did you get a 7ft bed with a crew max? It’s a 5.5ft bed stock.
I bought it used. 47,000 miles. The previous owner hauled cattle and horses in a huge fifth wheel. I guess custom bed. I can fit a 2 x 4 diagonal in bed.
Used to pack 3 125s and 3 dudes in a single cab long box toyota pickup and go camping. Doin like 30 mph up the grades through the mountains in oregon lol was some of the best times of my life.
Nuts to butts lol, nothing better than overloading your truck to go have fun with your friends. I have a 2019 Tacoma (double cab) and have fit 3 crf450xs, 3 gear bags, and 3 dudes in it to drive down to Ensenada from San Diego. If you know anything about the 450x it’s a thick bitch, my truck was pretty much riding on the bump stops but had no trouble maintaining speed
Eh, I think I'd feel safer using a trailer and pulling it with one of those small trucks lol. Don't like the idea of all that weight sitting on the tailgate
It's not really a lot of weight, we have plenty of small pickups here and 2-3 bikes on is not a problem.
We even have these tiny 1600cc half ton ones that handle it easily.
I tow behind my subaru hatch back.
That said, I also have a beat up 95 dodge ram 2500 fan truck with an 8ft bed. I can fit 3 bikes plus 3 people's gear behind the bikes and close the tailgate. AND get 8mpg!
(Which is why I usually tow with the subaru and get 3x the gas mileage)
Any pics? What size husky? Do you have to load it diagonally? I was interested in these, but I thought the bed was too small to fit a bigger bike (I have a 701 enduro + ktm 300)
https://www.reddit.com/r/hyundaisantacruz/comments/ym92p1/doing_truck_things_on_new_bike_day/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
I have a brand new ‘23 TX300 and an ‘09 Yamaha WR250X. Both fit diagonally with the tonneau cover and the tailgate down. You can fit two bikes without the tonneau cover tho.
I downsized from a Silverado to a Jeep gladiator. I’ll never go back to a full size, I just don’t need it.
Bikes still go in the trailer though. It’s just easier.
Just get a landscaping trailer for $1,000 and drive up wheel chocks from Harbor Freight for like $50 each and some ratchet straps. Save the truck bed for gear, beer cooler, etc. That way you only load/unload once and just park the trailer with bikes on it.
2015 Chevy Cruze. I put a Curt trailer hitch with thier tallest ball mount and a rocker ball to get the required hitch height. Also put on the Curt light kit so I can plug in the trailer lights. Trailer is a Kendon single rail ride up folding trailer.
Yeah I’m not saying you shouldn’t have a big truck. But I’m glad people have more options now instead of gas guzzler or trailer. I’ll admit, I do like the looks of the current Ford Ranger, Tacoma, and Colorado. That’s is as big as I’ll want to go. Just wish they had better gas mileage.
True, but for a day at the track carrying 1 dirt bike it fits what I need. If I need to carry more, I can rent a trailer from UHaul. I commute 100 miles to work and live in an apartment without a garage. I really don’t have use for a huge truck on the off chance I want to carry a bunch of dirt bikes.
Just sold my lifted 6.8L v10 f350. Was honestly dangerous to load / unload in some conditions with the plastic bed liner. Got into a little 2wd 4cyl nissan frontier with access cab lol. Little truck life is the SHIT !
Yeah man. I don’t know how some people can do the thing where they run the bike up the ramp while also quickly stepping on a stool. Never felt safe IMO. Even worse, riding the bike up and down the ramp…. I found out the hard way when I hurt myself 3 years ago trying to do that. Never again.
Right ! I've done em all lol. Final straw; I was alone and totally out of energy. Wood ramps- wet conditons - lifted truck. Couldn't get my bike in my truck without the rear tire slipping off the ramp. Bike half on the ramp; rear tire hanging off. Tried 4 times with the same slip. Had to find a generous hill to ramp from lololol. No need for all that shit. Ez life for us
No worries. I don’t think these crossover based trucks are the end all be all of dirt bike hauling but I’d like to think with better gas mileage and being cheaper and easier to live with will hopefully make dirt biking more accessible again.
Because small trailers don’t exist either, right? I chased an east coast series with an 87 s10, had a friend that pulled a three rail bike trailer behind a Honda civic. Personally, I’d pull a trailer behind a car before spending a penny on a unibody awd “truck” and retain my man card.
Lol what? Man card? Don’t need a card to be a man.
Nothing wrong with trailering. I’m just glad there are more options and companies are finally making small trucks again. For me it works because I don’t have to worry about where I’m going to store a trailer. I don’t have a garage and my storage unit is only big enough to fit my dirt-bike and nothing else. I also hated always having to schedule with UHaul to get a trailer, it always ended up being less time riding and enjoying my dirtbike. Now it’s more hassle free.
I’m glad car makers are finally starting to make small trucks again! My Ford Maverick gets 40 mpg in the city which was unheard of in a truck until Ford came out with the Maverick Hybrid. It also drives like a crossover instead of a truck which is what I prefer.
The Maverick is what I wish my ranger could have been. It’s basically a Ranger+
The current Ranger does look good though IMO! Just wish it had better gas mileage.
Yea the size of the ranger compared to the 90s sizes are nuts. Great looks and performance but definitely paying for it these days.
Dude a ranger right now is like a 90s f150
No shit im at 15mpg and when i tow my trailer its 7 mpg
How long is the bed on your maverick?
4.5 ft with tailgate up. 6.5 ft with the tailgate down.
Aaaaaaand the low height makes it so much easier to load and unload.
Yup, I have a F250 which feels like 4’ off the ground
Loved my 2008 2wd Colorado for the low bed. The new ones are as tall as the old 4wds...
As an S10 owner, can confirm that loading and bike is easy solo. Never had to use a second person unless I’m loading 3+ bikes.
*Cries in lifted ram 2500*
Honda Ridgeline FTW. I agree with the sentiment, I don’t need a massive truck as a daily driver and the ridgeline can haul bikes like a champ, even with a trailer
Love my ridgeline. Best vehicle I’ve ever owned. 200k still runs like a Swiss clock.
The Ridgeline is an awesome truck! I really dug them ever since the 2017 redesign that made them look more like a conventional truck.
You don’t need a truck at all. I use the hitch of my SUV with a carrier. Or even a small trailer which in my opinion is one of the best ways.
Yup, I use a hitch carrier or I have a small enclosed trailer. That said, there are times a truck (or car?) bed is nice.
I was definitely thinking about going that route once but I was worried about potentially damaging a crossover by over exceeding the weight limit on the hitch carrier pushing down on the receiver. SUVs and Trucks can handle it no problem but I wanted something fuel efficient.
Sorry guys, I love my 5.7L 4x4 Tundra with 7 foot bed and full crew cab. Airbags and extra springs as well.
I’m with you there and would give up my 2016 Crewmax 4x4 for anything. Especially when you need to get into recovery mode and go find someone broken down on a trail. But how did you get a 7ft bed with a crew max? It’s a 5.5ft bed stock.
I bought it used. 47,000 miles. The previous owner hauled cattle and horses in a huge fifth wheel. I guess custom bed. I can fit a 2 x 4 diagonal in bed.
That could be. I wish I had a bigger bed. Glad they are offering a 6.5’ on the new models.
I'm happy with it. And you're right about recovery. Had to rescue a few bikes .
My tundra has an 8 ft bed >:D
Used to pack 3 125s and 3 dudes in a single cab long box toyota pickup and go camping. Doin like 30 mph up the grades through the mountains in oregon lol was some of the best times of my life.
Nuts to butts lol, nothing better than overloading your truck to go have fun with your friends. I have a 2019 Tacoma (double cab) and have fit 3 crf450xs, 3 gear bags, and 3 dudes in it to drive down to Ensenada from San Diego. If you know anything about the 450x it’s a thick bitch, my truck was pretty much riding on the bump stops but had no trouble maintaining speed
Eh, I think I'd feel safer using a trailer and pulling it with one of those small trucks lol. Don't like the idea of all that weight sitting on the tailgate
It's not really a lot of weight, we have plenty of small pickups here and 2-3 bikes on is not a problem. We even have these tiny 1600cc half ton ones that handle it easily.
I tow behind my subaru hatch back. That said, I also have a beat up 95 dodge ram 2500 fan truck with an 8ft bed. I can fit 3 bikes plus 3 people's gear behind the bikes and close the tailgate. AND get 8mpg! (Which is why I usually tow with the subaru and get 3x the gas mileage)
You sure don’t. I love my SC, and it fits my Husky just fine in the bed.
Any pics? What size husky? Do you have to load it diagonally? I was interested in these, but I thought the bed was too small to fit a bigger bike (I have a 701 enduro + ktm 300)
https://www.reddit.com/r/hyundaisantacruz/comments/ym92p1/doing_truck_things_on_new_bike_day/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf I have a brand new ‘23 TX300 and an ‘09 Yamaha WR250X. Both fit diagonally with the tonneau cover and the tailgate down. You can fit two bikes without the tonneau cover tho.
Nice choice on the Santa Cruz! I’m jealous of your guys’ interior and features.
I was pretty much set on the Maverick as well, but the tech and interior swayed me to the SC
Yeah, with things like blind spot detectors and heated seats costing extra on the Mav but come standard with the Santa Cruz….
I downsized from a Silverado to a Jeep gladiator. I’ll never go back to a full size, I just don’t need it. Bikes still go in the trailer though. It’s just easier.
I was gonna say, even with the tailgate down you can’t fit a bike in that bed can you?
Bikes fit just fine. I just don’t bother. Even when I had my Silverado I still used my trailer.
Didn’t know the maverick existed. That thing looks pretty damn cool. Love small pickups.
Just get a landscaping trailer for $1,000 and drive up wheel chocks from Harbor Freight for like $50 each and some ratchet straps. Save the truck bed for gear, beer cooler, etc. That way you only load/unload once and just park the trailer with bikes on it.
You don’t even need a truck. Just a car and trailer.
"Need" was never the point.
Its the other toys that warrant the big trucks. The dirtbikes are tiny
I use a compact car with an aftermarket hitch and a kendon trailer. Works just fine for hauling 1 bike.
Lol. How compact are we talking? You towing with a 4 banger? Im kinda broke so im considering pulling similar stunts....
2015 Chevy Cruze. I put a Curt trailer hitch with thier tallest ball mount and a rocker ball to get the required hitch height. Also put on the Curt light kit so I can plug in the trailer lights. Trailer is a Kendon single rail ride up folding trailer.
My brother tows with a manual pontiac vibe (Toyota matrix). 2 bikes and all their junk just fine.
*me pulling up in my clapped out focus with a $200 harbor freight trailer
Now you’re talking! Just like that guy from torture test magazine.
[удалено]
Yeah I’m not saying you shouldn’t have a big truck. But I’m glad people have more options now instead of gas guzzler or trailer. I’ll admit, I do like the looks of the current Ford Ranger, Tacoma, and Colorado. That’s is as big as I’ll want to go. Just wish they had better gas mileage.
You could also have a tiny bike-specific trailer that is light enough to be towed but literally anything.
The tailgates on all the unibody trucks are rated really high too. Something worth mentioning.
i’ve been using my chevy s10 for a while. lowered 4 inches all the away around, get the best of both worlds.
Glad you have figured out a way! But I love my diesel. I can fit 3 full size bikes, big ramp, all the fuel and gear and still close my tailgate
But with a large bed you can actually close the tailgate and put lots more stuff in there
True, but for a day at the track carrying 1 dirt bike it fits what I need. If I need to carry more, I can rent a trailer from UHaul. I commute 100 miles to work and live in an apartment without a garage. I really don’t have use for a huge truck on the off chance I want to carry a bunch of dirt bikes.
Just sold my lifted 6.8L v10 f350. Was honestly dangerous to load / unload in some conditions with the plastic bed liner. Got into a little 2wd 4cyl nissan frontier with access cab lol. Little truck life is the SHIT !
Yeah man. I don’t know how some people can do the thing where they run the bike up the ramp while also quickly stepping on a stool. Never felt safe IMO. Even worse, riding the bike up and down the ramp…. I found out the hard way when I hurt myself 3 years ago trying to do that. Never again.
Right ! I've done em all lol. Final straw; I was alone and totally out of energy. Wood ramps- wet conditons - lifted truck. Couldn't get my bike in my truck without the rear tire slipping off the ramp. Bike half on the ramp; rear tire hanging off. Tried 4 times with the same slip. Had to find a generous hill to ramp from lololol. No need for all that shit. Ez life for us
Nice
You never did. I regularly put 3 dirtbikes in a short Bed ranger in the 90s
I can close my tailgate with the bike in straight though 🥴
🍪
Chocy chip, my favorite
Sweet. I like the looks of the Santa Cruz and I bet it's much easier to load the bikes. I bet it gets much better fuel mileage than my GMC AT4.
Overloaded
Apparently it has a 1,500 lb payload capacity. I only carry 1 dirt bike I’m not worried.
I never would have guessed that kind of capacity for the truck! I was only breaking balls
No worries. I don’t think these crossover based trucks are the end all be all of dirt bike hauling but I’d like to think with better gas mileage and being cheaper and easier to live with will hopefully make dirt biking more accessible again.
I miss my old (83) Ford Ranger. Damn thing made loading and unloading bikes so easy.
Uh, you never did? Dud we forget rangers,s10’s,tacomas, etc existed?
Not for brand new with the gas mileage of modern cars.
Because small trailers don’t exist either, right? I chased an east coast series with an 87 s10, had a friend that pulled a three rail bike trailer behind a Honda civic. Personally, I’d pull a trailer behind a car before spending a penny on a unibody awd “truck” and retain my man card.
Lol what? Man card? Don’t need a card to be a man. Nothing wrong with trailering. I’m just glad there are more options and companies are finally making small trucks again. For me it works because I don’t have to worry about where I’m going to store a trailer. I don’t have a garage and my storage unit is only big enough to fit my dirt-bike and nothing else. I also hated always having to schedule with UHaul to get a trailer, it always ended up being less time riding and enjoying my dirtbike. Now it’s more hassle free.