I didn't want to hijack the other tiedown thread with this question so here goes. I am looking at hauling my dirtbike out to Big Bend next month in the back of my screw. Its big enough that I have to use the bed extender and leave the tailgate down. My question is how strong are these bed tie downs really? I looked at mine while they were out for the line-x install and its a pretty small screw that holds them in. Any one else use their's much and really crank down on them with a ratchet strap? Any one ever pull one out? Remember this is west Texas I'm talking about so speeds will be in excess of 80 or so with the bike back there. I would hate to look in the mirror and see . Just looking for some experiences here and sorry for the long post.

 

I haven't used the tie downs in my 04 for anything heavy yet but in my 2000 Scab one of the tie downs got pulled out. It wasn't anything to heavy back there, just some boxes. Stripped the nuts inside of the bed . The screws were OK though .

 

I have used them to strap down the Grizzly and havent had a problem yet

 

i've strapped down street bikes, 4wheelers, dirt bikes and my snow machine and i have had zero problems


ps. i drive over 80 alot as well

 

Im just Thinking could ya look under,bottom side too see if ya can inforce

 

You'll be fine. I have had 3 dirtbikes in the back romping down a trail and they were fine!

 

Thanks for the replies guys, guess I was worrying for nothing. Can't wait to go get muddy!

 

I haul my Yamaha 4 wheeler with a big wooden trunk on the back rack at speeds 70+ with ZERO problems. I crank my ratchet straps until I can't get another click out of them, enough you can tell it's really loading the shocks on the ATV. Go for it, if you pull one of those out, I'd like to hear about it!!

 

Im not sure if you know this but..

When loading ATVs and Motorcycles, your not supposed to compress the suspension all the way down or real far. It'll ruin your suspension in a short period of time.

 

^ Ditto, youll cause undue spring compression and premature seal failure.

As for the tie downs, dont worry about them they are strong enough for what you are wanting to do. I have hauled mine many times like that before I got my trailer.

 

Just make sure you get a fork saver or something similar to put between your tire and front fender. Then you can tighten down your strap. As far as the tie downs go, you can put plenty of pressure on them.

One thing I will warn about because it happened to me. If you don't secure the back tire somehow, if you hit a big bump, the back tire can/will jump up and fall back down with enough force to put a good sized dent in your tailgate. I know, because it happened on my 02 Supercrew. I was mad at myself, but I got over it quickly. At least it was only on the inside of the tailgate.

 

You can buy one of these for $99.00 and it is the BEST unit ever to haul your bikes .. I just returned from ANOTHER 4 day, 600 mile trip with two bikes in the bed, traveling at 90 + mph ... bumpy and rough dirt roads for the last 50 miles .. and NEVER a problem with the bikes coming undone or ever loosing a tie down hook, strap OR bike !!! Something you might be interested in ?? The tie downs have the hooks removed on both ends and are replaced with $6.00 rock climbing carabineers so they will NEVER come loose from the eyes mounted on the trucks or the soft ties going to the handle bars. The front tire mount attached to the truck easily holds the front wheel so you don't have to tighten the straps very tight and "sack out" the suspension. Works well enough that almost all of my riding buddies have done something very similar to this.

 

^ I like that set up. Looks good and works good.

I will warn you of one thing about the fork saver mentioned earlier, if you hit a bump hard enough to move your bikes front tire it will fall out and leave your bike under much less tension and possibly fall over. I had this happen to me on a rough road once, luckily bike stayed on until I noticed it in the rear view mirror. Went back and cinched down the straps and never found the fork saver (good riddance).

 

Thanks for all the great info guys. I think I was just needlessly worrying. I'm just going to strap that baby in and haul ****!

 

i put in a 600 lb yamaha vmax (see pic below of bike), and i have a 6.5' bed. if i leave it in straight i would have to leave the tailgate down, but the rear tire would not actually rest on the gate. i am afraid it would bounce (tailgate). so i end up putting it in corner to corner so i can shut the tailgate. i use all four of the lower tiedowns and have no problems at all! no one seemed to know how much they are rated for. i don't use ratchets i just use the kind you pull tight. hope this helps. i have taken this out on many back windy roads. take care.