Maverick took Hawk for a ride today.

[BillnOroville]

Today I figured out how I will haul one of my Hawks in my new Ford Hybrid Maverick Truck that has been getting 40+mpg. I have a bed mat and trifold soft cover. I removed the cover but left the bed mat. Next thing was to place metal struts that I had made yesterday out of aluminum 1/8-inch angle metal to support the tailgate (not the cables) because the short bed requires a motorcycle's rear wheel to sit on the tailgate. I had a 2002 Ford Sport Trac that also required that because it had a short bed, so I know what was required. The Maverick payload it 1553 pounds including people and cargo. I have 8 tiedowns in the bed and 2 on the tailgate. Ramps fit under the Hawk. I use 2 long folding ramps, one to power the bike up into the bed and one for me to walk on to balance it at it goes up the other ramp. Getting a bike off does not require the bike running but I still use 2 ramps

After loading and tying it down, I drove around town and country for about 10 miles. Very solid. When I got back home and unloaded the Hawk, I ran my new (Last June) Honda 1100 Rebel DCT. It runs 502 pounds but loaded about the same as the Hawk. I did not tie it down and drive with it in the back of truck today. I know now that my little hybrid truck can haul either a Hawk or the 1100.

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[SPA]

You know what Harley's and hippies have in common right? They both like to ride in the back of pickup trucks

[ricksax]

Good solution! I have wondered about this possibility.

[6]

Very cool Bill!

Question.
.when I tie down a bike I use two straps, top of the forks/bars pulling down and forward pulling the front tire into the back of the bed.

You tie the 1100 down similar but your front straps are lower than i do, and the hawk you have rear straps on the bike as well.

Is this something you do as an extra precaution, or is it something about that truck bed specifically?

Glad you can get them both in there and that ramp angle! That's nice... I have to hit my ramps are 10-15 mph riding the bikes to get them up!

[BillnOroville]

Very cool Bill!

Question.
.when I tie down a bike I use two straps, top of the forks/bars pulling down and forward pulling the front tire into the back of the bed.

You tie the 1100 down similar but your front straps are lower than i do, and the hawk you have rear straps on the bike as well.

Is this something you do as an extra precaution, or is it something about that truck bed specifically?

Glad you can get them both in there and that ramp angle! That's nice... I have to hit my ramps are 10-15 mph riding the bikes to get them up!

Yes my fork strap is a little low but when I try higher up I don't like what the strap might stress or touch. The angle is a little less with mine but I think is fine to keep it upright. I have always used rear straps to share the side loading with the front straps and also keep the forces pulling into the bed. I have many straps and why not use them. I know when I leave the house with the tailgate down I will not have any issues or worries so yes, I like a little precaution.

[6]

Yes my fork strap is a little low but when I try higher up I don't like what the strap might stress or touch. The angle is a little less with mine but I think is fine to keep it upright. I have always used rear straps to share the side loading with the front straps and also keep the forces pulling into the bed. I have many straps and why not use them. I know when I leave the house with the tailgate down I will not have any issues or worries so yes, I like a little precaution.

Ya, I have issues when I strap some bikes with what they straps hit or rub on or put pressure on. Never thought to just go low in those cases.

I'll try that next time I run into that situation.

Just curious. I haul a lot of bikes around but I don't claim to be the end all be all of motorcycle transport so I figured I'd ask.

[69Falcon]

I’ve hauled bikes with just 2 straps, but like Bill I’ve got a ton of them, so usually use 4. Overkill? Maybe. But the peace of mind on a long haul is comforting.

[ParcNHawk]

It's overkill... until it's not.

[bk94si]

I like what you did with the tailgate.

[Talon]

Great setup. I was looking at the Maverick last week wondering if it would allow hauling a bike. Now I know. Thank you.

Is the bed 4.5 feet withoutthe tailgate? I noticed a couple different trims/options.

[BillnOroville]

Great setup. I was looking at the Maverick last week wondering if it would allow hauling a bike. Now I know. Thank you.

Is the bed 4.5 feet without he tailgate? I noticed a couple different trims/options.

You only get 1 size bed no matter what trim you get. I think I measured with the angle shown is 70 inches from off center to the left front position for front tire and off center right position for rear tire on the tailgate is 70 inches. I could have gained some at each end if I stuck the front in the corner and put the rear more to the right. The tailgate is supposed to support 400 pounds I think.

If cruise control was offered in base unit I would have gotten the XL. I got the base XLT because it has cruise. In that package they included the alloy wheels, remote locking tailgate, upgraded seat fabric (but I never seen what was in the XL in person), plus some other little things. When you get to the Lariat trim and all the other options it really make the truck not so much of a bargain. The base is hard to ignore for the money even with new 2022 prices increases. Lots are buying the Maverick instead of a small SUV that costs more and often gets less MPG. A truck bed is pretty useful.

[Talon]

You only get 1 size bed no matter what trim you get. I think I measured with the angle shown is 70 inches from off center to the left front position for front tire and off center right position for rear tire on the tailgate is 70 inches. I could have gained some at each end if I stuck the front in the corner and put the rear more to the right. The tailgate is supposed to support 400 pounds I think.

Good info.