Posted: Apr 22 2013 at 3:11pm | IP Logged
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I found a good article on Tembrin suspension helpers on blog post. I ordered the ones for the Toyota Tacoma as
suggested, they fit like a glove and prevent the back end sagging. The total
difference between loaded and unloaded it about 1.5 inches of drop, see picture. If you can blow up the picture you can also read the mark-ups on what is what.
The bed of the Frontier had punched out 1” diameter holes
about 10” from the front of the bed. You can see the rubber plugs from
underneath clearly. I cut throught the bed liner with a wood bit and inserted a
threaded anchor from Home Depot that allows you to put a 3/8 I bolt through the
anchor once bolted into place. I use 6" I bolts to anchor the ¾ inch plywood cut
down to 42” x 92” that fits in the bed to support the tail gate load, I was
afraid the weight on the tailgate would buckle it or cause the staps to snap. I
put a ¼ bolt through the corners of the plywood to hold an additional strap put in place to add some
additional weight support for the tailgate which can also been seen in the picture. I got a wheel chock from Harbor
Frieght for ~ 70.00 which you can see bolted to the plywood as well. I also bolted on 2 strips of 1” angle iron to help support
the plywood that extends out over the tailgate. I hope this is all clear in the
picture. I found some reasonable folding 10’ aluminum ramps which I ordered off
the web. I can easily load and unload by myself without any problems. I ride it up the center ramp (slowly) and walk on the outside ramps.
The Frontier has tie down clips build into the side walls of
the truck bed. Using these and the I-bolt screwed into the bed that fastens the
plywood I used 4 ratchet straps to crank down the front end via the handle
bars. I put a strap around the rear wheel and attached to the rear tie down
clips just to be sure the back tire would not move.
I took it out for a test drive. I could hardly
tell the bike was in the back. Cornering, accelerating, stopping, were just a
little different with the additional weight. I hit some speed bumps pretty hard
to see if the bike would bounce and if the tail gate helper strap would snap of
show worse for ware, not a problem. I was able to feel just a slight bit more
road texture because of the truck riding on the Tembren spring helpers but it
was minimum. I will be heading from Tampa FL, to Colorado Springs soon and I have
no doubts or qualms using my Frontier to haul my Road King out. Total out of
pocket was about 600.00 which is much less than a good trailer and hitch, and I
can store all of the parts in a very small un-used section of my garage. I am
glad I ignore all the nay sayers out their, this is going to be the most care
free traveling I have had yet hauling my Harley.
I guess you have to go to my gallery to view the picture, I can't seem to attach it.
__________________ You don't know you true breaking point until you have exceeded it.
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