What’s a good pickup for hauling bikes in US (about 10k $ budget)?

I have crammed FOUR bikes in the back of my '04 chevy, but usually limit it to 3. I've also hauled 300 gallons of water in a 500 gallon tank (do the math, it's DEFINITELY over the 1/2 ton rating), and when I pulled the 24' trailer with my entire shop + 6 bikes, it was probably twice that load, but about the same as measured at the hitch. I have always floored the accelerator regularly, still do, and it's never flinched except when it ate it's distributor drive gear (a known malady with that model/year). $120 fix, I did the labor.
 
Jerry Doe said:
I need to buy a pickup. It’s too far for me to ride my Nortons thousands of miles to some of these great events here in the US, so I am going to drive them there in a pickup. Then ride when there.

I don’t have much money, and don’t want one in good aesthetic condition, or don’t care as will leave it outside in the hail and weather here. I have been thinking 10k$ max. So, browsing around don’t get much for 10k.

I was thinking about an old 1995 or so f250 diesel with maybe about 150,000 miles on it. I don’t like trailers much.

So, for folks here in the US, what kind of truck would you recommend for hauling around a few bikes on long distances? Am I on the right track? I know a lot about old bikes, but not a lot about trucks. Any feed back or things to look out for highly appreciated,

Anyone got anything in Colorado for sale?

Jerry
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Buy a cargo van , no windows on the side , good lock up for bike tools and mattress . That's what I'm going to get , otherwise you need a bike lift .
 
Lazyeye suggested renting a U-Haul trailer ..... gave me an idea .... how about renting a truck whenever you need one ??

Someone mentioned the cost of diesel .... many others mentioned some huge engine sizes ... made me smile when I thought of the cost of fuel ...

The average Diesel cost in US is $3.80 per US Gallon ( from $3.48 East Coast through to $4.90 California )
The average Diesel cost in UK is $7.26 per US Gallon ( less regional variation in UK )

^^^ Cargo van ... thats what I meant by panel van, couldn't thnk of the word before ( blooming pond ... Lol ! )
 
Grandad said:
Lazyeye suggested renting a U-Haul trailer ..... gave me an idea .... how about renting a truck whenever you need one ??

Someone mentioned the cost of diesel .... many others mentioned some huge engine sizes ... made me smile when I thought of the cost of fuel ...

The average Diesel cost in US is $3.80 per US Gallon ( from $3.48 East Coast through to $4.90 California )
The average Diesel cost in UK is $7.26 per US Gallon ( less regional variation in UK )

^^^ Cargo van ... thats what I meant by panel van, couldn't thnk of the word before ( blooming pond ... Lol ! )
Click to expand...
Like a high top ford transit smallish turbo diesel .
 
"The average Diesel cost in US is $3.80 per US Gallon ( from $3.48 East Coast through to $4.90 California )"

That data is inaccurate. Add $1.00 to those data points.
 
^^^^ apologies for the missing dollar, is that the US $ too low ?

^^^ Yes

This sort of thing is used by probably millions of couriers and contractors in the UK - they are everywhere and easy and cheap to rent

Here is a local to me van hire company with illustrated prices ( do your own £ / $ conversions )


My favourite for house moving and bike moving is the truck with the hydraulic tail lift, easy peasy for everything.
 
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Jerry Doe said:
I need to buy a pickup. It’s too far for me to ride my Nortons thousands of miles to some of these great events here in the US, so I am going to drive them there in a pickup. Then ride when there.

I don’t have much money, and don’t want one in good aesthetic condition, or don’t care as will leave it outside in the hail and weather here. I have been thinking 10k$ max. So, browsing around don’t get much for 10k.

I was thinking about an old 1995 or so f250 diesel with maybe about 150,000 miles on it. I don’t like trailers much.

So, for folks here in the US, what kind of truck would you recommend for hauling around a few bikes on long distances? Am I on the right track? I know a lot about old bikes, but not a lot about trucks. Any feed back or things to look out for highly appreciated,

Anyone got anything in Colorado for sale?

Jerry
Click to expand...
So, (guessing) your usage would be rather intermittent, 5,000 miles annually? Or, are you expecting to drive it more?
 
Me thinks he is or was looking at a 95 F250 7.3 since he listed that as an example.
I know several people who have or currently own that particular drive package.
Including my long Departed Uncle, who was a retired Diesel mech. They all like it.

Here's an interesting synopsis.
www.xtremediesel.com

1994-1997 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke Buyer's Guide

Nicknamed OBS for "Old Body Style" the 1994-1997 Ford 7.3 F-Series are well known for their reliability and their classic styling.
www.xtremediesel.com

dieselresource.com

Ford 7.3L Powerstroke Specifications, History, and Tow Ratings

7.3L Powerstroke specifications, tow ratings, and history. Comprehensive guide to 1994-2003 Ford Superduty 7.3L Powerstroke diesel trucks.
dieselresource.com dieselresource.com
Like Is said earlier, I had that similar Truck with a 460 gasser. Great Truck!!!
 
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Jerry Doe said:
I need to buy a pickup. It’s too far for me to ride my Nortons thousands of miles to some of these great events here in the US, so I am going to drive them there in a pickup. Then ride when there.

I don’t have much money, and don’t want one in good aesthetic condition, or don’t care as will leave it outside in the hail and weather here. I have been thinking 10k$ max. So, browsing around don’t get much for 10k.

I was thinking about an old 1995 or so f250 diesel with maybe about 150,000 miles on it. I don’t like trailers much.

So, for folks here in the US, what kind of truck would you recommend for hauling around a few bikes on long distances? Am I on the right track? I know a lot about old bikes, but not a lot about trucks. Any feed back or things to look out for highly appreciated,

Anyone got anything in Colorado for sale?

Jerry
Click to expand...
Hi Jerry if you go the F250, you will need a bike lift , I have one of these, there are other brands as well , they even have lifts for ATVs which would be better for two bikes ?

Rampage Power Lift Ramp

rampage Power Lift System. motorcycle loader, motorcycle loader, motorcycle trailer. The fast and easy and safe way to load your bike
rampagelift.com
 
lazyeye6 said:
For $10,000 you can repeatedly rent a U-Haul (etc) trailer @ $25 per day to hold 2 bikes and has a loading ramp (important feature I think) as
often as you want for the rest of your life. No maintenance. No old truck worries. No storage. A car can pull it. I've gone this
route a dozen times. Have hauled bikes in the back of a pickup truck 5 times and have always felt uncomfortable with the
loading/unloading process, but then I'm old.
Click to expand...
Yes, I am probably going to tow a U-Haul trailer now I think about it more. We only have one car at the moment, so I still need a truck to tow it.
 
mean gene said:
Next question would be where are you traveling to?
Click to expand...
I will be going to west coast quite a bit and AZ as well as East Coast. (Live in CO).

I have ruled out a van as I need 4x4 here. I am looking at pickups and will probably do the U-Haul trailer renting approach. I am focusing on how many owners and truck history and of course mechanical condition and miles. Been viewing a few 1990s power strokes and will consider one with manual transmission. I was a diesel mechanic for many years, so I got that covered, if I take that approach, Luckily no rush. I would like to take a few bikes to see friends in CA for Hansen damn run in November, and other general riding. It will be mainly there and AZ, Dakota as well.
 
Jerry Doe said:
I will be going to west coast quite a bit and AZ as well as East Coast. (Live in CO).

I have ruled out a van as I need 4x4 here. I am looking at pickups and will probably do the U-Haul trailer renting approach. I am focusing on how many owners and truck history and of course mechanical condition and miles. Been viewing a few 1990s power strokes and will consider one with manual transmission. I was a diesel mechanic for many years, so I got that covered, if I take that approach, Luckily no rush. I would like to take a few bikes to see friends in CA for Hansen damn run in November, and other general riding. It will be mainly there and AZ, Dakota as well.
Click to expand...
Well then, you remember the Stanadyne Roosa Master rotary pumps on the GM 6.2 & Navistar 6.9

🤯
 
A quick update. I ended up with an 2014 f150 stx, 5L v8. It’s got 130k miles on it. A few minor issues, like tires and needs a new windshield, otherwise seems good and it should do the trick.

What’s a good pickup for hauling bikes in US (about 10k $ budget)?
What’s a good pickup for hauling bikes in US (about 10k $ budget)?
 
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