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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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3/22/2003
08:20:53
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 Subject: Dakota tie-downs
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After I finally decided I was going to lease a club cab Dakota and I couldn't believe that the tie-down hooks are in the front of the bed on the floor. I use my trucks for hauling two full size dirt bikes and the tie-down points our exactly where the front wheels of the bikes will be. I currently cannot think of a way to properly secure two bikes without modifying the bed to add tie-down points on the rails or bed side. I am very surprised they are this way since the Dakota Quad cab and Ram are not. Does anyone have any suggestions, especially those that haul two dirt bikes.
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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3/22/2003
22:45:09
| RE: Dakota tie-downs
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I haul my RM around and the existing tie downs are perfect for one bike. The best suggestion I would have is to clamp a c-channel using a u-bolt or a hook to the existing mounts in the bed. Then weld some hooks to the c-channel where you need them. I would also something to center the front tires. Very simple to make and will not alter the truck. I assume you are using tie downs and compressing the front forks? You could also add a mount to secure your ramps in the bed. If you don't have ramps, Harbor Freight has a heavy duty set of steel ramps for $34 on sale every now and then. Much easier than lifting the bikes into the bed.
Scott
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blu4door
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2003
09:27:00
| RE: Dakota tie-downs
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Message:
When I had my reg. cab I always kinda leaned the bikes against each other. Tied them down as best I could and crossed my fingers. I couldn't believe the first time I went to use them how poorly they are designed. Actually I have a dent in the bed rail because they dont hold very well. Now if I haul just one bike I put the front tire at the edge of the third brake light and turn the bike sideways. When I shut the tailgate it holds the bike tight.
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slopehead
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2003
10:59:38
| RE: Dakota tie-downs
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letsee now you leased a vehicle that was going to be used to haul around "full sized dirt bikes" and you never took the time to see if the tiedowns that were provided would work or if the darn thing even had tire downs? YOU FOOL! put a hitch on your truck and get a trailer, anything else you do that ends up modifying the original sheet metal will cost you when you return it after the lease is up.
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BigDs02Dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/24/2003
08:55:21
| RE: Dakota tie-downs
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I've gotta say that I agree that they did a horid job on the placement of the tie downs in the front of the bed, but you just have to get around it. I have found that placing one bike forwards and one backwords (so you can use the rear tie downs) seems to work for me... hopefully this helps a little.
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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3/24/2003
15:25:31
| RE: Dakota tie-downs
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I don't haul dirt bikes, but I do move an occasional washing machine or refrigerator. My Mazda B2500 had great tiedowns...up high in the corners, so I was surprised to find that the front tiedown points in the Dak were in the floors. The 2 in the back are up high, though. I don't follow the logic on the front ones. It is darned inconvenient, I have to agree.
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Thomas
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2003
08:19:04
| RE: Dakota tie-downs
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Scott, I have a club cab as well. Here is what I do for two bikes. It's really simple and doesn't scratch the cab either:
In between the bed and the cab over in the corners there are holes. What I'll do is this -
Take my bike and put it in on the left. I'll use the right side hook (bottom of the bed) for the right of my bars then I use the hole on the left (the hole between the cab and bed) for the left side of the bars.
I then put the other bike in the right and use the left side hook (bottom of the bed) for the left side of the handle bars then the hole on the right (the hold between the cab and bed) for the right side of the bars.
Done and Done
It doesn't pull the bed and deform it in the corners or anything either.
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Perpetrate
GenIII
4/02/2003
19:07:15
| RE: Dakota tie-downs
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Message:
Found what you are looking for Scott.
www.usrack.com makes wheel chocks that clip onto the bed and no drilling any holes.
Craig V
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