Yep, I can fit the KLX in the bed with the tailgate up. But just barely. The bed is 6ft, 6.6ft in the position the KLX is.

I've thought about getting one those, but then I would need to add a trailer hitch to the truck. And for the time being, I need to spend money wisely.

 

I just picked up this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...4284&viewitem=

Can't beat the price (with free delivery). I want to be able to use the back of my truck for "stuff" while still being able to haul the bike. Plus, I think it will be easier to load. I hate riding up the ramp into the back of the truck. I'm afraid I'll end up going @$$ over tea kettle.

 

Hey Army, that's the exact same hitch carrier I have (sold under a different name). I have a few thousand miles on mine and no problems whatsoever. I love the thing, it lets me keep the topper on and load the bed of the truck with everything else we need. Hanging a KLX off the back of the ranger might be too much.

 

Tongue weight on the Ranger is not an issue. The frame can handle 5,000lbs of towing or 1,500lbs of hualing gear in the bed.

One good thing about that hitch ramp. It sits lower to the ground which makes it much easier to load. With the 6ft ramp I got to load the KLX into the bed, I need a little running speed to make it up. And then I have to climb into the bed while stilling holding the KLX up right without slipping backwards or off the ramp. Tricky business, best with two people helping. Off-loading is easier, just gotta have control of the front brake.

 

I can get 3 bikes in my truck with the gate closed. Of course it takes me a city block to turn around.



One more payment and its all mine.......the truck that is. LOL

 

As far as your route goes, if your looking for an easy ride, try this route.
I take this way when I drive out to Vegas, I go right through Oklahoma City.
Take I-44 up to St.Louis,MO
Take I-70 to Columbus,OH
Take I-71 to Akron,OH
Take I-80 to Grove City,PA
Take I-79 to Erie,PA
Take I-90 to Syracuse

This is as flat as a route as possible. I tow a good size trailer, so I try to avoid hills as much as possible. I have done I-81 to I-40. Hills, hills, and more hills.
This route is pretty easy,A few cities to go through, but not bad as long as you plan for rush hours.

 

I figured that I-81 would be hills since it runs parallel to the app mountians. Also, I'm trying to skip toll-roads, so I-44 in OK and I-90 in NY would be out. I-81 in NY would give something to look at from all the flat driving and corn in Ohio.

I'm pretty much down to last prep items. Route is good, time off is approved, suppiles are good. Its just down to not spending money before the trip. If I spend too much, I won't have enough. And I already increased my round-trip allowance for fuel from $300 to $400 (for a prediction of fuel at $3.00/gal and a totol burn of 134 gallons of fuel).

 

One thing that I thought of...you might want to bring a spare master link with you just in case...I found that out the hard way the other day about 25 miles from home!!!

 

I'm off tomorrow morning and I'll be heading NE towards New York. It's going to be a hell of a lonely long drive. But luckily, the good ye old CB is there. All I gotta do in the morning is wake-up before sun rise, put the tool box in the bed, and setup the GPS. Then I'm off.

I'll try to bring back pics of my adventure. Even if that means duct taping my cell phone to the helmet for a helmet cam.

 

Have a safe trip, relax & enjoy the scenery. Have fun in New York.
If anyone says anything about your accent, tell them everyone can still understand you when you say " YANKEES SUCK !!!