Bike Transport

[Turbo]

Not having room to store a trailer, I recently bought a Hilux to transport the bike to and from track.
The tray is pretty high so getting the bike on and off of the back has been an experience in itself!
Until now I was using an ALDI special, folding ramp. It’s not terribly long, fairly narrow and has some relatively sharp edges.
Also, only having one hinge, it really reduced the amount of useable space I had on the tray...



It was quite a steep slope to get it onto the back and if I ran out of momentum motoring it up, I was scraping rubber off my tyres like a carrot peeler!



I did a fair bit of googling to see what else was out there and eventually found this:
http://www.readyramp.com.au/
geoff@readyramp.com.au



Geoff Cooper is the company owner’s name. He started the company in Oz a couple of months or so ago and brings in the ramps from the US manufacturer.
From my first enquiry until taking delivery, Geoff has been an amazing help. He’s provided advice, technical drawings and even legal advice in order to comply with the state rules for licence plates compliance etc.
My solution is a generic $7 Chinese tail tidy with a bike-rack licence plate. I'll clamp this to the folded ramp and plug in to the trailer outlet, like a light board.

The Readyramp itself is much wider and longer and feels really well put together.





It comes with various fixings to clip into most manufacturers tailgates.
Once you’ve adjusted the cam straps, it’s just a case of clicking the fixings in and out of the tailgate each time.







It also functions as a bed extender and gives about 600mm of extra storage room.
For me that’s the difference in being able to load spare rims and spare tyres in addition to all the usual tools etc.



At $399 delivered, Its a premium product so it does cost more than the silver foldy ones but, you really get what you pay for. I’ve been so close to dropping my bike from the old ramp a number of times, not to mention taking chunks out of my tyres.
I don’t have anything to do with these guys other than having a refreshingly good experience with their service and just being generally impressed with the product. If you’re in the market for a ute solution, these are really worth a look.

[chubb]

That




Is







FUCKING













AWESOME!!!!!

[Marshy]

Nice write up! That Geoff dude would probably love to be sent a link to this

photo-9.JPG

That's bloody unreal! I hadn't pictured the extra wheels/tyres being loaded this way, and it's much cooler than I thought!

[Leezx10r]

That is a top job! well done mate.

I am just going through the same with my Holden VZ ute. As Marshy said great with the extra rubber, that was one part i was scratching my head with.

thanks for posting

[Geoff_ReadyRamp]

That is a top job! well done mate.

I am just going through the same with my Holden VZ ute. As Marshy said great with the extra rubber, that was one part i was scratching my head with.

thanks for posting

Hi Leezx10r,
If you've checked out the website at www.readyramp.com.au, you'll probably already be familiar with the product, and they way it attaches.

The unfortunate news for Commodore VZ owners is that the tailgate wires are 1240mm apart with a hook arrangement, which means that the ramp doesn't quite open out correctly. You could still fit it like this, however it's not ideal for usual strapping technique. Equally the lower strap to latch attachment isn't going to work as intended, due to the latch type. I think this is typical for all VZ (and prior) utes. It will, however, continue to work as a great ramp though! See images below.







Good news is that the VE setup is slightly different, and although the wires are still 1240 apart, they aren't as bigger issue, as they've changed from a hook to a bolted arrangement. Also, the latch type has changed so that it easily accepts the ReadyRamp D-Type clip straps provided.







Hope this helps.

Cheers
Geoff

[Geoff_ReadyRamp]

Hi Everyone,
Firstly I'd like to thank Sicko for his review; it takes a lot of time to take photos and craft that many words...Hell, I can't even work out how to upload a profile image :-). Really appreciate his support here.

As Sicko has mentioned, I've only just started the company recently, with the specific intent of bringing the ReadyRamp product to Australia. After seeing it in the US about a year ago now, I knew that there would be a potentially small, but dedicated group of customers who would find this absolutely invaluable...and so far i have been pleasantly correct!

I think the review and the product, speaks for itself. I've done my best to put all the info on the website, but if you have any questions about anything, please don't hesitate to ask.

Look forward to hearing from everyone, and participating in your great forum.

Cheers
Geoff

[Turbo]

Hell, I can't even work out how to upload a profile image :-).

Up the top right, under Settings> Edit Profile Picture

Look forward to hearing from everyone, and participating in your great forum.

Thanks for starting the company!
What have you been running up and down your ramp?

[Geoff_ReadyRamp]

Up the top right, under Settings> Edit Profile Picture


Thanks for starting the company!
What have you been running up and down your ramp?

Ah yes...

Well the answer is everything you see on the website...unfortunately not mine!

Mine is...well, in a few pieces at the moment...
1902918_10153937917455157_2127069334_n.jpg

This is my son who I'm 'teaching' about motorbikes...we've been pulling it apart since the start of the year, each week on 'Daddy Day' (Fridays I have off normal work). He has done all the spanner work!

603652_10153958348635157_1161766142_n.jpg

Just starting to get it back together now. Got all sorts of new bits for it; Six Sigma rejetting kit for the carbs, RK chain and sprockets (lower ratio for better take off), a few shiny bits, new Rubber all round etc. Got a few bits sorted, like sand blasted and powder coating of the rear swing arm and crank case cover, and a complete front and rear suspension rebuild.

10346607_10154288619950157_1609274124528120203_n.jpg

When I started the project, I wasn't really sure what the outcome would be, other than an amusing use of time with my son...so there hasn't been a particular well thought out or planned approach. Just fixing things as they come along. I think ultimately I'd like to get it ready for a track day at Philip Island when the weather gets better...funnily that was it's last outing about 7 years ago (just before my daughter was born)...would be great to get it back out there!

Cheers
Geoff

[Marshy]

Great pics!! Looks like a good project.

[Turbo]

Mine is...well, in a few pieces at the moment...

Start em young, Love it! That thar has the makings of a build thread...
Keep us posted with how it's coming along. Hopefully see you down there soon

[Phat3R]

I reckon the ready ramp would also work well on a regular flatbed bike trailer ... store on the back and put spare tyres/rims with that arrangement.

[Geoff_ReadyRamp]

I reckon the ready ramp would also work well on a regular flatbed bike trailer ... store on the back and put spare tyres/rims with that arrangement.

Thanks Phat3R. Not entirely sure really...never tried using it on a trailer but I dare say that it would work...as Sicko mentions there are plenty of different hardware attachments which I'm sure could be used to secure it. And it would be a lot lighter I'd imagine too, than the stock steel ramps that tend to come with trailers. Something like the trailer below I think it would definitely work.
dsc00057-(small)-Resized320x240.jpg

Cheers
Geoff

[Geoff_ReadyRamp]

Thought I'd just thank Sicko again for his post yesterday on the forum. His shot of the bike with the tyres in the back was inspired...and I'm not the only one that thought so!

I quickly constructed a Facebook ad, which went out today and hit the screens of over 500 like-minded riders...and the results were pretty compelling by any measure!

Facebook Ad.JPG

Many likes, shares and comments which is all good when you're trying to launch a new product!

Thanks again Sicko; greatly appreciated.

For everyone else, feel free to drop over to Facebook and look ReadyRamp Australia up...I've had a few amusing posts and hope to have many more...the internet is a strange and funny place!

[Marshy]

That's a great ad, Geoff! Looks good. And I'm sure Sicko is absolutely stoked with receiving 25% of your sales revenue. Very generous mate!




hehehehe

[Geoff_ReadyRamp]

That's a great ad, Geoff! Looks good. And I'm sure Sicko is absolutely stoked with receiving 25% of your sales revenue. Very generous mate!




hehehehe

Ok, soooo, $0.00 x 25% is ...umm...

Now that you mention it; Sicko name your vice and I'll see what I can do about sending some your way!

[Turbo]

His shot of the bike with the tyres in the back was inspired

Thanks, I am quite the photographer!
Seriously tho, that image was in my head for a long while. As soon as I came across the Readyramp, I knew it was the man for the job!

name your vice and I'll see what I can do about sending some your way!

Hahah, thanks Geoff but the only thing I was after was my problem being solved... thanks for your help in doing so!

[Marty]

Wow that's an awesome product. I've had a couple of utes over the years and I'd come to the realization that they weren't that practical for moving bikes. The ramp itself takes a lot of room and I could never get my spare wheels in, I'd have to put them on the passenger seat which meant kicking out my pit crew/mrs so most of the time I'd end up leaving my wets at home.. This would've made a huge difference. I literally sold my ute 2 weeks ago lol

[Geoff_ReadyRamp]

Hi Marty,
Pity about the sale, but I appreciate the feedback. I keep coming across people who feel the same way, particularly as the popularity of dual cab 4x4's increases. I've got a D22 Navara, and seriously the amount of times I use the ReadyRamp to just transport stuff is amazing...had to move a single bed and mattress set the other day and with the RR no problem...no leaning things on the tailgate etc...
I think too it's finding quite a few homes in places where owning a trailer just isn't practical either...Sicko is one in particular where inner city living just makes storing a trailer nigh on impossible. Equally, there is a company up north that has bought two because they couldn't exactly store two trailers on site...
Personally I think that the RR would really come into it's own if you wanted to take your bike on a weekend 4x4 trip away. Bike trailers are hardly the easiest things to go 4x4ing with!
Thanks again for the feedback.
Cheers
Geoff

[Geoff_ReadyRamp]

Just remembered; saw this the other day.

20140416_064823.jpg

Bit hard to make out, but that thing which is pointing at the rear window of the car is a post hole digger...really hope he didn't brake hard!

Bet he could have used a little extra space in the back!

[Mr.Ed]

Dammit... how did I miss this thread???? I always wanted a bigger ute (or in a perfect world trailer if I had the parking space) and until now I was stuck with the Falcon. Not that I don't like it, in fact I quite love it as it's cheap as chips to run... but yeah, I'd love to have more space. I gave the supercab/xtracab utes a thought and even rented one to try it out but to me it was just to impractical to try and load/unload it safely by myself.

I think it was Rancell who said it best:

That




Is







FUCKING













AWESOME!!!!!

[Geoff_ReadyRamp]

Glad you think so Mr.Ed. I'll look forward to a follow up email :-)

As I mentioned on the website, the Falcon fitment unfortunately isn't as simple as other aussie utes...although it's still pretty simple.

Basically, the latch mechanism on falcons and older commodores don't have a 'receiver' (like most other tailgate designs) so the 'D-style clip in' style of latch won't work. If you have a look at the Youtube clip of the Navara it shows this style (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3SmP0JtGrs)

The 'work around' that I have used for the FG in the past is to use the existing tailgate wire retention strap post to attach to, however this needs to be extended outboard using a 3-4mm spacer (I just used suitable metal tubing cut to length). You can see it in black in the picture below. There is still plenty of thread engagement for the post, and it clears all body work. It's easy to detach and reattach, it's just that you don't use the normal latch mechanism.
IMG_4665.JPG

As for the upper attachment, it will really depend on what you have in the tray. The vehicle I had, had a tray liner which offered relatively easy attachment into the side rails, as per picture below.
IMG_4600.JPG
The rest of the installation is perfect (height, width etc) and of course it's always a very good ramp!
IMG_4779.JPG
Hope this helps!

Cheers
Geoff

[Geoff_ReadyRamp]

Hey Sicko, just finished my lightboard...and decided that it was pretty good and worth an Instructables on the subject...Yes...I have too much time on my hands

http://www.instructables.com/id/Maki...mp-Lightboard/

FOUFUOFHY21TS0P.MEDIUM.jpg

[Turbo]

Wow, looks great Geoff!!
Good job with the instructables too...
I finished mine the other day too. I chose not to bother with indicators tho, as mine didn't seem to be obscured.
i'll take some pics and post it up later.

[Turbo]

Sooo, mine is slightly less involved.. I got China's finest tail tidy on eBay for $7 delivered...


Jammed it in one of these to straighten it up....

Attached a NSW Auxiliary plate, some cable, velcro and a trailer plug...



and hey presto- Road legal, bed extended goodness!

[Marshy]

Nice!! Turned out really well.

[Geoff_ReadyRamp]

Hey nice job Sicko! I reckon you look like you're all sorted now!

Thanks for the follow up photos...greatly appreciated! Nice view of the harbor bridge too!

[James_]

Attached a NSW Auxiliary plate, some cable, velcro and a trailer plug...

If anyone is wondering the rego plate says "BOBW"

[Marshy]

If anyone is wondering the rego plate says "BOBW"

I thought it was "IMAGRL", or was it "1MSL0W"

[dan]

'SUBWHT'

[Negrogrande]

"STAHP"

[Turbo]

Actually it's "5HUT 1T U5E CUNT5 1LL L4P U5E 4LL D4Y"

[Marshy]

[dan]

Actually it's "5HUT 1T U5E CUNT5 1LL L4P U5E 4LL D4Y"

Did you get one of those 'euro' plates?

[Marshy]

Did you get one of those 'euro' plates?

Aaaaannnnd he's back! We've missed you Dan.

[dan]

Missed you guys too. Can't wait to get back out there!

[Krackeye]

How did I miss this thread. What a top idea. Brill!

[Turbo]

How did I miss this thread. What a top idea. Brill!

I've since moved on to an enclosed trailer but I've still got the ramps, if you're interested.