Loading Tub style flip overs in a pick-up bed. ????

[Minnetonka]

I am looking for advice on how other guys load their flip over house in the bed of a pickup. Unless I have a buddy with me, I unload everything but the seat and then put the nose of the sled on the bed and use my knees to lift it up and slid in in the back of the truck. I then have to load the stuff back in. My brothers use some wood (2x4) and leave more stuff in and slid it part way up the ramp and then get behind it a push. I was thinking a smart guy could make some money if he invented a ramp that has rollers on it, or was slippery, so that a single guy could push a more fully loaded sled in and out of a pickup bed. What other ideas do the rest of you have?

[IcemanMN]

Back up to a snow bank is what I've done. That sort of works like a ramp.

[harvey lee]

I simply put it on the edge of my trailer bed and slide it in.When I am alone and have no trailer with,then I grab one end and then lift the other end and slide it in.It is hard and when there is no snow on the ice,then even harder.One thing I found is if I have ice cleats on ,then it is somewaht easier as my feet dont slip around.I do leave all my gear in the sled and lift it up but,I am a bigger guy and can do it but as you stated it is tough.

If you could build a ramp to slide it up,then I believe it might be somewhat easier.I would think if you used a ramp that is used to laod a 4-wheeler it might be a little easier.

[jiggin 4 fun]

use the 2x4's and put hyfax slides

on the length of 2x4

works good for me

[Moose]

I agree there is no worse feeling than lifting my vouyager into the back of the truck and not being able to push it in because of traction. I'm a big guy and still have problems with it. Maybe an aluminum ramp with hyfax on it to keep it light and to be able to slide it under the house for easy storage. Just a thought.

[cold one sd]

I'm a big guy too and I unload the tub and and lift one end on to the tailgate and then lift the other end. Sometimes I have a heck of a time getting the second end lifted without the other end falling off of the tailgate. I think a snatch block in the front end of the pickup bed and a couple of 2x4s would be ok. kIt is nice to have some help though.

[kslipsinker]

I have no trouble loadin mine in my truck, wit a fairly tall tailgate. A thought to assist would be a block and tackle or a come along attached to the front of the box to pull instead of push.

[Ryan Berger]

I have been thinking about this also. I bought my truck used and it has the wiring for a pickup camper in the bed, I am wondering if it is possible to hook up a winch to this wiring? Im sure it is just want to make sure.. any help is apprecaited!!

[ice_it_06]

I saw a pick up in Cabelas (Owatonna) Wed with a portable in the back of it.

He had a "winch" like you see on retractable houses mounted on a 2 X 6 that ran across the the front of the bed and sits in the rail slots in the front corners. Had a cable and was hooked to his portables trailer hitch. Saw a ramp in it so he just pulls it right up the ramp with the winch !!

[fishingguy]

I saw a guy that had some type of frame built. He would put one end on the tail gate and one on the ground. Pull his sled on the frame, then lift the frame and all, and push it in. It went in really easy, so I went and talked to him. He had small wheels on the front of the frame, and once he lifted the back up, the wheels touched the truck bed and rolled right in! He just thru an ratchet strap over and sinched it down so it wouldn't roll or slid around. If and when it gets to that point where I can't do it the way most have discribed earlier, I may try something like that.

[HarryG]

I have had the same problem. Usually I have my snowmobile trailer with me and no problem. I have tried a lot of things with the flip over house and the only thing that worked is a ramp. I just use a couple of 2x4's and drop my tail gate down and take the cable off so it angles down. (Not all trucks do this). Put the boards on the tail gate and it you are good to go. I also have a handle on the back of my flip over. It helps to lift it up onto the truck. I tried the pulley system by installing a u bolt to the back of my truck bed, but I was concerned about pulling it out. I was going get a block and tackle system but I opted for the ramp. If you do a lot of fishing out of the portable, I think the electric winch is best, but not the cheapest.

Good Luck

[vikzilla]

The winch set up is great. A friend of mine has it. He purchased a strap winch on hsolist for 30$, then mounted it on a 2x6 across the bed. Just crank it up into the bed along a ramp.

[Enids Hubby]

Fleet Farm sell a set of metal ramp ends that fit on the end of your tailgate . You cut and bolt your own wood to it . They come in a few sizes for 2x6 or 2x8 boards . I made mine so the total length including the bracket is the same length as my pickup box so I carry take them with. I just put the ramps on my tailgate and put the fishhouse on the back and slide it right in . I have a fully loaded Otter Lodge and it works great for me . I also use those ramps if I need to load a snowblower or wheel barrow or misc.