ATV carriers

[jager]

   I have an "extended cab" Dodge 3/4 ton truck with a "Tonneau" cover installed. Because the cover "reels up" into a compartment just behind the cab, the useable space for "hauling" is about 6 ft, whereas my ATV is about 87" long. I usually tow my camper when I take my ATV, so dropping the "tail gate" down to accomodate the "bike" is not the solution.
   Most of the carriers I've seen run upward of $1000 dollars and are designed to mount two vehicles. Are there any carriers that would fit in my short bed for just one bike in the price range of around $500? (Either "side loaders" or "rear loaders" would be acceptable.)

[charles p]

I've seen people out West carry ATVs sideways on top of the bed rails.  Imagine the truck would feel top heavy but it sure is common to see ATVs loaded this way in elk country.

[SHOOTALL]

saw one on the way to Canada that looked line ramps in the bed . The atv was sitting on them in the bed angled front up toward the back of the cab . It was a steep angle .

[jager]

  Charles - Were the ATV rails mounted "crosswise" on the bed attached to the truck bed floor or to the side rails themselves? I'm trying to "visualize" how I might weld some type of mount together that would at least support 5 or 600 pounds of vehicle weight when the vehicle has to be driven aboard from the side.
   Shootall - the "line ramps" might work (if the angle on my truck doesn't exceed my safe "CG" limits).
   Thanks for the reponses.

[charles p]

I don't recall seeing any rails.  Somebody here should know how to do it.  For starters, measure the wheelbase of your ATV, then the inside bed width of your truck.  I think the truck bed needs to be a little wider than the centerline of the wheels to hold the ATV inside the bed.  I almost believe I saw a diesel long bed with two ATVs on it sideways.  This was about 10 years ago.  Surely there was some kind of rail however with a removable ramp. 

[charles p]

Here it is:   http://www.monsterhauler.com/

[jager]

Thanks for the site!