Looking to get a new (used)truck, and am finding it hard to find a truck with an extended cab, and an 8'bed. Has anyone been loading their 450 into a short bed truck ? I measured mine and it seems as though it will be a tight fit, especially if I put on my large tires that I use when I go icefishing. Should I also get a large shoehorn!!

 

I don't know about A 450 but my Grizzly with 27 inch tires just fits if you push hard on the tailgate,with the stock tires no problem.I have A '99 Ford extended cab.

 

I have a 98 Dodge extended cab shortbox and the 2000 450 fits just fine. Not sure about how big a tire you can go to though.

 

If the wheel wells are far enough apart to admit the quad, you might then consider lowering the tailgate if necessary. Also, a device called "Bed Extender," "Extend-a-Bed," or something like that, mounts in the towbar receiver and supports a piece of plywood or whatever--you can carry long loads with this support (don't forget to flag the extended load). Then, there's the old standby receiver towbar tilting quad carrier; you can carry your quad totally outside the bed with this product. A short bed shouldn't prevent your hauling your ATV; last resort, buy a $ 239 Northern folding 4' X 9' trailer.

Tree Farmer

Tree Farmer

 

Thanks for the answers guys. The system I use now to haul my 450 works so well in an 8' bed, that I wanted to do the same with a short box if I could. We go ice fishing at Simco Lake in Ontario Canada almost every weekend in the winter. The Temp. last year got down to -25*F, so you have to carry an Ice Hut, 4 Wheeler, ice auger, extra cloths, 3-5gal buckets of geer that includes your rods and lures, depth finder, heater, lantern, ect. The way I do it so that it all fits in an 8' bed is by building a raised platform out of 2 x 12's on edge, with 3/4 pressure treated plywood on top. I also made a short set of ramps that pin to the platform, and disconnect while driving, so the gate can close. My 4'x6'x6' ice hut folds down to 3'x4'x8" and then it will slide under the platform, along with some of the gear.
The ride up to the lake is right through Toronto Ontario, and if you ever rode on the "Queen E", 427, or the 401, you'll know why I'd rather not use a trailer (I have one). That ride is a "75 - 80 miles an hour close your eyes while being cut offed, and passed, and I hope to God I live thru this" type of ride. They use trailers as targets !! and if you want to move over a lane while hauling a trailer? Well let me just say that the Buffalo Bills have a better chanch of winning the Super Bowl on a day that hell froze over.
Thanks again for the answers, maybe I can get a buddy that has a short box to stop over, so I can try the fit with the 4-27x12x12 vampire tires on to see how it goes on.
BillG

 

Mine fits in my chevy 1500 Shortbox with a couple three inches to spare