you can get an extender (goes into the receiver and is just a piece of steel that extends, that you can put your ball and everything into) to pull a boat/trailer so nothing will hit when you do have the tailgate down. I don't suggest towing big loads with an extender but, If worse comes to worse, you can always buy an extender

 

I run my tailgate down because I have a toolbox. I have a 98 f-150 shortbed. I think that if I didnt have the box, I could fit my sp in the back of my truck with the gate up. Plus I park it a little farther back to keep the front from rubbing against the toolbox. maybe this will help.

 

Thanks for your information..from the sounds of it ,the bike size i choose wont be too big an issue for my shortbox....all i got to do now is make up my mind on one! I was leaning towards honda but all this talk ive been reading about hondas weak 4x4 sytem has turned me off them . How much of a differance does it make overall?? I will mostly be riding trails and using it to go hunting and fishing...but will also be doing a little work like hauling and plowing maybe??any info on these issues will be greatly appreciated!!!
my choices are between the follwing Rincon 650, rubicon 500 or a polaris 500 HO? Imight go as small as a 450 maybe??

 

Ultimate aussie ,,, Shortbeds are pointless??????? I have a 2003 ford f-250 with a 6 3/4 foot bed and i can fit anything you can in it.. It fits my quad, snowmobile, dirtbike, lawn mower,.. I had my buddies 03 p650 in it and it fit fine... so I dont think that statement is at all true

 

I hauled a P700 in mine with a tool box. There wasn't a problem I can almost close the tail gate on my long bed even with the tool box. I can close it with our suzuki in the bed.

 

For what you have listed, I think I would first go with the Polaris, becouse well, I have one and I am really pleased with my atv. If you're going with a Honda, I would say the Rubicon or Forman. I think they would be a better choice than the Rincon, for your hunting, fishing, and chores.

 

I have the same truck as you, and I put my P700 in the bed. The tail-gate doesn't close by about 2", so I run dual 2" tiedown straps from the bumper to the back rack of the Prairie, and sinch the tailgate against the RR tires. The I strap the bike down as normal to keep it from moving ft/bk in case of an accident.

 

btw... a buddy of mine tossed his Kodiak in the bed of his truck and shut the tail gate, not tieing it down, thinking the all was ok, because the tail gate was close.. Well, he got rear-ended hard, which sent the Kodiak out of the back of the truck popping the latch's on the tailgate, and into the windshield of the car that hit him!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

Moral of the story, tie your bike down in the bed, to prevent ft or rr movement!!

 

Like stated above, any of the big-bores will fit in you truck. I have a Dakota Quad Cab, and my 700SP fits right in, of course the gait is down. I have the bed extender which is basically a piece of mind thing. Just ratchet it down and you will have no probs.

 

I, haul my p770 in my short box with a tool box. The tires set on the tail gate and I hook my towing ball on the prairie to the Louisiana guard dog. The bike doesn't even wiggle. No straps, no tie downs, really nice and easy to hook up.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]