The Short Bed Trap: How to Safely Haul a Dirt Bike in a 5'8" Silverado
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You just bought a brand-new dirt bike and you are heading to the trails for the weekend. You pull your 2014–2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab out of the garage, drop the tailgate, and push the heavy bike up the ramp into the bed.
You go to close the tailgate, and it violently hits the back tire of the motorcycle. Because your Crew Cab has the incredibly small 5'8" short bed, the bike is physically too long. The rear tire is resting precariously on the gap between the bed and the open tailgate. You are forced to leave the tailgate down and use a sketchy, terrifying web of ratchet straps, praying the bike doesn't bounce out onto the highway when you hit a pothole.
You just fell directly into the Short Bed Trap.
When you bought the Crew Cab, you sacrificed bed space for passenger legroom. Hauling 8-foot lumber, ATVs, or motorcycles in a 5-foot box with the tailgate down is a massive liability. If that cargo shifts backward, you are responsible for the highway accident it causes.
You don't need a massive, expensive utility trailer; you just need to lock down your tailgate real estate.
In this guide, we explain exactly how elite cargo engineers at AMP Research designed the BedXTender to flip out over your open tailgate, instantly giving you two feet of secure, enclosed aluminum armor. We'll show you how to navigate the Tonneau Cover spacer issue, why the "Moto" version is built specifically for tires, and how to safely maximize your hauling capacity.
Compare Premium Bed Extender Upgrades
Maximum Volume, V-Shape Sport, or Slanted Moto?
|
Extender Style |
Top Brands |
Tech / Build |
Best For |
|
BedXTender HD Max |
AMP Research |
6063 T6 Aluminum. |
Maximum Cargo Volume. The classic, legendary U-shape design. Engineered from aircraft-grade aluminum tubes and heavy-duty nylon composite uprights. Provides the absolute maximum enclosed area over the tailgate for massive loads, coolers, and camping gear. |
|
BedXTender HD Sport |
AMP Research |
V-Shape Profile. |
The Sleek Street Aesthetic. Features a tapered, V-shaped design. It still provides massive hauling capacity over the tailgate, but the tapered corners make it significantly easier to flip forward into the bed without hitting low-profile tonneau cover rails. |
|
BedXTender HD Moto |
AMP Research |
Slanted Back Design. |
Dirt Bikes & ATVs. Designed specifically for powersports enthusiasts. The rear aluminum tubes are slanted outward, creating the perfect pocket to securely hug the rear tire of a dirt bike or ATV parked all the way at the edge of the tailgate. |
Frequently Asked Questions (Bed Extenders)
Do I have to drill into my Silverado to install an AMP Research bed extender?
Yes, it requires minor drilling.
To ensure the extender can withstand the heavy impact of shifting cargo, you must mount the pivot brackets directly to the steel D-pillars inside your tailgate opening. Installation requires drilling three small holes per side and using the provided heavy-duty self-tapping screws. The entire process takes about 45 minutes in your driveway.
Can I easily remove the bed extender if I need the full bed for dirt or gravel?
Yes, it takes three seconds.
Premium bed extenders are designed for ultimate versatility. If you are hauling a load of loose topsoil or gravel and need the cage completely out of the way, simply pivot the extender to a 45-degree angle and lift it straight up. It slides right off the mounting brackets without requiring a single hand tool.
Will the bed extender bounce up and down when driving over bumps?
No, it features heavy-duty lockdown straps.
The AMP Research BedXTender comes with specialized nylon straps that click directly into your Silverado's factory tailgate latches (when deployed outward) or lock into the bed structure (when flipped inward). This pulls the aluminum cage drum-tight against the truck, completely eliminating rattles and bouncing on rough highway roads.
Extend the bed. Stop the slide.
Ditch the sketchy ratchet straps and safely haul oversized gear in your short bed. Shop our verified collection of premium 2014–2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 Bed Extenders.