I do my best to not put anything in my truck bed, now that I have a trailer! Wells Cargo 6x12 RF, ideal for almost anything. I use it for picking up my toys, like pins, arcades, tire balancer etc... doubles as a water proof storage too.

T9 (resized).JPG
T8 (resized).JPG
T1 (resized).JPG
T4 (resized).JPG
T6 (resized).JPG
T7 (resized).JPG
T11 (resized).JPG
T12 (resized).JPG

A 6x12 ramp door enclosed trailer is the "near perfect" trailer for most people and as long as you have room to park one and the ability to tow a trailer it is hands down the best way to move pinball machines. Rarely am I without at least one enclosed trailer and typically I have two or more around. If you are towing with a full size truck nothing beats a 7x16 "v" nose with tandem axles they tow better and ride nicer than a single axle trailer. But if you are towing with a mid size vehicle or don't really move all that much bigger stuff (or bigger loads) a 6x12 is the way to go.

Normally I pay the extra and get a heavy duty 6x12 with 2x4 box tubing frame. These days most companies are building 6x12 with a 2x3 frame and that just isn't really heavy duty enough to be truly safe. Up until around 2005 only "junk" brands used a 2x3 frame but now most trailer companies have changed over to the 2x3 frame unless you get a heavy duty trailer or order one and specify 2x4" frame.

7x16 trailers are the same way - they now use a 2x4" frame but should really be built on a 2x6" frame. Be careful when buying a trailer and be sure you are buying something that is built correctly. Cheap isn't always cheaper - saving a couple hundred when you are buying then bending a frame will not save you any money in the end!

I mostly agree, here in TX I have to stay under a certain gross weight registered trailer to not have a yearly "safety trailer" inspection (just one less thing to worry about), anything with tandem axles is well over the gross weight. My boat that has 2 axles & brakes, yes it tows better less tracking and much eaiser to back up if its longer I would have preferred a 7x14 single axle, just hard to find would have to have ordered it, picked this one up used for loads less and only 6 months old. Mine is a 2016 RF not sure on the frame, RF is 2nd place out of 4 models, also has torflex torsion suspension love that sits lower too. its not made to haul heavy stuff. It clearly has more payload than my truck bed.

I actually towed bigger with my one ton van but to answer your question about "how many" 33 fold down head machines or close to 40 removable head machines will fit in your 8x28 if you don't mind stacking heads two high on removable head machines. I could get 39 fold down heads in my 32' but it wasn't practical to tow something that big for as often as you need that much space. The worst thing about getting over 7' wide is what it does to your fuel mileage. That is why I prefer 6x12 or 7 x16 trailers over bigger trailers (or especially wider or taller trailers).

I love the space inside big trailers but I hate the fuel mileage unless you are towing with something like my Renegade Class 8 motorhome I sold a couple years ago. The cool thing with that was 10MPG at 67' long overall with my trailer and no CDL required so no log book or limit on number of hours driven. The bad thing was parking space unless you went somewhere with a big lot. Wasn't the rig to go to someones house with to pick up a couple machines at over 12'6" feet tall and 8'6" wide not including the mirrors. The first time I drove through a toll booth I about shit myself!

Okay. You laugh at us. We'll laugh at you.

54db916c8d77134d68d3bab4_saturday-night-live-anniversary-ss07 (resized).png

When it's only one or two pins, do you generally walk them in with legs on and transport them with the legs on, or always with the legs off?

I picked up the 4 cylinder turbo diesel. It has the 6 ft bed and I was able to put two pins flat in the back with the tailgate down. I might look into that bed extender bracket though, good idea...

Today legs off just like NIB, safer I think. First time I moved my Harley was with the legs on no issues but did not have my trailer then.

NEVER with legs on for me. That is just asking for trouble in my eyes. If you do feel to ever move a machine legs on at least fold the head down!

As others have said - pickup is nice BUT ... getting the PB out of the bed can be a chore, risky to both the pinball and you, especially if doing it alone.

If you have a place to store it, a small trailer with a fold down gate makes it super easy. I have hauled in the bed and in the trailer and the trailer is 10x easier

IMG_201803132109430 (resized).JPG

IMG_0282 (resized).JPG

Yup super easy with a trailer and ramp. Looks good, I am looking at an open utility trailer now too! dang you guys makes me want to spend more money.

looking at this, I really like the dual folding rear ramp.
http://northtexastrailers.com/product/2018-maxxd-s3x7712-utility-trailer-stk-mx52294/#&gid=1&pid=1

Just a thought with more homes in a HOA you might want to check the rules. After all what good is it to buy a trailer if you are going to get in trouble with no place to park it?

Vans I can do without. I tried one and did not like it. I'll go with a truck, thank you.

I have a hard tonneau cover that rolls up like a garage door that supports 400lbs on top of it. BAK revolver. It’s like having a trunk in your truck but opens up to whatever width to accommodate large loads.

4CD58AF0-8802-4C9F-A251-166CFADE595D (resized).jpeg

That looks nice. If I was to put anything on my truck it would be something like that.

Thats a Roll-N-Lock cover. I have one on my 2013 F150 crew cab, making it the perfect EM pin hauler. I say EM because with the head removed, the F150's bed is deep enough to fit even late 70's Gottlieb cabinets with the cover rolled closed (you'll have to remove the "neck" from the cabinet, which is the small rectangular piece the head sits on). The older 60's wedge head EM cabinets fit easily, with the head units riding inside the cab.

The Roll-N-Lock covers are well built and completely water tight. I take mine through the car wash and there won't hardly be a drop inside. The cover can be latched/locked in several positions. Works very very well for hauling a couple EM's.

Been looking for a truck and thought about a Tacoma. Several off lease ones in but no cruise control. I have to have that as my leg would seize up after awhile.

I miss my 2007 Tacoma. (got a 2015 Colorado now... tailgate lowered height way higher on Colorado).
Note that the space between the wheel wells on the smaller pickups is only wide enough for 1 head-folded, and one older laying on its side (so it's wedged). You cannot fit two modern pins side-by-side.
Obviously standing on their backs, you can fit more.

I've got a "SoftTopper" that let me carry my new Star Wars Prem, and old Bally Eight Ball home from MGC this last weekend, without worrying about the weather.

The problem with the tonneau covers or the bed for that matter, is they're not deep enough for your typical pin to cover them. I have an 03' Yukon XL for bad weather which just keeps everything safe and dry, easy in and out with a half pool cue stick, and the 14' silverado for sunny days which would fit about 3 pins if need be.
Nothing beats a good truck bed, they just make life easier. I've had so many people pick up pins in goofy mini vans and weird suv's, where the game slides down and in on an angle, what a pita.

When I had an Avalanche, I sometimes strapped a game to the tailgate...now that's trust.

29683429_10156220646228529_1975700598430892032_n (resized).jpg

30261154_10156227746228529_6998126799074885632_n (resized).jpg

Toyota Tundras you could get the 8ft bed but it was only offered by the salesman I talked to in the V6, go figure? Not many 8ft beds are sold I was told and you almost have to order them that way as the place I go to doesn't keep them on the lot normally.

You can fit 3 pins in a 6' Tacoma bed if you use the notches for some 2x6's over the wheel wells.

20180120_173526 (resized).jpg

20180120_122734 (resized).jpg

What would be the best way to strap down a bubble hockey? I wouldn't want to crack the top.

I just went through this transporting a game to MGC in the back of my F-150. It's about a two hour drive. It rained all the way there and snowed/rained on the way back. What I did was:

Shrink wrap entire game.
Put on top of a tarp and a couple of 2x4s to keep it off of the bed in case the bed takes on rain water.
Pull the tarp up on the sides and bungee it to secure it.
Put a tarp (the thicker the better) on top, secure tight with ratcheting straps around the game.
Then I put a couple more ratcheting straps across the corners of the truck bed over the game for good measure.

Now, this is a pain in the ass, but I didn't have any issues with water.
In the past, I've also removed the head, but removing and reattaching the head twice for a show is also a pain in the ass.

Op, did you ever buy a truck or are you still looking?

I hauled a pins hanging out the back of wrangler before. Lol...

But I shouldn't give truck advice. I once bought a truck I was on the fence about because it came with a pinball

More details truck and pinball machine in question? and, and was it working?

Isn't this pretty unsafe? You're supposed to put the load as far towards the cab as you can. Having heavy items near the tailgate area can cause stability issues at highway speeds, especially something as tall as a NIB game.

Dodge 2014 Ram crew cab longhorn limited with 6.4ft bed.

This is a 3 game pickup (2 standard and 1 widebody).

I can fit four standard games on their back. Two standards side by side on either side of the wheel well. There are four hooks, two hooks on each end of the bed. I usually run a cross pattern low to high from each side (two straps).

Or.. just one widebody sitting down, cart in between

38120510-5DF8-48D1-9E4A-2E5FD1D1C23D (resized).jpeg

Nice! Yeah, I still have my 99 ( sadly doesnt look so new anymore. Lol).

Left gate hinged open. Folded head down, put that end in first, used 2 tie downs around front of cab up to roll bar to hold in. Used 2 more short tie downs around cab and tailgate to keep gate from swinging.

Was a couple hours away in Wisconsin in late fall one time. Came back late at nite....cold trip back in the soft top with tail open!

I've posted this picture several times before, but my rusty '97 Dodge can haul four pins nicely. The patina on the machines sort of matched the truck. . .

pasted_image (resized).png

The truck or the game? Lol.

This was a few years back. Truck was kind of a beater. Mid 90s silverado v8 4wd extended cab. It ran ok, but needed a little overhaul.

Pin was a Game Plan Attila the Hun non working but solid in good shape.

Wasnt much wiggle room on either (talking under 2000 total), but got more wiggle on game than truck and wound up with both for around truck price if I remember.

My girl wasn't too thrilled. We went to look at truck as a cheap vehicle for her to have 4wd in winter for work (instead of mustang) and me to use just for hauling games etc occasionally. I sincerely didnt know guy had a pinball (wasnt even orginally for sale) till he took me in his shop where truck was parked and it was sitting there. LolI

Not best game title, or truck....but was good time.

Ford Ranger with and without trailer. I no longer have the truck but it hauled A LOT of games.

SANY1924 (resized).JPG

SANY2841 (resized).JPG

The trailer was a little overloaded. I now use a F250 SD with a lift gate. That pic has 5 pins and 2 vids loaded.

Trailer (1) (resized).JPG

Super DUty (resized).JPG

No, it's not unsafe. A pinball machine isn't a significant load for any pickup truck and will not affect the stability in any relevant way even if standing up. Obviously you don't want it blowing out. The Z71 is in the neighborhood of 5000 lbs. Adding 400 lbs to the back of the bed might change your front/rear ratio from 3000/2000 (60/40) to 2950/2450 (55/45). Barely noticeable and far from unsafe.

It would be much less safe loaded like that on a 500 lb trailer. Changes the weight balance way more. But pulling it with the same truck would still probably be fine under most conditions because the tow vehicle weighs so much more the trailer isn't likely to cause instability.

Anyone have any idea if a 2014 Toyota Tacoma Shortbed (5ft) can fit 2 wide body and 1 standard pin in the bed? Any ideas for arrangement to make it work? Have 6 ratchet straps, stretch wrap, and cardboard ready to go. Need answers ASAP as I am picking them up tomorrow. Will get at least 2 of the pins, but hoping to make all 3 fit and not have to take the heads off. Will be 300 mile haul back home.

Not sure, but I'd bet you'd be fine, get more straps though. I've done 7 in an 8 foot bed. So three in a 5 foot sounds fine.

Though uhaul trailers are cheap.

So I just box the games the shrink wrap them extra heavy the. Add packing tape to help give the shrink wrap some support. I can take some pictures when I get loaded up tomorrow

JJ

I've done three machines in a 5-foot nissan bed with the tailgate down. Two were upright, strapped to each other and the truck. Be sure to include a good strap to the cab on both The upper third and lower third of the upright machines or they can tip over. The third game was flat and partially on the tailgate, again well strapped to the truck. Get more ratchet straps. Good luck and safe travels.

My last pinball haul. Twenty two in the trailer six in the back of the truck.

0520181452 (1) (resized).jpg

I've hauled more games and "things" then you can shake a stick at. This one fit perfectly and I couldn't even tell it was in the back during the 500 mile ride trip coming home.

John

mtn. dew in truck #3 (resized).jpg