The possibility exists for me to get out of the incredibly c-c-cold, ice & snow filled, never ending winter up here, and maybe spend some time in the Carolinas for I'm not sure how long.  Between 3 and 6 weeks, more or less.   Not sure just yet, but I'm starting to think about how to have my GS with me.  The practical options are:

1.  Ship the bike
2.  Rent and pull a small trailer behind my Ranger
3.  Take the bike in the bed of my Ranger

OK, who's done any of the above, and what do you guys n gals see as the pros n cons of each?  Thanks all...

Real easy just to throw in the bed of the truck. I can't imagine why you would consider shipping it if you are taking a pick-up. You will need to make a ramp, but a 2 x 10 with some sort of metal plate to hook on the truck is all you need.

Don't put the front wheel against the end of the box. Just 4 straps to the frame/handlebars is all you need.

Had my GS tied down in my Toyota pickup yesterday, and once the tie-downs are tight (I used ratcheting tie-downs), the bike is so secure that if it goes over, the truck's going with it.  That should be fine, even for a long drive.  Just make sure you've got a couple extra people to give you a hand getting it out of the truck.

Have fun in the Carolinas!

Ironic, I just made the same trip.    I used four motorcycle tie downs from lowes hardware. no problems!  Just load up the suspension by sitting on the bike while tightening the straps.  Two on the bars and two on the grab rail.     in raleigh and I brought my bike down from NE Pa.  come on down we still have two mos. of good riding wheather!

Soak the straps in water before you tie the bike down, they stretch a little when they get wet, this way, if it rains, the straps aren't going to get loose, and if it stays dry, they only get tighter...

back of the truck is real nice and easy.  it only takes 2 people to put a gs into the back of a truck, and about 5 to 10 minutes.  done it a few times.

start out with one person on each side of your bike and get the front wheel onto the tailgate.  move it forward toill the headers are touching the tailgate then have someone get into the truck and hold onto the forks.  the other move behind and one pushes the other pulls the bike should stay up just fine.  nice and easy

I drive a Ranger, too.  I picked up my GS this summer and tied it in much like cranky d did.  If you have a long-bed, the bike will fit fine and you can probably get away with just two ratchet straps: one on each handlebar with the shocks compressed about half way.

I have a short bed an had to leave the gate down, so I added a third strap.  I ran a 14 foot strap from the front tiedown through the back of the frame (I think I ran it through the little triangle where the rear footpegs are, but my memory ain't so good these days) and back up to the other front tiedown.  The thing didn't budge even at highway speed.

Good luck
peace

When I bought mine, I couldn't ride very well yet and it was 100 or so miles away, so I took it home with a pickup.  Used ratcheting tie-downs, it didn't budge.

I have a '95 Nissan pickup and brought my bike home from the dealer because it was raining hard the day I bought it.  

Put the front tire against the front wall of the bed.  Compress the forks a bit and secure the straps to the bars.  Go to the back of the bike and swing it all the way to the left.  Now you can close the tailgate on a small pickup like a Ranger.

All of the above...Except these 3 points...
If you have more people say 2+ where you load the bike but less than 2 where you unload...then load it facing backwards...Much easier unloading...just unstrap and sit on it and ride it down...If you have 2 trucks you can do it easy too forward in 1 and back up the other and back it up into it. Then roll off to unload...
When strapping do not use the hooks to hook into the bike or the bed of the truck...hooks sometimes get spit out when you go into turns etc...or they need to be so tight as to damage stuff...I usually do this...
The ratchet end goes to the truck side wall holes...I pick the mid point of the strap between the ratchet and hook and fold it in 1/2...then stuff it into the hole in the side wall...and pull it up through the hole on top. Then I put it through the O part of the hook and pass the hook part through it...Then remove all slack by pulling on the ratchet. On the frame the non ratchet strap is used and I usually use the short brace the frame has near the neck and just put the strap through and send it through the O section of the hook. Then ratchet till the suspension is loaded down...
Also the back end of the bike...while the sissy bar is just sitting there asking to be strapped in...I have broken the sissy bar frame on mine from doing too much of this...So I guess load it light...do not attempt to compress the back end too much and once again the same principle can be used...Just send a strap end to end on the sides of the truck and 1-2 wraps on the sissy bar will do.
I know it sounds complicated....but once you try it..you'll never go back to the old way...this is so much more secure and forgiving.
Cool.
Srinath.

do a search here as I've posted a reply to same question and posted two links to how-to's for transporting in back of trucks...I dont have them here at work or I'd post them again...sorry.

that option is best and easiest in my opinion.

here's one
http://www.motorcyclebeginners.com/transport.htm

and another
http://motorcyclistonline.com/howto/hauling/

Great advice, all...thanks everyone!!

Quote from: dmp221....maybe spend some time in the Carolinas for I'm not sure how long.  Between 3 and 6 weeks, more or less....

Where in the Carolinas? North or South? If you are wanting someone to ride with, check out Carolina Riders. I ride pretty much year round, so if you're in the upstate SC or western NC, I'd be glad to show you some fun roads.