Will A Can Am Commander Fit In A Truck – The Ultimate Measurement

You’ve got the Can-Am Commander, the gear is packed, and the trail is calling your name. There’s just one hurdle: getting it there. You look at your pickup, then at your Commander, and the big question hits you: will a can am commander fit in a truck? It’s a question we get all the time at FatBoysOffroad. You’d love to skip the hassle of buying, insuring, and storing a trailer, but you’re worried about safety, damage, and whether it’s even possible.

I’m here to tell you that it can be done, but it’s not a simple yes or no. It requires careful planning, the right measurements, and a serious respect for your truck’s limits. Forget the guesswork and “I think it’ll fit” mentality that leads to busted tailgates and dangerous situations on the highway.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover the critical dimensions of both your Commander and your truck, the essential gear for loading safely, a step-by-step process for getting it in the bed, and the common problems to avoid. Let’s get you loaded up and on your way to the dirt.

The Short Answer: It’s All About the Numbers

Before you even think about buying ramps, you need to become best friends with a tape measure and your truck’s owner’s manual. The fit comes down to three critical factors: width, length, and weight. One wrong number can make this whole operation a non-starter.

Can-Am Commander Dimensions: A Quick Breakdown

Can-Am offers several Commander models, and their sizes vary. A few inches can be the difference between a snug fit and a no-go. Always check the official specs for your exact year and model, but here are some general numbers to get you started:

Can-Am Commander 700 / DPS / XT: Typically around 62 inches wide and 128.5 inches long.
Can-Am Commander 1000R / XT-P / X MR: Often measures around 64 inches wide and 130 inches long.
Can-Am Commander MAX (4-seater): These are much longer, usually over 160 inches, making them unsuitable for almost any standard truck bed.

The most important number here is the width. That’s your first and biggest hurdle.

Your Truck’s Vital Statistics: Bed Size & Payload Capacity

Now, let’s turn to your truck. You need two key pieces of information.

1. Bed Dimensions: Grab your tape measure. You need to know the width between the wheel wells. This is the narrowest point in your bed and the primary obstacle. You also need the length of the bed with the tailgate closed and with it open.

2. Payload Capacity: This is the most important safety number. Payload is the total weight your truck can safely carry, including the Commander, you, your passengers, all your gear, fuel, and any trailer tongue weight. Find the “Tire and Loading Information” sticker on your driver’s side door jamb. It will say, “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXXX lbs.” Do not ignore this number.

Will a Can-Am Commander Fit in a Truck? The Compatibility Check

With your numbers in hand, it’s time for the moment of truth. This is the core of our will a can am commander fit in a truck guide. Let’s break down the three tests your setup must pass.

The Width Test: Clearing the Wheel Wells

This is where most people run into trouble. A standard full-size truck (like an F-150, Silverado 1500, or Ram 1500) typically has about 50-51 inches of space between the wheel wells. As you saw above, even the narrowest Commander is over 60 inches wide.

Right away, you can see that a stock Commander will not fit down inside the bed between the wheel wells of a standard pickup. The tires must ride up on top of the wheel wells. This requires a wider truck bed, often found on “dually” models, or specialized risers/decks designed to create a flat platform above the wells. Some older “step-side” or “flare-side” trucks have more space, but it’s rare.

The Length Test: Tailgate Up or Down?

Given that most Commanders are over 128 inches long (10.6 feet), they will not fit in a standard 6.5-foot or even an 8-foot bed with the tailgate closed. You will absolutely have to transport it with the tailgate down.

This immediately creates another challenge. Your truck’s tailgate support cables are not designed to handle the dynamic weight of a 1,500+ lb UTV bouncing on them. This is a common point of failure. Investing in a set of adjustable tailgate support bars is non-negotiable for safety.

The Weight Test: Don’t Overload Your Rig

Let’s do some quick math. A Can-Am Commander 1000R has a dry weight of around 1,550 lbs. Add fuel, oil, and any accessories (winch, roof, etc.), and you’re easily pushing 1,700 lbs.

Now check your payload sticker. A common half-ton truck might have a payload capacity of 1,800 lbs. If you (200 lbs) and a friend (200 lbs) are in the cab with 100 lbs of gear, you’ve already used 500 lbs of your capacity. That leaves only 1,300 lbs for the Commander. You’d be significantly overloaded, leading to poor braking, unstable handling, and potential damage to your truck’s suspension, axle, and frame.

A heavy-duty truck (F-250/2500 or higher) is often required to handle the payload safely.

The Essential Gear for Safe Loading and Transport

If your truck passes the tests, you’ll need the right equipment. Skimping here is a recipe for disaster. This is a key part of our will a can am commander fit in a truck care guide for both your machines.

Ramps: Your Bridge to the Bed

Don’t use a couple of 2x10s. You need a set of high-quality, arched aluminum ramps with a weight rating that far exceeds your Commander’s weight. Arched ramps help prevent the UTV from “bottoming out” as it transitions from the ramp to the truck bed. Most importantly, they must be secured to the truck with safety straps to prevent them from kicking out during loading—a terrifyingly common accident.

Tie-Downs: The Unsung Heroes

Your UTV needs to be secured from all four corners. Use a minimum of four 2-inch heavy-duty ratchet straps. Look for straps with a “Working Load Limit” (WLL) of at least 3,000 lbs each. Do not use cheap cam buckle straps. For ultimate security, consider a wheel chock or tire bonnet system that locks the tires in place without over-compressing the UTV’s suspension.

Tailgate Support: A Must-Have Precaution

As mentioned, you need something more than the stock cables. Products like the “DG Manufacturing Tailgate Support” are steel bars that take the load off the cables and transfer it to the stronger parts of the truck’s frame and tailgate latch. This is one of the most important will a can am commander fit in a truck best practices.

How To Load a Can-Am Commander Into a Truck: A Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, you’ve done your homework and have the gear. Let’s talk about the process. This is how to will a can am commander fit in a truck safely.

Find Level Ground: Park your truck on the most level surface you can find. If possible, use a small incline or curb to your advantage to decrease the angle of the ramps.
Set & Secure Ramps: Place your ramps on the tailgate and secure them tightly to the truck’s frame or safety chain loops on the hitch. Double-check that they are spaced correctly for your Commander’s tires.
Engage 4-Low: Put the Commander in 4-wheel drive low gear. This gives you maximum torque and control, allowing you to crawl up the ramps slowly without jerky, throttle-heavy movements.
Slow & Steady: Line up your Commander perfectly straight with the ramps. With a steady, light touch on the throttle, drive slowly and smoothly up the ramps into the bed. Do not stop halfway up. Have a spotter if possible.
Park and Secure the UTV: Drive the Commander all the way forward until the front tires are firmly against the front wall of the truck bed. Put it in Park, engage the parking brake, and turn it off.
The Art of the Tie-Down: Attach one ratchet strap to each corner of the Commander’s frame, running them down to the anchor points in your truck bed. An “X” pattern at the front and rear is ideal. Tighten the straps until the UTV’s suspension is slightly compressed. This prevents it from bouncing and shifting. Shake the machine firmly—it should move as one with the truck.

Common Problems and Best Practices for Transporting Your UTV

Even with a perfect setup, things can go wrong. Being aware of the common problems with will a can am commander fit in a truck is crucial for a safe trip.

The Biggest Risks to Avoid

Ramp Failure: Unsecured ramps kicking out is the #1 cause of loading accidents.
Payload Overload: This causes poor braking, unstable steering, excessive tire wear, and can lead to catastrophic suspension or axle failure.
Shifting Cargo: Improperly secured UTVs can and do fall out of trucks. Check your straps at every fuel stop.
High Center of Gravity: A heavy UTV in the bed raises your truck’s center of gravity, making it more susceptible to body roll in turns. Drive accordingly.

Pro Tips for a Smooth Haul

Here are some will a can am commander fit in a truck tips from the pros. Check your tire pressures on the truck, and consider inflating the rear tires to the maximum recommended PSI listed on the door jamb sticker to improve stability. After the first 10-15 miles of driving, pull over in a safe spot and re-check the tension on all your tie-down straps. They often settle and loosen slightly.

Sustainable Transport: The Eco-Friendly Angle

Thinking about the benefits of will a can am commander fit in a truck goes beyond convenience. When you can safely transport your UTV in the bed, you’re often making a more sustainable will a can am commander fit in a truck choice. A truck with a UTV in the bed is far more aerodynamic than a truck towing a big, boxy trailer that acts like a parachute.

This translates directly to better fuel economy on your way to the trails. Less fuel burned means a lower carbon footprint for your off-road adventures. This eco-friendly will a can am commander fit in a truck approach also means you don’t need a separate trailer, which saves the resources used in manufacturing it and eliminates the waste of worn-out trailer tires over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hauling a Can-Am Commander

Can a Can-Am Commander fit in a 6.5-foot bed?

Yes, but only with the tailgate down and secured with auxiliary support bars. The rear tires of the Commander will be resting on the tailgate, which is why reinforcing it is not optional.

What is the narrowest full-size truck bed?

Generally, modern half-ton trucks have the narrowest space between wheel wells, around 50-51 inches. Heavy-duty single-rear-wheel (SRW) trucks with 8-foot beds often have slightly more room, and dual-rear-wheel (“dually”) trucks have the widest beds, which can sometimes accommodate a UTV without driving on the wheel wells.

Is it better to load a UTV forwards or backwards?

It’s almost always better to load it forwards. This places the heavier engine block closer to the truck’s cab, over or slightly in front of the rear axle. This provides better weight distribution and handling compared to having all that weight hanging off the back.

Do I need to upgrade my truck’s suspension to haul my Commander?

If you are well within your payload capacity, you don’t need to. However, if you’re close to the limit or haul frequently, adding a set of helper springs or an airbag suspension system to the rear of your truck is a fantastic upgrade for improving stability, reducing sag, and enhancing overall safety.

So, the answer to “will a can am commander fit in a truck” is a resounding “maybe.” It’s not for every truck or every owner. It demands careful measurement, the right gear, and a safety-first approach. But for those with a capable heavy-duty truck and the patience to do it right, it’s a great way to get to the trail without a trailer in tow.

Measure twice, load once, and hit the trails with confidence. Ride safe out there!

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Thomas Corle

Founder & Automobile expert at FatBoysOffroad

Automobile expert and off-road enthusiast, sharing in-depth knowledge of vehicles, gear, and adventures. Helping readers make smart decisions and enjoy the thrill of off-roading safely and confidently.