how do you guys generally load your SD into a truck by yourself?
the older i get the harder it is to just muscle it up a ramp. ive been backing it up to a hill in my yard and its pretty much a level load.
but today the bike died, i got a ride to my truck but had to be creative loading it when i got there.

Find a friend.

I use two ramps. One for me one for the bike. I motor thebike up the ramp and feather the clutch and front brake up and I roll the bike out with it in gear but engine off. I use the clutch to control motion and braking down the ramp.
I use microlams one and three quarters thick by fourteen inches wide and eleven feet long for the bike and a eight inch wide ramp for me eight feet long. No problems with install and exit and I can push it up a slope if I use the smartest placement of favor towards my predicament.

I normally ride mine in.

Single wide ramp secured with a strap and a step for me. Bike goes up ramp under its own power with me walking up next to it. I like having a friend as a spotter just in case but no issues so far. Remove same way with engine off.

Having a decent ramp is the first step. Readyramp.com is my preferred choice. A bit pricey but wide, sturdy, and useful.

A pick-up truck is a pain in the A-- you def have the right idea with backing up to a hill and load "level",,,seen a bunch of dissaster's riding it in,,I'de prefer not to,,,,van is easy,with a lower entry height,,, but still a hill work's best at keeping it level,,,really the ramp is the key,,,wide ATV type is a no brainer,,and a pair with one to walk up helps very much,,,,my pick-up is just to high up for me alone,,almost bought a mini Ford van, the thing had a 16 inch entry height but are just so small you ride with the front wheel in the cab with ya,,but that thing would be the easiest vehicle to load by yourself,,,,,could be I just get a Wells cargo trailer with a ramp door,,,

I have GMC 4 wheeler with crew cab,,,,six ft bed,,,it'll fit at an angle,or straight with the gate down,,but like your's it's way up there,,wouldn't worry about the cable's on the tailgate as long as their not coroded out,,they will hold the weight,,,when I do the Fla move ,,the Wells trailer is what I'm thinking,,low entry height and doable alone ,,can use it as a mobile garage when parked as well plus bring all my stuff down at once,,well most anyway,,wish I were there now,,it's in the mid 70's,,,

The corner of my driveway where my truck is parked is about 3 feet lower than the lawn behind, and theres a retaining wall of RR ties. Intant loading ramp!!

Not like this guy...

Caught on my camera back in the summer on a trackday.

Ignore the track bit, it's crap. Fast foward to 4min.

The Colenel's efforts with Stupid Luke watching:



Vikings vid still makes me chuckle

Bike running and in first gear, stand next to it, feather the throttle and clutch as it goes up the ramp, stop 2/3rds of the way up so I can step up into van, continue forward into wheel chock. Simples

theres and idea!