DUHH! I forgot you mentioned it's a Ranger. What length of bed? My wife has a full-size pickup, and the tandem goes in just fine with both wheels on. (But that's an 8-foot bed.) I know taking the front wheel off is a pain with a nutted axle, but it might buy you just the length you need to get it in the bed. Esp. since you have a topper, put it in back-wheel first, leave the topper door open and let the handlebar stick out a bit. I doubt taking off the back wheel will buy you anything, on account of the rear fender. Oh, and less height to lift that steamroller...