Harley on a 5er

One toy hauler I really liked was the Keystone Raptor 3602rl. But when we were looking in 2011, they had stopped making them several years before and we could only find one used one (that I didn't want) anywhere near us.

Cool layout for 2 people and 1 motorcycle. The "garage" had a half size opening with a large lounge sofa that came down and across from it, in a slide out, a large tv, etc. What a great den for when you got where you were going.

Not a perfect execution. Still not "homey" enough for the wife, but a great layout for me.

But obviously not what people wanted as they stopped making them.

Here is a link to one: Linky

steelpony5555 wrote:

A bike is to ride, not put on a trailer. Mine never saw a trailer except when we passed one with a bike on it and I'm sure the old gal wondered was that bike doing up there with no-one on it.

I ride she drives, swap out every so often to share the fun. Weather gets bad and don't feel like riding or driving find a campground. Wife don't drive or ride, sorry about that.

That's great if you are only going out for the day and back home. Sorry I travel all over the country and am gone for several months at a time. That is why I want to take mine with my 5th wheel. I am done with pup tent camping, Homie don't go there no more. And riding while she drives seems to be a real pain in the butt when traveling. Again if you are only going an hour or two up the road ok but not for 20 + hours cross country. ........Oh and besides I have owned a bike for the past 40 years and have done my share of riding in rain, snow and extreme heat. I'm old enough now and retired that I can wait till it quits raining and then go ride, lol lol.

Yup....yup, been riding for 40 years, and if I want to go to Montana for awhile..........I aint sleepin on the ground......that's why I have a trailer. Don't get me wrong I LOVE to ride, but I also like to sleep and eat in my own stuff. I've got over 500,000 miles in the saddle in every kinda of weather and conditions..........

A bike is to ride, not put on a trailer. Mine never saw a trailer except when we passed one with a bike on it and I'm sure the old gal wondered was that bike doing up there with no-one on it.

I ride she drives, swap out every so often to share the fun. Weather gets bad and don't feel like riding or driving find a campground. Wife don't drive or ride, sorry about that.

That's great if you are only going out for the day and back home. Sorry I travel all over the country and am gone for several months at a time. That is why I want to take mine with my 5th wheel. I am done with pup tent camping, Homie don't go there no more. And riding while she drives seems to be a real pain in the butt when traveling. Again if you are only going an hour or two up the road ok but not for 20 + hours cross country. ........Oh and besides I have owned a bike for the past 40 years and have done my share of riding in rain, snow and extreme heat. I'm old enough now and retired that I can wait till it quits raining and then go ride, lol lol.

Back to the problem at hand, Open Range use to make a very nice residential style bike hauler. But they have not made one since 2011 which makes me wonder why they stopped. I was gonna look for a used one on those but now hmmmmm. (Sorry I won't buy a brand new trailer, just too big of a hit when you drive it off the lot)..... Sorry but my butt requires a recliner at the end of the day lol lol.....

Ready2BRetired wrote:
We have a 2010 36tk3 DRV that we purchased new. When we had it built we had the factory beef up the frame for the added weight as we anticipated carrying our Road King on the back.The factory at the time authorized this.

What did DRV do to beef up the frame on your unit?

We have a 2010 36tk3 DRV that we purchased new. When we had it built we had the factory beef up the frame for the added weight as we anticipated carrying our Road King on the back.The factory at the time authorized this. We have the 17.5 wheels and a 8k lb axles. We have learned a few things since our purchase and have not carried the bike on the back nor will we be doing that. The factory did authorize it then but they no longer recommend it. Not just because of the weight but due to the severe jostling that occurs. This is why Excel allows it in their 32 ft or less models. At least we have a beefed up frame...ha. Also our current belief is that 800 lbs on the back will over-load the axles, but not the tires. Like I said we have learned a few things. We currently sit with about 7300 lbs give or take on each of our axles. The tires are rated for 4800 lbs ea. We will be using the Blue-Ox Sport Carrier ll. It is like a swivel wheel but smaller. It is only 4 ft deep and 7' wide. These dimensions will help keep the swing out to a minimum. It has a carrying capacity of 1000 lbs. It has two tires but they are side by side. We currently tow doubles with the Harley but prefer to have the option to back up.

The swivel wheel is further back from the fiver the same as a trailer so the wind has more of an effect on it. With the lift the bike is close to the camper and doesn't get the same wind effect. I keep the cover tight enough and I watch it with a rear view camera on the camper. No wearing of the paint on my bike.

R12RTee wrote:

jmtandem wrote:

Don't you feel a little uncomfortable with the tail/brake lights partially blocked by the bike wheels?

This is part of the reason I would rather carry it in the bed of a pickup or inside a toyhauler or even in a trailer behind a truck and cabover camper. In addition to possible blocking lights, it is where road grime can occur especially in inclement weather and I would not want a $30K motorcycle subject to somebody possibly not stopping in time.

I suppose that if my bike was only ridden in fair weather then road grime may be an issue. I have always ridden in all weather except snow and ice on the road so inclement weather is not a problem, esp. with a cover on the bike. :R

Do NOT cover a bike that is being transported in the open air. The cover will whip and wear the paint wherever it hits.

I am using a swivel wheel this summer with my Goldwing. And it can take a little rain and dirt. It's been through the same with me on it.

Gemstone wrote:

avvidclif1 wrote:
A bike is to ride, not put on a trailer. Mine never saw a trailer except when we passed one with a bike on it and I'm sure the old gal wondered was that bike doing up there with no-one on it.

I ride she drives, swap out every so often to share the fun. Weather gets bad and don't feel like riding or driving find a campground. Wife don't drive or ride, sorry about that.

Great personal comment and opinion.... is your solution is supposed to work for everyone because it works for you ?

Regards
Gemstone

Yeah, I was trying to think of a rebuttal, but yours is perfect. :B

I've been riding for nearly 50 years and several hundred thousand miles so I figure I've earned a trailer or two. :)

Thanks Gemstone, couldn't have said it better myself!!

avvidclif1 wrote:
A bike is to ride, not put on a trailer. Mine never saw a trailer except when we passed one with a bike on it and I'm sure the old gal wondered was that bike doing up there with no-one on it.

I ride she drives, swap out every so often to share the fun. Weather gets bad and don't feel like riding or driving find a campground. Wife don't drive or ride, sorry about that.

Great personal comment and opinion.... is your solution is supposed to work for everyone because it works for you ?

Regards
Gemstone