Carrying a motorcycle on the back hitch

I had a in hitch versahaul. Only thing I didn't like was the rubbing it did going out of some drive ways. On our new coach I use a hydralift to haul my Harley

I had one of these:
LINK
It's well made. Keep it mind the bike may block your taillights. I added lights to the hauler.

PS: A trailer is better!

I think the point made was not that 400 becomes 700 total weight, but 400 in the back could very well mean a 700 pound increase on the rear axle and 300 pounds removed from the front axle. You would have to do the math to figure it out exactly. Any weight you add behind the rear axle removes weight from the front axle. So the weight you add to the rear plus the weight that gets removed off the front all transfers to the rear axle.

My first motorhome was a 32 foot Rexhall gas rig. For some reason Rexhall put the fresh water tank under the bed at the very rear of the motorhome. When I filled that water tank and drove I could definitely feel the difference and the front end became clearly more unstable since it was lighter. I ended up having to make sure it was at least half empty when I was going to drive longer distances.

I have had similar experiences, and have in the past carried on the front and back of other motorhomes

A 400# bike on the back is still 400# hitch weight. 400# on the frame
Not 700#

Although the hitch stress points where is mounted to the frame feel more than 400#
If things are bouncing around

People are confusing real weight on the axle
With applied leverage force at mounting points
They are two different things

Manufacturers routinely rate their hitches for 500# tongue loads(despite all the calculation gymnastics folks go through this falls more in the "rule of thumb" category). I put a wheelchair powered lift on my Sprinter and changed out the platform for a motorcycle platform. (I had found it difficult to put my Honda Big Ruckus on a MC carrier using a ramp. I was 70 at the time.) I had maybe 100# of carrier and 385# of scooter. I compared driving feel with and without the scooter loaded and found no discernible difference.

Note that the people telling you they carry big bikes off the back of their motorhome have much bigger motorhomes than what you have.

I carry a KLR 650 on the back about 400 lb, I have a Rekluse clutch in it so I just drive it on and off the rack. With out the Rekluse clutch it would be hard to get on and off as I have to tilt the bike for the handlebars to clear the ladder.

450 lbs that far back from the rear axle is going to put 700-800 lbs on the rear axle...you need to weigh your rig as loaded to travel and see if you have enough rear axle GVW left. What is your hitch ratings and is the frame extension bolted on..not the hitch. I like the 'Tilt A Rack' carrier that Mr W referenced although I would make it a two point mounting which would be fairly easy to do with it.

2wheeler wrote:
While I'm still fishing for lightweight toad suggestions with another post, I now would like to know people's experiences carrying a motorcycle using the rear hitch. Here's a sample product: http://www.discountramps.com/moto-tote-motorcycle-carrier/p/MTX3/?CID=PSC-PLA-Google-MTX3-motorcycle-carriers&st-t=google-motorcycle-carriers&vt-pti=106909108353&vt-k=&vt-m=&CAWELAID=820562990000010292&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=23055663982&CATCI=pla-106909108353&gclid=CjwKEAjw9_jJBRCXycSarr3csWcSJABthk07IkyT9zEPg1FCaEVvAV0btpBMf9k3bqY4PBawB5UZZRoC7x3w_wcB

I just bought an '01 Winnebago Brave 30W, and there's a lot of space between the rear wheels and the bumper. What has your experience been? I would limit myself to 450 lbs including hitch.

This is another reason for weighing both axles on your coach and besides for properly airing up the tires.
For example, with ours, the hitch has a 1500lb tongue weight rating, but it just so happens that the rear axle is already 160lbs over max. That's no biggie, but don't think I would want to add any more weight back there. As with any added weight to a long overhang, I would think that the tail would wag the dog even more so.
By the way, there's a link icon at the top, along with some other tools, for your convenience.

I'm over 800 pounds with my Harley and use an Overbilt lift to carry it. Requires removal of the original hitch, replating the back of the frame and mounting the carrier. Works very well but you do notice the weight there, even on my 40 footer. And like 10fourty2 noted, you spend some time cleaning up when you arrive at destination.
I've also used a Rampage lift in the back of a pickup truck. That works well and seems like less dirt on the bike.