How can I take both my toys, Wrangler & Harley

I solved the problem by purchasing a used tow dolly, taking it to a local welding shop had the tongue extended 4 ft and square tubing frame built from the dolly's frame(bolted on) and welded to the tongue( approx. 70"x 70"), then a platform for the bike welded across the tongue to each side of the new frame, a ramp hooks on to the end of the platform and in removable when not needed. When loaded the bike and car are approximately 10 inches apart when the turn platform on the dolly hits the stops. I towed it from Missouri to east Tennessee with absolutely no problems and the motorhome drove fine. Guessing the tongue weight with the car and bike on the dolly to be approximately 500 lbs. There is no noticeable lowering of the rear of the motorhome when dolly is loaded. Total cost of dolly with new tires rated at 2180 lbs was 1400.00. Getting ready to have it sandblasted and coated with pickup bed liner.

joe

Except the owners' manual for my Cherokee explicitly states that towing it from the front with the transfer case in neutral and front wheels lifted is not just permissible, but recommended!

Jarlaxle wrote:
No, actually, I just looked--that IS, in fact, what the owners' manual says on my Jeep! Using the same T-case (NV231), it would hold true for any non-Rubicon Wrangler and any non-Quadra-Trac ZJ or WJ Grand Cherokee.

I don't want to get into a pissing contest but the only way a Jeep is towable with the front end (or rear end) off of the ground is IF it is a two-wheel drive version or if the driveshaft(s) is disconnected. The four-wheel drive versions are four-down towable or trailer towable not one end raised when towing such as on a tow dolly.

Mike.

No, actually, I just looked--that IS, in fact, what the owners' manual says on my Jeep! Using the same T-case (NV231), it would hold true for any non-Rubicon Wrangler and any non-Quadra-Trac ZJ or WJ Grand Cherokee.

Jarlaxle wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
Some people are talking about the Tandem Tow Dolly. This dolly allows you to carry a motorcycle sideways in the front and then a vehicle being towed two down behind it. The problem for you with this system is I think if you read your Jeep owners manual it may tell you that you either have to tow it four down or all four off the ground, with the exception of short distance emergency towing. I know my Dodge Dakota 4x4 says don't tow it on a tow dolly and I'm pretty sure when I had my wrangler it said the same thing. Something with the way the 4 wheel drive system works.

Another option if you can do without the Jeep is to get a 4x4 pickup with a long bed and then carry the Harley in the back of the truck. The problem there is it's hard to get the Harley into the back of the truck, but they do have lifts and special ramps and things that make it easier.

Jeeps can be towed with the front lifted, no problem.

That is NOT what the Owners Manual says!
However, it IS true IF the rear driveshaft is removed.

gone2dadesert wrote:

AstronautJones wrote:
I would consider the flat trailer to haul my dirt bike and jeep wrangler but then what do you do with the trailer once at camp site? Most CA parks I'm finding only allow 35' or less (my excursion I'm buying is 33'). Plus some only allow RV and one car... but now you'd have trailer to deal with too.

Trying to figure out the most efficient and easiest way to take RV, Jeep Wrangler 4 door, and Yamaha TW200 dirt bike (only 300lbs)

Are you getting the Excursion from Holland motorhome in SM? If so, it's a nice coach ;)

I have a 8.5 x 20' Carson flat trailer, but it's not long enough to fit both my RZR XP900 and my JKUR. Additionally, the weight of the trailer alone is around 1500 lbs empty. :(

There are many RV parks that offer pull-through sites that are 60' or longer. Additionally, there are also RV parks that have over flow parking lots, but you will obviously have to disconnect and 'drop' the trailer. With a little bit of planning and research, using a trailer is possible but not as convenient as flat towing.

I love the 2013 Excursion. It's perfect for my needs and not too big, yet has everything.

I think as a first time RV owner, I want to keep the logistical issues to a minimum. I'm already a little concerned with flat towing the jeep and having to disconnect before back-in sites or smaller spaces, etc. Plus I don't want to further limit the parks we can visit. I know many parks up the coast only allow 35' and have limited space.

I think I found a good option with a dirt bike hitch hauler with pass-thru hitch to also flat tow jeep. Probably my best bet for now until I think a full trailer makes sense. Luckily my dirt bike and jeep are used to dirt/mud so I'm not as concerned with road grime/rain etc for now.

zmotorsports wrote:

Y-Guy wrote:
Hands down get an enclosed trailer, if that doesn't fit the bill then go the open flatbed route. Keeping things out of the weather and locked up has advantages, but check your wallet and your weight/length limits.

Two years ago when we were traveling with my cousin to Vegas in March, we had the trailer with the Jeep and the Harley, he had his Hydralift with his Harley and flat towing their Jeep Liberty. We hit a nasty as hell storm from Salt Lake City almost all the way to Beaver. When we arrived at Outdoor Resort RV Park in Vegas, we unloaded our bike and took off for a ride, all nice and shiny. My cousin had about six hours of cleaning before he could ride his. He even had a fitted cover over the bike but the road spray was so severe that it had gotten under the cover and was in every nook & cranny on his bike. His nice PM wheels were pitted pretty badly after only being exposed to the elements for less than a day.

Maybe I am a panzy but there is no way I would expose my Harley to foul weather.

Mike.

The easy answer to this is use a Gatorhide cover. It completely wraps the bike using zippers and criscross bungees to secure it snuggly in place. I could drive thru the heaviest downpour and not get a drop of water on the bike up on the lift.

AstronautJones wrote:
I would consider the flat trailer to haul my dirt bike and jeep wrangler but then what do you do with the trailer once at camp site? Most CA parks I'm finding only allow 35' or less (my excursion I'm buying is 33'). Plus some only allow RV and one car... but now you'd have trailer to deal with too.

Trying to figure out the most efficient and easiest way to take RV, Jeep Wrangler 4 door, and Yamaha TW200 dirt bike (only 300lbs)

Are you getting the Excursion from Holland motorhome in SM? If so, it's a nice coach ;)

I have a 8.5 x 20' Carson flat trailer, but it's not long enough to fit both my RZR XP900 and my JKUR. Additionally, the weight of the trailer alone is around 1500 lbs empty. :(

There are many RV parks that offer pull-through sites that are 60' or longer. Additionally, there are also RV parks that have over flow parking lots, but you will obviously have to disconnect and 'drop' the trailer. With a little bit of planning and research, using a trailer is possible but not as convenient as flat towing.

Our tandem tow dolly worked great, it can haul 2 harleys, if needed, and we towed our toyota tundra on it.
BTW, due to circumstances that have nothing to do with it's performance, we are selling it if you are interested.

Good luck with your search!

I would consider the flat trailer to haul my dirt bike and jeep wrangler but then what do you do with the trailer once at camp site? Most CA parks I'm finding only allow 35' or less (my excursion I'm buying is 33'). Plus some only allow RV and one car... but now you'd have trailer to deal with too.

Trying to figure out the most efficient and easiest way to take RV, Jeep Wrangler 4 door, and Yamaha TW200 dirt bike (only 300lbs)