How how do I find my tongue capacity?

Way back in our earlier years we had a 250cc Yamaha we carried on a 20' C. Although it was probably only about 200#'s, when mounted on the back it made the steering a bit "light"feeling. We finally moved it to the front bumper and handling was far better.

Gary

How much farther out is the motorcycle's CG from the point a trailer ball would be at? Extra distance there means extra torque on the hitch, which I think would imply some derating of whatever the factory tongue weight rating is. How much derating is a bit tricky to determine offhand; it depends on where you figure the axis of rotation would be for the torque applied, and what its limitations might be, etc.

Also be aware of the effect this would have on your wheel loadings; the load on the rear wheels will increase by more than the weight of the motorcycle (and the front wheels unload some) due to the leverage due to the rear overhang of the motorhome. If you're fairly close to the axle rating already, you could easily go over.

(Based on carrying a bicycle on a rack on the back of my motorhome, the motorcycle would not stay any too clean!)

Weight of the mc you plan to carry ???

How does your MH ride, does the rear pound or is it a softer controlled spring rate ?


1. If this involves A 2008 unit from a MFG like HR that has been sold and taken over by another company ? How much liability do they now accept on a 12 year old rv regarding MC's being carried on it's frame and hitches.
That's what you need to find out from professional people that are looking out for your interests, otherwise you might end up holding the bag in the event of an accident.


2. If you are comfortable moving forward , you need to have a professional welder with DOT experience do a frame and hitch inspection for you telling him/her your intentions.

I would look into the way the carrier is built that you plan to buy.
Many are a 2x2 single tube.
The welders I know would rather use a double tube custom supported carrier in a 2.5 x 2.5" configuration.
** This all has to be matched to a 'stout MH frame that can support the weight' of a MC PLUS the CARRIER WEIGHT .

As you already know, a lot of frame and hitch stress is involved with hauling objects. Try lifting 350 lbs. Now jump up and down holding it, and that's a lightweight bike. :)


**The distance from the receiver to where the MC is actually sitting is a lot of stress on a single tube receiver regardless of what it's rated for.
I understand about bringing toys and not wanting to tow. You need to do it in a safe manner and you really need to get this right for your own liability. ;)

Trailers ROCK ! :B

Unless your motorcycle is very small/light I cannot imagine being able to safely mount one on the rear bumper/hitch of a 23' Class C. For more informed responses give us the bike and weight data. A better alternative is a small motorcycle trailer like the folding Kendon's.

Chances are on a 23 footer there hasn't been much if any of an extension to the original chassis but the movement/lever action imposed by any weight that far back is considerable. Even putting a couple of bicycles or a small generator is typically problematic. Keep in mind that adding 3 or 400# that far back is going to seriously lighten the front axle and not in a good way.
Even adding a smallish {less than 300# bike} will require some substantial beefing up {serious welding} on the the hitch and chassis.

Seriously... look at small bike trailers for a workable solution. For the record I have 6.5 years and nearly 60K miles on our Nexus Phantom 23P and have been towing large motorcycles for 5 years. As noted a Kendon folding tailer is a great option, I used to have one but since moving up to a 6 X 10' cargo trailer I have found the best of both worlds.

:C

Be VERY careful assuming that the towing capacity or tongue weight on stamped on the hitch reflects the correct numbers for your coach. Those numbers are for the hitch itself.

Particularly on coaches with a frame extension, those numbers are well higher than what your coach is rated for.

This shows towing capacity but no tongue weight. RV guide

Not in manual

Look in the Owner's manual. It should show towing capacity along with weight. Depending on chassis, it would be more like 350-500 pound tongue weight.
Do not go by what is marked on the hitch. Many Class C rigs have a frame extension that is butt welded to factory frame.

A motorcycle weighing?

If it's the typical Class 3 hitch good for 5000 pounds towing it will be rated for 500 pounds on the hitch.