Just bought this coachmen
And have some questions ... Couldn't pass it up, should do what I need done for a dirt biker. I like the fact the water tank is up in the coach so it won't freeze provided the heat is on, the gm cha...
Forum Discussion
cbigham wrote:This subject comes up fairly frequently. There are several things you need to check. You need to know what your current "ready to go" weight is on the rear axle compared to the GAWR (likely on the door post). Then check the capacity of the receiver hitch - usually 350 or 500 lbs.
Dave,
My plan for the van is a hitch mount carrier....
There is a simple formula - Know the weight of your small motorcycle. Add the weight of the carrier for the motorcycle. Measure the wheelbase (distance front axle to the rear axle). Measure the distance from the rear axle to the center of your motorcycle carrier. Now multiply the weight of the motorcycle plus the carrier by the distance behind the rear axle. Divide this answer by the distance between the axles. This is the amount you are lifting off the front axle (the see saw effect).
If for example:
1. motorcycle weighs 400 lbs
2. carrier weighs 50 lbs
3. motorcycle carrier is 6 feet behind the rear axle
4. wheelbase is 12 feet.
(400+50=450 x 6 feet = 2,700 divide by 12 feet = 225 lbs). In this example the motorcycle is lifting 225 lbs from the front axle and is adding 675 lbs to the rear axle.
