Motorcycle Carrier

600 pounds plus the weight of the lift and it's support system.

msmith1199 wrote:

FIRE UP wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:

Dachristianman wrote:
Why not just purchase a small trailer? Seems to me that would be less stress on the coach, easier to load/unload, and probably just as cheap. With that little weight, I imagine that you wouldn't even know it was back there. Also, if you bought a larger trailer, you have instant extra storage.

Just my $.02 and worth about 1/2 that.

Tom

If there is no desire to also have a toad then a small trailer is probably a fraction the cost of one of the motorcycle lift systems out there for the big bikes.

Well Sir, first off, he's showing no desire for a trailer either. Second, he's already stated a lift is out. So, that leaves a "carrier" of some sort that is stout enough to do the job. And third, yes, you can find cheaper small M/C trailers that will haul a single bike for a reasonable price vs the cost of a NEW lift. A brand new Hydralift hovers north of $4500.00 and that does not include shipping and installation.

I bought my Hydralift used, for $1800 and, picked it up myself and, installed it myself. It all depends on how versatile and, resourseful one can be in a situation like this.

But, if he's (the OP) resourceful enough, he should be able to find:
1. A good welder that can help him out with a nicely made rack for his bike and his coach or,
2. A factory made one that, is not being used anymore by someone and, is for sale on C/L or, ebay etc.

But sir, he originally said he wanted to carry a bike weighing up to 600 pounds! A Harley FLSTF weighs in at about 700 pounds so I thought he was talking about a big bike. I don't think I've ever seen a drive on ramp type carrier that could hold 600 pounds, but I haven't looked at them all. And based on the weights he posted, I wasn't the only one that assumed he was looking for a lift system.

Well,
You're just about right if, he plans on the 600 lb. machine. But, if the lower weight one is the choice, then a good quality drive-on should work. But, if a three-receiver unit is built correctly, it will withstand 600 lbs. easily. That's technically only 200 lbs. per receiver. I've built those and, it's not very hard. But, it all depends on how the OP want's to handle it.
Scott

FIRE UP wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:

Dachristianman wrote:
Why not just purchase a small trailer? Seems to me that would be less stress on the coach, easier to load/unload, and probably just as cheap. With that little weight, I imagine that you wouldn't even know it was back there. Also, if you bought a larger trailer, you have instant extra storage.

Just my $.02 and worth about 1/2 that.

Tom

If there is no desire to also have a toad then a small trailer is probably a fraction the cost of one of the motorcycle lift systems out there for the big bikes.

Well Sir, first off, he's showing no desire for a trailer either. Second, he's already stated a lift is out. So, that leaves a "carrier" of some sort that is stout enough to do the job. And third, yes, you can find cheaper small M/C trailers that will haul a single bike for a reasonable price vs the cost of a NEW lift. A brand new Hydralift hovers north of $4500.00 and that does not include shipping and installation.

I bought my Hydralift used, for $1800 and, picked it up myself and, installed it myself. It all depends on how versatile and, resourseful one can be in a situation like this.

But, if he's (the OP) resourceful enough, he should be able to find:
1. A good welder that can help him out with a nicely made rack for his bike and his coach or,
2. A factory made one that, is not being used anymore by someone and, is for sale on C/L or, ebay etc.

But sir, he originally said he wanted to carry a bike weighing up to 600 pounds! A Harley FLSTF weighs in at about 700 pounds so I thought he was talking about a big bike. I don't think I've ever seen a drive on ramp type carrier that could hold 600 pounds, but I haven't looked at them all. And based on the weights he posted, I wasn't the only one that assumed he was looking for a lift system.

msmith1199 wrote:

Dachristianman wrote:
Why not just purchase a small trailer? Seems to me that would be less stress on the coach, easier to load/unload, and probably just as cheap. With that little weight, I imagine that you wouldn't even know it was back there. Also, if you bought a larger trailer, you have instant extra storage.

Just my $.02 and worth about 1/2 that.

Tom

If there is no desire to also have a toad then a small trailer is probably a fraction the cost of one of the motorcycle lift systems out there for the big bikes.

Well Sir, first off, he's showing no desire for a trailer either. Second, he's already stated a lift is out. So, that leaves a "carrier" of some sort that is stout enough to do the job. And third, yes, you can find cheaper small M/C trailers that will haul a single bike for a reasonable price vs the cost of a NEW lift. A brand new Hydralift hovers north of $4500.00 and that does not include shipping and installation.

I bought my Hydralift used, for $1800 and, picked it up myself and, installed it myself. It all depends on how versatile and, resourseful one can be in a situation like this.

But, if he's (the OP) resourceful enough, he should be able to find:
1. A good welder that can help him out with a nicely made rack for his bike and his coach or,
2. A factory made one that, is not being used anymore by someone and, is for sale on C/L or, ebay etc.

I don't want to tow a trailer that is why I was hoping to get a carrier.

Dachristianman wrote:
Why not just purchase a small trailer? Seems to me that would be less stress on the coach, easier to load/unload, and probably just as cheap. With that little weight, I imagine that you wouldn't even know it was back there. Also, if you bought a larger trailer, you have instant extra storage.

Just my $.02 and worth about 1/2 that.

Tom

If there is no desire to also have a toad then a small trailer is probably a fraction the cost of one of the motorcycle lift systems out there for the big bikes.

We Cant Wait wrote:
If you're not towing a TOAD behind your MH then what I use might work. It's a unit from "billybob1.com" The front wheel mounts in the unit, that mounts in the MH's receiver, and the rear wheel rolls on the ground. I've been using it for 2 years now with great results.

I no longer have my Harley, or the owners manual, but I think I specifically remember something in the manual that said don't tow it like this. I just did a real quick internet search and see people have different views on it depending on the bike. Sounds like potentially the same problem as towing some vehicles four down in that the back parts in the tranny still spin and don't get lubed.

Sounds like something that needs to be researched for your particular bike before doing it.

Magilla,
Well Sir, I've done exactly what you're thinking of. We had a '99 Fleetwood Bounder 34V with the F-53 chassis and the V-10. That rig had a 13' overhang from the vertical centerline of the rear wheels. I built the rack which, I tied into the factory hitch and, I had two other recievers, one on each side that were used as auxiliary weight carrying assistants and, also stabilization.

The rack was built with a receiver added to it. We hauled a Yamaha TW 200 on it and, towed our '04 Jeep Rubicon too. That rack didn't even flex any with the weight of the bike on it. The rear axle of that Bounder was I think, a 10,000 lb. rear axle. I was close but, not over the limits with the bike on the back.

My intent was to haul my XR 650L which, was right at 150 lbs. more than the TW but, never did. It would have handled that bike easily too. But, one of the main problems with carrying a heavier bike on a rack like that is, loading and un loading SAFELY! Because the height of the rack, can present a problem as you're loading.

So, you'll have to determine what will allow you to do things safely and easily. Yes, your bike will get a bit dirty back there but, nothing that a quick sprits can't take care of.

We carried our '08 Honda Goldwing Gl1800 on the back of our present rig, an '04 Itasca Horizon with the C-7 CAT 330HP and, there was no damage to the paint what so ever. Yep, it got dirty, no doubt about that but, a quick rinse was in order and all was well. I tried a cover and, that sucked. But, I used a lift on a bike that size.

You won't need and, already know that one won't work for your situations. Good luck.
Scott

MagillaGorilla wrote:

Executive wrote:
For that small gasser, that might be too much weight on the back of it...check your specs carefully before you buy the coach so you won't be disappointed....Dennis

P.S. Remove the attempt at bolding your signature or close the bold....D

Small gasser? The RV is a 36' Damon. Is that considered a "small" gasser? To me its pretty big. Yes I know there are bigger but I would not consider this one small. But its all relative. If I had a 45' DP I would think of the Damon as small.


With that said does anyone think that the 36 footer is to small to carry a bike?

the bikes I plan to use are not real big. I plan to take either a 70 BMW R50/5 or a Norton Commando or a 68 Honda CT90. None of these are very big.

If you have no toad why not an enclosed m/c trailer and it gives you a place to keep it as well as keeps it nice during the tow. You can usually find them used

I haul a Triumph Scrambler on a 26ft Tioga E450.
Carrier is welded and braced to frame in three
places. Ramp is a folding mx unit.
Bob