Tow Dolly Modifications

FIRE UP wrote:
PDDGM,
If you've managed to get the dolly for a great price and, know or have good relations with a qualified/certified welder, then it's possible to get what you want for around $4K. Time, materials, GOOD QUALITY PAINT, LABOR, all costs money. It's not impossible. I've looked into the exact same scenario as you a few times. I've resorted for now at least, to carry our 850 lb. Honda Goldwing on the rear of our coach, using a Hydralift.

As has been stated, some pretty precise calculations must be done so that in the end, car loaded, bike loaded, loading ramp tied on, and any other items that may go on, the tongue weight must be correct for the application. You've seen the commercially constructed ones so, you at least have an idea of what and how it must look and be done. Although we've not seen that many out on the road, they do exist.

If done correctly, the rear suspension of the coach will take it just fine, you won't have to worry about that. The structural steel used should be of dimensions to withstand not only the "static" weight of the load of the bike but, also the "Dynamic load" too. That is, the weight of the bike "bouncing" as you motor down the road.

Tying down a bike of that kind of weight is a factor too. Tie points must be strategically located so the bike is not only secure but, also equal stress is applied in opposite directions so as to not over stress any portion and do any damage. I use six tie downs on mine.

Anyway, I'd like to see it when you're done with it and it's all loaded up. Good luck.
Scott

Thanks, the one in the pic cost the owner just a little over 1500.00 for the dolly and modifications. As you can tell he didn't go crazy with the painting, etc. I also don't plan on going nuts. I have found a dolly in good shape for 500.00 so if I can get the tongue extended 4 ft and a 36 in wide platform made and welded on for around 500.00 I will be a happy camper. Will have to wait and see what the welder says..

UltraFab used to sell a tow dolly with a torsion axle. Appearantly they don't any more, however I did find this:
https://www.crofttrailer.com/cg850tsb76-croft-torsion-axle-tow-dolly-with-surge-drum-brakes/#page=page-1
Which does have a torsion axle. Having suspension is probably a good idea.

Here is one I missed buying, this is the model I am going to use...

The guy hauled a 800 lb bike and it only had 200 lbs tongue wt. I just wasn't ready to buy when he sold it...


Joe

smlranger wrote:
Have you looked here?

www.racecityrvproducts.com

One dolly does it all.

There are a couple of them for sale, locally. One is for one bike and car(asking 4000.00)the other has the 8x8 deck(asking 6000.00) I think I can have one built for alot less.

Have you looked here?

www.racecityrvproducts.com

One dolly does it all.

PDDGM wrote:

sportech wrote:
I would be concerned about the lack of suspension in the tow dolly. A motorcycle trailer would be much better!

Dave

Can't pull a motorcycle trailer and the car on the dolly. I think the bike suspension will act just like the car suspension does on the dolly. If strapped down correctly the suspension on the bike will still function some..


joe

Not to mention that the closer you put the motorcycle to the hitch, the more it uses the coach's rear suspension. Personally, I don't think it's that big a deal, as long as the construction is solid and you follow a proven design. Obviously, you'll need to extend the tongue on the tow dolly to accommodate the motorcycle, but there's the question of how much. The longer you make it, the less tongue weight you'll have, but tow dollies don't normally have a lot of tongue weight, anyway.

Like I said, copy a proven design. Take some measurements, note what material is used where, and have a proper welder do the fabrication work.

The biggest complication is going to be moving the tow vehicle back far enough to balance your tongue weight properly when the bike is loaded. It may take significant modification to move the pivoting system to the correct location relative to the axle balance point.

sportech wrote:
I would be concerned about the lack of suspension in the tow dolly. A motorcycle trailer would be much better!

Dave

Can't pull a motorcycle trailer and the car on the dolly. I think the bike suspension will act just like the car suspension does on the dolly. If strapped down correctly the suspension on the bike will still function some..


joe

I would be concerned about the lack of suspension in the tow dolly. A motorcycle trailer would be much better!

Dave