Forum Discussion

FireGuard's avatar
FireGuard
Explorer II
Mar 29, 2014

wheelbase consideration and motorcycle lift

Is anyone using one of the motorcycle lifts on the rear of their MH? If so, how does it work and what size is your MH.
I'm talking about the elec or hyd model that will carry a full size touring bike and still allow you to flat tow a dinghy.
Aside from the normal GVW and axel rating is there a wheel base minimum or formula that works. I'm assuming you would be looking at a minimum off 800 lbs or so depending on the bike.
I'm sure the longer the better, but how would a 34-36' MH work?

23 Replies

  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    FGuard at 34-36' are you looking at a gasser? If so then I'd be looking for one with a 10K/1000 hitch. There is a reason on a 5K hitch for not putting more than 500 lbs on it or the back of the MH. Like Rpilot said you are looking at 1000 lbs which could put 1400 lbs on the rear axle and take 400 off the front. There are not many 35' gas MH with enough CCC or rear axle weight to do that.
    Now if it's a DP there is a good chance it has a 10K hitch and enough CCC to handle the extra 1400 lbs.
  • We had an Overbilt lift on a 40' and then a 45' MH. When you My motorcycle weighed 800 pounds and the lift weighed about 200 pounds. That's 1000 pounds behind the rear axle, which adds quite a bit more then 1000 pounds to the rear axle and removes weight from the front axle.

    The amount of weight added to the rear axle is a function of the wheel base of the MH compared to the distance the motorcycle and lift is behind the rear axle. Shorter wheelbases and longer distance to the motorcycle equal more weight on the rear axle and less on the front axle. Longer wheelbases are the reverse.

    Blue Ox has a calculator on their site. It's at"

    Blue Ox calculator