I'm trying to figure out the best way to carry my Honda Helix scooter on my 1982 Dodge Xplorer 228 camper van. I would prefer to carry it on the front because the rear of the van is already extended several feet and it would have trouble backing out from an incline (like a driveway) and hit the road. The van is a 1982 Dodge Ram B350 that was extended and converted into a motorhome by the Xplorer company. GAWR Front: 3600 LB GAWR Rear: 5360 LB The scooter weighs 350 lbs dry and has a wheelbase of 64 inches. I've messaged the experts at etrailer.com and they say that they don't make a hitch receiver for the front of my van. :?But there's got to be something I can do right? Maybe one of the rear hitches will fit on the front? Maybe it can be modified somehow? Is there something I'm overlooking as an option?Any advice or tips on how to figure this out is greatly appreciated.

The Helix has a pretty fair sized full body and would block a very large amount of air from getting to the radiator. Not allowing the engine full cooling would be my concern if mounting in front. A small motorcycle trailer would be my choice. Maybe not as handy, but probably easier to load and unload too.

“I would prefer to carry it on the front because ...”What is the front axel max and with the rack plus 350? I see FJ has other concerns. An ‘82? Thirty-six years old.

Harbor Freight, e-trailer and many others sell motorcycle carriers that are mounted on 2" receivers, front or rear.Add on, Idaho tote would be another option.

Helix is a tank. You’re not going to want that on the front. I carried a Yamaha XC180 on the front of a Dodge Ram diesel and it really made the cooling system work hard.

Ok, so everyone seems to agree that carrying it on the front would make the engine overheat. So that leaves me with carrying it on the back or pulling it on a trailer. Does anyone have any insight on the possibilities of carrying it on the back of an extended van?

How to carry a motorcycle/scooter on Class B? | Good Sam Community

MrWizard
Moderator
Feb 07, 2018
daboognish88 wrote:
JoeH wrote:
For several years I carried a Harley Sportster on the FRONT of our old gas motorhome powered by a Chevy 454, which are notorious for running hot. It never overheated. Lots of air still gets around teh bike and much from underneath.
I built the ramp/carrier out of aluminum channel. It worked great.

Hmm.. now I'm conflicted again. Haha. Not sure what to believe at this point. I would still like to put it in the front but according to etrailer.com they don't make front hitch receivers for my van. So I'm still interested if anyone has any ideas about that.

A Sportster is a nice open frame cycle

not the plastic enclosed box that the Helix is
the Helix rides real nice, like Barko lounger with a motor
the Helix will block much more air flow than the Harley
unless maybe you offset it so the open area is directly in front of the radiator, but this will mean 80% of the weight is off center to one side of the Front of the Van chassis

with the Helix and a Sportsmobile, i think a trailer or Idaho tote, are much better choices
I-Can-Am-Can-Yo
Explorer
Feb 07, 2018
I do this:
daboognish88
Explorer
Feb 07, 2018
To be honest I don't have the Honda Helix yet but that is most likely what I will purchase considering I don't have much money to spend and I need a 250cc scooter that can carry me and my girlfriend on the highway occasionally. I've done a lot of searching and so far it seems the Honda Helix is the most reliable, cheap, and lightweight (for what it is) 250cc scooter available. But if there is something else out there I should keep my eye on let me know.
I-Can-Am-Can-Yo
Explorer
Feb 07, 2018
I’m kind of a scooter nut. Helix is a solid choice. Motorscooterguide has good info on what to look out for.

Stay away from the old Yamaha’s like mine. The big displacement bikes will run freeway speeds but most service parts are NLA. I have a special place in my heart for mine so I buy up parts bikes at every opportunity to keep it on the road.
daboognish88
Explorer
Feb 07, 2018
Thanks for the tip, I-Can-am-Can-You!
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Feb 07, 2018
I don't believe that Honda will recommend towing your Helix with the rear wheel due to the type of transmission/drive belt that it has. And IMO it's not a good idea anyway. A small trailer capable of carrying your scooter will probably be cheaper than adding something on to the front of the van.

Even a chain drive bike shouldn't be run with the transmission in neutral and the chain turning the sprockets. This is due to the fact that the transmission in most modern bikes uses engine oil to lubricate and is pressure fed. No engine running, no oil gets to the gears and shafts, bad poo-poo will result. Old timers used to pull the chain before using a dolly like this.

Peggy had a Helix for a couple years and it is a very capable scooter. It would carry the two of us, not lightweights, at highway speeds quite easily.
MrWizard
Moderator
Feb 07, 2018
the rear clutch engages from the engine turning the belt

you can spin the rear wheel all day the clutch and trans and belt drive will not engage

It still would not be choice for travel carry, for other reasons
NOT the transmission

the transmission will not be affected
and the rear end has oil in it for the drive gears on the output side of the clutch
those gears will be driven by the rolling real wheel
the torque and wear will be opposite from normal applied driving force
as the wheel will be the driving force, but it will also be limited as it is NOT pushing the scooter down the road
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 07, 2018
Idk why on earth anyone would tow a motorcycle, or even sillier a scooter one wheel down!
That's almost laughable.
Anyway, budget and easy on the old van would be get a motorcycle hitch carrier for the back or pull a little trailer.
If ground clearance or load carrying is an issue then use a trailer.
Plus if you're in a small van, the extra ability to carry stuff on or in a little trailer sounds useful.
daboognish88
Explorer
Feb 07, 2018
MrWizard wrote:
It still would not be choice for travel carry, for other reasons
NOT the transmission

If the transmission wouldn't be a problem.. What would you say the other reasons are for not using a dolly?
MrWizard
Moderator
Feb 07, 2018
dropping that rear into one really bad pot hole at highway speeds
could be enough to damage it, bend the wheel or the rear axle
many scooters including mine, the axle is only supported on the drive side
its an open ended axle, not supported on both ends
also road debris hitting the scooter,
that Helix plastic body parts will be costly to replace if damaged