Is anyone using a Hitch extender to carry their motorcycle?Truck is a 3500 Dodge with air bags (weight will not be an issue)Motorcycle is a Yamaha TW 200 ,,,300lbsTC is 8' with no overhang from the truck bedI would like to extend the hitch so as to be able to enter the TC without removing the bike. I have considered carrying it on the front of the truck which already has a hitch, but I think I would need a riser adapter as the hitch is low.What would be the more desirable way to carry this bike and would up front option affect air flow to the engine.thanks

We use a Versahaul. VersahaulWe fabbed up a plate that slides in the Versahaul receiver to support the bike on it's side stand while you tie it down.

06Fargo wrote:We use a Versahaul. VersahaulWe fabbed up a plate that slides in the Versahaul receiver to support the bike on it's side stand while you tie it down.I already have the carrier....its where would be best to carry the bike, front with hitch riser or rear with extender???

rastaman33609 wrote:Is anyone using a Hitch extender to carry their motorcycle?A picture is worth 1000 words...Cheers, -Mark

Thats a nice set up with the hitch having double supports...I just have the standard factory hitch so i will have to work with that..

Hitch extender for Motorcycle ?? | Good Sam Community

44 Replies

Jfresh
Explorer
Apr 17, 2015
msiminoff wrote:
rastaman33609 wrote:
Is anyone using a Hitch extender to carry their motorcycle?

A picture is worth 1000 words...
Cheers,
-Mark

So I just tried this set up with my 24" super truss extension and then a versa-haul. The super truss probably tilts down 1/8' per foot as well as the versa haul tilts toward the ground the same leaving it very saggy. How did you get your so level?
DieselBurps
Explorer
Feb 22, 2015
Here is a thread on ExpeditionPortal that discusses some of the options of hauling a motorcycle on a hitch carrier. A few examples have a rack that swings away from the truck.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/89022-Hauling-A-Motorcycle-With-A-Truck-Camper
sonuvabug
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
To stabilize any carrier on any type of a hitch receiver, a pair of load binders, one on each side takes care of any rocking, swaying or cantilevering of the carrier.

You may have to weld some rings or receiving brackets as mounting points. Easy, cheap and very effective. I carried my 300 lbs. scooter this way (on the back) for a number of years. Don't see why you couldn't use the same idea up front if that's your preference.
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2015
ticki2 wrote:
I cannot fathom how one would use a WD hitch with a cargo/motorcycle carrier , which is what the OP was asking about . It is simply dead weight and you need to use the lower rating for the extension .

No, you would not use a WD for a MC or cargo carrier. The topic came up when the discussion turned to hitch capacities and determining your hitch capacity without WD. Doesn't sound unreasonably off topic to me.
ticki2
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
I cannot fathom how one would use a WD hitch with a cargo/motorcycle carrier , which is what the OP was asking about . It is simply dead weight and you need to use the lower rating for the extension .
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2015
06Fargo wrote:
~DJ~ wrote:
06Fargo wrote:
CAJW wrote:
06Fargo wrote:
My Super Hitch / Super Truss is rated for 1200lbs 24" behind the receivers.

Just for clarification, with a motorcycle carrier, one needs to use the lower GTW (Gross Tongue Weight) Rating unless of course they are using a WD Hitch. My 32" extension would be GTW rating of 650 lbs. or about 55% of the WD Hitch GTW rating of 1200 lbs.

SuperHitchSuperTruss Ratings

Why is there a capacity rating difference between WD and no WD? Does a WD hitch system actually place less weight on the receiver/tow vehicle attachment somehow? :h

Yes, that is why it is called Weight Distributing. Transfers some weight to front wheels of TV and trailer wheels.

yes the weight distributes off the rear axle of the tow vehicle to the front axle... does weight carried by the ball actually change by 50%? Or is it how the force is carried by the receiver hitch assy?

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/equipment/hitches/towing-weight-distribution-systems.htm
noteven
Explorer III
Feb 21, 2015
~DJ~ wrote:
06Fargo wrote:
CAJW wrote:
06Fargo wrote:
My Super Hitch / Super Truss is rated for 1200lbs 24" behind the receivers.

Just for clarification, with a motorcycle carrier, one needs to use the lower GTW (Gross Tongue Weight) Rating unless of course they are using a WD Hitch. My 32" extension would be GTW rating of 650 lbs. or about 55% of the WD Hitch GTW rating of 1200 lbs.

SuperHitchSuperTruss Ratings

Why is there a capacity rating difference between WD and no WD? Does a WD hitch system actually place less weight on the receiver/tow vehicle attachment somehow? :h

Yes, that is why it is called Weight Distributing. Transfers some weight to front wheels of TV and trailer wheels.

yes the weight distributes off the rear axle of the tow vehicle to the front axle... does weight carried by the ball actually change by 50%? Or is it how the force is carried by the receiver hitch assy?
wvabeer
Explorer
Feb 20, 2015
rastaman33609 wrote:
wvabeer wrote:
Why not a lite motorcycle trailer? They are super easy to move around. Mine with the Road king on it has a tongue weight of maybe 60 lbs so the extender would work great as long as its tight.

I do have a trailer...however I am seeking an alternative to a trailer, which does restrict access and seems somewhat a pain when carrying only
a one small bike. I will be travelling across country.

You can also reduce your payload weight by loading a few things on the trailer.
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Feb 20, 2015
06Fargo wrote:
CAJW wrote:
06Fargo wrote:
My Super Hitch / Super Truss is rated for 1200lbs 24" behind the receivers.

Just for clarification, with a motorcycle carrier, one needs to use the lower GTW (Gross Tongue Weight) Rating unless of course they are using a WD Hitch. My 32" extension would be GTW rating of 650 lbs. or about 55% of the WD Hitch GTW rating of 1200 lbs.

SuperHitchSuperTruss Ratings

Why is there a capacity rating difference between WD and no WD? Does a WD hitch system actually place less weight on the receiver/tow vehicle attachment somehow? :h

Yes, that is why it is called Weight Distributing. Transfers some weight to front wheels of TV and trailer wheels.
noteven
Explorer III
Feb 19, 2015
CAJW wrote:
06Fargo wrote:
My Super Hitch / Super Truss is rated for 1200lbs 24" behind the receivers.

Just for clarification, with a motorcycle carrier, one needs to use the lower GTW (Gross Tongue Weight) Rating unless of course they are using a WD Hitch. My 32" extension would be GTW rating of 650 lbs. or about 55% of the WD Hitch GTW rating of 1200 lbs.

SuperHitchSuperTruss Ratings

Why is there a capacity rating difference between WD and no WD? Does a WD hitch system actually place less weight on the receiver/tow vehicle attachment somehow? :h