Motorcycle on back of Fifth wheel

[randy777]

I have a Honda dual use motorcycle which weighs about 325 lbs. I would like to take it along on our trips for running around. Found ramp on Discountramps.com but they advise against using them on fifth wheels or trailers. I have a heavy-duty hitch bolted to the frame. Does anyone else do this?

Randy

[Reng8d]

After all the issues we went through with our frame failure, I don't even want to load the 5er back up with the things we had to take out in the event it had to go back to Forest River and NORCO. It has a factory installed rack in the back that I don't think we will even place the bycles on there again...totally gun shy, but we enjoy living and since MORCO claims they have repaired it, we are still afraid to take it out and verify the claim because if not, it could be life threatening.....just my thoughts....

[Bipeflier]

I trailer my KLR 650 or Goldwing behind my 5th wheel. I wouldn't think of hanging a motorcycle of any size off the back of the trailer. There is enough up/down motion that I believe it would be a severe strain on the trailer. I use a camera to keep track of the bike and trailer and some bumps make it really dance. YMMV

[Veebyes]

The same thought crossed my mind some time ago. Questioned Carriage 5er builders at a show. At the time they were building quite a sturdy frame but the advice was, nothing over 300# inclusive of rack & some additional welding was required.

I had the Yamaha 225cc dual sport in mind. Shelved the idea.

[Jim-Linda]

fj12ryder wrote:

Jim-Linda wrote:

Halmfamily wrote:
If the bike is not too big, put a front mount hitch on your truck and carry it there.

If you actually believe a Gold Wing mounted on the front of a LDT truck is feasible, I have several bridges for sale.

Since when is a Gold Wing described as a "Honda dual use motorcycle which weighs about 325 lbs"? 🙂

Whoops. responding to another post, old timers, sorry

[fj12ryder]

big bird 2 wrote:
Howard,

I really do not care to get into a debate with you, but because you have been lucky does not make the hitch idea a good one.

I agree with you, as per my post, I state "It is not the best solution...". I believe that it isn't a really good idea, but if the guy is determined to go forward with it he needs to be aware of things to be done.

Sometimes telling someone they can't do things makes them more determined to do it anyway. But tell them it's been done and here's what can go wrong...may make them consider different ways to go about it.

[Bowti]

I hate to post about this because I will get all the experts, who have neverdone it, condemning the idea. There are several of us who have done this for many thousands of miles with no ill effects.

The solution to this is to have a professional do the fabrication work who has the knowledge and experience that will stand behind their welding product. These businesses have there reputation and business on the line and will only do it is it is feasible to your unit.

I carry a Honda PCX at about 285#'s and have 3 receivers to make it very stable. The welding shop that did the fabrication was recommended by my dealer. I also have a rear view camera and religiously check the hitch welds as I travel. I am very safety conscious.

[big_bird_2]

Howard,

I really do not care to get into a debate with you, but because you have been lucky does not make the hitch idea a good one.

[fj12ryder]

Actually some of us do get since we've basically done it. A toyhauler is a good idea, but whether you like it or not, it can be done. It all depends on how well built the frame of the 5th wheel is, and how well it is reinforced to haul the weight.

It's not the best solution, but it can be done.

[big_bird_2]

Some of you are not getting it. The weight of the bike is secondary. The back of the trailer bounces with tremendous force, which magnifies the bike weight exponentially. If I were ever to consider putting a bike on the back of my trailer, I would, in addition to reinforcing the hitch, add suspension to the trail to materially reduce trailer bounce. And I do not mean a set of cheap shocks. A suspension change is very expensive. Do it right, buy a toy haulers.

[laknox]

Chopperbob wrote:
I used to have a DS bike 260 lbs on a Fleetwood
25ft TT. Worked OK BUT I had to constantly
weld the cracks in the frame. Mostly around rear wheels.
Just saying.
Bob

This is why the frame needs to be beefed up to at least the rear spring hangar, if not to the =front= hangar.

Lyle

[Fresno_Tundra_D]

I've thought about doing this a lot over the years but have never done it for my dual sport. Too much risk and liability. The bouncing that occurs with that weight magnifies, making that force on the rear way more then just the weight of the bike. If it breaks off and kills someone behind you... Not for me!!

[Chopperbob]

I used to have a DS bike 260 lbs on a Fleetwood
25ft TT. Worked OK BUT I had to constantly
weld the cracks in the frame. Mostly around rear wheels.
Just saying.
Bob

[fj12ryder]

Jim-Linda wrote:

Halmfamily wrote:
If the bike is not too big, put a front mount hitch on your truck and carry it there.

If you actually believe a Gold Wing mounted on the front of a LDT truck is feasible, I have several bridges for sale.

Since when is a Gold Wing described as a "Honda dual use motorcycle which weighs about 325 lbs"? 🙂

[fj12ryder]

I towed a Smart Trailer behind a 34' Big Sky for a couple years with no issues. It added about 600 lbs. to the back of the 5th wheel, as the trailer weighed about 1200 lbs. I had no sticking slides, no doors that wouldn't open, no adverse effects that I found. But that doesn't mean you would have the same luck on your trailer.

My frame was seriously reinforced about 6 feet forward from where the hitch was attached. The main issue I think you will find is securely attaching the bike to the carrier so it doesn't get damaged, or damage the trailer. You want the bike/carrier mounted as close as you can get it so you can avoid as much bouncing as you can.

[Jim-Linda]

Halmfamily wrote:
If the bike is not too big, put a front mount hitch on your truck and carry it there.

If you actually believe a Gold Wing mounted on the front of a LDT truck is feasible, I have several bridges for sale.