Motorcycle on the back of the 5er.

[klr650goldwing]

I'm thinking of having a receiver hitch welded to the 8 I-beams of our 5er. I'm thinking of two pieces of heavy duty square tubing welded at 90 degrees to the I-beams, spaced about 3 or 4 feet apart and welded to each beam. Then the receiver part of the hitch welded to both of the pieces of square tubing.

I'm hoping to haul a 388 lb. motorcycle on this hitch. Tell me what you think; pros and cons, or better ideas. Thanks.

[Cummins12V98]

klr650goldwing wrote:
With much appreciation for everyone who responded, I elected to haul the bike on the front of the truck.

On another website I heard about a guy who said his roof started to leak after he hauled a motorcycle on the back of his 5er. So I chickened out. I researched snow plows and found out that some of them weigh considerably more than what I'll be hauling. So the bike on the front of the truck shouldn't over load the suspension.

I bought a front receiver hitch from E-tailer and welded two more receivers on it. So the motorcycle carrier will have more than one receiver to hold it more steady.

At this moment the new hitch is at a powder coating shop. Once it has been powder coated it will be ready to mount on the truck.

Pics when finished please.

[Bowti]

klr650goldwing wrote:
With much appreciation for everyone who responded, I elected to haul the bike on the front of the truck.

Thanks for letting us know what you decided to do. My pet peeve is for those who ask for advice and then, you never hear from them again, as to what the outcome was.

[bpounds]

klr650goldwing wrote:
A couple years ago I added a engine oil temp. gauge, a transmission oil temp gauge and a water temp gauge. They respond instantly to fluctuations in temperatures. It's kind of interesting to watch the new gauges change quickly to temperature fluctuations and the factory gauges hardly move.

I will be watching all gauges closely during high ambient temperatures and, or steep climbs.

Ford temp gauges are notorious for being nothing more than glorified idiot lights. The sensors feeding info to the controller are actually very accurate. The feed to the gauges is not.

[klr650goldwing]

A couple years ago I added a engine oil temp. gauge, a transmission oil temp gauge and a water temp gauge. They respond instantly to fluctuations in temperatures. It's kind of interesting to watch the new gauges change quickly to temperature fluctuations and the factory gauges hardly move.

I will be watching all gauges closely during high ambient temperatures and, or steep climbs.

[MFL]

Smart move...there is a reason many motorcycle carriers are marked "not for use on rear of TT/FW". I have a quality carrier, that works great on trucks rear receiver, but wouldn't want it on rear of my FW, even though it has a factory receiver.

Sounds like you'll be good to go!!

Jerry

[otrfun]

Congrats! Sounds like a pretty rugged option. I'd suggest watching your engine/tranny temps close, especially on severe climbs or with high ambient temps, just to confirm good airflow with the bike in front of your radiator. Enjoy!

[klr650goldwing]

With much appreciation for everyone who responded, I elected to haul the bike on the front of the truck.

On another website I heard about a guy who said his roof started to leak after he hauled a motorcycle on the back of his 5er. So I chickened out. I researched snow plows and found out that some of them weigh considerably more than what I'll be hauling. So the bike on the front of the truck shouldn't over load the suspension.

I bought a front receiver hitch from E-tailer and welded two more receivers on it. So the motorcycle carrier will have more than one receiver to hold it more steady.

At this moment the new hitch is at a powder coating shop. Once it has been powder coated it will be ready to mount on the truck.

[Winged_One]

What did you end up doing OP?

[colliehauler]

The now defunct Excel RV'S use to offer a hydraulic lift for motorcycles as a option on their 5th wheels.

[Veebyes]

Saw a couple good ones this weekend. A golf cart being carried on a rack on the back of a 5er. Also a 5er with a rack PLUS a hitch welded to the rack with a utility trailer carrying a golf cart hooked to that.

[bpounds]

klr650goldwing wrote:
Well, that would satisfy the weight issue. But, wouldn't it be considered a double-tow? Or a triple tow; not sure the difference. That would mean it can only happen in the western states. Right?

Yes, I believe you might be correct about that. Might be some interpretation though. Just like the Idaho Tote. There are similarities, for example there is no ball involved.

[laknox]

klr650goldwing wrote:
I'm thinking of having a receiver hitch welded to the 8 I-beams of our 5er. I'm thinking of two pieces of heavy duty square tubing welded at 90 degrees to the I-beams, spaced about 3 or 4 feet apart and welded to each beam. Then the receiver part of the hitch welded to both of the pieces of square tubing.

I'm hoping to haul a 388 lb. motorcycle on this hitch. Tell me what you think; pros and cons, or better ideas. Thanks.

After having read the entire thread (up to this point), I agree that using 2 receiver tubes is a =much= better idea. Personally, I'd also beef up the frame with a doubler/fishplate all the way to in =front= of the rear spring hangar, if not the equalizer, then 2-3 crosstubes to weld the receivers to. Yeah, probably overkill, but a whole lot easier on the frame. I also think that the extra weight back there won't be much of an issue with the pin; just make sure you stay within your total cargo capacity. If you find you have a handling issue, you might have to move cargo internally to help balance it.

Lyle

[klr650goldwing]

Well, that would satisfy the weight issue. But, wouldn't it be considered a double-tow? Or a triple tow; not sure the difference. That would mean it can only happen in the western states. Right?

[bpounds]

What you will find here on RV.net, is folks will poopoo any idea that is different. Whether they have any experience or not, doesn't seem to matter.

Compare the weight of the bike and hitch to similar tongue weight of a trailer that some folks double tow. Think about how that compares. Would your fifth wheel be capable of handling a similar weight under double tow conditions?

I'm not going to dismiss the idea off hand.

When I was a kid, my dad rigged up a hitch to tow our motorcycle with the rear wheel down, and the front wheel in a saddle. It worked great. Can't back up of course, just like any other double tow. So your post got me thinking, and there are products available to do that. Here is just the first one that google served up:

https://www.tow-ster.com/home

Does that work behind a fifth wheel? Well, when you call them and ask, please post their reply. Thanks.