Tow Dolly Modifications

[PDDGM]

I am looking at purchasing a tow dolly and have it modified to carry my motorcycle. I am looking for comments from any that might have done this, not safety lectures,etc. I have seen several on the road(some modified and some factory built), wish I could afford one of the factory units, but am not well off with money to burn..LOL..I found a dolly to buy and am planning of taking it to a certified welding shop to have the work done, not a job for a back yard welder like me..Again, just looking for comments from those that have done this or positive suggestions..


Joe

[PDDGM]

Finally made it to Missouri last week and got the bike ready to travel. Was a little concerned that the platform was a little to close to the car. I put the car on and then rode the bike on, no frame twist or any problems. The motorhome did not lower any in the rear. Got the bike tied down and then inspected the whole set up. Was concerned the car on the turn plate might hit the bike, but after 300+ miles today, no problems. Am a happy camper, going to have expanded metal put down on for a floor and some way to anchor the ramp instead of using bungee cords. Total cost is as follows: 400 for dolly, 800 for all the welding and fabricating, 150 for new tires/Wheels and 50 more for misc. So total of 1400.00 for a motorcycle carrying tow dolly, I am a happy camper.
We arrived at Baileyton RV Park in Baileyton, Tn this afternoon. The dolly did fine, no problems with bearings,etc.. The motorhome seems to ride level and I notice no frontend float or steering problems, being an extra 4 ft long, it is a little difficult at some gas stations like Pilot, etc. Did notice that one of tires seems to be wearing on the outside edge, not sure what would cause that, but will ask at a local tire shop. Seems to be a good investment and does what I need it to do.
Joe

[PDDGM]

Won't really know what the tongue weight is until I get to Missouri. We did test the corners for twist and there is very little, not enough to worry me. Put around 230 lbs on each corner and it flexed very little..

[Daveinet]

I'll be most interested in how the tongue weight works out. Have you jumped up and down on the front corners to test for twist?

[PDDGM]

It's done for now. Got to take it to Missouri and get the bike and see if all fits. If not then have to change the bike deck. then I will put either expanded metal flooring or diamnond plate on it.


Joe

[Busskipper]

PDDGM wrote:

Busskipper wrote:

PDDGM wrote:
I am looking at purchasing a tow dolly and have it modified to carry my motorcycle. I am looking for comments from any that might have done this, not safety lectures,etc. I have seen several on the road(some modified and some factory built), wish I could afford one of the factory units, but am not well off with money to burn..LOL..I found a dolly to buy and am planning of taking it to a certified welding shop to have the work done, not a job for a back yard welder like me..Again, just looking for comments from those that have done this or positive suggestions..


Joe

Joe, look these over,


I looked at a lot of dolly's. I just couldn't see spending 3-6,000.00 for one to haul my bike. I have just a little over 1,000.00 in the one in the pics above. Still have about 200 to spend on tires/rims and some replacement lights.


http://www.racecityrvproducts.com/

http://www.bestpricetrailers.com/for-sale/MCtowdolly.aspx#.UVNosRd7OuI

Look's likeyou have a lot of options,

BOL,

Got it -- but these guys have already done the work/engineering for you -- lot's of good ideas -- show the picture to your welder and he should have no problem.

BOL,

[PDDGM]

Busskipper wrote:

PDDGM wrote:
I am looking at purchasing a tow dolly and have it modified to carry my motorcycle. I am looking for comments from any that might have done this, not safety lectures,etc. I have seen several on the road(some modified and some factory built), wish I could afford one of the factory units, but am not well off with money to burn..LOL..I found a dolly to buy and am planning of taking it to a certified welding shop to have the work done, not a job for a back yard welder like me..Again, just looking for comments from those that have done this or positive suggestions..


Joe

Joe, look these over,


I looked at a lot of dolly's. I just couldn't see spending 3-6,000.00 for one to haul my bike. I have just a little over 1,000.00 in the one in the pics above. Still have about 200 to spend on tires/rims and some replacement lights.


http://www.racecityrvproducts.com/

http://www.bestpricetrailers.com/for-sale/MCtowdolly.aspx#.UVNosRd7OuI

Look's likeyou have a lot of options,

BOL,

[Busskipper]

PDDGM wrote:
I am looking at purchasing a tow dolly and have it modified to carry my motorcycle. I am looking for comments from any that might have done this, not safety lectures,etc. I have seen several on the road(some modified and some factory built), wish I could afford one of the factory units, but am not well off with money to burn..LOL..I found a dolly to buy and am planning of taking it to a certified welding shop to have the work done, not a job for a back yard welder like me..Again, just looking for comments from those that have done this or positive suggestions..


Joe

Joe, look these over,

http://www.racecityrvproducts.com/

http://www.bestpricetrailers.com/for-sale/MCtowdolly.aspx#.UVNosRd7OuI

Look's likeyou have a lot of options,

BOL,

[PDDGM]

This is the tow dolly I bought to modify. Before pic



After pic. Going to leave it raw until I make sure the bike and car fit properly. Measured the car and bike and placed the bike platform where we thought all would clear. If to tight will move platform forward and then paint the dolly cream and white....

[PDDGM]

Update on the tow dolly modifications: Bought a used tow dolly from an individual for 400.00, took it down to the local certified welding shop and showed him the pic above. He made a couple of suggestions that made sense to me, and they will start on it Monday. They are going to make the frame from the tow dolly(which has to swivel so the car deck will drop)and come straight up and then over to the tongue, fabricate a 12 in X 90 in platform for the bike to ride in(locking wheel chock on order). All frame material will be 3 in square tubing, same a tongue(which will be extended 48 inches). The dolly has 13 in tires on it, but am upgrading to 14 in with 1860 weight rating. All in all when said and done, will have approximately 1300.00 in it. Working on the paint scheme, but think I will have it painted to match the motorhome and car.

estimated weight of car(stated wt 2860)60% on dolly and 800 lb bike, and weight of dolly. Should be approximate 3300 lbs on tires rated for 3600. I think it will work....

Joe

[Tom_Anderson]

topflite51 wrote:
If your tow dolly with modifications remain a single axle, are you not in danger of exceeding the weight that the axle is designed to carry. I know when I had my Master Tow dolly it's axle was only rated at 3500 lbs. What with an 800 pound motorcycle and an 800 pound dolly it doesn't appear to have much left for the car on the dolly. Just saying......

Don't forget that some of the weight is carried by the hitch.

[topflite51]

If your tow dolly with modifications remain a single axle, are you not in danger of exceeding the weight that the axle is designed to carry. I know when I had my Master Tow dolly it's axle was only rated at 3500 lbs. What with an 800 pound motorcycle and an 800 pound dolly it doesn't appear to have much left for the car on the dolly. Just saying......

[BillMFl]

A motor cycle will be a light load for a tow dolly so you probably should run with lower air pressure. My Master tow specs call for 50psi with a car in tow, 35psi when empty. And they tend to bounce a lot when empty.

[PDDGM]

Did some research on the tandem tow dolly (brand name). The plate the car sits on is adjustable, you slide it back to offset the weight of the bike, golf cart you are hauling. I also talked to the local welding shop owner yesterday and he believes the tongue weight would be around 3-400 lbs and recommended going with a heavy duty hitch on the dolly and a 2 5 /16" ball on the motorhome. He didn't think the weight would bother the motorhome like it would a truck. Guess the only way we are going to answer this question is get it done....

[Horsedoc]

Weight of the front of the car, plus the weight of the bike on the tongue! :E Tandem axles needed IMHO