Carrying my motorcycle

[Jodyrock]

I pull a 25 foot travel trailer with my 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.7 liter Hemi. My trailer has an approx. dry weight of 4000 pounds. My motorcycle weighs about 640 pounds.

Looking for a way to bring the motorcycle with me. Not a fan of ramps in the truck bed. Thinking of a hitch lift for the bike with an extension for the hitch to attach the trailer.

Looking for any suggestions. Thanks

[Dirtpig]

You couldn't do this with a 650 lb bike without breaking your frame but anyone with a smaller bike could do it. I no longer have the camper but sometimes still put the bike on front instead of in the truck box if I need that room for other things.

[atwowheelguy]

fj12ryder wrote:
That hitch helper looks pretty cool, but could be considered another trailer in some states since it just hooks into the receiver, but it doesn't have a ball so maybe not.

It looks like it doesn't attach to the truck with a ball, but it appears to have a ball for attaching the trailer to the hitch helper.

Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width

[fj12ryder]

That hitch helper looks pretty cool, but could be considered another trailer in some states since it just hooks into the receiver, but it doesn't have a ball so maybe not.

[atwowheelguy]

I use a pair of long, curved aluminum ramps when I'm hauling the bike in the truck. Even if I could lift the tailgate to hook up the camper for towing, the rear axle would be overloaded.

When I'm camping, I use this:

Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

[atwowheelguy]

http://www.hitch-helper.com/

Still have to move it up a ramp.

[Chuck_thehammer]

you do not state the bed size..... if 6.5 .. not doable.. bike will sit on tailgate.. and will hit the trailer in turns.

second behind rear bumper.. custom hitch .. extension and major reinforcement of truck frame..

total carry and tow of truck most likely maxed out your truck.

I have a F 250 long bed.. use Rideup ramps.. 42 inches by 10 feet (foldable).. for a Honda VTX 1800F.. 800 pound motorcycle and pull a 30 foot Coachman at 8,000 pounds. and I am over 60 years old. and do it by myself.

or buy a bigger truck AND a toy hauler.

[mkirsch]

You're talking about putting 1200+lbs of weight all behind the rear bumper of your 1500-series truck. That's really going to compress the rear suspension and have a major effect on the steering and handling of the truck to the point where it might actually be dangerous to drive, especially on wet roads.

A WD hitch could be used to spread the load out to the trailer and back to the front axle of the truck some, but I don't know of any receiver-mounted motorcycle carriers that can also double as WD-capable hitch extension. It would have to be custom.

Then, if the WD failed on the road you'd be sunk.

I know you don't like ramps up into the bed but really it's the only practical way of doing what you want to do.

[1jeep]

Yes, but I couldn't take being that less enthusiastic anymore.

Honestly I ride rain or shine and the concours14 provides much more weather protection than the HD did.

[fj12ryder]

Well, you're a lot less likely to get over-enthusiastic with an HD. They're a lot easier to keep closer to the speed limit, and you won't be cornering too quickly. 🙂

[1jeep]

for 10 years I rode HD's, maybe I will own one again someday but for now I am on the sport tourer. For me its the ride to work Monday - Friday and then a weekend journey bike, from April to November she is my commuter bike.

Prior to the HD's I had sport bikes, lets just say its better I dont get back on one or I will need to find a divorce lawyer.

[fj12ryder]

Wow, you sound like me. LOL Except not an HD, sport bikes from the get-go.

[1jeep]

It can be done, I did it, but after 3 years I caved and felt for me it was time to move into a toy hauler. I have since sold the HD and bought a sport tourer which has a little more seat height, I don't think I would enjoy backing it down.

[fj12ryder]

Ktmrfs, yeah a dirt bike wouldn't be too big of a deal to walk up. I'd hate to try it with a large, heavy, powerful road bike. Seems like it would be really easy for it to get away from you. Shoot, I hate walking my bike around the garage. 🙂 JMO anyway.

1jeep, I agree that coming back down is always more daunting that going up. Especially if the angle is a little steeper than what you like. That last little roll down off the ramp can be sphincter tightening. 🙂

[1jeep]

I did this for 3 years with a HD Ultra touring bike, riding up is not the issue, backing off is where I would try to find a few spotters to assist. If you aren't comfortable with your bike this can be a very scary time, especially when you get to the point where the front tire is on the ramp and rear on the ground.