Most of our camping trips Im towing a trailer with a couple dirt bikes on it. But I could see doing a few trips with just my bike, so I was thinking of getting a hitch mounted bike carrier. When I tow the trailer I use an 18" extension, so I would have to use the same extension with the bike carrier. Im wondering if this would be too much weight hanging out that far? The bike weights about 210lbs wet.What do you guys think?A carrier like this

I would not put it on the back, too much weight and sway.I have the same carrier and have a front hitch. I have carried my 300 lb bike over 6000 miles on the front with no issues. You just need to clean the bugs off before you ride. See sig below.

I think if you had a superhitch with the supertruss extension it would be ok but I don't think it'd be a good idea with a regular 2" extension.

With the right hitch and extension it should work just fine… Here's a photo of my bike carrier on a 48" long double-tube truss extension and SuperHitch.While you might be within the weight ratings, I Personally wouldn't do it with a standard class III hitch and extension.Cheers-Mark

Tongue weight rating of hitch divided by distance from receiver as a general rule. My Ford is 600 lbs., so 600 divided by say 3' = 200 lbs. including weight of carrier. I wouldn't do it.Gman

ejfranz wrote:I would not put it on the back, too much weight and sway.I have the same carrier and have a front hitch. I have carried my 300 lb bike over 6000 miles on the front with no issues. You just need to clean the bugs off before you ride. See sig below.Ditto. Any one ton truck can handle it just fine. I've driven thousands of miles with my KTM up front and the truck doesn't even know its there. Amazingly it doesn't impact cooling either.Who would want to deal with a motorcycle in the way of the camper door anyway, seems like a pain to me.

Hitch mounted dirt bike carrier on an extension?

trail-explorer
Explorer
Jul 22, 2014
This is the best looking bike carrier I have seen: VersaHaul

A friend has one and it is really nice. He's hauled a BMW GS1200 on it.
djc486
Explorer
Jul 22, 2014
Trying to get DW to see the benefits of taking a scooter along on the bumper
Dirtpig
Explorer
Jul 22, 2014
I have my Honda XR400 on the front hitch carrier. Only slight headlight blockage but im not normally driving at night. I have a boat behind me and wouldnt want to add any more weight to my already heavy rear axle. Water & oil temperatures are increased by 10-15deg F with the bike on the front and cooling fan comes on more often when climbing long hills. One nice thing about it being up there is that its completely out of my way if camping when i dont want to unload it. Having it at the back i imagine i would always unload bike/remove rack, this isnt necessary when on the front.
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2014
I got mine done. Works very well. I can even plug my boat trailer in behind the bike.
Bedlam
Moderator
Jul 20, 2014
With a Class V receiver, you should be OK with an 18" extension. Check your rear axle and wheel ratings verses your current weight so you not overloading something else.

I strap an old Honda Passport on a cargo basket hanging off the back of mine when not towing a trailer.
stumper92
Explorer
Jul 20, 2014
For those of you hauling your bike up front, what do you do about blocking your headlights? Ever had any issues with the law?
Possilian
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
I carried a klr650 and odd stuff strapped to the carrier for 3500 miles last year. No problems. Just make sure you buy good tie down straps. 42" extension super truss with non oem chain tighteners.
ISBRAM
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
I carry my Honda XR650L on the back of my truck with the camper on no problem. I’m using a Reese Titan hitch with a 2 ½” recever and a 24” Titan 2 ½” hitch extenstion and a Versahaul carrier. I also use the Roadmaster hitch anti rattle u-bolt type things to take the play out of the whole setup.
I really can not tell any difference when it’s back there.
scottz
Explorer
Feb 05, 2014
Assuming ClassV hitch and a 18" extension, no problem.

I use a 44" extension and have (probably) over 100lbs static trailer weight and I haven't had any problems.
CAJW
Explorer
Feb 05, 2014
Here's what I'm using with a 300# DRZ400S. Superhitch with a double truss 32" extension coupled with a Tilt a rack carrier that is very handy (no ramp to store). Did LOTS of research, including multiple discussions with Torklift engineers, axle & tire calculations, etc... before diving into this and it works fine. It took 240# off of my front axle, which is slightly noticeable, but still drives fine.

In my research, I found this mod is debated just like putting a heavy camper on a SRW vs. DRW, some poo poo it, others think it's great. YMMV. :)

Tilt a rack carrier