Forum Discussion

JCat's avatar
JCat
Explorer III
Sep 06, 2022

Motorcycle Lift side ways on trailer

I am looking to buy a motorcyle lift like a Rampage or other.
What do you have, what do you like ?

I am thinking of mounting it sideways on a car hauler trailer, so I can put the bike in the front and car behind.

Any experience with that and will it work, was a little concerned as I have a Harley touring bike and did not want to get in trouble if it hangs over a bit.

Also anyone know a site where people might sell used lifts ?

Thanks
  • Hmmmmm
    I think one will find length and width regs are across the board, personal or commercial are the same....on the other hand, on can go down the road at 20' wide, you'd better have proper permits, know hrs of day you can tow, pilot cars front and rear.....

    Overhanging a car hauler bed or equal, so you are not over 8' wide generally speaking, should not raise any LEO/CVEO's eyebrows.

    Marty
  • JCat wrote:
    Lift will hang over by 6 inches on either side, which will be where the wheel well ends


    If the lift doesn't stick out any wider than the fenders on the trailer, and the bike also does not stick out any wider than the fenders on the trailer, there is nothing to worry about legally.

    "Width laws" are for COMMERCIAL vehicles anyway. If you're towing with an RV, you can be 20' wide and the law won't even look your way or so the story goes on RV.net. Commercial trucking laws don't apply to RVs. Commercial, your load can't be more than 102" wide normally, mirrors don't count.

    Your only concern is if the bike is sticking out and you insist on driving so close to things that you catch the bike on them and wreck it. Of course if you're that close you're also wrecking the trailer, so maybe if you have a history of hitting things with your trailer this is not a great idea.
  • JCat wrote:
    Lift will hang over by 6 inches on either side, which will be where the wheel well ends

    As long as you understand width laws.
  • JCat's avatar
    JCat
    Explorer III
    Lift will hang over by 6 inches on either side, which will be where the wheel well ends
  • Jcat, the Mountain Master loader is made specifically for the bed of the truck. You can choose to keep the tailgate, or have it with no tailgat. I have the tailgate on. The loader does NOT hang out and the tailgate closes when there is no bike in it. When the bike is loaded, the tailgate ALMOST closes.
  • JCat's avatar
    JCat
    Explorer III
    Thanks Ltrip, does your lift hang over the sides of the bed ?
    If yes how much ?

    Also did you have to do modifications to attach it to your truck bed ?
  • I have the Mountain Master loader in the back of my pickup. It works fine for me. Due to my error, I burned up the original winch and replaced it with a more powerful one. I tow a travel trailer behind the pickup. I have a BMW RT...about 600 pounds. Hope this helps!