Truck Camper with Swivelwheel type trailer?

[CAJW]

Anyone have any experience with a Swivelwheel trailer (or similar fixed hitch model) attached to their Truck Camper that allows you to back up without jackknifing? I want to carry a under 600lb. motorcycle, but don't need the extra length that a trailer brings.

Looks to be about 4 different manufacturers that I can find:

Swivelwheel
Idahotote
toy-tote
smart trailers

Initial questions that come to mind:
1.Actual tongue weight (I'm using an extended Torklift hitch that is limited to 650 lb.)
2. Ease of loading and storing ramps on the trailer
3. Access to camper (ours is a rear entrance)
4. Issues with smaller tires (I'm not wanting anything smaller than a 14")
5. Single wheel vs. dual wheels
6. Hitch attachment, pivot pins vs. dual hitch balls (I need to connect to the truck with a single 2" receiver)

I'm sure more questions will pop up, but would appreciate any feedback from experienced users of a set up like this.
Thanks!

[CAJW]

Related question- Putting my DRZ on the back of my rig will put me over GVWR by about 500 lbs., but more concerning it'll put me at 150 lbs. under the GAWR. I tried mocking it up on the front bumper, but it won't work for me and also puts me very close to front GAWR. Comments?

Moved question to here: GAWR question thread

[jefe_4x4]

The Idahotote looks well built, alright. I just have memories of the TINKY little one wheel addendum (I can't bring myself to call them trailers) from 40 yrs. ago. So, all the single wheel jobs are out. I would say get the most H.D. one you can find so as to have lots of extra carrying ability build in. Maybe they have stake sides on some models to further expand what you can haul.
Since the wheels swivel, would not that set up a periodic wobble or shimmy at certain speeds? Especially when unloaded? Kind of like shopping cart wheels?
Also, the Idaho model showed towing behind a 5-er. Would not that require a class One licence? (to tow doubles)
Actual tongue weight would be divided over two receivers, one each side. It would also depend on how you center the load.
Just some thoughts.

[CAJW]

The Toy-Tote is out of the running. I checked one out with a fabricated adapter (dual to a single point connector) and after trying to plug into my extended receiver, decided it wouldn't work. If we had a side entrance camper, maybe, but even so, it didn't appear to have the stability one would want for something as heavy as a Rhino or similar weight machine. I'm not prepared to spend the $6K or so for a Idahotote, so re-evaluation is in order. Using my DRZ on a front rack is looking more attractive so I might be contacting Skipro for a test drive of the front carrier setup. If someone has a Toy-tote or similar design, I'd still be interested in how they have worked out.

[SugarHillCTD]

We have a '92 BMW K100RS that is around 600#, probably similar weight to your FJR.

I cannot find any front mounted hitch that is rated for that weight- 500# seems to be the max available.

Also, I agree with the OP. That much weigh on a ramp can quickly get away from you while loading/unloading- that isn't a great situation. DAMHIK (and that was on a MC trailer)

[CAJW]

skipro3 wrote:

CAJW wrote:
Skip- I'd considered that, but loading a nearly 600 lb. FJR with a ramp and no way to steady it except letting it fall against the hood of my truck didn't appeal to me ;). Your method would work well for my DRZ, but the FJR or our Rhino 450, not so much! Thanks anyway.

I see you are in Nor Cal. So am I; Placerville area. If you want, I can let you try it out and see how hard it is to load your bike. I can do mine on my own using my 2003 BMW F650GS Dakar that weighs about 550# loaded with the panniers and trunk. The tie down straps are set to length and I put a large piece of foam against the hood. It's very economical. The ramp set-up sells for about $175.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TILT-RACK-MOTORCYCLE-CARRIER-SCOOTER-HAULER-600-LB-MAX-/400523566143?pt=Moto...

Skip- Thanks for the offer, might just take you up on that. Wanting to carry our 1,000 lb. Rhino complicates things, but your option might work for when we take the bike only.
MNBen- I agree, but the price tag is about double of what the others are. Still, it looks to be a quality unit and might be worth the extra coin.

[Raften]

Well it must be the angle the picture was taken as it looks like the passenger side light is pretty much blocked. The truck is a '01 and never meet anyone who said the lights were good around then. I solved the problem with HID lights.

[Ski_Pro_3]

Actually, I have excellent headlight coverage with either motorcycle on the front. I've driven it after dark/early morning on several occasions without any problems. I can supplement the head lights with the fog lights, but it's not necessary.

What year Dodge truck do you have? I'm quite pleased with the stock lights on low and high.

[Raften]

skipro3, I'm guessing you either have some extra headlights that attach or you don't drive that rig at night. I tried just carrying bicycles on the front and the crappy stock Dodge lights were poor enough without things to have to shine thru.

[Ski_Pro_3]

CAJW wrote:
Skip- I'd considered that, but loading a nearly 600 lb. FJR with a ramp and no way to steady it except letting it fall against the hood of my truck didn't appeal to me ;). Your method would work well for my DRZ, but the FJR or our Rhino 450, not so much! Thanks anyway.

I see you are in Nor Cal. So am I; Placerville area. If you want, I can let you try it out and see how hard it is to load your bike. I can do mine on my own using my 2003 BMW F650GS Dakar that weighs about 550# loaded with the panniers and trunk. The tie down straps are set to length and I put a large piece of foam against the hood. It's very economical. The ramp set-up sells for about $175.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TILT-RACK-MOTORCYCLE-CARRIER-SCOOTER-HAULER-600-LB-MAX-/400523566143?pt=Moto...

[MN_Ben]

Of the ones you posted and viewinf the pages, I would trust the Idahotote the most. It looks well built.

[CAJW]

Francesca- I've seen some models that have a two attachment/pivot points that work with a single receiver hitch so I think that is still possible,but some manufacturers show having to weld two receivers on the tow rig.

Skip- I'd considered that, but loading a nearly 600 lb. FJR with a ramp and no way to steady it except letting it fall against the hood of my truck didn't appeal to me ;). Your method would work well for my DRZ, but the FJR or our Rhino 450, not so much! Thanks anyway.

[Ski_Pro_3]

I carry my motorcycles on the front receiver using a carrier that can hold 600+ pounds. Have you considered that?

[Francesca_Knowl]

A friend of mine's been looking at those, too...he wants to haul a Hog (two wheel kind).

I think in your case, the single-point hitch requirement narrows the field, at least as far as achieving the desired "no jackknife" parameter.

Swivel wheel for one says you need the two-point hookup for that:

Swivelwhhel wrote:
the system cannot jackknife. It is attached in two points at the front of the system.

Link to page.