Author Topic: Hitch mtd. Haulers (Read 1885 times)

george · « **on:** April 23, 2015, 11:30:51 AM »

I need to travel in my truck , but don't want the hassle of my trailer. My bike probably weighs in or near 425 lbs. (K8 cut all up) , I'm thinking this item would work , as there are hooks on it outboard to reinforce the 2" receiver hitch and I have a ladder rack on my T100 to add support. Still kind of spooked to haul this way , what say you ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380525494367?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Powderman · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2015, 02:16:47 PM »

I assume the bed is filled so you can't carry it there? That rack should work fine. My only concern would be how much weight the bed is already carrying before you throw another 400+lb pendulum/lever on the back.
FWIW you want more than 10% of the total weight of a loaded trailer on the tongue, but less than 15%. In your case with a full bed and 400lbs on the tongue weight you're going to be sagging and be a ton rear heavy going around corners.

The channel for the bike is 71" long, figure you'll lose 13" from the front of the tire to the axle which leaves 58" of wheelbase left to set the bike on. The CB750 has a 57"+ wheelbase. It will barely fit. Not the way I would want to haul a big bike. That rack is for dirt bikes. Long tongue arm will have the bike more than 2' off the rear enhancing the leverage and tongue weight.

Whaleman · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2015, 03:53:36 PM »

I am a chicken. It would scare me. Dan

Powderman · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2015, 05:23:22 PM »

No way I would hang this bike off the back like that.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2015, 06:56:38 PM »

Quote from: Powderman on April 23, 2015, 05:23:22 PM

No way I would hang this bike off the back like that.

Yes, thats a lot of unsupported weight behind the rear axle, just hanging out there in the breeze, the car would steer like crap, front wheels would lock very easily if you had to stop in a hurry, not to mention understeer... At least with a trailer, the weight is supported over the trailers axle...

Stev-o · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2015, 07:15:05 PM »

Hey George....you coming up to Austin again?!

I'd carry your bike with that rack.....but not mine! Trailer, by George.

eigenvector · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2015, 07:17:53 PM »

I think to answer your question, no. It's just too much weight supported by the rack.

754 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2015, 07:18:28 PM »

I think bracing each end of the rack to the outer bumper supports would be ah big help.
Any way you can load the box front heavy to help compensate.?

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2015, 07:51:16 PM »

Quote from: 754 on April 23, 2015, 07:18:28 PM

I think bracing each end of the rack to the outer bumper supports would be ah big help.
Any way you can load the box front heavy to help compensate.?

May as well put the bike in there then...

ekpent · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2015, 04:32:21 AM »

The add does allude to the fact that its great for a "scooter or dirt bike". Safely no mention of a full size road bike. I would not try it but great for a cooler full of beer.

przjohn · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2015, 05:16:03 AM »

I know a few guys who use that style for dirt bikes and they are ok. Personally I would stay away from using it for anything more than that.

Airborne 82nd · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2015, 05:43:26 AM »

If you do not want to put it in the bed then look into one of those type hitches that holds the front wheel by the 2" hitch on the truck and the rear bike wheel stays on the ground (take chain off first). Biggest issue with those type is backing up have a spotter. 2nd. Best bet rent a bike trailer they are cheap.
http://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorcycle-Trailer-Rental/MT/
1st. best bet don't take so much crap and leave the truck at home

evanphi · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2015, 05:52:05 AM »

Quote from: Airborne 82nd on April 24, 2015, 05:43:26 AM

If you do not want to put it in the bed then look into one of those type hitches that holds the front wheel by the 2" hitch on the truck and the rear bike wheel stays on the ground (take chain off first). Biggest issue with those type is backing up have a spotter. 2nd. Best bet rent a bike trailer they are cheap.
http://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorcycle-Trailer-Rental/MT/
1st. best bet don't take so much crap and leave the truck at home

+1 on getting a bike trailer or just taking the bike.

Bodi · « **Reply #13 on:** April 24, 2015, 06:01:41 AM »

I drove a jeep with one of those loaded with around 4-500 pounds of stone. The frame mounted hitch socket was fine with that. Driving was extremely scary: fine but ponderous on local 30mph roads to the freeway... where at around 45mph the truck became undriveable and seemed to want to go the other way (ie spin around and drive backwards). We had a long slow drive on the freeway at 40 with four-ways on.
On a longer truck like a pickup it might be OK, there's enough truck and motor far ahead of the axle to balance things out I think. I would load on the bike's weight in bricks or water jugs first for a test drive though.

the architect · « **Reply #14 on:** April 24, 2015, 06:43:39 AM »

I have a hitch rack that's pretty heavy - I'm guessing around 100lbs. I do haul bikes on it, regularly, but I try to keep to the smaller ones. Some CB350's and an RD400 are probably the heaviest I've hauled on it - always trying to keep below the 500lb hitch rating. I'm attaching a photo from a couple of weeks ago - hauling my current CB350 build from Houston to Austin - my Land Cruiser definitely handles differently with the loaded rack hanging off the rear.

george · « **Reply #15 on:** April 24, 2015, 07:23:03 AM »

I would like to be able to carry the bike in the bed but she just wont fit with my camper top. And I actually do own on of the Harbor Freight trailers, I just hate pulling trailers. I was thinking of using two ratchet straps to my ladder rack to un-weight the hitch a bit. I use my truck mainly for camping and fishing trips so it's not very much weight except for the cover itself which is steel and I carry 15 gal of water up near the cab . It would be nice to have the bike on the road to do a little sight seeing and for beer and grocery runs !
Thanks for the input fellas !

george · « **Reply #16 on:** April 24, 2015, 07:25:20 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on April 23, 2015, 07:15:05 PM

Hey George....you coming up to Austin again?!

I'd carry your bike with that rack.....but not mine! Trailer, by George.

Hey Stevo , any water in Lake Travis yet ? That is on my to fish list for sure !

Don R · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2015, 11:32:26 AM »

A friend of mine bought one from Harbor Freight. He wants me to tig weld some braces on it, he always overbuilds. When I get it I'll post a couple pictures. He has a 650 yamaha.

Stev-o · « **Reply #18 on:** April 24, 2015, 03:35:12 PM »

Quote from: george on April 24, 2015, 07:25:20 AM

Quote from: Stev-o on April 23, 2015, 07:15:05 PM
Hey George....you coming up to Austin again?!

I'd carry your bike with that rack.....but not mine! Trailer, by George.
Hey Stevo , any water in Lake Travis yet ? That is on my to fish list for sure !

Plenty of water in "The River"!

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Author Topic: Hitch mtd. Haulers (Read 1885 times)