Topic: Cargo Carrier for a bike??

[csendker]

I picked up a hitch-mounted cargo carrier from Harbor Freight for a variety of reasons, but hauling bikes around was somewhere in the back of my mind.  I put it together and set it on the garage floor and rolled both bikes on it just to see how they fit.  The 175 fits on right nice; both tires fully in the pan and minimal overhang anywhere.  The 550 was a different story.  The wheelbase is a bit long, one tire will sit on the lip, not right in the pan and there's a reasonable overhang (to be honest, I didn't fold in the bar end mirrors though).  The weight also seemed like it will be an issue.  The carrier is rated for 500#, which is OK for either my 175 or my 550.  I suspect it could easily be modified to increase the size of the pan, but the bike just seems to be rather big for the thing.  And who knows how either would affect the driving for my truck (Trailblazer).  Has anyone actually used one of these things to move a bike?  I would think it would be OK for short hops, but at least with the 550, a long haul seems rather iffy.

[bill440cars]

              I used an aftermarket on to haul a 74' Kawasaki F9 350 Big Horn and it bent the carrier slightly, because there was some slack in it. I'm thinking that if it had a little support on each end ( to the bumper), it might support it better.

                                                          Later on, Bill

[kghost]

I'm with Bill on the ends.

I used to carry my XL100 honda on a carrier kinda like that but it was a honda accessory.

Should work for the little bike.

[bill440cars]

                   There are carriers made for that purpose but, they're kinda pricey for me. If I was a better
              welder, I don't know why a decent setup couldn't be made for Dirt Bikes or the smaller street
              bikes. I initially bought the carrier, that I have, to carry James' (the youngman that I work
              with) wheelchair and I bought an adapter (from JCWhitney) that allowed the carrier to be
              folded up, when not in use. Only thing is, the adapter being in place, it reduced my carrying
              capacity some. A way to carry a bike like that, (crossways) behind your vehicle, would be   
              more handy and keep you from having to deal with a trailer. Thing is, if you end up with a
              carrier that will handle much of a bike safely, you better either beef up your rear suspension or
              add air shocks for the extra weight. Let us know what you do.

                                                              Later on, Bill

[Rsnip988]

I would fear for your 500 if yuo put it on there, too iffy for me if it too big and too heavy.

just be careful,  harbor freight stuff is cheap for a reason...


RKS

[csendker]

Immediately upon rolling each one on this, the realization that it was the first & last time for my 550, or anything much beyond the size of my 175 became evident.  I don't think any amount of modifications less than adding two wheeels and a bed to the thing will work for any bike with some size to it.  Maybe I could use it for the 175, but my goal is to actually get the thing running so I don't have to trailer it around ($%^&*?!*#@%^ carbs...).  I just have to get this done before the wife rolls it out to the curb on me.  I was actually thinking of using it for parts bikes that I may stumble upon, ones that have no hope of rolling under their own power, but I think I'll keep looking for a real trailer.

[bill440cars]

             First, I'd just like to say that you can get some decent stuff from Harbor Freight, you just have to know what the limits are. Example: I bought an 18v cordless drill that works better and longer between charges than my Black & Decker or my Skil and it cost me $18. Then again, I wouldn't waste my time with their screwdrivers. See what I'm talking about?

             As for a trailer, I've heard of good reports on their trailers and I found a Wave Runner trailer at a bargain, stripped off the top of it, put a 4 x 8 piece of 1/2" plywood with some tiedowns and there you go.

                                                              Later on, Bill

[csendker]

Wave Runner trailer at a bargain

I've been on the lookout for a similar bargin, or maybe just pop for the folding trailer from HF when I'm feeling wealtheir than I am right now (my cousin has one and it works great for the occasional hauling).  I didn't get this specifically to haul bikes, but wondered to what extend I could.  It seems to be VERY limited for this purpose.

harbor freight stuff is cheap for a reason...

I agree w/Bill: yes/no/maybe/depends on what it is.  The lifetime guarantee does help.  But seriously, how can they make a cast iron dutch oven in China, ship it all the way to Buffalo, sell it for $12 and still make any kind of profit??

[Rsnip988]

Agreed I have had many tools from there that work great, angle grinder, air nailer and motorcycle jack (these being the most costly)

had no problems so far, the old addage "you get what you pay for" pops in your head sometimes though, if you know what i mean



RKS