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Old 10-04-2013, 03:33 PM   #1
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Towing a Motorcycle

Here is a question for those of you that tow a motorcycle on the hitch. I've seen quite a few out on the road, but the folk at the motorcycle forum I belong to say not to do it.

We were going to buy a Jeep Cherokee to tow behind because my truck is too heavy and the wife's car is AWD. We then realized it will be a PITA so we decided to rent a vehicle wherever we end up. However, for shorter trips within the State we would like to have something to put around in case we need something from the store. I have a couple of bikes that would do the trick, but not sure how safe it is to tow. I was looking at a carrier that you put the bike in sideways behind the coat and it mounts to the hitch. It is rated up to 1k lbs, and my bike only weights around 500 lbs.

Like I said, the folks at the motorcycle forum say it would be too much weight on the tongue and too much stress on everything.

Any suggestions from experience?
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Old 10-07-2013, 01:33 PM   #2
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I normally pull my Jeep behind the motorhome but I have a hitch mounted carrier that I used to carry a Honda CRF450. It seemed pretty "maxed out" with the Honda on there and it only weighs about 225. I don't think I would want anything heavier than that on there. It moved around and bounced up and down a lot and I did nothing but worry the whole time it was back there. I even welded a bar to the carrier that would bolt to the side of the receiver for stabilization. I ended up buying a small trailer for the bike(s) and I'm a lot happier.

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Old 10-07-2013, 02:26 PM   #3
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A buddy hauls his Harley on one with out issue. As long as you're hitch and coach is rated to haul the weight it won't be a problem. If all else fails get a nice little motorcycle trailer.
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Old 10-07-2013, 05:12 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom and Kat View Post
I normally pull my Jeep behind the motorhome but I have a hitch mounted carrier that I used to carry a Honda CRF450. It seemed pretty "maxed out" with the Honda on there and it only weighs about 225. I don't think I would want anything heavier than that on there. It moved around and bounced up and down a lot and I did nothing but worry the whole time it was back there. I even welded a bar to the carrier that would bolt to the side of the receiver for stabilization. I ended up buying a small trailer for the bike(s) and I'm a lot happier.

The one I was looking at is beefier than that one and it's rated for 1k lbs.
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Old 10-07-2013, 05:16 PM   #5
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A buddy hauls his Harley on one with out issue. As long as you're hitch and coach is rated to haul the weight it won't be a problem. If all else fails get a nice little motorcycle trailer.
I've seen coaches hauling bikes and the reason I ask. The bike I want to haul weight max 500 lbs and the carrier I was looking at is rated for 1k lbs. Not sure what the tongue weight is for my coach, I just know that the hitch is rated for 5k lbs.

I have an 8x12 utility trailer with motorcycle chocks installed, but I hat to have to make the coach even longer. Maybe a small one bike trailer would work, but wondering how you'd go in reverse if you had to.
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Old 10-07-2013, 05:55 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alparmmer View Post
I've seen coaches hauling bikes and the reason I ask. The bike I want to haul weight max 500 lbs and the carrier I was looking at is rated for 1k lbs. Not sure what the tongue weight is for my coach, I just know that the hitch is rated for 5k lbs. I have an 8x12 utility trailer with motorcycle chocks installed, but I hat to have to make the coach even longer. Maybe a small one bike trailer would work, but wondering how you'd go in reverse if you had to.
The mounts that are rated to carry the heavier bikes normally require additional supports that are welded to the frame rails on the motorhome. You have to make sure that the motorhome and the frame are rated for the extra weight. That is why you usually see these carriers on diesel pushers. The frame extensions on the gas rigs are normally not rated for the extra weight.
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Old 10-07-2013, 06:07 PM   #7
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The mounts that are rated to carry the heavier bikes normally require additional supports that are welded to the frame rails on the motorhome. You have to make sure that the motorhome and the frame are rated for the extra weight. That is why you usually see these carriers on diesel pushers. The frame extensions on the gas rigs are normally not rated for the extra weight.
Thanks for explaining, makes sense. Small bike trailer it is.
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Old 10-07-2013, 09:21 PM   #8
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http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle-trailers.htm The kendons are real nice if you don't mind the price.
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Old 10-07-2013, 09:30 PM   #9
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http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle-trailers.htm The kendons are real nice if you don't mind the price.
They make the Kendon trailers a couple of miles from my house in Anaheim. First class operation that builds quality trailers. They also fold up and roll into your garage standing up.
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Old 10-08-2013, 06:37 AM   #10
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Oh, those are nice trailers. I like the swivel one since you can back up without a problem. Showed the wife and when she saw the $$$, she gave me the evil eye. She said it would be cheaper to rent a car wherever we go. Really?
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Old 10-08-2013, 06:58 AM   #11
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Do keep in mind the tongue weight rating of the hitch on your coach is
greatly reduced by every foot of extension the device you stick in there
has. A 500 lb motorcycle has to sit pretty far back from the hitch so
the handlebars and such won't hit the back of the coach. This would
likely over stress the receiver on your coach.

As stated previously you likely need to add re-enforcement to the receiver
and frame of the coach.

I'd consider a nice little covered bike trailer. It won't over stress your
hitch, it keeps the bike nice and dry and clean and out of bad weather
and it protects from rocks!

A bike on the back of a trailer or coach quickly gets VERY dirty when
driving in the rain. VERY dirty!! UGH. If you try to cover the bike, the
cover will whip in the wind and scuff paint and chrome on the bike.
Get a covered/enclosed trailer!
OR buy a small toad and save the hassle of trying to find a car to rent
at each stop.
(There aren't any car rentals in Yellowstone for example...)
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Old 10-08-2013, 07:01 AM   #12
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Old 10-08-2013, 07:22 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan View Post
Do keep in mind the tongue weight rating of the hitch on your coach is
greatly reduced by every foot of extension the device you stick in there
has. A 500 lb motorcycle has to sit pretty far back from the hitch so
the handlebars and such won't hit the back of the coach. This would
likely over stress the receiver on your coach.

As stated previously you likely need to add re-enforcement to the receiver
and frame of the coach.

I'd consider a nice little covered bike trailer. It won't over stress your
hitch, it keeps the bike nice and dry and clean and out of bad weather
and it protects from rocks!

A bike on the back of a trailer or coach quickly gets VERY dirty when
driving in the rain. VERY dirty!! UGH. If you try to cover the bike, the
cover will whip in the wind and scuff paint and chrome on the bike.
Get a covered/enclosed trailer!
OR buy a small toad and save the hassle of trying to find a car to rent
at each stop.
(There aren't any car rentals in Yellowstone for example...)
+1, agree, a small toad or an enclosed trailer.
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