Scooters vs. electric bikes vs. motorcycles

[CAUP]

Hello!

I'm a newbie here and have been appreciating the ideas folks are sharing. Thanks to all on the Forum!

I have a C class 27 ft motorhome (Forest River Forester) and travel with my wife and 1-3 kids. We want to bring a lightweight solution to get into town when we are settled into a campground, without towing anything. (Note here that I am a motorcycle rider, with 2 800cc bikes at home, but one 400+ lb bike won't get my family into town.) We are debating whether we should bring our large electric bikes, purchase folding electric bikes, or purchase 2 125-250cc motorcycles or scooters that would fit on a rack on the back of the motorhome and allow us to bring 2 passengers with us into town. Our hitch limit is 500lb hanging off the end.

Does anyone have experience with any of these options? Or, simply an opinion they are willing to share?

Thanks!

[Oaklevel]

There are a few campgrounds that will not allow any type of gas powered bikes of any size to be rode in the campground. But just a few.

[rmac04401]

I have a toyhauler so I always carry my bike

[Flybob]

In some states, campground roads are considered state roads and hence all state motor vehicle laws apply, ie license, registration and helmets.

[Dp26]

We always have mini segway's with us... not only for transportation, but for fun.

[Triple SS]

Will be following this thread closely. We have a Rockwood 8301WS and are wanting to carry bikes and possibly electric or motorized bikes. Having trouble deciding what we can do and how

[RudysWorld]

As you get into camping I think you will want a vehicle for sight seeing and venturing to areas in the vicinity. I would look into a vehicle that can be towed 4 down for the future. For now I would go with the electric bikes you currently have and see what you think you need after having some experience. Everyone's needs are different. Good Luck!

[Dan n Gerda]

If you only need to get to town for couple of days, consider renting an economy car from a reputable name brand company! That also works well if you have a pet or two! We journey back to the east coast once a year and back! We don't have a frog! We rent a car back east for the month or two we are in a single spot! It's great! Doesn't work for overnight stops!

[peterdequoy]

my thinking is that the ebike will be good for running errands as well as sightseeing as the lower powered ones are legal where other bikes allowed. Would have been nice at Yellowstone, Zion and Yosemite as well as other parks with car restrictions. The ones I think are appropriate weigh in at 60 - 70 lbs, so 2 on a rack in the heavy duty receiver might work.

[Cagiva]

I have a class C freelander 29QB and just bought a hitch mounted motorcycle carrier (SMC600R) which weighs 100 LB's from Discount Ramps ($269.00). I was considering the Mighty Hauler 1000 which is hydraulic but weighs 280 LB's. I also have a tongue weight of 500 LB's. I went to a RV/Trailer company that specializes in trailers, hitches, etc. I was planning on beefing up the frame and connecting a three point hitch (provided by Mighty Hauler). The trailer company said it could be done but would cost around $1,500 (welding the three point hitch extension and adding some more steel). I was hoping to carry my KLR-650 which weights 432 LB's wet (total with carrier 280 + 432 =712 LB's.). The total cost would have been around $3,500. ($2,000 for the carrier & $1,500 for fabrication, etc). Rather than go through all that I decided to go with the 100 LB carrier (I put it on the Freelander yesterday and it is solid -includes tilt bracket and pinch bolt). So I have decided to purchase a Dual Sport bike that weighs 300 LB's or less (TW 200, DR200S, CRF 250, KLX 250 or XT-250, etc). Total weight would be around 400 LB's.

[aceinspp]

Take a look at this site. Rick's Cricket Aiken, SC | Cricket Cart | Mini Golf Cart | RV Golf Cart

They can be hauled on the back of a motor Home and weigh about 300# I have the sport model that only carries two folks but they are very powerful. Later RJD

[Dennise]

Can these be driven on off campsite roads e.g. roads into town?

Is a vehicle license needed

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by CAUP

Hello!
purchase 2 125-250cc motorcycles or scooters that would fit on a rack on the back of the motorhome and allow us to bring 2 passengers with us into town. Our hitch limit is 500lb hanging off the end.!

Hey Caup...I carry a pair of scooters (125 & 150) off my back end instead of towing a car. We had to cut off the class 3 hitch and install a class 4 with 1000 lb tongue weight...because you are hanging roughly 600 lbs off the end of the hitch and OUT 4 feet which creates a LOT more tongue weight as a lever arm in motion. Right around the class 4 limit.
We had to contact Ford Engineering to see if the CHASSIS would support that kind of weight on our F53 chassis. They would not SAY is was OK...but they did say they would never even consider it if there were welded extensions at the end of the chassis frame which allow mfr. to install a longer "house".
I've got close to 40K miles carrying mine with no issues whatsoever. Had to have a custom dual wide body rack to accommodate the scooters (joehauler.com) and we are plased with the carrying capacity and storage options available. Since you can go 55 mph comfortably...they let you get from the parks to shopping etc. just as easily as if you had a car...no interstates though.
I don't know if your CHASSIS will support what you propose...might need airlift springs or it just might not be possible. I assume you won't exceed your total weight rating which might be another issue.
If you can't CARRY them...consider the swivel wheel option which will let you do the job with no typical trailer issues and no requirement to up your hitch rating as the load remains on the ground.
The ultimate single wheel trailer system.

Hope this helps...there's a thread on my hookup/setup around here someplace. I'll try to find and link it.
Good luck.

EDIT...here are the links to my set up and subsequent discussions:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...own-67485.html

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ux-152747.html

[jjuscg]

Having been a sport bike rider for many years, I switched to a scooter some years back. Scooters are great fun and very functional transportation. I had a frame welded hitch installed on the rear of my 28' TT. Works great.
I did have to give up my 250cc to find something light enough to comfortably carry. Many 125 or 150cc scooters will do what your want (not interstates..). Still may be a stretch to find TWO light enough to carry, but I think you will be pleased!!

[Aitch]

I have an 18' American Hauler car hauler flat bed aluminum trailer. I can carry my Mustang or our two MCs + bicycles or my Honda SxS + bicycles and plenty more. Buy an aluminum trailer and carry whatever you want under 5,000 lbs. My trailer is good for 7,000 but the coach is only good for 5,000.
Pictured is my old 18' steel trailer. I tried to get the picture right side up but must be doing something wrong. Sorry.

[markb422]

After buying our Class C I had the same idea as the OP. We have two scooters (50cc about 220 lbs each) that I wanted to take with us without towing anything. I built a metal rack to carry both off the back on the hitch with a little help by adding a couple brackets to the frames. I built it so it would extend as little as possible by having each scooter facing each direction. After loading the scooters on it I decided not to try to carry two and cut it down for one. I pull a small utility trailer if I want to take both. I have been thinking about a swivelwheel trailer.

[dwreefs]

Check into the one wheel trailer . I would personally go this route instead of hanging a bunch of weight off the back end . Haul whatever you want then in a variety of sizes

[CAUP]

Thank you for all the great info and ideas. I will definitely check out your suggestions!!

[babock]

Originally Posted by Aitch

Pictured is my old 18' steel trailer. I tried to get the picture right side up but must be doing something wrong. Sorry.

Here you go

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by Dennise

Can these be driven on off campsite roads e.g. roads into town?

Is a vehicle license needed

No license needed but do not know if you could operate on county into town. Later RJD