feed back on hitch type bike haulers

[al_piv]

I am interested in selling my trailer and looking to get one of those hitch carriers like
I am not sure which type to get, the above pic is just an example. I an wanting to know what the pros and cons are with using one of these, they look as if they may sway a bit since there is only one central attachment to the hitch..
Feed back please.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/bike/images/sarge_carrier_bike_leftsiderear_lg.jpg

[CrazyTed]

I had one to start out with. I just ran a tie-down from the bike's frame to the truck's frame to eliminate any sway. Worked o.k. till I got more stuff and needed my trailer to haul it....

[KDXfile]

I have one just like in the picture and it's been great. I've hauled my bike all over the Southeast without any problems. I was having a hard time getting the bike up in the bed of my Z71 after a long race or ride because the bed is so high. Now I haul all my gear in the bed and hang my bike off the back. If I need to I can put 1 bike in the bed and 1 on the hitch. It sways a little but some flex is not bad. You have to adjust your driving style a little.
The only con I can think of is if your vehicle already sits low to the ground it may drag when loaded down if you drive on some uneven terrain.

[WBBLUE272]

I used a receiver type hauler for years because I had a conversion van that I would take to the races. Never had any problems. In fact I have a friend that is a engineer/welder. He actually looked at mine and built a "double" so he could haul his bike and his son's bike on the back of a Tahoe. If you have an enclosed van or Explorer/Tahoe you might want to look for one that has an adapter for the gas can as well so you don't have that in the vehicle.

Roost on.

[A-Tek]

I have built two of them for my own use. I have used the first one on and off since `98 , tried open and enclosed trailers but always seem to come back to the hitch rack. I just built a 2nd one that is much lighter and sits closer to my van. They are a handy way to hual your ride.

[TJR]

I've used a moto caddie, bike fell off twice. I now have a moto jack rack, by far the only wa to go. Use to haul DRZ, plenty strong enough and no movement.

Tony

[K-man]

Tony,
Why did the bikes fall off? What makes for a good carrier? Is there one brand that is especially bad?

On the Moto Jack Rack, can you lower it enough to get into the back window of an SUV?




I've used a moto caddie, bike fell off twice. I now have a moto jack rack, by far the only wa to go. Use to haul DRZ, plenty strong enough and no movement.

Tony

[TJR]

The moto rack will fit in a truck or back of SUV no problem.

It fell off because you need to compress forks like in a pickup bed or trailer, however the tie off points are rather narrow and result in side to side action. If the tie down goes too slack it will come off the attach point. Also I though this resulted in a high probability of knocking out a very expensive rear window on my SUV., while under hard braking, it has touch it!

On the Moto Jack Rack I run a ratchet type tiedown from the hitch chain hole up through the front of the engine, down under the rack and up to the footpeg (outside side). This is just in case. Also i put one bungee from the bar to anyplace so as to stedy the bars. The bike does not move at all.

Tony

[WoodsRider]

I made a hitch mounted bike hauler from one of those hitch mounted luggage racks and 4" channel. I have a block that goes under the frame. Turnbuckles going from the rack to the footpeg cinch the frame down onto the block. I also use tiedowns. One goes to the rack and the other goes to the frame to prevent side to side motion. I've used it for three years with three different bikes and haven't lost one yet.

[JTT]

I saw an interesting home made hitch mount two summers ago. The guy welded two 2" square receiver ends onto the ends of the hitch cross member (the cross peice that the normal reciever is welded to). This eliminated all the flex and rocking motion that people complain about with the "normal" single point mounts and still makes it quick and easy to remove.

I figure this type could also be fabricated to fit a Class II or even Class I hitch in a pinch ?

[DIRTBAG]

I went from a pull camper to a fifth wheel two years ago and had to go to the hitch mount bike carrier. We welded a 2x4 tubing crossmember between the frame rails of the 5th wheel and welded three receiver tubes on it, I then have a 6" aluminum channel for the bike rail with a three point mount. This allows me to remove the bike carrier if not needed (seldom do we go anywhere without the bike). I do much the same as mentioned above, I use a block on on the channel placed even with the footpegs, then a rachet tiedown from one footpeg to the other. I learned that the aluminum channel will cut the tiedown so I use an old towel to cushion where the strap goes under the channel. This winter I plan to make a U shaped tubing stop that can be removed with pins to replace the block and attaching two rub tubes to prevent cutting the strap.

It makes me very nervous not being able to see it back there, so for my piece of mind I put a dowel thru the radiator shroud, attach it to the front tiedown strap sticking out about 4" from the side of the trailer. A piece of brite marking tape on the end helps me see it - doesn't really do anything except help me decide it's still there! It has traveled to Washougal and back twice, all over Alberta following the cross country circuit and numerous back roads here in Montana; the only negative is the dust that boils up around it. I cover from the tank to the rear of the seat with a plastic bag duct taped on to keep the air cleaner fresh and most of the bike cleaner.

[ktmdad]

We have a Vers-a-Hauler unit. Carries two bikes. Have made two trips to Oklahoma, Florida and three seasons of local races with it. Really saves on gas mileage vs. pulling a trailer.

Only drawback is we don't use it during the winter. Too much salt used here in Ohio and it would ruin the bike.

[Todd T]

I built my own from a picture of a patened design for no tie downs. its the best IMO. i can load my bike, lock it in and be gone in less than 30 seconds.

i borrowed the idea from a webiste i found that was selling them. @$400 a pop I figured i could build my own and did for next to nothing. after i finished it i sandblasted it and painted it to match my vehicle with urethane paint. it was real easy to make, took me about 4 hours. I have revised it one time so i could open the rear glass on my Excursion with the carrier still on the truck. the other mod i did while installing it was to weld a 5/16 bolt and jamb nut to the neck of the reciever. once i put the carrier in i tighen the bolt to take the slop out of the reciever. its rock solid and i have a lot of folks asking where they can get one.

I plan to add a Jerry can and mount so i can haul my fuel outside of the truck next. shoot me an email if you want to see some pics of mine.

www.motorcyclecarrier.net its hands down the best way to haul. whether you buy or build it .

[kLinker]

I recommend the Moto Jack rack as well.
I carry my DRZ400S on my Jimmy (S15).
I had them lengthen it 6" so I can keep my spare tire on, I can open the glass door still
http://www3.sympatico.ca/elizabeth.vanklink/Bike/Jack.htm (My Moto Jack)
Since these photos, I have put air ride suspension in my truck, I have also mounted the licence plate to the jack.