Bike hauler

[philb]

I currently haul my bike in the back of my Ford Ranger 4x4, but it is too small. Typically with my riding buddy, his gear, my gear and 2 bikes it is crowded. Some times I have another buddy who wants to go with us and he needs to drive seperate. That stinks. so I am looking to buy.
I bounce back and forth from a full size truck to a Ranger with Ext. cab or something different like a Bronco/Pathfinder etc. and trailer. Or a fullsize van. or...? What do ya'll prefer and why?

[Dave.Smtih]

What I would like is a three rail bike trailer to tow behind a - insert you favorite vehicle here. The problem is where to put the trailer when not in use. I had one of those fold-up flat bed trailers that I modified for trailering the bikes, but it was a hassle setting up and taking down. Right now I have a full sized, crew cab, long bed, pick-up. Other than being too tall and as big as a yacht, it makes a great bike hauler.

[MTRHEAD]

I've got a Dodge Maxi cargo van. Plain and simple. Haven't done a lot to it, other than some carpet, bike shoes and hangers for cloths. I really like having all my stuff inside, but its' easier than towing a trailer. And with it being rather plain, I don't worry much about getting it dirty. Takes about a whole $15 and an hour to fit new carpet if it gets nasty.

I can load everything up the night before a race so I don't have to worry about it on one of those 5am mornings and can just let it all sit in there if I get home late. Nice warm place to change on those cold morings too.

[Chubbs]

I'm with you MTRHEAD. I like the security of having everything inside; and the fact you don't have to strip down to your "Fruit of the Looms" outside while changing.:eek:

Right now I've got a 3 bike trailer and I'm looking for an affordable cargo van.

[philb]

I think a cargo van is a good idea. I have looked at a few, but keep coming back with a problem. I need to use this vehicle as a daily commuter to work (40mi each way).
I also think that the gas fumes would get me too.

Do you have any trouble with the handlebars clearing the rear door opening?

[MTRHEAD]

I don't really notice any gas fumes. If I load everything the night before a race, when I go out the next moring it might smell a little. But, I open up the doors for a few, let it air and it's OK.

I've even slept with the bikes and it wasn't bad.

Getting the bikes in and out is pretty easy. Bars clear with room to spare. You'll probable thump your head a few times until you get use to it.

I "daily driver" mine, but I live about 3 miles from work. So, it's no big deal. My '92 has just over 80,000 miles and it get about the same mileage as a full size 4x4 truck. It was 9 months old with 25,000 miles when I picked it up and had been leased to a furniture company. I got it for about $8000 less than the new ones I was pricing at the time.

[A-Tek]

one thing to note , the dodge van is available in the extended style in the 1/2 ton rating plus 3/4 and 1 ton

ford and chevy make the extended in 3/4 and 1 ton but not 1/2

if you don`t need the extra load capacity dodge would be cheaper in an extended version

[Kyron]

I have a Suburban and a reciver rack and a 5X8 utillty trailer.
But it seems that most of the time I just use my rack to get me to a friends and from there we take the RV or his truck or?

I REALLY like my reciver rack:D

[biker]

If you get a truck, definately get the extended or crew cab. I have an F-250 extended cab and they have alot of storage space which allows you to pack most of your stuff the night before. I've even folded the rear seat down and slept back there. The van definately sounds nice, being able to lock everything up and change inside. I'm not a big fan of the rail trailers. I saw a buddy lose a bike one day after hitting a large pothole. The whole trailer came off the ground and one of the bikes fell off.

[MTRHEAD]

My Dodge is a B250 MAXI, which is what they call a 3/4 ton. But, I think that it's over rated. I don't know if it's that extra on the back or what, but with two bikes in the back it seems really loaded down for a 3/4 ton. I put air shocks on it to help level it back up. So I guess what I'm saying is that I'd stay away from the 1/2 ton version, at least in the MAXI.

I've noticed a lot of guys with Suburbans using the hitch haulers.

[Russ VCHSS]

I am in the same boat with the Ford Ranger and I do have the Super-cab. If I were to do it I would go with a Dodge 4-Door Dakota or any full size 4-door truck. Since I do not have the money to go that route I may just put a truck cap on the rear and tote a little trailer with the bikes on it. It is a lot cheaper than a new vehicle, maybe just not as nice. Just my 2 cents

[RetSenior]

I use the MotoJackRack on the truck for day rides and on the motorhome for overnight trips.


http://members.home.net/retsenior/2001_KTM_520_EXC/Ford_with_KTM.JPG
http://members.home.net/retsenior/2001_KTM_520_EXC/P0000050.jpg

[Dirty Dave]

I have an '83 Ford E350 ext van for the day rides and a 22' weekend warrior toy hauler trailer for the longer stays. When I can afford a newer ride I'm going Ford crew cab diesel. My brother-in-law has a '00 with pwrstroke and 6 speed trans. near 20mpg during normal driving and 13 with 24' toy hauler.

[jmd]

I use a 6 X 10 open trailer with a drop ramp. I have attached a cargo box and a spare tire holder. It works pretty well, and will hold four bikes and a lot of other gear in a pinch. But I'm starting to look for an enclosed trailer. I like the idea of having a mobile garage. I want at least a twelve-footer, preferably 14, with workbench, cabinets, wheel chocks, 110- and 12-volt lights. I could add all that later, though, if I found the right trailer at the right price.

[Andy Winters]

we recently picked up this 94 playmor, it has fold up bunks in the rear, and winch operated tailgate, full shower, toilet, stove, refridge, heat, ac, two single bunks, and queen size bed up front, no more sleeping on the ground !!!:D http://www.woodsracer.com/images/playmor.jpg

pulling it with a 00 gmc sierra 1500, 325v8 with airlift inflateable bags in the rear.

[Dirty Dave]

Very nice looking trailer. But...isn't it quite the load for a 1/2 tonner w/small V8? There obviously aren't many mountains in your neck of the woods.;)

[Andy Winters]

well, when I got the truck I wasn't planning on pullling any trailer, but I came into this one that was going to be repoed, got a great deal on it, so I couldn't pass it up. Acctually the new 325 motor has more torque than the old 350, it's not too bad, some of the bigger hill's take a little while to get up, but not bad. The air bags even out the load quite well, no doubt my next truck will be a diesel!;)

[philb]

Well I did it. I replaced my 91 Ranger 4x4 with a 98 Ranger 4x4! But this one has the extracab, for gear or optional 3rd person, and room in the bed for 2 bikes, comfortably. I may buy a cap and a trailer to make more efficient use of the room that it does have.
I can't get away from these small Fords! I drove some others, fullsize and Toyotas and etc, but the Ranger seems to be my kind of truck.

[GP]

They run very well and have good power, especially the 4.0L with the 5-speed. After my '94 hit 120K, frequent problems (and breakdowns) forced replacement, but it was good up until then. Mine was the last year with the twin "I" beam front end, that did funny things in bumpy turns, but the new design is much better. I needed the room of a full size anyway, so I bought a Tundra.

[Spokes]

How to haul the bikes has been one of the big topics around the campfire for a long time. I settled on an enclosed 6 X 10 trailer. I pull it behind either my F-150 short bed or my 24 foot RV. Behind the RV, I don't even notice it. But, behind the pick up I know it's there. (The pick up has a 5.4 L motor). It drops MPG from 17 to 14. If it's just me and the weather is pretty nice, I'll throw the bike in the bed of the truck.

I live on 56 acres, so where to put the stuff when not in use is not an issue.

Spokes

[Mr. Smooth]

RetSenior how do you like the MotoJack Rack. I really want one but the price is a deterant. Is it worth the $350?

[RetSenior]

Mr. Smooth,

I love the MotoJackRack. I've had it for about 6 years. First for a 1996 Honda CR250 and now a 2001 KTM 520 EXC. Footpegs are the same. Should last a lifetime. I have no need to pull a trailer for one bike and pay reg. fees. Plus I can go 75 MPH instead of 55 MPH with trailer. I prefer the MotoJackRack but the Sled or Caddy are just as good just different. The MotoJackRack is more compacted and easier to move from one vehicle to another and also works great as a bike work stand. It was and is worth $350.00 for me.

[NVR FNSH]

Reese makes a bike carrier similar to the Moto-x/Caddy thing now. It mounts via 2 slide-in mounts on what Reese calls 'the dual port system' receiver hitches. Check out www.reeseprod.com for more info. I'm thinking I may replace the factory receiver on my wife's Explorer with one these.

Brian

[andym]

I had the same problem. I had a '96 Nissan standard cab. After I loaded a bike, camping gear, riding gear, tools, etc I was very crowded. I could forget about hauling 2 people. I replaced it with a '02 Chevy 1500 Z71 extended cab and things are so much better now. I can carry 2 bikes and all the gear plus 3-4 people. The extended cab has suicide style doors that are great for loading/unloading stuff out of the back. The 5.3L V8 was a big improvement over the 2.4L 4cyl, especially in these mountains. Gas mileage hasn't suffered either, I get 17-18mpg with my V8.

I am still considering an enclosed trailer. They make those cold mornings at the track a little easier to change in and I not unloading after a long day riding isn't an issue.

[Toolman]

Anyone want a good deal on a '98 Chevy crewcab dually with all the bells and whistles? Low milage and overmaintained! $19,500.

HGilliam@dscga.com

[MikeOK]

Retsr- that is the cleanest bike I have ever seen! Do you ever get it off that rack and ride it?

Is there a web site for that rack?

[wayneg]

Retsr - that is a neat rack. Again is there a web site for that product.

I only have a car (we don't get the big flash SUVs over here), and that looks like a much better option than my little wee trailer.

[RetSenior]

MikeOK - Of course I ride it, it's a KTM 520. It just had new black plastic and numbers put on just before the picture.

http://motojackrack.com/

and some others options

http://www.bdiracks.com/bdimx.html

http://www.rideremedies.com/

[Bruce McCrary]

This past summer we found what has so far been the ultimate bike hauler.

It's a '79 Winnebago Istaca 26' motorhome. But it's ahhh... special.

The interior was gutted, and a ramp door installed on the right hand (passenger side) just behind the axle. The entire floor has been covered with rhino lining, and a deviding wall was located and built over the rear axle.

In the rear, there is a shower and sink, along with a shelving unit that holds (among other things) the hot water heater. Another set of shelves run along the drivers side wall where the front of the bikes go in. A cabinet that holds the batteries, charging unit and extra cords is located on the rear wall.

The front is the crew quarters. Having three bunks, two bunk bed style that are mounted against the divider wall and one located along the drivers side wall. Under the bottom bunk is a storage area that houses 40 gallons of fresh water and the water pump. Under the other is an open storage area.

The chassis has 30,000 original miles and most of the external power accesories (water pump, alternator, starter, carb, ect) as well as the transmission, has been replaced with reman units.

We added a 30" wide deck made of channel iron and stainless deck plate to carry the generator and gas for the bikes and generator.

The truck (it's not your dadday's motorhome *giggle*) is used to haul mine and my sons bikes and gear, plus we pull a 14X7 enclosed trailer that contains all of the NCHSA's equipment that is used to put on our races.

We love it!!!

The best part though is that I found it on an RV lot and the salesman didn't figure that an old, modified chassis had a chance on his lot, so he took the $1500.00 that I offered him and sent me on my (marry!!!) way.

[RKNWC]

IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED AN AFFORDABLE WAY TO MOVE THE BIKES WITH SECURITY ETC AND CHANGE ROOM
I HAVE A 1988 GMC 3500 1 TON DUALLY BOX VAN 14 FT
WITH A NEW NOT REBUILT NEW NEW NEW ENGINE RIGHT FROM
G M C WITH THE 3 YEAR 36000 MILE WARR.....
I BOUGHT THAT AS SO IF IT TAKS A CRAP OUT OF STATE YOU PULL IT IN TTO ANY G M DEALER AND THEY FIX IT PARTS AND LABOR
IT HAS 5 OUT OF 6 NEW TIRES AND ALL IT NEEDS IS A THE FRONT ROTORS CUT FROM SITTING
EVERTHING ELSE IS NEW ON ALL ENGINE PARTS
5000.00
I WILL DRIVE IT TO YOUR DOOR AND RIDE MY BIKE HOME TOO!!!!!!!!!!
FOR DELIVERY COST
RKNWC@AOL.COM