Hitch Motorcycle Carrier on Sportsmobile

[cobblecrazy]

I have an '07 Sportsmobile w/a Class IV hitch rated at 1200 lb tongue weight. I just purchased a F800GS, and I'm thinking of looking at the Versa Haul sportbike carrier (the bike would be around 500 lbs). The carrier is a single post, and I was thinking of adding two additional connection points/posts to even out the load.

The issue I have is I need about a foot extension on the hitch to pass the spare tire and the box mounted on the back. This accentuates the tilt caused by the weight. I was wondering about putting airbags on the suspension to even out the ride.

I have a motorcycle specific trailer, but the ground clearance is VERY low so its an issue when trying to go off road. I haven't really found anything that works for me (I have limited space in my garage).

Just looking for thoughts and suggestions.

[trailsurfer]

I am having the guys at Adventure Trailers build a trailer for my BMW 1200 and a F800 GS. It will have a coil over shock system, matching wheels and color to the SMB.

Other specs: 20 gallon water tank
Electrical system, Battery
Awning
Front storage box
Up to 20 gallons of fuel storage
Ezi-Awn Roof tent

[EMrider]

You can buy a hitch extension that will give you some extra clearance with the spare tire. I've used one with my motojack rack when I carry a dirtbike on the van. But whatever you do, you will need to find some way to eliminate movement in the hitch receiver. Mine had too much play and on the back of these vans, the leverage is substantial. IMHO, 500lbs is too much weight to carry on a hitch carrier. My bike weights about 250lbs and on modestly rough roads, it gets tossed around pretty badly back there.

[David_in_TX]

Look at the Torklift website, they make hitch extentions used mostly on trucks with slide in truck campers:

http://www.torklift.com

[jkam]

I had a custom carrier made for the back of my class C RV using 3 mounting points. I can carry other stuff with this rack as well, like firewood. It doesn't move around at all with my little 250 Super Sherpa back there. Total cost was about $800 including receivers.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/2211804119_3bec134e29.jpg

[cobblecrazy]

I am having the guys at Adventure Trailers build a trailer for my BMW 1200 and a F800 GS. It will have a coil over shock system, matching wheels and color to the SMB.


I would be interested in seeing a pic of the finished product.


To answer some of the other posts, I have an extension I already use. I had a KTM 450 that I put on a Versa Haul dirt bike carrier, and it worked fine. The Versa Haul comes with a great metal piece that keeps the rack from swaying back and forth. My thought was to have additional receivers, or anchor points, welded to the two sides of the main hitch, and have corresponding bars welded to the Versa Haul carrier. This would create a three point anchor which would be good for the weight of that bike.

I was hoping to get away from a trailer to tow, and I thought the airbag suspension would be a good addition for the added weight. In the really rough stuff I could take the bike off and ride it through :bike_rider: while my wife drives behind me :smiley_drive: (if I can convince her to that is).

[cobblecrazy]

This is how I had my KTM set up.

[18seeds]

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/sledmods/DSC00512.jpg

[katoom400]

the problem with using more recivers is that it starts to get very heavy. two recievers will be tough to line up with one person, 3 would be a complete *****. If you had to have more I sugest welding on recivers to the carrier and truck with seperate tubes to slide through with locking pins. that way you could slide the single stinger in place and then slip in the additional stingers one at a time.

I use a versahaul to carry my KTM 400 on the back of my Quigley, but I liked the design on the add-a-bike with it's arm that comes down over the bike. I welded on a reciver to accept the addabike upright and arm. I then just use 2 straps in the front and the arm over the bike....SUPER STABLE!

http://www.woodsracer.com/portal/gallery/data/500/IMG_2789_8_1.JPG

[billy bee]

500 lbs would be way to heavy for my SMB. I often carry my KTM LC4 on a Joe Hauler rack. Makes a real difference in the handling...but I have relatively soft Deaver springs out back. But it is 320 lbs and I don't have to use an extension.

Any extension would scare me. The farther out it hangs, the more leverage it exerts. And conversely, the farther out it extends, the more it will be whipped around back there...this is before we discuss the rigidity of the mount (which has already been discussed).

Do you have the in-floor storage or could your spare go back under the van?

Lastly, I think a hitch-mounted front wheel chock could accomplish your goals. The rear (m/c) tire would track behind the van...making it an SOB to back up. Something you'd have to make. Never seen anything like that offered commercially.

bb

[cobblecrazy]

This is my current trailer with my most recent acquisition...

[Stumpalump]

That is one freaky trailer! In a good way. How wide is that axel?

[xped]

just something to think about, towing a trailer behind a van on dirt roads can lead to some sticky situations. I just got done building a new bumper for my
4x4 Dodge van to carry my bike as the trailer has more than once had to be disconnected so I could turn around on narrow dirt roads usually this has been at night and by myself. I guess there are +'s and -'s to either set up. I would not recommend extending the bike carrier as they already have to much leverage back there and I have heard of bikes coming off of them.

[cobblecrazy]

That is one freaky trailer! In a good way. How wide is that axel?

Distance between the tires is about 34"

[864x4rv]

Hi all,

I just completed building a cargo/motorcycle carrier for my 86 Winnebago 4x4 rv. The idea was to eliminate using a utility trailer for carrying camping gear and a motorcycle on our trips. The rv is 26' long and towing a trailer was out of the question.

The design was based on being able to fold it up when not in use using three receiving points on the class V hitch.

The dimensions on the carrier are 76"x40"x8" with an expanded mesh on the inside.

The carrier can be remove just like any hitch mounted rack or folded up when not in use. I added trailer lights when folded down since it sticks out about 4 feet.

I have included pictures in the two positions. I used to own a 1997 Sportsmobile EB and I built a similar unit for it to carry my dirtbike.

[spencyg]

my 86 Winnebago 4x4 rv.


Lets see more of this rig! Post up some pictures!

Spence

[cobblecrazy]

I just placed an order for the Moto Tote hitch mounted carrier. Its rated to 550 to 600 lbs. depending on the literature out there. It's supposed to be in around the end of July, or beginning of August.

link: http://www.mototote.com/p-31-mototote-mtx-sport.aspx

[864x4rv]

Spence,

Here are additional pics of the monster Class A RV. Enjoy!

[ctann]

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/sledmods/DSC00512.jpg

That looks a lot like my rig - 1990 F250 4x4 with a Northlands camper. My original intention had been to get an adventure trailer with a 2" hitch at the back, and hitch the motorcycle carrier to it. After some experimenting, I decided that towing would not be as convenient as having the motorcycle carrier mounted on the back of the truck. The problem is, of course, that the motorcycle blocks access to the rear door.

I am still muling this over. A hydralift might work, and has the added advantage of easier loading of the MC, but I'm not sure if they have a pickup application. The other possibility I considered is a hitch extension - using a torklift Superhitch and supertruss extension, I could move the bike back to clear the door, stay within weight rating (tongue rating is 750lbs). Perhaps some extra support points at either side to stop the lateral movement (not to be load bearing).

This is all moot until I upgrade to an F350 mind you, I'd be way over the GVWR on the F250 without using a trailer...

Chris.

[spencyg]

Spence,

Here are additional pics of the monster Class A RV. Enjoy!

Dude...how cool is that?? Very awesome.

Spence

[T.Low]

I just placed an order for the Moto Tote hitch mounted carrier. Its rated to 550 to 600 lbs. depending on the literature out there. It's supposed to be in around the end of July, or beginning of August.

link: http://www.mototote.com/p-31-mototote-mtx-sport.aspx


Hey, CC, did the moto tote arrive yet? $399 looks like a deal. You can easily spend 3 bills on material alone for a homebrew that may or may not be the answer. And then try to fab a front wheel holder that I want, and the 'tote already has one.

One positive review from you could push me over the top.

Why are you replacing the VersaHualer?

I'd also like a receiver on the bike tray itself for the couple times a year when we'll take mountain bikes and the Gas Gas. That way I could mount my Thule tray to the motorcycle tray. The Gas Gas weighs 250lbs, the mountain bikes weigh anywhere from 24 to 38 depending which ones we bring. That would be a grand total of 305ish, with only the last 65lbs being extended out a ways. The van hauls the Gas Gas alone just fine.

I've been able to barrow trailers indefinitely (I have a place to store their trailer and they don't) and I barrowed this bike tray from a buddy that bought it off ebay. It moves too much at the hitch and is too flexy. Minimal off road has bounced the handle bar end off my back window so I velcroed my arm pads to the bark buster to cushion the blow.:ylsmoke:

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee258/wannahuckmastinky/Motorcycletray013k.jpg



Anyone else use a fork support? I like it a lot. Helps stabilize the front and it helps save the seals.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/202/4170/ITEM/MSR-Racing-Fork-Support.aspx

[dsw4x4]

T low I always use some sort of fork support if you don't you will blow out your fork seals. I to am trying to figure out the best way to haul two bikes. I have a custom built off road trailer I built that works when I don't mind having a trailer however I want to build a bike hauler to haul one of my ktms and my girlfriends 200cc honda reflex trials bike. My thought is to weld two more receivers to the cross tube of the main receiver and have three pinned attachment points. My van is a eb so clearance is a issue to help with that I flipped the standard hitch upside down and mounted it in the frame rails so the receiver will now stick out of the middle of the bumper. This should make the rack solid and airbags should help handle the extra weight. My only real delima is I want a better way to tie down the bikes fork savers always bounce out on rough roads and I do not like cramming my forks down so I want to find a way to support the bike closer to the bars or solid to the pegs. i have seen a few systems out there has anyone used one or have a opinion one way or the other.

[T.Low]

I like the idea of the peg system, but haven't actually seen one. You've probably already seen this thread. 5 yrs worth of hitch carrier posts. Gotta be something usable in there.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13022

[UHAULER]

I built my own bike hauler that has bolts that go through the pegs, very secure. I will take some pics and post them here.

Sean

[UHAULER]

O.K. here are the pics. I used this on a full size Bronco for about a year. I got rid of the Bronco and the rack has been sitting in my shed for about 5 years now.

First I put the bike on the rack with tie down straps and compress the forks about 3", this holds the bike up and pulls it forward. Next slide the peg bracket in the reciever tube to line up the holes with the pegs.There is about 2-3" clearance between the skid plate and the peg bracket.Then compress the rear suspension by pushing down on the seat and insert the bolts through the pegs. This will hold the bike in the channel. I have not found it necessary to pin the peg bracket. Even if you tried to pull the rear of the bike sideways it would not go anywhere as the peg bracket assy. will bind with the outer tube.

I made a "mini" reciever and bolted it to the rear bumper on the driver side and there is a small tube on the front left of the rack that goes into it to prevent side to side rocking.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/joedog_2006/bikerack1.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/joedog_2006/bikerack2.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/joedog_2006/bikerack3.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/joedog_2006/bikerack4.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/joedog_2006/bikerack5.jpg

[UHAULER]

More pics

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/joedog_2006/bikerack7.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/joedog_2006/bikerack8.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/joedog_2006/bikerack10.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/joedog_2006/bikerack9.jpg

[T.Low]

Wow Sean.

First of all, thanks for taking the time to set up and photograph and document everything for us. Its very appreciated and really helpful.


2nd of all, what a great design. I like everything about it. The front tire holder, the anti flex piece, and especially the foot peg bolt down system. I'll be able to incorporate these ideas into a tray for solid and secure transport. Thanks a ton.

Lastly, we've had our fair share of dust this summer, too, thats for sure. It was a nice moist weekend, but prior to that we were riding two to three times a week in 90plus and dusty. The few times I was behind my buddie's KDX it was the double trouble with dust and blue smoke!

When we work on the bikes together, my brother in law with his '08 Husaberg 550fe really rubs it in when he says,"Gee, I guess ridin up front really keeps my air filter a lot cleaner" .

And sweet KTM, BTW.

[dsw4x4]

Hey Uhauler thanks for the pictures I was thinking of doing something like that but was not really sure if would be enough to keep the bike sturdy when four wheeling. I imagine with the front wheel bars helping support it, it would be enough to keep it secure. I will incorporate you idea into my rack, I really do not like the idea of straps holding my bike from falling off the back of my van.
Thanks again,
Derek