| Author | Message | ||
     Kenney83 |
i am trying to find a way to carry my bike but I am still need to have the bed of my truck free. I will be driving from Arkansas to New York an I really don't want to pull a trailer. So I was wondering if one of those trailer hitch dirt bike carriers would work? I would put two braces on the ends to tie in to the frame for more support. I was thinking about just making my own. I am pretty good with the welder. Let me know what you think. http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Prod uct.jsp?skuId=&store=Main&catId=&productId=p55841& leafCatId=&mmyId= | ||
| Biff |
I don't know what kind of truck you have... but that is going to be a LOT of weight on the hitch. I am sure someone will chime in "it will be good... do it" but, I don't know. | ||
| Saratoga |
That is a lot of tongue weight leveraging itself off the back of your truck. Your hitch has a max tongue weight rating which is most likely more than the bike weighs, but keep in mind when you hit dips in the pavement at speed, the truck will bounce and could possibly (read: most likely) end up bending the hitch or carrier. Happened to me with a YZ450F and a hitch mounted carrier. If you have at least a 1/2 ton, there should be no issues with the truck, but I would be worried about the hitch and rack system. (Message edited by saratoga on December 29, 2008) (Message edited by saratoga on December 29, 2008) | ||
| Kenney83 |
the truck is a 2006 tundra | ||
| Slaughter |
I would strongly recommend a better system than the one you had linked there from Dennis Kirk... your bike is going to weigh 200 pounds more. I have seen a number of folks using the MUCH HEAVIER DUTY hitch-mount haulers. Sethbuchbinder here on Badweb uses one, you might look him up to get his recommendations. My thinking is that you'd also need a shock upgrade on your truck for the heavy tongue weight because adding 450 pounds is going to require increasing the preload on the truck shocks. I really think trailers are a pretty simple solution for like $14 a day. | ||
| Slaughter |
Found the thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/158 664/418144.html?1228417085#POST1321176 Pic is about halfway down. It is a MUCH HEAVIER rig than that Dennis Kirk link you posted up at the top.  | ||
| Biff |
if you are determined to do this... I would encourage you consider air helper springs. shocks alone are not going to cut it. | ||
| Brucen |
I used one of these carriers to haul a dirt bike on the back of my van. I carried a street bike a few miles once, but was nervous the whole way. Like Biff says, I would add air shocks & check the straps frequently. They can loosen up after a while. | ||
| Slaughter |
I'd still think you're MUCH BETTER OFF with a rented trailer... cheap and you don't have to upgrade your suspension as Bruce and Biff said ^ | ||
| Saratoga |
X3 to the 10000000000th power on the trailer rental. | ||
| Oxygen151 |
I think you will be fine. Obviously, a trailer is a better choice but if you are really against trailering it then it really is up to what your truck can handle. Find out what your hitch is rated for (owners manual) and go from there. I have an 07 f-150 and I have pulled trailers with tongue weights over the weight of our bikes with no problems. | ||
| Ourdee |
I like this link's hauler for the concept. http://www.btosports.com/p/ULTMXHAUL?query=Ultimat e%20MX&gclid=CMeCqdml5pcCFRNOagod7nd_Cw I've been trying to trade a guy for one he doesn't use. My thought is to beef it up and fab an adapter for my muffler, then use it on my jeep like a wrecker truck in case of a breakdown. Can also fab a floor mount for it as a lift in the garage. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Here's a weird thing about rentals. The upgrade is usually pretty dramatic for a really small price difference. The next level up may be big enough for everything, including what you wanted to stuff into the bed. Check it out. Other point on rentals. Avoid their insurance. You can get a rider from your own insurance to cover that. You'll pay less for a year than theirs would cost for a day. Some credit cards cover the insurance. Check that out, too. Obviously, I'm supporting the anything but the trailer hitch side. | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
I had one for my dirtbike and it worked really well and there were no problems with state registrations  , it was hand made with steel from a buddy's family member.. so it was really freaking heavy and was a bitchandahalf to put it on the car (less is more).. make sure you hitch/vehicle can handle the excess weight, and dont drop your bike trying to get it up there | ||
| Rsh |
Check out Harbor Freight, They have this folding trailer which is nice as it doesn't take up much space when you are done with it.. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem. taf?Itemnumber=42709 I use it for dirt bikes, but it would easily carry a XB. It's not much more money than the Dennis Kirk cycle carrier | ||
| Kenney83 |
the one on dennis kirk is just a starter that i would add to and make it stronger. slaughter i like the one you have. looks like some thing like that would work. thanks for all the info. i will probliy make one and if it doesn't work than oh well. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
it was hand made with steel from a buddy's family member Say what? Superman? Don't answer. | ||
| Hootowl |
The HF trailers work well. The thing only weighs 200 pounds, and the bed tilts for easy loading. I pull it with a car, and I can hardly tell it's back there. Tracks very well. edit...and you can usually find them for $200-$250 at the local stores, not the $289 listed on the website. They also fold up vertically, and don't take up that much room in the garage. (Message edited by hootowl` on December 29, 2008) | ||
| Kmfw160 |
I use this. It works great for my 04XB12S on the back of my 06 Suburban. http://www.ragepowersports.com/page6.htm | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
I say GO FOR IT! What could possibly go wrong? | ||
| Strmvt |
I know ya said you didn't want to haul a trailer but this is a pretty slick little deal. I have plans on getting one or building one myself. http://trailerinabag.com/products.html | ||
| Moosestang |
Why do you need the bed free? I would put the bike in the bed and put whatever you were gonna put in the bed, in one of those small uhauls. I bought this trailor to haul two kayaks around and used it to transport my bike 200+ miles. I was nervous the whole way and the straps do loosen up.  | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
huh?  | ||
| Skinstains |
I borrowed Seth's trailer hitch thingy. I put it on a motorhome and took my 12R from Jersey to the Indy GP and back with no problems at all. I did however follow Seth's advise and secure it from swinging left to right by putting a strap from the front wheel part of the carrier to the frame/bumper of the truck and using a come-along on the other side to "gently" pull against the steadying strap. It saved me paying more for a parking spot for a trailer. Thanks Seth. | ||
| Bombardier |
Here's a thought. Is your bike covered by insurance when being transported? Placing the bike behind a car like that would make me worry about it being hit by a car travelling too close when you have to stop in a hurry. | ||
| Bamaboy |
The stronger sport bike carriers will work fine as long as you don't overload the bed also. I have toted my WR250f loaded on a homemade steel hauler across the US and back for years with no problem. I have a Tacoma and load it to the gills w/gear. I have added helper springs and keep a closer eye on traffic when hauling. Leave a little extra space! LOL!! Driver check regularly!! Check your welds, straps, taillight blockage, "wiggle in the hitch" that can cause some paranoia!!! I fixed this by using a tapered collet on both sides of a hardened bolt with lockwashers and locknuts. Don't waste your money on CHEAP STRAPS!!! Maybe consider adding small brake lights if your bike blocks the truck tail lights. Always add the reflective tape on as much surface area possible. Also remember going through dips and inclines that you need to have a good approach of 45% till your hauler clears!!! The tundra should do fine as long as your "sag" is not too bad!! GO FOR IT!!!  | ||
| Bamaboy |
PS. If you build one consider allowing clearance for opening your tailgate/camper top! Also I adjusted the angle some so it would sit level when loaded. My Tacoma is too small for this but I think the Tundra should be okay. Consider tongue weight vs. towing capacity!!??? Good Luck!! | ||
| Kenney83 |
I wanted the bed free because on the way back to Arkansas I will be bringing a lot of stuff with me and was going to put it in the bed. i have no problem with a trailer i just didn't want to deal with the hassle of city driving and trying to find parking with it.i guess we will have to see what happens i might get a uhaul for the way back to put all the crap into. | ||
| Sethbuchbinder |
http://www.mototote.com/ Its called a Mototote, they run+-$400 worth every penny. really a pleasure to use. that pic was taken before a 1200 mile trip to Road America. Over 2 years, i've probably transported the bike over 7000 miles with it. http://www.discountramps.com/versahaul.htm another brand that people have had good results with is the Versahauler. there are many carriers for light weight scooters/dirt bikes but these are the only two brands designed for full size street bikes. hope it helps Seth | ||
| Sethbuchbinder |
If you end up using a hitch mounted unit, you will save $ on fuel, additional tolls(most are per axle), and parking hassles. Even the smallest trailer will put a nice dent in your fuel economy, I saw no appreciable drop with this system. .02 good luck Seth | ||
| Jaimec |
I've always thought the best way to transport a motorcycle is to put fuel in the tank, turn the ignition key, press the starter button, squeeze the clutch, click into first and then ease out the clutch as you roll on the throttle. But then, that's me... | ||
| Iamarchangel |
... and the money you save will pay for UPS to ship everything home. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
My $.02... Rent an enclosed trailer. If you are putting anything in the bed (short of pure garbage) it will be a target when you stop for the night. A modest sized trailer is really not a big deal for maneuverability. And if it is, say in mid town manhattan, you will have just as many issues with the size of your truck alone. | ||
| Wardamneagle |
Dude i used to put my dirtbike on one of those. Scared the hell out of me everytime i used it. Trailer it |
