| Author | Message | ||
     Dstrat1 |
Anyone here ever used one of these receiver hitch style carriers?, if so what brand? , I am thinking of using one to transport either my xb9s or two scooters to good riding areas. Do they work as advertised? or are they just junk....... | ||
| Krassh |
I use the Tilt-a-Rack. I have the dual cycle version and mine is steel, where the new racks are aluminum. I mainly use it for my two dirt bikes, but I have transported my Buell on the inside rail with no problems. It works great and I hate pulling a trailer. http://www.tilt-a-rack.net/motor_cycle.htm | ||
| Brucen |
I had one of the steel ones that slide into a hitch reciever. It was good for short trips, but i don't think I would trust it for a long trip on rough roads. A bike as heavy as an XB might be pushing it. I carried a DR350 and I could really feel the weight pushing on the back end. The 350 fell off the rack once when I was going about 5mph. It bent the handlebars and tweeked the front end. After that I started using a truck to carry it. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
There are two problems with this type of mount. One is getting the motorcycle up on it and tied down. Much easier to do with a lightweight dirt bike than a Buell. I really believe this is a two man job, and I like to be able to load my bike securely by myself. Secondly is the problem of tongue weight. Most trailer hitches are designed with the idea that most of the trailer weight will be carried by the trailer's wheels, so that the allowable tongue weight is very close to the weight of a Buell and the hitch mount, if not less. This can make the front end light, and impairs the handling of the vehicle, especially if it is a light one. The only one of these installations that I ever saw that really looked like it was safe was a big Suburban that had air shocks that allowed the owner to raise the tail back to level with air pressure. I have a very small one bike tilt trailer that allows me to safely load and unload by myself. It is very easy to tow due to its light weight and small dimensions. | ||
| Mountainrider |
I made my own hitch and I love it. Have not used my trailer in two years. It does not get any easier then this. I can load my bike by myself,it is easy to tie down and I do not have to worry with a trailer. I hauled my X from Michigan to Ga. on it. Hauled the Speed Triple all over the eastern US. To me it is the best way to haul a bike. | ||
| Buellin_ri |
How much do these recievers run? Would it be more effective to buy a used enclosed trailer? Thats what I did. Bought one with barn doors, 8x10, used for $1000. Built a ramp for it for about $70, now I have a shed and bike transportation. | ||
| Krassh |
I agree with Brucen about the weight. I have used this setup with a 1500 chevy and even with adjustable air shocks the rearend barely sat level. My last two trucks are 3/4 ton and I cannot even feel the weight back there. My KX-250's rear tire slipped of the rack because I neglected to put a bungy cord around the rim and rack to keep the rear from bouncing off the rack when hitting bumps. I have loaded my Buell on this setup by myself. | ||
| Snowhownd |
I've never tried this method, but it is def intriguing to me. Problem with an enclosed trailer is when you tow a giant box down the road it surely hurts your gas mileage not to mention heating up the tranny. Depending on your tow vehicle that could be a problem. Also the PIA factor of towing a trailer versus having it in the back of your truck or on a hitch rack would bug me. If the hitch rack is made well, and you secure it well, I can't see why it would be a problem - if you stay in the vehicle's tongue weight rating (Tongue weight rating on my 1500 Z71 Chevy is 600lbs)... I'm sure many smaller vehicles might be a little squirrely as mentioned above with 450+/- lbs back there. Guess it all depends on your situation. | ||
| Mountainrider |
When I hauled the X I used a Chevy S-10 pickup. Did not have any problems at all. Before that I used a Chevy Tahoe. Air shocks would help level out smaller vehicles. I thought about buying an S10 Blazer and installing air shocks. That way I could get decent fuel mileage and still haul my bike. | ||
| Wahmbush |
Don't know what kind this one is, but found a pic on the net.... http://www.buellchicago.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=23 | ||
| Jasonxb12s |
I used the Moto-tote sport system this past March. I hooked it up to a class IV/V hitch. The unit itself will support up to 600 lbs. I was averaging 70mph for 10 hours each way. Even though the carrier is very well made. I was a little leary at first but I eventually forgot the bike was on the back of the SUV. I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't want a trailer in the barn. I believe the website is mototote.com hope this helps. |
