Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: dstrat1 on January 13, 2011, 02:04:13 pm
Title: carry my harley
Post by: dstrat1 on January 13, 2011, 02:04:13 pm
Has anyone got experience carrying a full size bike behind their coach...I had a smaller hitch that worked for a scooter, but want something that will securely carry a harley?
Title: Re: carry my harley
Post by: John S on January 13, 2011, 03:33:28 pm
Unless you have a tag you will severly overload your rear axle. There are a couple good lift kits out there. One is by blue ox and the other is hydraulic and is pretty neat. I think it is hydra lift.
Title: Re: carry my harley
Post by: Kent Speers on January 13, 2011, 04:17:17 pm
Unless you have a tag you will severly overload your rear axle. There are a couple good lift kits out there. One is by blue ox and the other is hydraulic and is pretty neat. I think it is hydra lift.
John, since we have 10,000 lb hitches a tongue weight of 1,000 lbs sounds pretty reasonable to me. Most bikes are under 800 lbs. Why do you think a bike carrier and Harley would overload the rear axle? Just curious in case I want to haul a large boat or trailer.
Title: Re: carry my harley
Post by: amos.harrison on January 13, 2011, 04:40:50 pm
I use a Cruiserlift, but I have a tag. I found a 40' wouldn't have the carrying capacity. You have to add the weight of the bike plus the weight of the lift. You compare this weight to the HITCH WEIGHT of the coach hitch, not the tow capacity.
Title: Re: carry my harley
Post by: Jon Twork on January 13, 2011, 04:56:57 pm
I guess that you would need to know the weight of the complete rack assembly including all fittings, mounts, etc. Then add the loaded weight of the bike to the mix. My guess is, that it will be over the 1000 pound limit, if that is the limit. I would be concerned more about adding that amount of weight that far rearward of the rear axle as it may have some major effect on the front axle loading especially when going over bumps or bridge decks. One could figure the center of the assembly and then measure from the axle. Probably going to be at least 2-3 feet further out than a trailer hitch ball. As they say, "Just because a lot of people do it, doesn't make it right".
Regards, Jon Twork
Title: Re: carry my harley
Post by: Dave Head on January 13, 2011, 06:15:18 pm
earlier (like pre 98) hitches were 5000 pound with a 500# tongue weight. Fully loaded an 800# bike on the back end of the coach will get you close on the rear, if not over.
Title: Re: carry my harley
Post by: Paul Wildenstein on January 13, 2011, 09:03:25 pm
An 800 pound bike will use a rack that probably will weigh at least 200 pounds for 1,000 pounds total. That 1,000 pounds hung back there will add at least 1,500 pounds to the rear axle load pushing many single rear axle coaches over weight. A tag will probably be okay, but I decided not to do it on my 2000 U320 single axle. Paul 36' 2000 U320
Title: Re: carry my harley
Post by: Neal Pillsbury on January 13, 2011, 11:28:46 pm
Has anyone got experience carrying a full size bike behind their coach...I had a smaller hitch that worked for a scooter, but want something that will securely carry a harley?
DSTRAT1 I evaluated Cruiserlift, Hydralift, Overbilt and Blue Ox for my '98 U270 36', to carry an 800# Goldwing. All four designs included (2) new, frame-welded receivers that are entirely separate from the Foretravel (2X2) standard, center receiver. Thus the 1000# Hitch design (tongue weight) of the standard receiver is a non issue (other than you need to include any tongue weight that you add there into the calculations that I mention in the following). What IS AN ISSUE is the cantilevered weight of the bike plus the weight of the motorcycle lift at an additional 27" to 34" of (weight centerline) overhang on the axles of the coach. On that issue, a single axle '98 FT (doesn't matter whether it's a U270, U295 or U320, because the frame is the same on all three) far exceeds a single rear axle rating. I'm not sure about FT's with tags, because I didn't go through that engineering exercise. At least two of these Motorcycle Lift mfgr's have good engineering calculation guidance on their websites, that will take you through the exact calculation that you need to do before you invest any money. Then you just have to weigh your coach corners and axles to find out what sort of margin you have. For example, see http://www.blueox.us/Carriers/carriercalculation.pdf (http://www.blueox.us/Carriers/carriercalculation.pdf) Many disregard the mfgr's cautions, and do it anyway, but I don't believe that it is worth the risk as one is seriously invading the design margins of safety. IMHO I'd be happy to help you with the calculations if you want. Neal
Title: Re: carry my harley
Post by: John S on January 14, 2011, 07:40:46 am
Has anyone got experience carrying a full size bike behind their coach...I had a smaller hitch that worked for a scooter, but want something that will securely carry a harley?
DSTRAT1 I evaluated Cruiserlift, Hydralift, Overbilt and Blue Ox for my '98 U270 36', to carry an 800# Goldwing. All four designs included (2) new, frame-welded receivers that are entirely separate from the Foretravel (2X2) standard, center receiver. Thus the 1000# Hitch design (tongue weight) of the standard receiver is a none issue (other than you need to include any tongue weight that you add there into the calculations that I mention in the following). What IS AN ISSUE is the cantilevered weight of the bike plus the weight of the hitch at an additional 27" to 34" of (weight centerline) overhang on the axles of the coach. On that issue, a single axle '98 FT (doesn't matter whether it's a U270, U295 or U320, because the frame is the same on all three) far exceeds a single rear axle rating. I'm not sure about FT's with tags, because I didn't go through that engineering exercise. At least two of these Motorcycle Lift mfgr's have good engineering calculation guidance on their websites, that will take you through the exact calculation that you need to do before you invest any money. Then you just have to weigh your coach corners and axles to find out what sort of margin you have. For example, see www.blueox.us/Carriers/carriercalculation.pdf (http://www.blueox.us/Carriers/carriercalculation.pdf) Many disregard the mfgr's cautions, and do it anyway, but I don't believe that it is worth the risk as one is seriously invading the design margins of safety. IMHO I'd be happy to help you with the calculations if you want. Neal
I did the calculations on my 36 foot U320 nonslude and I was seriously over the limit for the rear axle. Also you will not be able to run some roads that weigh you as you get on. The issue is the limit is not the weight but where the weight is that magnifies the effect as Neal mentioned. I got a maxiscoiter and a lighter hitch and that works and ihave extra with the tag so now I can carry a bike. The newer coaches are better able to carry ad well.
Title: Re: carry my harley
Post by: dstrat1 on January 16, 2011, 10:37:41 am
Thank you all.....We Have a 99 u320, but without doing the calcuations i think we will err on the side of safety and shelf this idea.....excellent input....
Title: Re: carry my harley
Post by: Jon Twork on January 16, 2011, 06:43:53 pm
You could do like some of us and get a 20 or 24' cargo or stacker trailer to pull so you not only have your toys with you but, you also have a garage to work on them right there too. FWIW,
Regards, Jon Twork
Title: Re: carry my harley
Post by: dstrat1 on January 16, 2011, 09:27:58 pm
that is my conclusion, I have 16 foot ramp door for my sprint car, and I can just put the bike in it, and like you said, take my garage with us....d