Looking to carry a Spyder Can Am on a lift and tow the toad. Are there any weight issues on our coach on the rear axle and hitch? Is it do able?
John M
Can-Am Spyder Lift HLT5498s – Hydralift Motorcycle Lifts (http://hydralift-usa.com/canam-spyder/)
Lots of earlier discussions on this, I am sure there will be again. Has to do with taking weight off the front and putting it on the rear.
Looks like the GMC may be a bit heavy when you add the bike lift. It mentions the max weights.
JohnH
Just looked up the curb weight and it is 1800k so around 4000lbs. whew just makes it.
I have seen this lift a few times and at camp grounds have spoken to owners about it . Every one really liked it . Have seen it on motorhomes that I didn't think could handle the weight , but there it was and the owner said "no problem" . It looks well made and neat in design . Saw one with a Spider at Foretravel 3 years ago . Brad Metzger
John,
I would suggest doing the math. Weight of lift plus what you carry on it. Physics of how much weight that far back of the rear axle will apply to the rear axle and how much it will REMOVE from the front axle. As an UNPROVED example, if total weight is 1,000 pounds, you may be putting 1400 on the rear axle and removing 400 from the front axle. This will also affect steering.
Then determine if you will be putting your rear axle over its GAWR.
Weight on the hitch is another concern-- I do not know how reinforced it is for tongue weight vs towing capacity. Probably a question for James Triana.
I have no personal experience, but jcus posted this formula for weight distribution ,includes an example.
Current Camper Until FT Purchase - Can it Be Toted? (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=28572.msg259070#msg259070)
Good Luck, Dave A
I'm no expert, but the idea of placing a Spyder on one of those platforms gives me the willies. Weight off the front axle, as wolfe mentioned. Plus I would keep thinking of a weld or bolts breaking and the whole thing crashing down.
Hitches are designed for horizontal loads, not vertical.
My U300 unihome owners manual only allows 350 lbs of tongue weight on the rear receiver. Towing capacity is much greater.
Most of the heavy duty motorcycle platforms use several attachment points to the rear of the motorhome to the frame, and do not rely on the original motorhome towing hitch. If installed properly they transfer the weight of the load to the frame. Still a big factor is the increase of weight on the rear axle.
Jim C.
We will have to take all of this info into consideration. Thanks everyone!
John M
John,
Saw a lift for a trike like yours in CO. It was mounted on the pickup truck, though. That would make it easy to load and unload your bike, and then put the weight on the suspension of your pickup instead of the coach.
Just a thought.
Len
I would be very careful and specific with the lift manufacturer. They need to understand the construction method regarding frame vs foretravel a own design with the front and rear clip attached to the monocoque mid sections and bulkheads.
Wayne , when at Foretravel , is the guy that installed them on Foretravels . The one I saw was very neat , clean looking no ragged edges . He had to come thru the fiberglass above the hitch in several places to weld it to the frame . And that was the one to haul a Spider . Wayne is now at Old Town . I think Fortravel messed up letting him go . Brad Metzger
As much as the bulk head bolts will hold.....LOL
Might be a bit heavy on the drive axle???
Wanted to take our EGlide when we went full-time and sold the house and stuff. Looked at hydraulic and cable lifts attached to the back of the coach frame. We also looked at trailers for Carol's Z4 and the EGlide. Also thought about towing our Duramax as it had a Rampage power motorcycle ramp. Worked very well when we had our TT years ago. But it all got too complicated and sold the HD, BMW, Duramax and bought a rag top Jeep and a Foretravel. :)
Take a look at the SW-58DW Tandem Tow by Cruizer Lift or the Idaho Tote. Remember that you are effectively adding length to the levered mass at the end of your motor home, which creates a mechanical advantage that multiplies the weight of that cycle. This is also a mass in motion moving up and down vertically further adding to the lever effect. Think catapult. You also have a very heavy motor sitting back behind the rear axle. You might get away with it for a while, but eventually it will have it's way with the frame and your emergency control. You might find hydroplaning a whole new experience with that big weight on the back, effectively changing the hydroplane speed by 5 to 10 mph or so. With xxtra weight on the back of the coach, might quckly become a puller instead of a pusher.
I speak from the experience of having a triple towed a TT and boat behind a Suburban. The 24 foot travel trailer was totaled without touching anything, just a violent swaying back and forth after a semi passed me. Frame twisted and attachment bolts in front third of trailer pulled through the floor. Looked fine after the loss of control if you didn't count every item in cabinets and fridge in the floor, boat broken loose from winch (safety chain worked), bent trailer wheel, and a strained shoulder from wheeling it down the road side to side.