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Topic: Carrying a motorsicle (Read 970 times) previous topic - next topic

Carrying a motorsicle

I hate towing a car.  Fact is, a decent two up bike would do the job handily, probably an adventure style 1000 cc, somewhat under 600 lbs.  I'd prefer to tow nothing, and am trying to figure if it would be possible to use a frame mount carrier.  Have looked at swivel wheel trailers but am unconvinced.  Front mount, I'd rather not.

I see most folks say this is too much weight on the rear but I wonder if this might be somewhat mitigated by the fact that the U295 has a lighter 8.3 engine compared to the ISL, ISM mounted on same chassis? 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #1 –
No it will not be mitigated as they used a lower rated axle.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #2 –
If your tongue weight on the hitch allows it. My brother bought a hitch mount M/C rack and puts a Honda CB550 on it and hauls it behind his 35 ft. Holliday Rambler
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #3 –
I have a suzuki dr200s. Light enough at ~300lbs. Im not sure id do 600+ lbs with a hitch mounted carrier. Thats a lot of weight really far aft.
Matt
95 U300, 78k miles
Cat 3176 Jake Brake, HD4060.

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #4 –
How about something like this?  Only downside I see is possible wear on the rear wheel bearings and shocks.

Trailer Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier with Jack and Swivel for 2" Trailer...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #5 –
I carried a motorcycle on the back of my fifth wheel  on a swivel wheel trailer for two or three years. The only real problem I had were blowouts on the single tire. Solved that by going away from Carlisle tires after that no problem. The tire was rated at 1000lbs and we had a Honda VTX 1300 with no problems AFTER going away fro Carlisle tires.


Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
How about something like this?  Only downside I see is possible wear on the rear wheel bearings Usedand shocks.

Trailer Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier with Jack and Swivel for 2" Trailer...
Used that basic design for years, but mine was stationary with a little ramp to get the front tire in. Used some old flat stock and welded it  together.
If you do have to back up a little, you can just move the back of the bike in the direction you want to go, and back.
Most bikes are completely disconnected from the transmission and motor in neutral, so just need to shift to neutral after securing the front wheel. Very little weight on the receiver.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #7 –
Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions, while I can see the one wheel down style towing working well, the co$t of motorcycle tires and wear and tear on rear suspension of bike rules it out for me.  Plus every pothole I straddle is going to be taken by a center wheel.

The question left unanswered, though, is why not just carry the bike on a carrier well mounted to receiver structure?  What is the negative effect of this, I'm a long way from the rear axle capacity.  Assuming coach is level the effect on front steer tires would "seem" to be miniscule.  Moment arms such as figuring weight and balance for an aircraft don't seem to apply when the coach is sitting on wheels (as opposed to a wing.)
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
I see most folks say this is too much weight on the rear...
Who says this?  Can you reference any actual warnings or reputable sources?  I'm asking because I see rear mounted motorcycles on coaches going down the road all the time, many of which have a LOT LESS sturdy construction than a Foretravel.  I'm just wondering what the actual problem is with this technique, and what factors must be considered?

If you are worried about overloading the hitch receiver, you could always move up to a hydraulic lift carrier, which attaches to the frame.  I have seen several of these mounted on Foretravel coaches in the FOT parking lot.

Hydralift Class A Motorhome Motorcycle Lift - Kar Kaddy & Tow Dollies - Tow...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #9 –
Weight of the motorcycle and lift do need to be considered.  And, placing that weight 10' or so behind the rear axle will put well more than that weight on the rear axle and remove weight from the front axle.

Here is one of the many website with the formula: Suitability, CruiserLift

The FACTS determined by working the formula are a lot better than a lot of speculation.

Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #10 –
Here is Blue Ox instruction page, with their way to figure the loads imposed by a rear bike carrier.

http://www.americanrvcompany.com/assets/images/BlueOx/LiftAndCarrierInstallationWithRearAxleWeightCalculation.pdf

When I added a lift carrier, I had two 2" receivers added to my frame.  I had seen a number of Foretravels with them, and it was an easy add.  There was plenty of rear steel to weld to, per the welder I used.  I only had one round trip with the lift, bike and towing a car.  We found our present coach on that first trip, and bought this one, and sold the older one, the bike and the lift.

Oh do I miss having a bike, as these last two months we have been surrounded by winter Texans with bikes.  They ride nearly every day, all winter here in the TX Hill Country.

Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #11 –
Yes!  Thanks Chuck, Brad and Dave for the objective info.  Just what I was looking for. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
I'm asking because I see rear mounted motorcycles on coaches going down the road all the time, many of which have a LOT LESS sturdy construction than a Foretravel.

Just because a lift is made to mount on the back of a coach or fifth wheel does not mean that the coach or fifth wheel chassis is manufactured taking that configuration in mind. And as to what people do? Well that's a whole other story isn't it?

When we had a fifth wheel I considered a lift on the back for a motorcycle. The factory sold them. However when I inquired with the sales manager he recommended against it, go figure. Reason I went with a swivel wheel

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
The question left unanswered, though, is why not just carry the bike on a carrier well mounted to receiver structure?  What is the negative effect of this, I'm a long way from the rear axle capacity.  Assuming coach is level the effect on front steer tires would "seem" to be miniscule.  Moment arms such as figuring weight and balance for an aircraft don't seem to apply when the coach is sitting on wheels (as opposed to a wing.)

Physics (actually statics) is the same weather it's a wing or tires. When you add weight that far back behind the rear axle, you are not only adding the weight of the load, but you are also removing weight from the front axle. Depending on the length of your RV and front loading, this may affect drivability.

My 34' drives much nicer with a full tank of fuel in it. Also, I put my husky 400 on a harbor freight carrier and I can tell when it is back there. I do need to rebuild the steering box though as it has play.

Our rear engine diesel pusher are butt heavy as it is. Adding 600lbs that far behind the rear axle creates quite the moment...and it shifts the center of gravity further back.
1998 U270 34'
 

Re: Carrying a motorsicle

Reply #14 –
The older FTs had receivers up front.. ive seen a few pics of them. why not build your own motorcycle carrier for the front? the GV style have such high windshields that it wouldnt affect visibility at all.. and on mine at least, I have a massive safety margin on the front axle weight compared to the rear axle. a little bit of fabrication would give you a nice carrier.. not like your motorcycle would block the radiator. Would maybe block headlights at night.. probably wouldnt work so well on a flat front, but its an idea.
Matt
95 U300, 78k miles
Cat 3176 Jake Brake, HD4060.