Moto Hitch Hauler Who uses one?

[Deleted member 12904]

I think I want one to save from pulling the trailer for just my bike. Looking in the garage Im guessing I have almost everything needed to build a nice one but the only 2" box tube I have is .120 wall. It seems borderline to me.

If anyone that has one they use would be willing to measure the wall thickness on the main tube it would really help me out.

 

[Greg]

I have one, have hauled all sizes of bikes over thousands of miles. Mine is a cheap RMATV carrier. I hauled a DR650 back from Topeka, KS and a V-Strom (very heavy, big bike) from SLC to GJ, CO.

It's a little dark to get measurements of the main tube, but I'll try when it light out again.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'll have to measure mine but I doubt it is much thicker than .120", I'll try to remember tomorrow.

 

[STAG]

I made my own too. I used .25" wall

 

[Cascadia]

I also have a cheap rmatv one that works great. I just went out and checked. My main tube the is the width of the car that the bike sits on is not even .120 wall. More like 1/16 or a little more. The main tube going into the hitch is 1/4" and the pieces on the end that are tie downs are .120 wall.

 

[ChestonScout]

my main tube is .25" as well.



Do a build thread.


I have been kicking around an idea of building some of these. With a MUCH better design than mine

 

[Tonkaman]

I have a double bike carrier and I love it. I had a guy off of KSL make it for me it's strong enough to hold 2 dirt bikes and me on it without flexing. I'll get some measurements for you tomorrow. If you build one you can borrow mine to copy

 

[boogie_4wheel]

The one I made has the .25" receiver tube. Then used 4" channel for the bike to sit on, with a 'chock' on when end to capture the front tire. The tie downs are heavy wall 1" square tube that are welded to the bottom side of the channel, and have an eyelet on each end.

I will try to get some pictures for you in a couple days. The channel was the expensive part... They are stupid easy to build.

The .120 tube will be plenty stout for a dirt bike carrier for the cross pieces. You should use .25" for the receiver though. I once made a motorcycle ramp that was about 7' long out of 2 pieces of .120 2" square to load my VTX1800T and I weigh 220lbs; so that's about 1k on the ramp...

 

[SpeedyVic]

I have this one that I picked up from a guy off of KSL last year. Before getting it, I would borrow a buddies all steel hitch hauler so I have used both types.

http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Motocross-Mounted-Carrier-Receivers/dp/B001IUV1CM

It carries my 300 well, and is light and easy to handle. There are pros and cons with the design.

Pros:
Super light compared to the steel ones.
Having open slots, the bike tires fit in the openings and feels very secured.
The openings also allow for easy tie down placement for additional ties.
Ramp is light and has its own storage location.
The anti-sway collar works, but is not robust.
Easier to store (flat, hang on garage wall) than the steel ones I have used.

Cons:
Aluminum may not hold up with a heavier bike.
Ramp is WAY light. Not for heavy bikes.
Anti-sway collar can be a pain and requires tools. (I own a Jeep, therefore I carry tools)
Open slots makes it harder to roll bike on and off. (Especially if your car receiver is up high and you ar short, like me)

I gambled with buying this hauler, but it paid off. I have an enclosed trailer I can drag, but for quick rides, this hauler works very well and has probably paid for itself in the fuel costs already. I got it for $90.

 

[rholbrook]

Be careful, bikes do hop off of these as well

 

[Deleted member 12904]

So Brian P hooked me up with a bike hauler today. We have some amazing people on this forum! Excited to use it.

 

[Cascadia]

Be careful, bikes do hop off of these as well

Yes, yes they do!

 

[Tonkaman]

So Brian P hooked me up with a bike hauler today. We have some amazing people on this forum! Excited to use it.

Sweet dude! Better be ready to put it to use soon

 

[Brian P]

Hope it works out for you, nice to meet you as well.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I've got one I'd sell for $80 if anyone is looking for one.

 

[Greg]

Be careful, bikes do hop off of these as well

4 tie downs, 2 front & 2 back, is the only way I'll haul a bike on a hitch hauler...

 

[MattL]

4 tie downs, 2 front & 2 back, is the only way I'll haul a bike on a hitch hauler...

And a tie down to the car as well. it helps stabilize the bike a lot.

 

[Greg]

And a tie down to the car as well. it helps stabilize the bike a lot.

Good point! I just try not to look at the bike in the rear view mirror as it flops around.

 

[Caleb]

Be careful, bikes do hop off of these as well

With a fork brace and the big pin in that the RMATV one comes with, I've not had a single problem with using only two straps. If you don't use a fork brace and you don't have the pin, then I wouldn't use one. You'll blow your seals out if you try to take up enough of the suspension without the brace and if you don't take up enough suspension then you'll surely drop a strap and then there goes your bike.

Personally for me, my preference for carriers is:
1 - small trailer (mine cost me $300 off ksl and holds three bikes, nothing fancy but hasn't let me down yet)
2 - hitch carrier (this is really tied for third, but since it's easier to load the hitch carrier, it gets the number two spot)
3 - bed of my truck (again, tied for the number two but since it takes a bit more effort to get the bike up, it gets bumped down. I do have the Ogio ramp which makes it even easier to load the bike, but still is a pain...especially if you have a lifted truck)

 

[STAG]

Haha when I pulled my 5th wheel down to Moab and put my hitch carrier behind my 5th wheel I put 13 tie down straps on it. 3 of which were to the 5th wheel itself, and the other 10 were on the dirtbike.

I too swear by the fork brace. Makes everything much sturdier.