Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier - A Few Questions...

[thebrandon]

Hello everyone,

I am looking at options for hauling my motorcycle to track days without the need of a trailer. I was looking at motorcycle hitch carriers, but had a couple questions.

1. What springs would I need in the rear to hold a roughly 400 lb motorcycle, and 100 lbs of gear/food/tools/misc items to maintain a safe ride? I currently have about 3.5 inches of lift in the rear, but the springs are rather squishy and when I go camping I lose a good bit of height from camping gear.

2. Does anyone else do this with their runner? What carrier do you use? Would you consider this safe on our vehicles?

3. Would air bags be a good alternative or addition to have for doing something like this?

Thank for any input you guys have.

 

[Benski]

I use a Hitch Haul motorcycle carrier to get my 250 Enduro to the trails. It weights about 260 pounds. The aluminum rail holder has cracked and I used JB Weld to repair it. I also use ratchet straps to help support the ends of the carrier. I installed Firestone Air Bags on my 4Runner because I was hauling a trailer with the motorcycle mounted on the trailer tongue. You are going to need a very strong rack to hold a 400 pound bike.

 

[Benski]

Here is my old dual sport 230 that I bought in Idaho. I drove from SLC Utah to Boise Idaho to buy this bike. They are very hard to find. I bought the hitch rack at a Harbor Freight and brought it home. I rode hundreds of miles of trails out there, and even rode Slickrock in Moab! I like the red bikes!

 

[JD914]

Hello everyone,



I am looking at options for hauling my motorcycle to track days without the need of a trailer. I was looking at motorcycle hitch carriers.

This is exactly what I do.

Granted, I have a 4th gen, but it can be done and makes life a lot easier than pulling a trailer. I run airbags in FJ Cruiser springs. There's quite a bit of sag until I fill the bags which brings back my ride height and control.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[phattyduck]

Why not get a folding utility trailer? Then you'd have a 'bed' for other hauling things too. I don't have a motorcycle, but I do use the trailer for hauling mulch, lumber, etc. I have also previously moved motorcycles for friends on trailers... doesn't seem like much of a hassle.

500 lbs is the hitch max weight, so you'll be pushing it - especially since it will be hanging out off the back a ways. Air bags will definitely help out.

-Charlie

 

[MSRP.]

Lots of threads on here, search a bit more carefully and you'll see a few comments of mine.

In short, 4th gen will be better than the 3rd gen, but find the hitch rated for the highest weight to be safe.

Airbags will certainly help, be weary your lift making it tricky for rolling it up.
Search the internet for tips, but stuff like parking your truck lower than pavement will help a bit.
Be super careful when ratchet strapping down in the rain.
I would suggest putting down non-slip skateboard tape or similar to the deck areas where the motorcycle tires will be resting.
Not the dumbest idea to put a pool noodle on the barend facing your hatch.
I have a versahaul on my v8 4R, with factory rear air shocks, without the v8 hitch, a versahaul (beefiest I've found) and have gone a few trips with a 430lbs streetbike on my setup. The hauler is probably 70-80 lbs.
I would feel much better with the v8 hitch, but the setup didn't move a bit on regular ice-broken roads.
Would not suggest going off road with it.
Would also suggest a trailer lighting package from harborfreight or similar.

 

[3bears]

agree on the airbags, I have them, and when I am really loaded I don't sag, plus by the bags taking the extra weight and not your springs your springs will last longer

 

[KojiKP]

I’ve got 99 springs on my ‘00 and just hauled my supermoto on a hitch hauler this last weekend. I mounted up a wheel chock to secure the bike better. It made the 4Runner sag a bit at around 300lb for the bike and maybe 50-60 for the hauler. It drove fine for 4hrs each way but if I were to do it more, I think I’d get some airbags or even better, a trailer.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Benski]

Don't trust hooks with your straps! Use carabiners or links.

I just got back from a 4 hour one way trip to go trail riding. On a steep dirt road that climbs up the mountain I met another car coming down. When I hit the brakes I heard a loud bang on my rear window. I looked back and didn't see anything unusual. I let the car pass and got out to check the back. The rear straps hooks had come unhooked, due to the steep climb which caused the bike to really lean back and put enough slack in the straps. I have now have a carabiner hooked into the eyes of the hooks, in the back and a bolt with large fender washers and crossed straps to the front. It could have ended up much worse!

 

[thebrandon]

Thanks for the info everyone. A little info on what I would be doing with the set up, and what I gave been looking at.

1. There would be zero offraod for this set up. Strictly street.

2. I have the factory Toyota hitch with the center that can unbolt and be flipped, anyone know the rating on this? It doesn't have the sticker on it anymore.

3. The carriers I have looked at are made of steel, not aluminum, and have a carry rating of up to 600 lbs. My bike wet with a full gas tank weighs roughly 400 lbs, maybe a little more but not much.

4. Air bags will 100% be a must for this set up, especially with hauling my riding gear, tools, parts, fluids, and a cooler. What would you guys recommenced for air bags?

5. A trailer just isn't an option for me right now. I don't have anywhere to keep one anymore since I live in an apartment now.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[nevada]

can you post a pic of the hitch mount?

if it unbolts from the frame mount, im guessing its not rated high enough for what you are trying to do.


I haul my dirt bike on a rack with my 4th gen, it is significantly lighter than a street bike, but, I can for sure feel the weight back there. I would be concerned if it were much heavier.

the weight isn't so bad, its the fact its hangs out 15" or so behind the hitch. that is a lot of leverage.

 

[thebrandon]

can you post a pic of the hitch mount?

Couple examples of what I have been looking at

https://www.amazon.com/TMS-T-MC-M800C-600-Pound-Motorcycle-Carrier/dp/B0049IACSO

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GIE4JS?psc=1

 

[nevada]

Thanks for the info everyone. A little info on what I would be doing with the set up, and what I gave been looking at.

1. There would be zero offraod for this set up. Strictly street.

2. I have the factory Toyota hitch with the center that can unbolt and be flipped, anyone know the rating on this? It doesn't have the sticker on it anymore.

3. The carriers I have looked at are made of steel, not aluminum, and have a carry rating of up to 600 lbs. My bike wet with a full gas tank weighs roughly 400 lbs, maybe a little more but not much.

4. Air bags will 100% be a must for this set up, especially with hauling my riding gear, tools, parts, fluids, and a cooler. What would you guys recommenced for air bags?

5. A trailer just isn't an option for me right now. I don't have anywhere to keep one anymore since I live in an apartment now.

Thanks again everyone.

sorry, for whatever reason I couldn't quote earlier.

anyway, I mean the bolded section. if it bolts off from the main frame mount, I expect its got a lower rating than you will need.

 

[phattyduck]

2. I have the factory Toyota hitch with the center that can unbolt and be flipped, anyone know the rating on this? It doesn't have the sticker on it anymore.

All the V6's are rated at 500/5000 for the factory hitch.

Be careful with weight cantilevered out like a hitch carrier though.

-Charlie