V6 hitch with dirt bike carrier? Yes or No?

[npen]

Thinking of purchasing a dirt biker carrier that goes into the hitch receiver. My 06 SE V6 has the factory hitch mounted to the cross member. I want to haul my yz250f.

Anybody used these types of carriers with the factory hitch? Would you guys have concerns?

Ex. Lightweight Aluminum Motorcycle Carrier - The AMC-400

 

[2UZ]

I wouldnt without a WD hitch.

 

[argar865]

As I understand it the hitch is rated for up to 500lbs of tongue weight, a yz250f weighs maybe 140lbs. maybe a little more?? or a little less?? I doubt this rack is that heavy. You should be fine.

 

[gaterose]

I think Colemanfu does it.. I know he has a V6 and almost every picture of his truck on the site has a KTM sitting back there.

Not certain which hitch he has though.

 

[MikeInNH]

From my limited research it looks like it weighs just a little over 200lbs.

That shouldn't be a problem. No need for a Weight Displacement hitch. The Class-III hitch on your 4runner can withstand up to 350lbs of weight.

 

[450exc115]

As I understand it the hitch is rated for up to 500lbs of tongue weight, a yz250f weighs maybe 140lbs. maybe a little more?? or a little less?? I doubt this rack is that heavy. You should be fine.

You missed the 2 when you typed in the weight. 240ish with fluids. I have a Alum carrier similar to the AMC400 and it works just fine. Figure 40lbs for the carrier so total weitght off the back at 280ish.. Bike is also a solid 2 ft from the hitch so the moment is decent.

Now to the question.. The stock hitch has 6 bolts, lots of gussets and is mounted to the box frame so it's pretty stout. You are probably OK. That said I replaced mine with a $200 Hide a Hitch from Etrailer with the extra weight capacity to deal with my KTM 450XCF that has about 20lbs on your YZF. I did it for piece of mind and I also tow a trailer often. Something else to consider is my 4runner is stock and with the bike on the back the truck is now level front to back. I'm thinking airbags to get back to a slight nose forward stance. All I had was gear and a small tool box in the back, when I go to races I have a lot more and expect a nose high stance.

 

[dezhoncho]

I have an 05 SR5 with a Donahoe lift and I carry my YZ450F with a Joe Hauler that has a ramp mount. I get a little bit of sag but nothing too drastic. The carrier also has a cam lock so it doesn't bounce around much. Never had a problem.

 

[PWGUNNY]

My bike hauler is rated for 500lbs. I had a KLR 650 on there from Indiana to NY, no problem. You will be fine. The scariest part is getting it on there without damaging the back of the truck. Just to be cautious I throw a moving pad over the back of the truck when putting the bike up or taking it down.

 

[npen]

Thanks all. I went ahead and ordered a carrier. I will try it out with my current hitch receiver. If I am uncomfortable with the setup, I'll wait till I get a Hidden-Hitch or similar installed before using.

 

[carter316]

Im in the same situation so glad someone asked.

 

[trailrazer]

I think you'd be fine with the weight. I like the idea but have always trailered or thrown bikes in the truck. I'd consider it now, but I need to haul at least two bikes.

The nightmare is seeing a bike fall off that carrier at 70 on the highway. After the first trip it wouldn't be a worry.

 

[dezhoncho]

I use these straps also to keep the wheels secured to the carrier
TRACKSIDE Parts & Accessories - Wheel Tie-Down Strap - Cycle Gear

I think you'd be fine with the weight. I like the idea but have always trailered or thrown bikes in the truck. I'd consider it now, but I need to haul at least two bikes.

The nightmare is seeing a bike fall off that carrier at 70 on the highway. After the first trip it wouldn't be a worry.

 

[npen]

First time back on the boards.

Follow up: I ordered the AMC-400 carrier. Hardware was junk, I replaced it all with grade 8 hardware. Loaded up the bike, bike sat all night on the back of my 4Runner, then drove almost 400 miles the following morning. The setup made me a little nervous at first, but everything worked great, no issues at all.

 

[BC34IS]

Anyone have pics? I want to get a similar setup for my wife's scooter.

1000 LB MOTORCYCLE DIRT BIKE HITCH CARRIER HAULER W/LOADING RAMP & CARGO BASKET | eBay

 

[450exc115]

Just replace the hardware with good grade 8 (SAE) or metric 10.9 hardware. You can go to any hardware store and find the better fasteners. I have lots of miles on my alum carrier with my 260lb 450 hanging off the back.

 

[smichaelq]

I jsut saw an alulminum one in the Harbor Freight flyer the other day for $110!

 

[Siebs]

I ran a setup similar to this in the past, on my Nissan Xterra.

I had the "Boss" carrier - Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier - By Boss

Generally pleased with it, but my GSXR's were on the upper end of its limits, to say the least. It pulled nicely on a GMC Yukon having the additional hitch capacity - all through the Rockies.

The tilting function allowed me to load/unload by myself once I had the hang of it. These things are an awesome alternative to a trailer, and I imagine especially so with the lighter dirtbikes.

 

[Colemanfu]

I think Colemanfu does it.. I know he has a V6 and almost every picture of his truck on the site has a KTM sitting back there.

Not certain which hitch he has though.

V6 and stock hitch. It's a Versa Hauler and has been drama free for 8 or 9 years. I run OME HD 3 in springs and air bags. Sometimes I forget it's back there.

I run also run tow lights up top and relocate the tag to a custom mount on the back of the hauler.
The hitch has become a functional piece of my camp set up.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-roading-home-monst4rs/55655-adv-4runner-camp-set-up.html