http://www.discountr...cle-carrier.htm
has any one used one of these for their bike. i am thinking about getting one. they are much cheaper than a new pick up truck. i have an suv right now so i was thinking that this could be a good option over a trailer when ever i wanted to take the bike across a long distance.
hitch mount bike carrier
Started by
quick221680
, May 22 2012 04:06 PM
25 replies to this topic
Posted 22 May 2012 - 05:46 PM
You will need to have a full size SUV for one of these. You are carrying your weight a lot farther out so you will need a higher tongue weight rating then 300lbs. Something like a 4runner or GrandCherokee will really be sagging a lot in back and the handling will not be safe.
It is a lot easier to tow a bike with one of these and it won't really affect your gas mileage.
It is a lot easier to tow a bike with one of these and it won't really affect your gas mileage.
Edited by toadl, 22 May 2012 - 05:48 PM.
Posted 22 May 2012 - 08:10 PM
toadl, on 22 May 2012 - 05:46 PM, said:
You will need to have a full size SUV for one of these. You are carrying your weight a lot farther out so you will need a higher tongue weight rating then 300lbs. Something like a 4runner or GrandCherokee will really be sagging a lot in back and the handling will not be safe.
It is a lot easier to tow a bike with one of these and it won't really affect your gas mileage.
It is a lot easier to tow a bike with one of these and it won't really affect your gas mileage.
Posted 22 May 2012 - 08:17 PM
I had a double carrier hanging off the back of my wife's Lincoln Navigator and it worked well for cheap. One guy showed up with one on the back of a Honda Element.
Posted 22 May 2012 - 09:23 PM
toadl, on 22 May 2012 - 05:46 PM, said:
You will need to have a full size SUV for one of these. You are carrying your weight a lot farther out so you will need a higher tongue weight rating then 300lbs. Something like a 4runner or GrandCherokee will really be sagging a lot in back and the handling will not be safe.
It is a lot easier to tow a bike with one of these and it won't really affect your gas mileage.
It is a lot easier to tow a bike with one of these and it won't really affect your gas mileage.
I build mine based on the plans on this website. http://www.joehauler...s/JD-HAUL01.pdf
Made it out of aluminum mainly with some steel supporting structures. The key is keeping the bike close to the vehicle. You could never put a larger sized motorcycle on it...like my Royal Star. A larger class IV hitch would be necessary. As long as you have a Class III hitch you are good to go.
This old school Exploder is handling it fine...it's likely a heavier bike than a DRZ400 also. I don't see any squating or unreasonable/unbalanced loads.
Edited by snowyrange, 22 May 2012 - 09:30 PM.
Posted 23 May 2012 - 06:08 AM
snowyrange, on 22 May 2012 - 09:23 PM, said:
I would disagree. Your fine with a mid-sized SUV (Xterra, 4Runner, Passport, Pathfinder, Jeep GrandCherokee, any 1/2 ton pickup) Almost all hitches on these types of vehicles are Class III. Most haulers you are talking about are for a class III or larger hitch.
I build mine based on the plans on this website. http://www.joehauler...s/JD-HAUL01.pdf
Made it out of aluminum mainly with some steel supporting structures. The key is keeping the bike close to the vehicle. You could never put a larger sized motorcycle on it...like my Royal Star. A larger class IV hitch would be necessary. As long as you have a Class III hitch you are good to go.
This old school Exploder is handling it fine...it's likely a heavier bike than a DRZ400 also. I don't see any squating or unreasonable/unbalanced loads.
I build mine based on the plans on this website. http://www.joehauler...s/JD-HAUL01.pdf
Made it out of aluminum mainly with some steel supporting structures. The key is keeping the bike close to the vehicle. You could never put a larger sized motorcycle on it...like my Royal Star. A larger class IV hitch would be necessary. As long as you have a Class III hitch you are good to go.
This old school Exploder is handling it fine...it's likely a heavier bike than a DRZ400 also. I don't see any squating or unreasonable/unbalanced loads.
Posted 23 May 2012 - 10:33 AM
i have a hyundai tuscon suv. it is a very small suv but i have pulled 2800 lbs with it. across the country with no problems
Posted 23 May 2012 - 02:03 PM
snowyrange, on 22 May 2012 - 09:23 PM, said:
I would disagree. Your fine with a mid-sized SUV (Xterra, 4Runner, Passport, Pathfinder, Jeep GrandCherokee, any 1/2 ton pickup) Almost all hitches on these types of vehicles are Class III. Most haulers you are talking about are for a class III or larger hitch.
I build mine based on the plans on this website. http://www.joehauler...s/JD-HAUL01.pdf
Made it out of aluminum mainly with some steel supporting structures. The key is keeping the bike close to the vehicle. You could never put a larger sized motorcycle on it...like my Royal Star. A larger class IV hitch would be necessary. As long as you have a Class III hitch you are good to go.
This old school Exploder is handling it fine...it's likely a heavier bike than a DRZ400 also. I don't see any squating or unreasonable/unbalanced loads.
I build mine based on the plans on this website. http://www.joehauler...s/JD-HAUL01.pdf
Made it out of aluminum mainly with some steel supporting structures. The key is keeping the bike close to the vehicle. You could never put a larger sized motorcycle on it...like my Royal Star. A larger class IV hitch would be necessary. As long as you have a Class III hitch you are good to go.
This old school Exploder is handling it fine...it's likely a heavier bike than a DRZ400 also. I don't see any squating or unreasonable/unbalanced loads.
Edited by toadl, 23 May 2012 - 02:05 PM.
Posted 23 May 2012 - 02:20 PM
toadl, on 23 May 2012 - 02:03 PM, said:
How does it handle around corners? I bet you have to take them slowly, which is not good if you have to make a sudden move at 70mph.
Edited by ARMRD X, 23 May 2012 - 02:22 PM.
Posted 23 May 2012 - 03:41 PM
I have one I use on a 04 Chevy Trailblazer. It is much eaiser than towing my 14ft utility trailer for one bike. I also mounted a set of trailer lights on the back of the rack because the wheels blocked the taillights. Here is my old KDX straped to it.
Posted 24 May 2012 - 08:48 AM
Corners are not a concern, but bumps are.
I was driving through Denver with mine after having some cam work done and a big bump led to my back strap coming unhooked and the bike leaned against the pickup. I thought (in Denver traffic) OH SH*T...imagine if the front strap had been the one to come loose...the bike would be leaning against pavement.
I tooks some quality straps, cut the S-Hooks off on both ends of each strap and then put 350 lb. rated carabiners on each end of each strap. This will ensure the straps will stay on the carrier and my handlebar protection straps (I had these made at my local tent/awning shop). I will be able to cinch the straps down just enough now, not bottom out the forks. Haven't used them yet, but I will this weekend.
I was driving through Denver with mine after having some cam work done and a big bump led to my back strap coming unhooked and the bike leaned against the pickup. I thought (in Denver traffic) OH SH*T...imagine if the front strap had been the one to come loose...the bike would be leaning against pavement.
I tooks some quality straps, cut the S-Hooks off on both ends of each strap and then put 350 lb. rated carabiners on each end of each strap. This will ensure the straps will stay on the carrier and my handlebar protection straps (I had these made at my local tent/awning shop). I will be able to cinch the straps down just enough now, not bottom out the forks. Haven't used them yet, but I will this weekend.
Edited by snowyrange, 24 May 2012 - 08:50 AM.
Posted 24 May 2012 - 11:35 AM
i have a 2000 blazer and used my carrier to pick it up from 2 hours away in long beach. mine is steel though. Worked fine...
Posted 24 May 2012 - 01:00 PM
snowyrange, on 24 May 2012 - 08:48 AM, said:
Corners are not a concern, but bumps are.
I was driving through Denver with mine after having some cam work done and a big bump led to my back strap coming unhooked and the bike leaned against the pickup. I thought (in Denver traffic) OH SH*T...imagine if the front strap had been the one to come loose...the bike would be leaning against pavement.
I tooks some quality straps, cut the S-Hooks off on both ends of each strap and then put 350 lb. rated carabiners on each end of each strap. This will ensure the straps will stay on the carrier and my handlebar protection straps (I had these made at my local tent/awning shop). I will be able to cinch the straps down just enough now, not bottom out the forks. Haven't used them yet, but I will this weekend.
I was driving through Denver with mine after having some cam work done and a big bump led to my back strap coming unhooked and the bike leaned against the pickup. I thought (in Denver traffic) OH SH*T...imagine if the front strap had been the one to come loose...the bike would be leaning against pavement.
I tooks some quality straps, cut the S-Hooks off on both ends of each strap and then put 350 lb. rated carabiners on each end of each strap. This will ensure the straps will stay on the carrier and my handlebar protection straps (I had these made at my local tent/awning shop). I will be able to cinch the straps down just enough now, not bottom out the forks. Haven't used them yet, but I will this weekend.
Great Idea I was always concered about that myself.
Posted 26 May 2012 - 03:38 PM
My brother used one to move his Drz from Nova Scotia to alberta with a short wheel base ford ranger with a bed full of stuff. it's over 5000km not one issue
Edited by mustang302, 26 May 2012 - 03:38 PM.
Posted 27 May 2012 - 06:46 AM
Anyone tried carrying a deezer on a hitch-mounted carrier on a RAV4?
Ian
Ian
Posted 28 May 2012 - 05:35 AM
I have a brand new one. Loaded my DRZ on it once in the driveway just to
see how it worked/looked. My 2002 Xterra squatted alittle in the rear, but my
biggest concern was knocking-out the rear window (while loading the bike).
I would sell it for $100, but shipping it would cost another $20 probably...
It's the same type as in the 1st picture (behind a newer Xterra)
see how it worked/looked. My 2002 Xterra squatted alittle in the rear, but my
biggest concern was knocking-out the rear window (while loading the bike).
I would sell it for $100, but shipping it would cost another $20 probably...
It's the same type as in the 1st picture (behind a newer Xterra)
Posted 28 May 2012 - 03:45 PM
Killer B, on 28 May 2012 - 05:35 AM, said:
I have a brand new one. Loaded my DRZ on it once in the driveway just to
see how it worked/looked. My 2002 Xterra squatted alittle in the rear, but my
biggest concern was knocking-out the rear window (while loading the bike).
I would sell it for $100, but shipping it would cost another $20 probably...
It's the same type as in the 1st picture (behind a newer Xterra)
see how it worked/looked. My 2002 Xterra squatted alittle in the rear, but my
biggest concern was knocking-out the rear window (while loading the bike).
I would sell it for $100, but shipping it would cost another $20 probably...
It's the same type as in the 1st picture (behind a newer Xterra)
