Motorcycle Carrier

[usmcphil]

I am wanting to start building these motorcycle carriers that use a trailer hitch to support the motorcycle. I am somewhat hesitant to do this on the account that my welds and design will be put to the test with my own $7,500 race bikes..... So I would love some advice about the metal to use and what rod to use. (There are many of these out there for sale mostly made of aluminum) I only have an old miller 200 AMP gas powered stick welder. I want to use something very sturdy this structure will need to support approx 600 pounds max my heavier desert bike weighs about 270lbs w/ fuel My motocross bike is 220 w/ fuel. As far as a weld I was going to do a stringer with some 6010 5P+ and then a cap with 7018 low hydrogen. Well thats about it I would love any help thanks alot!

[jfsmith]

Phil,

It depends on the market you want to play to. High end, I would say use Titanium, the other direction use Aluminum. I am not sure if steel would be practical for some people. The carrier may be too heavy for some people to deal with, and the with bike loaded, it may be too much weight for some vehicles.

Plus have you thought of liability in these things/ I would like to get one for my bike, but my Honda Element can only handle so much weight and currently I just put everything on a HF 4 x 8 kit trailer.

Jerry

[Bmxin^Bjorn]

I just built on the other day on the back of a motor home. I used a double hitch system tho, There was the normal hitch for towing (witch i did not use), about a foot out on ether side i built another recever tube ( witch went 3 feet under motorhome). The two main runners i used were 2x2 3/16 and then put channel ontop of these tubes. Then for towing a trailer he jus needed a hitch extension to go under neath. Steel is the right thing to use for a rack ,, the only thing i worry about is the hitch on your vehicle probaly only has a six inch hitch tube and one cross member, witch means that your hitch will flex a ton period, you are going to have to renforce the hitch you have now.. The farther you go back with the hitch tube the less strain you will have.

[harcosparky]

We have several bikes and considered something like this.

Even though we have a weight distributing Class III hitch we opted against for a trailer.

They do put a lot of strain on the hitch mechanism, and I have never seen one setup for 2 bikes. WOW

Like the previous poster said, some additional support to the hitch is needed for safety.

If I am not mistaken a non-weight distributing Class III hitch is rated at 3500 pounds. Using the 10% rule, that would mean a limit of 350 pounds on the tongue at the hitch. ( I'm probably off on this - forgive me - nah beat me up over it )

[Sundown]

This Saturday I just mounted a Reese Tow-Beast Class V with a 2-1/2" reciever that would handle that load with no problem ... it needs to be put on a 3/4 Ton HD truck though. Sorry I can't help more, don't do bikes since my BMW R100RS tried to smash me aginst the front of a logging truck back in 86 .

[harcosparky]

This Saturday I just mounted a Reese Tow-Beast Class V with a 2-1/2" reciever that would handle that load with no problem

Dang that is a hitch and a half ..... wonder if they have one for my 3/4 ton van.

Chevy Express 2500 Extended wheelbase.

My Suzuki would sit on it all darn day and I'd never know it was there.

[Bmxin^Bjorn]

They do put a lot of strain on the hitch mechanism, and I have never seen one setup for 2 bikes. WOW

If I am not mistaken a non-weight distributing Class III hitch is rated at 3500 pounds. Using the 10% rule, that would mean a limit of 350 pounds on the tongue at the hitch. ( I'm probably off on this - forgive me - nah beat me up over it ) [/QUOTE]

It was a custom rack i made thats why it was 2 bikes. If you think that was a lot i made one for four bikes one time. it depends on the vehicle for the waight rating of the hitch, if you do a custom hitch that runs back futher the 10% rule is not in affect. The "tow beast" by reese can handle one bike but as well it's only a six inch hitch tube so there is quite a bit of strain on the hitch twisting wise.
harcosparky i have a 2.5'' recever class five for you cargo van in stock .. I'm pretty shure it's ether a "Valley Industries" or a "Curt mfg" hitch.