Motorcycle Hitch Help

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I am wanting to build  a hitch carrier to carry 2 or 3 motorcycles and below is something I sketched in paint really quick to depict what Im thinking. I was wondering the experts opinions on my idea. The bikes going on it will be a 2009 Buell XB12Scg (395lbs dry), 1999 Suzuki TL1000R (435lbs dry), and a 2001 Yamaha TW200 (260lbs dry). Also this is designed to be hauled with a duel hitch setup on a RV or as an extension of a trailer.AHP 200xMiller Trailblazer 251 NTMiller Legend AEAD-200-LEEastwood MIG-175Eastwood 40A Plasma CutterDillon Mk 5 OA setup
Reply:That's alot of equipment hanging out there in the breeze.
Reply:Yes I know. Im thinking 2x2x.25 should be strong enough but I dont know. I guess I could look around for some solid stock 2"x2", wonder what that goes for...AHP 200xMiller Trailblazer 251 NTMiller Legend AEAD-200-LEEastwood MIG-175Eastwood 40A Plasma CutterDillon Mk 5 OA setup
Reply:I'm more curious how it will affect handling of tow vehicle. The strain from leverage is probably going to be pretty significant. I guess keep the heavier unit closest to the vehicle.
Reply:WOW. I think, and I'm just throwing this out there, that even with the 2x2x .25, the wang-go-tang-go factor is going to be pretty high. Geez, that's a lot of $ hardware to be chancing. Maybe some of the guys on here with that fancy program with the pretty colors, that calculates weights and flex of a structure, could help you out before risking a real world run.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Nope.One of the motorcycles - probably.Two of the motorcycles - probably not.All three of those motorcycles - almost certainly not.Check the tongue weight rating on the tow vehicle and the hitch.  Usual 'small' but still beefy V5 tongue weight rating is maxed at about 500 pounds, the tow vehicle may be lower than that.And that doesn't take into account the leverage of a load being cantilevered off the back end of the tow vehicle or the weight of the rack itself.That much weight and volume pretty much needs a trailer.  You've got a -listed- 'dry' weight of 1090 lbs!  Add in some fuel and some oil and some chrome or racks or whatnot and you are at darn near 1100 pounds or so, if not more than that.If there is/was a pic, I can't see it.  Do an upload/attach of the image to the welding web forum and not a hot link to an image coming from 'your' side of things and the image(s) will usually get through.  An embed or link coming from 'your' side of things may or may not come through.And "an RV" can have a pretty big range of vehicles.  A little Class C up to a big 50 ft Class A to a converted 'big rig' tractor.  Obviously all those different size and weight vehicles could have waaaay different towing or weight capacities.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Agree with what was said. Too much weight hanging of the back of any size rv, go for a trailer....Mike
Reply:The last two beat me to it. I have a 1 ton truck and my hitch isn't rated for that much tongue weight (and it's a 12k lb rated hitch). I'd stick to one bike, a small trailer, or finding another option. That's a lot of pretty hardware to be sweeping up off of the highway.KevinHobart Handler 210Tweco Fabricator 181iLincoln Squarewave Tig 175
Reply:I'm not an engineer (I am a rider and a 3/4T diesel driver), but no way would I trust a hitch carrier with three bikes.  If you're looking for the long term, I'd recommend start looking for a toy hauler Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:simplify life....
Reply:You didn't provide the length of the 2x2 tube but assuming it is 48" your looking at 1/2" of deflection.TOO MUCH in my book!!!!Another major consideration is the connection point on the vehicle. Can it handle it???ScottFab ManagerWelders360.comNew guy.
Reply:OK, I got some numbers wrong.Class III hitch is ~500 lb tongue weight limit.Class IV hitch is ~ 1000 lb tongue weight limit.Class V hitch is ~2000 lb tongue weight limit.But a major determining factor is still the limits from the tow vehicle side of things.Here is a single ATV hitch-haul rack rated for a 700 lb load, from the rack side of things.  The limit of how much you can actually haul will depend on the tow vehicle and the hitch it has.http://www.versahaul.com/vh90.phpAnd trying to stick 3 full-size motorcycles off the back of a tow vehicle?  I still think that is putting too much load and/or putting the load too far back on a cantilever off the end of the tow vehicle to really work.  That much weight and volume really is calling for a trailer or other sort of tow-behind toy hauler and not a hitch-mounted cargo rack.A big 450/4500-class+ tow vehicle or a big-rig tow vehicle can probably do it, weight-wise, but I'd still think that 3 full-size motorcycles calls for a trailer to haul them all.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Not always, but most things that you see people build on these forums have been done before in one form or another. You see hitch carriers with two dirt bikes on them with the weight off both bikes combined adding up to about one of the bikes you mentioned. I bet that you have never seen what you are wanting to build, if you have I would like to see it. There are units available like the one posted above that have a support wheel to carry much of the load, take a close look at those.I wouldn't stay be behind this going down the road, but many people may not know to get out of the way.Don't build something that may hurt other people if it failsKen
Reply:I havent bought the RV just yet but Im thinking  something like this: http://www.campingworld.com/rvsales/...antara/147232/But for now it would be used off the back of my 48' gooseneck wedge trailer so that I can still fit 3 cars on it and be able to tow the motorcycles too. What about using 2" solid stock for the hitch portions?As for the picture not showing up Im not sure? I have used photobucket many times on here and not had a problem and I can see it now too...AHP 200xMiller Trailblazer 251 NTMiller Legend AEAD-200-LEEastwood MIG-175Eastwood 40A Plasma CutterDillon Mk 5 OA setup
Reply:Photobucket or other image-hosting sites don't always get through corporate firewall rules.  The image upload/attach through the forum usually does.  And if the image-hosting service ever changes or goes 'away', then this thread will not have the images after that.  As to a single hitch bar hanging 1000+ lbs off the back of a vehicle, several feet back and cantilevered?  I think I've already mentioned what I think of that idea.  In case you missed it, I'll mention it again.No.  Do - Not - Do - That .(fine  print: although it could be possible to do such a thing, as for instance the forklifts hanging off the back end of delivery trucks, those are usually pretty heavier duty vehicles all around.  Hanging a load off the back of a vehicle depends a LOT on the vehicle and how the load is supported and transferred to/through the vehicle.)And a 48' gooseneck trailer behind a tow vehicle is already getting pretty long.  And pretty heavy (big rigs not withstanding).  Trying to bounce 1000+ lbs of probably $20k+ worth of motorcycles off the a$$ end?  Umm, no thanks.  Put the bikes on the trailer, not hanging off the end of the trailer.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:It's not just the hitch rating... but too much tongue weight can seriously affect the handling. Something like this comes to mind
Reply:bcrewcaptain had same idea I was thinking, a dual mounted trailer solidly bolted, with a single rear or dual single wheels that pivot when backing like a shopping cart.  have to check with DMV but if it bolts solidly to the frame then it might not be a "trailer" & would be considered part of the main vehicle if your trying to not have 1 tripple trailer?  you would have to check laws, I am just guessing.... around here I see a few people carry a motorcycle on the front with a custom front mounted hitch & tow a trailer behind, I have seen guys with a rear hitch mount with a harley across & they do not look safe nor stable, maybe with a light bike?there is a custom mount where you raise the front wheel, & let the back wheel ride on the pavement,  how about 3 of them? 1 on each side & 1 in middle? will cause rear tire wear on the bike, but it would distribute the weight alot better. Later,RandyMiller 140Campbell Hausfield migVictor torch outfitBlue Point torch setSmith torch with vintage Airco regulatorsVictor type A torch setHobart pipelinerLincoln Ranger 9Lincoln 225 tombstone
Reply:THE most serious RV motorcycle carrier system I have seen yet came through the lot recently, and I wish that I had my camera that day. Essentially it was a modified hydraulic lift gate that carried a Harley. It was sweet. Kind of like this...http://www.hydralift-usa.com/motorcycle-carriers.cfm  But that is just one street bike.On the other hand, I have seen lighter frames buckle from overloaded racks. One trailer had its frame nearly torn loose from the house on top of it. That one turned into a BIG JOB to fix. We ended up sending him to a frame shop to go through the whole frame. Granted, an Class A motorhome has a stout frame. But for the trouble of three bikes, it ain't worth the trouble. JMHOA trailer is a much better platform.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:In my over thirty years of building all kinds of stuff and lots of stuff to go on trucks big and small and  trailers big and small, i would have to side with MoonRise, and say, do not do this. You need to go with a trailer.
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverTHE most serious RV motorcycle carrier system I have seen yet came through the lot recently, and I wish that I had my camera that day. Essentially it was a modified hydraulic lift gate that carried a Harley. It was sweet. Kind of like this...http://www.hydralift-usa.com/motorcycle-carriers.cfm  But that is just one street bike.On the other hand, I have seen lighter frames buckle from overloaded racks. One trailer had its frame nearly torn loose from the house on top of it. That one turned into a BIG JOB to fix. We ended up sending him to a frame shop to go through the whole frame. Granted, an Class A motorhome has a stout frame. But for the trouble of three bikes, it ain't worth the trouble. JMHOA trailer is a much better platform.
Reply:here is a Photo of the Frame extension on an 08' Bounder gasserLast edited by Broccoli1; 08-23-2010 at 03:04 PM.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:bcrewcaptain- I like that idea, can you give me anymore information on it? I tried searching google but Im not even sure what to call it....AHP 200xMiller Trailblazer 251 NTMiller Legend AEAD-200-LEEastwood MIG-175Eastwood 40A Plasma CutterDillon Mk 5 OA setup
Reply:Nevermind, I found it...swivelwheel...AHP 200xMiller Trailblazer 251 NTMiller Legend AEAD-200-LEEastwood MIG-175Eastwood 40A Plasma CutterDillon Mk 5 OA setup
Reply:Now if I could just find a way to duplicate the caster portion....AHP 200xMiller Trailblazer 251 NTMiller Legend AEAD-200-LEEastwood MIG-175Eastwood 40A Plasma CutterDillon Mk 5 OA setup