Ducati Monster Forum

I will be traveling about 6 hrs for a vacation this summer. I was looking at the receiver hitch mounted motorcycle carriers. I have a Suburban so it won't be an issue to carry it, i just wasn't sure how safe or well they work. I know what everyone will say, just ride it. I would but its about 400mi of all highway. I will probably ride some of it but not all. plus, I am a p***y when it comes to riding in the rain. I hate it.

I don't have any first hand.  But..... I see more expensive bikes then mine on those things all the time.  Of course double check all the stats, capacity of the carrier, hitch/receiver, and tongue weight which should be around 15% or so of total towing capacity. The later is what prevents my SUV from being able to use one of these. It's no Suburban. 

If you want to be uber pre-cautious check your insurance(s) to see if you would be covered if someone rear ended you!



And while I'm here let me be the first to say. You should ride it!!  [moto]   You can clear 400 miles in under 4 hours!   [evil]

Last I remember it was about 400 mi but it's probably more because with one stop for lunch we can do it in about 5 to 5 1/2 hours, 6 if the kids need to stop more often. I know the truck and receiver can handle it. The carrier is rated for 600 lbs. and I just did the metric conv. and found the bike weighs a little over 400 lbs. Thanks for the suggestion on the insurance, I will check that. Also, would I be covered if the bike fell off while underway, I know thats a long shot but possible.

I know, I know, ride it!

Did you do a search?  I know it has been talked about before on the DMF, and people have done it just fine, but I don't remember who or when or what brand carrier they used.

mitt

these are good

http://www.ramp-warehouse.com/-c-124_163.html (http://www.ramp-warehouse.com/-c-124_163.html)

DanTheMan has a suburban (or something equally as huge) and regularly carries his bike to the track (and elsewhere) on a hitch carrier.  Based on absolutely no empirical evidence I've always thought they were a bit dodgy, but I know many folks who do it on a regular basis.  Generally the issue is more whether your truck can deal with the weight, but like you said a Suburban should be fine. 

My former 620 arrived at my place on a hitch mounted versa-hauler.  It'd come 200 mi and was snug as a bug.  I never used one personally, though I owned same said hauler (buying was how I got the bike delivered) I never used it as I don't have a vehicle capable of carrying it.

http://www.versahaul.com/ (http://www.versahaul.com/)

I've used one with my motocross bike before, I think it was the versa hauler.  It had a plate that would slide over the hitch that stabilized the carrier.  Used it dozens of times going back and forth from Chicago to Michigan, and never had any issues with it.  2 straps on the handlebars and one over the rear wheel.  The first time you use it, it can be a bit un-nerving as it has a little play in it, and maybe sways a an inch.  But soon you will see it only wiggles a little bit, and is actually pretty safe.  My Dad would usually go 75-80 MPH down bumpy and hilly back roads in Michigan, and I never had a problem with it, aside from the fact that I got pissed at him for driving like an idiot with my bike on the back.

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_om0JErZHvOU/SYI1n7PBikI/AAAAAAAABIc/b0y_wy-oHz0/s800/IMG_5148.JPG)

This is Yuus old hitch hauler.  Ive used it several times mainly to take the bike in for service or for a trip to the beach.  Works great with load leveling suspension.  My Avalanche that doesnt have L.L. suspension sags quite a bit.  Surprisingly stable but takes a little while to get used to.

I've said it before, rgramjet, but damn that's a beautiful bike. Love the lights.  [clap]

My Suburban is a 3/4 ton with the 8.1L so the truck is no issue. I just wasn't too sure how stable the rack was with a street bike on it. Thanks for the info and the picture. Yeah, that bike looks good.

I see boobies ;D


Very nice bike [thumbsup]

Can't believe nobody's told you to ditch the blinkers or the reflectors yet [laugh]

http://www.ramp-warehouse.com/-c-124_163.html (http://www.ramp-warehouse.com/-c-124_163.html)
[/quote]

Is it just me, or is it cheaper to buy the ramps separate from the carriers?

I saw these carriers and thought "Cool... Finally!" until I saw the price. I guess I'll keep riding it to the shop and bumming rides back.

Thanks Man!   [thumbsup]


I adore that 8.1.  My previous Avalanche had one in it with 4.10 gears.  Got 11 mpg no matter where I went or how fast I went. 


I hear ya.  In my younger days they would have been off the day I got the bike.  Now with 3 kiddos under 7, I constantly think about all the idiots in cages around these parts and if the refectors keep me from getting T Boned, its a small price to pay.  I do run open belt covers and front sproket though...  Sucks getting old and responsible.

Another view....

(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_om0JErZHvOU/SYJUQ00gb0I/AAAAAAAABI4/N6M1rGvshC8/s800/IMG_5146.JPG)

And another......

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_om0JErZHvOU/SYJUz8c5r5I/AAAAAAAABJU/tU7N5UQr4Rg/s800/IMG_5147.JPG)

Can people still see your taillights or are there light on the rack?

Yes, at least the high third brake light.  cool part is it blocks my plate so no photo radar tickets!!

ahhhh pics of my favorite headlight setup (now if my wife was just around  [bang])

i was thinking about the hitch too. you have to have a 2" Class III hitch if i'm not mistaking. It has a lot to do with the tongue weight.

The only thing i was wondering about was the distance between the bike and the back of the truck. was worried it would slam the bar through the window on hard breaking.  but i see there is some good room there. I think this is the way i'm gonna go too. with all the kids, i will also get the cargo hauler for trips.

i just put reflector tape on my middle fingers.  they always see me.

hmm... For the price, it seems you're better off getting a nice used trailer...

no kidding.. those are expensive!!

(harbor freight's fold-up trailer is only $240 new)

Another advantage to receiver hitch carrier, aside from maneuverability, is if using highways, truck/autos with trailers have a lower speed limit (55 vs. 65, well at least in CA), as well, they/and your bike don't bounce around as much, and they're easier to store...

i got the tires balanced on my trailer and it is very stable up to about 80 mph.  most of those trailer tires are not balanced from the factory. 

do you stick to 65 on the hiway?  i thought not.    ;D

Another advantage of the carriers vs a trailers is no extra insurance, license, and registration.  Also, in parking lots, much easier to manuever

mitt

You think this would hold a monster w/ an empty gas tank.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=99721 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=99721)

I wasn't going to get one that only holds 400 lbs. I wanted one that held at least 600, also I didn't want to deal with the possibility of getting a flat on a trailer or deal with any light issues that could come up.

MY '01 M900 is 407lbs DRY.  Most of the specs are listed this way. So that means no gas, no oils, etc.  I wouldn't want to risk my several thousand dollar bike on a $150 dollar carrier. 

No.  Harbor Freight stuff is probably rated optimistically besides being just under a typical monster (450lbs)

mitt

I only paid a buck fitty for my carrier.....thanks again Yuu!   [thumbsup]

696 is 355 dry  ;D mine is lighter   [cheeky]

kawazar,

I was interested in your comment  about rain.  Apparently the route and time of year of your planned trip may involve rain.  I'm sure that you are familiar with the cloud of filthy water that follows a Suburban traveling at highway speeds in the rain. If it's an area that salts the roadways in freezing weather, it will be a cloud of salty filthy rain. Your beautiful Duc will be completely trashed at the end of a rainy trip with a layer of possibly corrosive road grime in every nook and cranny. You would have to disassemble your bike to get it clean.

An alternative suggestion:  You have the towing package on your Suburban. Rent a small enclosed U-Haul trailer, rig some tie-down points, and tow your bike in complete protection. It will be cheaper, and, if rainy weather does occur, your bike will arrive at your destination spic and span rather than incredibly filthy.

An illustrative anecdote:  Many years ago I had a friend who traveled to all of the Texas Enduro Circuit events in a GMC motorhome.  He was a plumber and a very inventive fellow.  He rigged a cable system so that he could open his dump valve from the driver's seat.  His plan was to empty his holding tank while traveling down some lonely stretch of Texas highway.  While traveling at highway speeds he did so and covered the back of his motorhome with a layer of blue sewerage. I saw it before he got to a truck wash (where he spent several hours), and the word "filthy" was really an understatement. I should also mention that he was pulling a flat bed trailer with his and his friends' motorcycles. You can imagine the rest.

So maybe you should re-think your idea but it's your bike and your idea so do as you please and ride safely.

Thanks for the input. I won't be traveling until summer and my bike is no show piece. While it still looks good a little dirt won't hurt it. I, myself, don't like to ride in the rain. Maybe if i had some rain gear it would be different.

Not to hijack your thread, but your bike could be a show piece. I know you have seen all the gorgeous Ducs assembled and created by members of this forum. If not, spend some time looking at the photos and you may be inspired. I have an '08 that is not as good looking as some of the older bikes on this forum.

But whatever you do, have fun and ride safely.

http://newenough.com/ (http://newenough.com/) for raingear.

Just saw this ad on Craigslist.  No affiliation.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/1019024793.html (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/1019024793.html)

Resurrected

Just my two cents...I used to work at Harbor Freight and also I had bought one of there fold up trailers.

A couple of issues with the trailer...they are made in Korea...and they don't go together really easy.  Bolt holes don't exactly line up and stuff like that.  Also one other issue I had, when I strapped my bike down the trailer deck got really out of shape.  With the tension from the straps the deck would bend.  Now it maybe just me, I put a lot of tension on the straps when I put my bike on a trailer.  Comes from work for a concert production company, we would have to make sure all that stuff stays put.

Also having not strapped something down very well in my past and seeing it bounce down the freeway.
(Ford Ranger, with a 4ft X 4ft X 8Ft block of compressed foam in the bed, not strapped down well enough = big f 'n block of foam end of end down the freeway and then meeting a semi truck!  Hey look mom is it snowing in July!!)

But a digest...I really didn't like the way the folding trailer wasn't that stable.

My harbor freight folding trailer was made in China, not Korea, and has been very stable for the last 6 years.

I have seen 3 other people with them and everyone has said the same thing.  If they are assembled correctly, they last.

Come see mine, and I'll show you the original registration on it.  It's been thru hell and back.  Already replaced 2 tires as the old ones wore out. 

Assemble it correctly, get the tires balanced, and use a correct hitch and it will last just fine.

I originally thought to put a weld on the joints but I never did, and it hasn't made a difference.  It flexes some due to the nature of bolted metal joints, but all the holes did in fact line up correctly and were torqued correctly.  A weld on the frame joints might help rigidity, but when it's in use, it doesn't seem to matter.

I've bought half a dozen bikes around the country and carted them back home, I estimate that trailer has about 30k miles on it now. 

Biggest weakness of the folding trailer is the fold-up caster wheels.  They are not strong enough and do not do well on uneven pavement. 

Otherwise, it will be the last trailer you own if you just need it for hauling bikes to and fro.

I like the looks of the vershauler, I have a dirt bike and a trailer and that gets old fast! I always have to hook on and off and no room for storage of the trailer! However that looks like a lot of weight on the hitch!! I could see if it had another attachment to say the frame.

A 200-300 lb dirtbike should be no problem as long as you have a proper class hitch. 

A heavier bike like the Monster will cause noticable sag unless you have load leveling suspension or beefed up rear springs.  The stabilizer does a good job of reducing the wiggle.

Dont forget , this bad boys saves on tolls as well.  Plus with the toll increase on Jan 1 2012 ... MANN!  If some on needs to borrow one I have the two bikeset up that is current set up for one bike. 

I recently used one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-trailer-carrier-tow-dolly-hauler-hitch-rack-/110804833463?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item19cc7b94b7 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-trailer-carrier-tow-dolly-hauler-hitch-rack-/110804833463?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item19cc7b94b7)

to "tow" a friends ebay purchase. There were no issues and it worked fine. I was concerned that when turning the bike really leans. I was also concerned with what any LEO would say - but fortunately in a trip from oceanside to Moorpark, Ca we didn't encounter one..........

Not sure I would buy one, but it was easy to load the bike. It requires Canyon Dancers, which I don't personally care for as
it always seems you end up with damage switchgear on the bars.

I would remove the chain for any extended "towing"