hitch carrier

[vwboomer]

Loading bikes into the bed of the truck is tricky. It can be downright impossible for one guy. Especially on ice.
A hitch mounted carrier would be ideal, but for the prices they want I could just buy a small utility trailer and have some versatility. (I have a 10x6 tandem trailer but a smaller one would tow nicer and be easier to move around.)

Then I stumbled upon this: http://fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/car-truck/towing/hitches/larin-hitch-carrier-500-pounds

Same basic idea as the purpose built carriers and for a lot less money. I could weld some 1.5" square tubing on along with eyes for tie downs, a small ramp out of channel iron and it should load up nice.

This is for the GasGas not the Duc btw. I think wet weight is less than 300lbs.

[derby]

Loading bikes into the bed of the truck is tricky. It can be downright impossible for one guy. Especially on ice.

one of these fixed any issues i had loading my bike solo:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100535408/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[vwboomer]

For the dirt bike that would be ok, but I wouldnt' want to be pushing 400+pounds of S4R while on that thing.
A trailer is probably the way to go, but I'm keeping my options open at this point.

[derby]

For the dirt bike that would be ok, but I wouldnt' want to be pushing 400+pounds of S4R while on that thing.
A trailer is probably the way to go, but I'm keeping my options open at this point.

i don't push... i put it in first gear and "walk" it up on motor by lightly letting the clutch out.

it's actually a pretty gentle operation.

[muskrat]

make the ramp from a piece of board and put some anti skid paper on it.  cheap!

[Triple J]

i don't push... i put it in first gear and "walk" it up on motor by lightly letting the clutch out.

it's actually a pretty gentle operation.

Every time we see someone doing this at the track we all stop and watch...never know when a Youtube moment is going to happen! 

Luckily...everything has gone well so far.

[derby]

Every time we see someone doing this at the track we all stop and watch...never know when a Youtube moment is going to happen! 

Luckily...everything has gone well so far.

well, once one of my sandals had a blowout...

that said, if you're really concerned about getting the bike into the back of a truck, get a wider ramp.

[Cloner]

I use a homemade version of the carrier you highlighted in your original post to move my Ducatis around, so I think it'd be perfect for your Gas Gas.  Mine is designed for 700 pounds (maximum tongue weight allowed on my Touareg) and weighs well over 100 pounds by itself, but it's very similar.  I use a bifold aluminum ramp to load up and I included 2" holes in the rails for tie-down.  I installed a wheel chock on the "nose" end of the carrier so I just roll the bike up into the chock, then tie it down all by my lonesome.

I chose this kind of carrier because I don't have space to store a proper trailer at my house, but this is a breeze to stow away.  I've only carried my Ducatis a few thousand miles on the thing over the last 6 or 8 years, so I can't say it's perfect, but it sure works well for me.   

[WarrenJ]

I bought that exact model from Fleet for the back of my Jeep Liberty.  I don't think I would trust my monster on it to be honest.  Its great for deer and coolers, etc but at least the one I have seems like it would be a bit flimsy to trust a bike on. 

[corey]

i used a spare front door someone left in my garage. worked great until the door broke in half.

[JEFF_H]

I got one of these ramps

the curve makes it so you dont high center, and it is wide enough for a person on each side.

I have had one of the Long-Chen (harbor freight style) trailers, and there are some advantages to the pickup (like i can still tow my tent trailer)

in your situation, gas gas would be fine on that carrier sorta like the Trail 70's you see on motor homes

[Popeye the Sailor]

I got one of these ramps

the curve makes it so you dont high center, and it is wide enough for a person on each side.

I have had one of the Long-Chen (harbor freight style) trailers, and there are some advantages to the pickup (like i can still tow my tent trailer)

in your situation, gas gas would be fine on that carrier sorta like the Trail 70's you see on motor homes

I have the same ramp.