Hauling and securing dual sport bike and generators

[M and M]

I have a 400 CC bike and two Honda generators that I need to haul and SECURE. I've seen some posts on this site regarding weight load and distribution and how it can adversely affect towing and trailer chassis integrity.

Hauling the motorcycle in the back of the truck is doable, but somewhat problematic, as I'm required to unhook the trailer and remove the weight-distribution hitch in order to drop the tailgate and offload the motorcycle.

I can place the two generators in the back of the truck, but they are open to the affects of the weather and theft. Has anyone mounted a lockable rack of some sort onto the trailer tongue or rear bumper that would accommodate the two Honda 2000 generators?

[ghaynes755]

Mounting to the tongue, if you had room, puts a hole lot of weight on the hitch. Airstream does not recommend mounting anything to the rear frame. Your first paragraph sums up the answer very well.

Long bed pickup truck with some well installed welded eyebolts to chain/lock everything down.

[martin300662]

How about a Hitch-helper (Motorcycle Hauler)? It carries a lot of the tongue weight of the trailer, will easily carry your sport bike, and (if you speak to them) they make custom versions which could include a location for the the generators.

[AnnArborBob]

The Airstream frame and unibody (aka semi-monocoque) construction is simply not designed to hang anything off of it or to tow anything behind it. If you do one of these things, it may work for awhile but it will eventually do permanent and severe damage to your trailer. If you are willing to think of your Airstream as "disposable" at some unknown point down the road, then you can probably get away with this for awhile. Otherwise, I'm afraid you are best served to look at your tow vehicle as the solution to hauling your "toys."

[martin300662]

The Hitch-hauler goes between the TV and the trailer....no weight on the trailer and takes a lot of load off the TV. They were designed as towing assistance aids for the marine haulage industry.

[mefly2]

Can you wiggle the bike into the AS? We move our dual sport with no problems in our EB - much easier loading, however. The gens are in the rear of the truck under a topper / cap ...

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by martin300662

The Hitch-hauler goes between the TV and the trailer....no weight on the trailer and takes a lot of load off the TV. They were designed as towing assistance aids for the marine haulage industry.

I've never heard of this being used with an Airstream.

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by mefly2

Can you wiggle the bike into the AS? We move our dual sport with no problems in our EB - much easier loading, however. The gens are in the rear of the truck under a topper / cap ...

Be careful with putting too much weight in the back of the Eddie Bauer. Despite some people thinking of the Eddie Bauer as Airstream's "toy hauler," this trailer is not made to haul anything very heavy back there. Not only are there potential frame issues with a heavy cargo concentrated in one place (especially at the rear,) but excessive weight at the rear of the trailer could mess with the hitch weight and the towing dynamics.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by AnnArborBob

I've never heard of this being used with an Airstream.

I fully admit neither have I Bob, hence my comment being in the form of a question. They (or similar devices) appear quite common in the marine haulage business, and are used with many SOB trailers. Most manufacturers units don't also act as a mini dolly and are just "hitch-helpers", but the guy has plenty of reference customers, and I am looking into one purely as a motorcycle carrier so have had plenty of conversation and got plenty of information from the guy.

Certainly worth considering.

[rodsterinfl]

I don't have a motorcycle but the big Vespa and a generator. I put the Vespa in the truck bed diagonally and the generator in the lower left side. I do have to unhitch to remove the bike but I can drop the tailgate with my trailer hitched and it works for me.

As already shared, look into the hitch dolly. My father told me that these were used years ago quite a bit for cars to sustain trailer weights. I do not know about the dynamics of such a thing but it might allow you to tongue some load.

[martin300662]

The 'old timers' may know these as "slimp wheels" (do a Google search, they used to be very common).

The Hitch-Helper I mention above may claim patents, and try to own IP, but the basic principle is the same.

Even if you search Airforums you will find many references to slimp wheels and there usefulness.