Motor scooter carrier

[GFtex]

What does the collective knowledge think of having a two scooter carrier attached to trailer hitch? 500 lb tongue weight on Sprinter. With 2 scooters and carrier total weight is 466 lb. Would really like to not pull a toy trailer if possible.

[Protagonist]

Should be doable. However, watch out for reductions in your van's departure angle. Using a 2" drop hitch, mounted upside down to provide 2" of rise, may help if that proves to be a problem— but may cause the carrier to interfere with opening the rear doors even when the scooters are not loaded. Up to you which is more important, not having the carrier drag the ground on inclines or opening the doors after you've unloaded the bikes.

Also watch out that the scooters do not obstruct your license plate. A license plate bracket mounted to the carrier will help if that proves to be a problem— if you'll be driving at night the new bracket should be lighted, which can be accomplished by setting it up to plug into your 7-pin connector (even though you'll only need the taillight pin to be powered).

[Ron_CA]

I think it is rated for that much but would be almost at max recommended. May limit what you can bring and store inside the rear of your AI.

Have you seen the hitch mounted carriers that also have wheels? May also help to not drag the rear.

www.cruiserlift.com

[GFtex]

I have not. is there a brand name I can search? thanks.

[GFtex]

Sorry Ron. Didn't see the link!!! Like opening mouth before engaging brain

[Ron_CA]

Originally Posted by GFtex

Sorry Ron. Didn't see the link!!! Like opening mouth before engaging brain

That's because the link wasn't there

[jcl]

500 lbs on a hitch ball is very different than 500 lbs applied feet several aft of the hitch ball location. Most carriers position loads like scooters some distance out.

First issue is the strength of the receiver, with respect to the bending moment, both static (at rest) and due to any bouncing of the load.

Next issue is the multiplying effect on the rear axle. You will be adding much more than 500 lbs to the rear axle.

Next issue is the reduced weight on the front (steering) axle, due to the leverage applied by the carrier.

Proceed cautiously.

Jeff

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by jcl

500 lbs on a hitch ball is very different than 500 lbs applied feet several aft of the hitch ball location. Most carriers position loads like scooters some distance out.

First issue is the strength of the receiver, with respect to the bending moment, both static (at rest) and due to any bouncing of the load.

Next issue is the multiplying effect on the rear axle. You will be adding much more than 500 lbs to the rear axle.

Next issue is the reduced weight on the front (steering) axle, due to the leverage applied by the carrier.

The van is only rated for a 500-pound tongue weight. However, the hitch receiver itself— and by extension its connection to the frame— is rated for a 750-pound weight (if my memory can be trusted— verify before installation). That is the rated load with a suitable factor of safety, and not the ultimate strength of the receiver. The nearly-500-pound load on the receiver may affect front/rear weight distribution, but is highly unlikely to cause a catastrophic failure of the receiver.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

The van is only rated for a 500-pound tongue weight. However, the hitch receiver itself— and by extension its connection to the frame— is rated for a 750-pound weight (if my memory can be trusted— verify before installation). That is the rated load with a suitable factor of safety, and not the ultimate strength of the receiver. The nearly-500-pound load on the receiver may affect front/rear weight distribution, but is highly unlikely to cause a catastrophic failure of the receiver.

It appears from the upfitter guide that the same hitch may be used on vans with the same wheelbase, but different rear overhangs. With the 170" wheelbase, and the same rear axle specs, the EXT has 16" greater extension. That knocks the tongue rating from 750 to 500 (and, incidentally, the tow rating from 7500 to 5000), suggesting that rear axle loading is something that is a limiting factor. A two machine carrier (I looked at the VersaHaul) has the centre of mass of the scooter/rack combo 32" behind the receiver pin, instead of the usual 8" for a hitch ball. Seems a load derate may be in order, or at the minimum a trip to the scales.

Jeff

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by GFtex

Sorry Ron. Didn't see the link!!! Like opening mouth before engaging brain

There are other manufacturers as well. Possible strategy: Cruise through a large hospital parking lot. You'll probably get an up close and personal view of every mobility-related carrier device ever invented, because they'll be there on the backs of parked cars. Scooters tend to be smaller than full-sized cycles and so you might get away with a smaller device, such as what is used to carry power chairs. I've seen the newer ones that have support wheels on the ground. Did not know what I was looking at, at first.

[c21]

I have several friends that use dual versa-hauls on the back of 1. a Class "A" RV, 2. a pull trailer and 3. a 5th wheel trailer. The two trailers had their hitches custom installed with extra bracing to accommodate the added hitch weight (which as others have commented, is multiplied due to the distance the load is placed behind the receiver). I for one would be leery of placing that much weight on a hitch with a vehicle manufacturers rating of 500#. I myself use a MotoTote carrying a single scooter with the total weight of scooter and carrier being 320#. I have a standard length AI. I use a small utility trailer when taking my Harley along and I can take the Harley and the scooter if needed in the trailer.

[MILATV]

This company makes the real deal. Welded joints, no bolts - powder coated with can-lock slide bar. I have a carrier that I've hauled a Harley on & my current carrier is 5+ years old and been on thousands of miles of road time loaded to limit. Don't get sucked in with $200 Chinese garbage. This is the one you want.

http://www.joehauler.com/.


Mike

[sdemino]

I just purchased a leftover interstate 2016 , 24'. Did adding this weight to your hitch change any of the interstates handling. Was the weight noticeable to you while driving? I'm thinking of carrying a Honda PCX 150.
Thanks
Steve

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by sdemino

I just purchased a leftover interstate 2016 , 24'. Did adding this weight to your hitch change any of the interstates handling. Was the weight noticeable to you while driving? I'm thinking of carrying a Honda PCX 150.
Thanks
Steve

Honestly the more weight on the back, the better the van rode (or so it seemed) Just had some issues climbing mountains while pulling big trailers).

If referring to the bike hauler I honestly didn't know it was there. I've even carried full sized Harley-Davidson's on the Hitch Carrier (yes I know the 600-700# Harley exceeded the rated capacity of my hitch; but it didn't fall off )

Downside:

On the EXT like I had it does reduce departure angle substantially (so no even slightly inclined driveways).

Getting in and out of the back is a pain - basically reached over rear lounge to get anything if the bike was there.

Plus Side:

Wife could take van to mall, I could ride bike to barber shop, or wherever I needed to go.

[sdemino]

Thanks for the feedback. My driveway is the first problem.

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by sdemino

Thanks for the feedback. My driveway is the first problem.

The asphalt street in front of my daughters house has a nice 10" long groove where tried to pull into her drive. whoops! fortunately stopped and reversed before it dug in so bad I couldn't back out.

Here is my current Bike I take with me. Christini All Wheel Drive 450 DS

[MILATV]

Never have figured how to get images to upload on computer - phone is easy!

Here is the Christini AWD 450 DS






Mike

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by sdemino

Thanks for the feedback. My driveway is the first problem.

Ours was as well until we learned to back in at the shallowest achievable angle to the curb. Ours is a 3-wide which gives us extra length to execute this maneuver. Not sure if this idea would work for you but there it is fwiw.

[Lotus54]

I've seen guys with two bike setups, like mentioned- all depends on weight.

I use an econo one that I modified a bit- works great for dirt bikes.
I ride my trials bike (OSSA Explorer) most of the time, but also have an AJP Ultrapassar shown on the back.
I added some Led lamps on the back, since the bike partially covers the taillamps. It does cover the plate - but so far I've had no issues.
I'm planning on attending the World MotoTrial this year and hauling my OSSA- but will move the plate for the long drive.
Mark

One of my buddies installed a front hitch on his pickup, hauls a bike on front and another on back.


Edit:
The carrier I got was a cheapie, but I got steel for easier welding if I desire. I did some welding on the tongue to make it tight in the receiver and it comes with a bolt setup so it is very tight.
Plus I changed it so the tyres drop down in- holding the bike better. AND I run a ratchet strap through the bike, pulling it down a long with two other straps.
I had a buddy have a bike fall off once...

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by MILATV

Never have figured how to get images to upload on computer - phone is easy!

Here is the Christini AWD 450 DS

Attachment 278121

Mike

Thanks Mike - the front wheel drive system on that Christini is amazing!