96 LY30 - motorcycle on hitch carrier?

[pago cruiser]

Anybody done this?
Have seen some numbers of about 500lbs for a tongue weight, but no other details or official confirmation.

Looking at a small, maybe 200-250 cc dial sport, no more than 250 lbs. I can easily keep heavy stuff out of the trunk to minimize the weight back there.

Here is a type I'm thinking of:
http://www.ehamiltonenterprises.com/t210acr.html

I'd prolly use the 600# model.

Any info or pics appreciated.

[jcl]

It isn't just the tongue weight limit to think about, it is the spec on where that tongue weight is applied. I had one hitch with a 600 lb limit, applied a maximum of 8" from the pin. Anything over 8" reduced the rated load due to the bending moment (torque) on the receiver. It is hard to get a motorcycle in close enough not to have to derate for that torque. Also remember to include the weight of the carrier as well as the bike.

Jeff

[pago cruiser]

Thanks for the quick reply - and the additional info about where the weight is applied. I figure if the 250 lbs is applied 2 feet from the receiver, I'm about at the limit - assuming the 500# is correct. In the long past, we used to pull the handlebars off the bikes to get them to fit. Without the bars sticking out, I am sure that the supporting rail could be 12" from the receiver.

Another option is to go with a little Honda CT70. Handlebars and footpegs fold up, and it could literally fit within the trunk... I think. Not quite as useful as a little dual sport though...

http://www.voyageurbanjos.com/ct70_ads.htm

Would you have any info to confirm the max tongue weight?

[martin300662]

Why not just get a Hitch Helper (http://www.hitch-helper.com/)?



Not only carries the weight of the bike, but also helps prevent the rear of the motorhome grounding out on inclines, and passes through the tow hitch receiver in case you want to tow something else.

[pago cruiser]

Dang! That is one impressive carrier/tow system.
While I'm sure it would work, that system is prolly more $ than the bike I want to put on it...
I'm looking to go a little...smaller.

We ought to have a stickie on tow/carrier systems...

[martin300662]

It is basically a slimp dolly (which used to be pretty common when station wagons were used for hauling) that not only carries the hitch weight of the trailer but also carriers a bike - includes a ramp and winch for loading.

[jcl]

The owner's manual for the LY30 on the Airstream site lists 400 lb hitch capacity/4000 lbs tow rating. There are a lot of different models, so YMMV.