What sized TV do I need for a Goldwing Motorcycle in bed?

[ron grant]

Is anyone carrying a Goldwing (or similar sized motorcycle) in the bed of their truck while towing an AS? Would like to hear how that is working for you. What size TV, ramps, etc. Thank you.

[85MH325]

No, Ron, while I realize we're all looking for more economical tow vehicles, your GoldWing will not accept the necessary sway control/weight distributing hitch, nor does it have the requisite wheelbase, unless of course, it's a one-ton dually GoldWing.

I'm kidding, of course... but I'd like to give you a warm welcome to the forums! We have a number of large motorcycle-toting members, RoadKingMoe and john hd come immediately to mind, and I'm sure they'll weigh in here... of course you might have had better luck if you said you wanted to haul a Harley, but I'm sure they'll give you the benefit of their hauling experience anyway...

Roger

[ScottMac]

Greetings,

(Part of this text is from earlier posts)

We have a 2003 25' Safari that we tow with a 2008 F-250 long bed - Supercab, not Crew cab.

The bike in the photo is a Suzuki C50 - however, we most recently have used this setup with a Honda Goldwing. (2008 GL1800) and it works great. Unfortunately, I got wiped out in February - the Wing was destroyed and the ensuing health issues have prompted me to give up riding.

The ramp is made by USA Ramp (model A9) - USA Ramp - folding ramps for trucks, vans.

The ramp actually attaches to the hitch shank and works like a charm. I had to make one minor mod to the hitch (we had to grind off about 1/8" to 1/4" of the gusset for the sleeve to slide back far enough on the shank - it was so little that it does not violate the integrity of the shank). They are not "inexpensive", but they provide a wonderful solution to taking a bike as large as a "Wing" with you when you are pulling an Airstream. USA Ramp makes ramps in many different configurations. I spoke with them on the phone extensively before ordering and they were great to work with.

The ramp weight limit is 1200 lbs. Since we are no longer riding, I am willing to sell the ramp, the attachments and my bridge (the piece between the ramp and the bed of truck - you can always make your own at some point). I'm not sure I will ever have a use for it at this point. Check out the website - I absolutely loved this solution. The ramp is actually 43 inches wide - the website says 39, but he started making them at 43 when I bought mine. It is feet down so it is very safe and easy to ride the bike up into the truck.

The motorcycle stayed covered while in tow with a towable cover made by Geza Gear - it will not scratch the bike.

[JackMac]

The weight of a GoldWing is 900+ pounds. Add that to a trailer tongue weight of 700+ pounds, not to mention the weight of items carried in the truck. All that equals at least a one ton truck needed to move it all.

[ScottMac]

Our F-250 with Goldwing, tongue weight (680 lbs), ramp weight (95 lbs) and fully loaded was still 400 lbs. below payload rating and was below both gross and combined vehicle weight ratings with the Safari hooked up.

The F-250 (it is a diesel) pulled that load like there was nothing behind it or in the bed. We average between 11-13 mpg towing (using the tow haul mode).

- Scott

[mgriffrus]

Wow! I dug up an old thread! This is actually something I was thinking about doing yesterday. How fun would it be to carry the airstream and motorcycle to the campground and then explore on bike (I was thinking about mountains) . The wife's on board, we'd just have to get a long bed truck to hold the bike. Oh, and get a bike. And probably wait for the kids to be out of school.

A fellow can dream....

[switz]

When I had a 2500HD GMC Duramax around 2005 to 2007, I would use the Rampage loader to bring the dresser CVO Classic (850 pounds) up into the bed of the truck. I never tried my 2006 Gold Wing. The loader weighed in at about 330 pounds. My 2010 Gold Wing weighs in at 950 pounds. Thus the two items would use 1,280 pounds of payload. This assembly raises the center of mass is very high for the truck.

If one has a 1,200 tongue weight trailer, then we have used nearly 2,480 pounds of payload without driver or passenger in the TV. Looking at the 2012 Dodge truck data, the base model 2wd 2500 standard cab 8' bed, with gas V8 can have around a 3, 168 pound payload, Changing to a diesel engine that weighs more reduces available payload to 2,652 pounds. Taking the base cab, base model standard cab long bed diesel dually and the payload goes to 5,182 pounds.

The 2wd crew cab models have 2,760 pounds for the base cab 8' bed and gas engine. The same model with diesel engine has a 2,100 pound payload and the dually has a 4,160 pound payload. Note that the max trailer allowance increased along with higher gear ratios (3.42 to 3.73 to 4.10).

So, one would need to carefully spec out a 3/4 ton Dodge (or any other brand) pickup to carry a large tongue weight and the motorcycle at the same time and have some capacity for the usual accessories in the truck bed and two people. The dually would have better stability with the motorcycle loaded up high in the bed. Shifting to a one ton dually with gas or diesel engine would give the user the highest payload.

Go play with the different truck build sheets to see what might work for this particular task.

YMMV

[mefly2]

Does this mandate a long box ...or will it fit diagonally

[switz]

The Rampage is nominally 8' long, so it hung out over the bed to the edge of the tailgate on the GMC short bed. The Gold Wing has a long wheel base. I think it makes sense to have it centered in the bed rather than unequal weight trying a diagonal fitting.

The Rampage has three parts which in theory one person could man handle to take out of the bed. You had to bring some major cables from the battery due to the power draw of the winch. You really want the device well fastened to the floor of the truck bed during the transition of going up the incline and then level into the bed. That is a lot of mass wiggling during the ride into the truck bed. Thinking back, I would have been happier to have two spotters with ropes attached to the bike to encourage a true vertical position for the entire loading process.

YMMV

[NCMEDIC]

http://youtu.be/CXZdQswVM94

Would this work and still be able to tow an AS, with the overhang? I'm wondering if you'd need an extension or if the Hensley would give enough clearance.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

No, Ron, while I realize we're all looking for more economical tow vehicles, your GoldWing will not accept the necessary sway control/weight distributing hitch, nor does it have the requisite wheelbase, unless of course, it's a one-ton dually GoldWing.

I'm kidding, of course... but I'd like to give you a warm welcome to the forums! We have a number of large motorcycle-toting members, RoadKingMoe and john hd come immediately to mind, and I'm sure they'll weigh in here... of course you might have had better luck if you said you wanted to haul a Harley, but I'm sure they'll give you the benefit of their hauling experience anyway...

Roger

85MH325,
I noticed a recumbent in your avatar and I noticed that you live in Iowa. I have a Linear recumbent built in Iowa by Kann Mfg. The only other thing I have seen manufactured by Kann is a fishing boat!
I have often wondered how to haul my Road King.
I think it would require a 3/4 ton truck with an 8' bed.
I can't even haul a Vespa with my 1/2 ton- not enough available payload.
I still might try hauling a Vespa, though. Using the Pythagorean Therum I have determined that a Vespa will fit in a short bed truck diagonally...
I used to think about double towing when I had a SOB trailer.