Traveling with a Motorcycle

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by Nysaao

Thanks for the input. I’m trying not to buy another trailer but if necessary will get another truck. I have a Indian Vintage so it’s a bigger bike

Maybe a F450 with big flat bed?

https://m.commercialtrucktrader.com/...50--5003574162

[Nysaao]

That might be a little excessive. I don’t want it to be cost prohibitive. Worse case I’ll pass on the AS and get a toy hauler. Point is I won’t bring the bike every time and I’m not a full timer at this point so what might work 50% of the time and still be reasonable. I’m thinking bed rack.

[Dan_Rox]

We haul 2 dual sport motorcycles inside a Chevy Express cargo van when we tow our Airstream. Bikes are out of the weather and secure. A van makes a really great tow vehicle. We looked at toy haulers but didn't want anythiing that big.

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by Dan_Rox

We haul 2 dual sport motorcycles inside a Chevy Express cargo van when we tow our Airstream. Bikes are out of the weather and secure. A van makes a really great tow vehicle. We looked at toy haulers but didn't want anythiing that big.

Interesting with the van. What size AS and van?

[Dan_Rox]

28 foot flying cloud trailer and a 3500 van with a 6.0 gas engine and Quigley 4x4 conversion

[Nysaao]

That’s a nice set up Hadn’t thought of the van option.

[Lara Me]

Indian Road chief would be harder to load in a truck, especially solo, and you would want a 1 ton to be within payload capacity for bike and hitch weight. The ramps aren’t the issue as Big Boy ramps are very wide and you can get extended length; main issue is the height of the truck bed and the weight of the bike. Absent using the power lift, the van sounds like a winner, especially if you can locate a Diesel engine one. Use a mounted Condor chock, they really hold the bike rock steady.

[rc111]

I am building a front hitch mounted dirt bike carrier for my Ram 1500 and Yamaha TW200. I am adding snow plow lights with high and low beams and turn signals, wired to a 7-way pin that I am pigtailing off the rear trailer plug. i am also adding a front license plate holder with light to the front carrier. although my bike is smallish (270 lbs.), and fits mostly between the headlights, I wanted to avoid getting stopped by the highway patrol, so I figured the light/turn signal setup on the front carrier should help with that. i am also lifting the front three inches and adding adjustable shocks to stiffen it up. don't want the suspension bouncing around with the bike up there!

[Lara Me]

RC111, check your payload. You have at least 320 lbs with your carrier, maybe as much as 380 if you use a Versahauler style heavy duty rack. If you are using a weight distribution hitch it may place a very heavy load on the tow vehicle. If it were me I would load the bike in the truck bed.

[Nysaao]

Originally Posted by Lara Me

RC111, check your payload. You have at least 320 lbs with your carrier, maybe as much as 380 if you use a Versahauler style heavy duty rack. If you are using a weight distribution hitch it may place a very heavy load on the tow vehicle. If it were me I would load the bike in the truck bed.

I'm thinking truck bed option with a electric loader ramp type Im wondering about the clearance however. I'm guessing some overhang by the rear bike wheel and ramp. I would likely remove the tailgate and go with those web tailgate type things.

[Mollysdad]

After looking at the options, I'd get a van suitable to tow the Airstream. Load the bike in that.