Vespa Scooter Rack for Airstream

[PMJ]

Hi group,

First time here and english is my second language, so i will try my best to be as clear as possible

We just bought a Vespa Scooter 50cc for our local trips when our Airstream is park.

I'am wondering if a Scooter Rack exist and / or if it is possible to have it install on a 2016, 25'" Signature Airstream Trailer.

Thank you,
Pierre

[Rich W]

Hello Pierre, welcome to the forums and greetings from central Kentucky. Your explanation was very clear.

There are bicycle racks for Airstreams but I'm afraid the Vespa would be too heavy for the rack and the trailer. If you have a pickup truck you could carry it there. Otherwise, I don't think you'll be able to take it along.

[PMJ]

Thank you Rich,

That's what i thought doing but realized that my Ram box is 5'7" while the Vespa is 6'1" long !!! ( my mistake) Before going further and changing the truck, i was just checking first if a rack was existing .

I will go with another RAM with the 6'4" long.

Thank you again,

Pierre

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by PMJ

Thank you Rich,

That's what i thought doing but realized that my Ram box is 5'7" while the Vespa is 6'1" long !!! ( my mistake) Before going further and changing the truck, i was just checking first if a rack was existing .

I will go with another RAM with the 6'4" long.

Thank you again,

Pierre

Bon Jour.

You could easily have a rack built and installed on the front of your truck to carry the scooter if it wasn't too heavy. I have seen similar devices for 2" receivers which you could use with a front receiver that even include a ramp to load the scooter/dirt bike.

[n2916s]

Front trailer hitch and a rack would solve your problem. Lot less expensive than trading in the truck.

[dennis3751]

Another idea would be to angle the scooter in the truck bed; front wheel on left side and rear to the right. It would cut up the space in the truck bed but then a new truck wouldn't be needed.
Dennis

[m.hony]

If you use the Pythagorean Theorem you will see that the Vespa will fit in the truck bed diagonally.
In a triangle where the side of truck bed (length of a right triangle) = a, the back (or front) of the truck bed (width of a right triangle) = b, and the length of the scooter = c (hypotenuse), then the equation a squared + b squared = c squared...

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by PMJ

Thank you Rich,

That's what i thought doing but realized that my Ram box is 5'7" while the Vespa is 6'1" long !!! ( my mistake) Before going further and changing the truck, i was just checking first if a rack was existing .

I will go with another RAM with the 6'4" long.

Thank you again,

Pierre

Maybe a custom made tailgate?
How about cutting the front tire to the left/right, that should give you a few more inches, probably not 6, however. What the others said, put it crossways in the bed.

Peut-être un hayon personnalisé?
Que diriez-vous de tourner le pneu avant vers la gauche / droite, qui devrait vous donner quelques pouces de plus, probablement pas 6, cependant. Ce que les autres ont dit, mettez-le diagonal dans le lit.

[dznf0g]

I carry my 1986 Yamaha Riva in the bed of the truck (6.5'). I have considered getting something a bit larger and had already decided on an angled positioning, if I do. With all the tie downs available in most PUs today, it isn't a problem at all when I experiment with my current scooter. It does make for some more creative packing of other items, but still no big deal. I certainly wouldn't trade trucks prematurely just for a reason to park longitudinally.

[Milo1952]

'
How about leaving the tailgate down and adding an extender. That would give you ample room to put your vehicle into the bed of the truck straight leaving you with lots of room for adding other stuff. I surely wouldn't go through the added expense of buying another truck just for accomodating a small gas powered 2 wheel vehicle. Try a little yankee ingenuity.

[dznf0g]

Clearance issue with Jack in turns?

[Urbanologist]

Contact the factory to really KNOW what can be added to your rear trailer frame. Don't be a test case of what NOT to haul. If you can't haul attached to rear, how about the front of the tow vehicle. The tow vehicle's front frame can be modified to handle the Vespa rack (just like a snow plow blade mechanical lift). Don't forget: Anything you add to the rear of your Airstream is going to potentially drag the ground when going up or down driveways. Again -- Contact the factory for their input -- especially if you'd be VOIDING your warranty by any alteration(s).

[Milo1952]

Thats a good question. I'm not sure, but am pretty sure some on the forum would have the answer.

[awabdo]

Pierre, I have been researching this very issue. I have a Vespa LXV 150cc. It weighs about 250 pounds (114Kg). I have a Toyota Tacoma which is a relatively small truck. The answer if you don't want to fill your truck bed with the scooter is to install a front hitch mount/receiver. You can put a hitch on the front and then get a motorcycle carrier rack to attach to the front receiver. Here is a link to a front mount hitch system. Not sure what is available in Europe.

http://www.etrailer.com/fmr-2015_Ford_F-150.htm

My issue with putting my Vespa on the front is the wear from road grime being upfront. I am now looking to see if there is a suitable cover to protect the scooter on the front of the truck.

Good luck.

Ashley

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by awabdo

Pierre, I have been researching this very issue. I have a Vespa LXV 150cc. It weighs about 250 pounds (114Kg). I have a Toyota Tacoma which is a relatively small truck. The answer if you don't want to fill your truck bed with the scooter is to install a front hitch mount/receiver. You can put a hitch on the front and then get a motorcycle carrier rack to attach to the front receiver. Here is a link to a front mount hitch system. Not sure what is available in Europe.

http://www.etrailer.com/fmr-2015_Ford_F-150.htm

My issue with putting my Vespa on the front is the wear from road grime being upfront. I am now looking to see if there is a suitable cover to protect the scooter on the front of the truck.

Good luck.

Ashley

And your radiator is going to get good cooling airflow...how?

[Caffeinated]

Originally Posted by awabdo

Pierre, I have been researching this very issue. I have a Vespa LXV 150cc. It weighs about 250 pounds (114Kg). I have a Toyota Tacoma which is a relatively small truck. The answer if you don't want to fill your truck bed with the scooter is to install a front hitch mount/receiver. You can put a hitch on the front and then get a motorcycle carrier rack to attach to the front receiver. Here is a link to a front mount hitch system. Not sure what is available in Europe.

http://www.etrailer.com/fmr-2015_Ford_F-150.htm

My issue with putting my Vespa on the front is the wear from road grime being upfront. I am now looking to see if there is a suitable cover to protect the scooter on the front of the truck.

Good luck.

Ashley

Ashley, if you want to front mount your Vespa, I think you will need a bigger truck. On the inside of your driver door there should be a sticker telling you weight limits for your truck. Go to a scale and weigh the individual axles unloaded, and then loaded with your trailer hooked up. That will tell you how much payload you have left. I'm guessing not much.

Mike

[Adiredneck]

How big a Ram do you have - 1500, 2500, 3500? There are a couple of companies that make a front hitch receiver that just bolts onto tow hooks on a Ram, with a 2" receiver. It has a 500# rating, which is more than enough for the rack and Vespa if you have a 2500 or 3500. Plus, as a Quebecois, you may have a truck with a plow-prep package, which gives the front axle heavier springs and steering to take the weight of a 1500# plow. Check these out before you buy a new truck!

[Lifeguard53]

My Airstream dealer is welding 2" receiver hitches on the rear of the trailer. They said it would carry 200 lbs.