Hitch mounted-motorbike carrier

[Quo Vadis]

Hello. I own a MinnieWinnie 22R and would like to place my motorbike on a hitch-mounted carrier. Combined bike and carrier weight is around the tongue weight limit of 500 pounds. Any recommendations?
Ash

[Eagle5]

Hi Ash,
Here is what I did:
Dualsport Motorcycle Carrier for a Minnie Winnie 22M
It works well for me.
Thanks, Eagle5

[Raxel7851]

I bought a Versa-Hauler years ago to haul my moped. It’s one BADAZZ hauler. That thing is built right.

[Quo Vadis]

Originally Posted by Raxel7851

I bought a Versa-Hauler years ago to haul my moped. It’s one BADAZZ hauler. That thing is built right.

Thank you kindly.
Ash

[Hylane]

I have a hydraulic lift for my 125cc scooter that I bought from Hydralift. It works perfectly for me!

[sajohnson]

Originally Posted by Quo Vadis

Hello. I own a MinnieWinnie 22R and would like to place my motorbike on a hitch-mounted carrier. Combined bike and carrier weight is around the tongue weight limit of 500 pounds. Any recommendations?
Ash

Hi Ash,

I did a quick search and see your rear axle weight rating is 7,800 lbs.

If that is correct, 500 lbs. will likely be too much, unless your rig is very lightly loaded, with the weight mostly toward the front.

Beyond the tongue weight rating, which is based on a trailer, not the dead weight of a bike -- the rear axle will 'see' much more than the 500 lbs., due to the fact that it is exerting downward force several feet behind the axle.

There is a formula to determine the exact amount of additional weight, but for discussion, let's say it's an extra 300 lbs. That's 800 lbs. on the rear axle and 300 lbs. off the front.

Our View has a rear axle rating of 7,720 lbs. (Sprinter chassis). It also has a 500 lb. hitch. Our bike is a Suzuki DR-Z400 that weighs about 320 lbs. The carrier, security chain, and locks are another ~50 lbs. for about 370 total.

I would not want any more weight back there. As-is, we have the rear axle maxed out -- we even had an inner wheel crack! -- and the handling in some situations is 'less than ideal'. For example there is a highway in Nevada -- I think it is 395 -- that is posted at maybe 65-70 mph. It goes through a series of deep washes -- the hills are so steep that if you're doing the speed limit the rig practically leaves the road. In that sort of situation, even slowing down to 45-50 mph doesn't help much. The rear axle acts like the pivot point for a teeter-totter and the front end hits the bump stops over and over again (with brand new Koni struts) -- light, then heavy.

Granted, it might be a pretty wild ride even without the bike, but it's something to keep in mind.

Also any potholes and washboard roads are made worse, and a lot of stress is placed on the hitch and carrier.

If you go with a fixed carrier like we did (they're sturdy, cheaper, and much lighter -- but more work) you might consider buying a folding aluminum ramp. It makes loading/unloading much easier than the short ramp that came with the carrier.

Good luck!

[Quo Vadis]

Thanks to all for the informative feedback. Much appreciated.
Ash

[NeilV]

Which 22R do you have? The newer ones can be either on the E350 or E450 which can make a big difference.

https://d3qrmewc1af01c.cloudfront.ne...c1c0c61df3.pdf

On the E350 there will be less capacity to carry a bike on the hitch along with passengers and their stuff. Best would be to weigh the coach loaded for the way you intend to travel with it including passengers to see if its even reasonable to add another 500 lbs to the hitch.

[Quo Vadis]

Originally Posted by NeilV

Which 22R do you have? The newer ones can be either on the E350 or E450 which can make a big difference.

https://d3qrmewc1af01c.cloudfront.ne...c1c0c61df3.pdf

On the E350 there will be less capacity to carry a bike on the hitch along with passengers and their stuff. Best would be to weigh the coach loaded for the way you intend to travel with it including passengers to see if its even reasonable to add another 500 lbs to the hitch.

Hello, and thanks for your reply. I have an E350 chassis. It has a class 3 hitch rated at 7,500 lbs and a 500 lbs tongue weight.
Ash

[DavidM]

Originally Posted by Quo Vadis

Hello, and thanks for your reply. I have an E350 chassis. It has a class 3 hitch rated at 7,500 lbs and a 500 lbs tongue weight.
Ash

Realize that the Class 3 hitch rating of 7,500 lbs by itself says nothing about what your coach can handle. Neither does the tongue weight limit.

The real limit starts with what your coach's GVWR is, and an E350 is 12,500 lbs, less the actual weight of the coach, with driver, passengers, fluids and gear. That and the tongue weight limit has to be observed whichever is lower.

David

[sajohnson]

Originally Posted by Quo Vadis

Hello, and thanks for your reply. I have an E350 chassis. It has a class 3 hitch rated at 7,500 lbs and a 500 lbs tongue weight.
Ash

One option is to just try it and see.

Put the bike on the hitch carrier and weigh the rig, packed and ready for travel.

See how close the rear end is to the 7,800 lb axle weight rating.

Also, keep in mind that 500 lbs of dead weight on the hitch is different from 500 lbs of trailer tongue weight. Unlike a trailer, hitch carriers tend to twist the stinger and the receiver. Also, the up/down movement of a trailer is smoother than a bike on a carrier.