Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier

[Snake]

They seem to work well for small (lightweight) bikes like dirt bikes and dual sports. One of our members tried it on their 250 and said it was very difficult to load and unload. I think most people will tell you that a small trailer is the way to go since they are low to the ground and usualy have a built in ramp.

[Snake]

Here is a link to the thread.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=20905

[BlueRaven]

I received a ramp in December from the manufacturer so i wouldn't have to lower the carrier. What a company. They designed the ramp and shipped it by courier for free. I'm waiting for a nice day to see how it all comes together but i wont try to put and remove the bike by myself next time.

[BlueRaven]

Thanks for the link snake. I've been searching for that thread but couldn't find it.

[Snake]

Sounds like a great company. Most would not go to the trouble and expense.

[Snake]

No prob BR. Anytime.

[Dano]

I seem to remember some people that have tried it with other sportbikes, the general consenus was that a trailer was better. The hitch mount you had to be careful on dips because it would drag and other problems.

[Slabrocks]

thanks for the link! i too have been considering one of these.

[Sailariel]

I checked one out and decided on a small Landscape Trailer ($400 at Lowes) Bolted a 3/4" sheet of plywood to the steel mesh floor, and bolted six rings to the floor. Hauling the bike is cake, and you don`t need a big car. Hanging a 400lb motorcycle off the rear end of my Vibe/Toyota Matrix would be a disaster. Besides, the trailer can be used for other things as well.

[anomolli]

Originally Posted by BlueRaven

I received a ramp in December from the manufacturer so i wouldn't have to lower the carrier. What a company. They designed the ramp and shipped it by courier for free. I'm waiting for a nice day to see how it all comes together but i wont try to put and remove the bike by myself next time.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried to use it after the new ramp? Was it easier, or would you still not recommend these types of carriers?

[BlueRaven]

No i haven't had time to try it out, still in the box. I'll have some time off in July from my second job to play with it. Hopefully it wont be hard to figure out how to use it.

[ironglory]

Anyone here have one of these units. What about ur friends. What have they learned about these equipments?

Please feel free to post your reviews and opinions.


For me, it's cheaper than renting a pick up truck everytime you want to haul ur baby around esp if you have an SUV already. Hmmm, seems like campings are gonna get more interesting with having one around.

[Alex]

http://www.mototote.com/

Some people have good luck with them, but make sure that you do get the one that is meant for street bikes (and not 250 pound dirt bikes), and also that the vehicle you attach it to has the ability to handle that much trailer tongue weight.

[ironglory]

Thank you Alex for the advice.

[tanman2003]

Anyone carry their ninja on one of these trailer hitch carriers?

such as this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-...ier-99721.html

[Alex]

/merged a couple of the hitch mount carrier threads into one.

[austexjg]

I'm thinking about getting one - don't have room in the garage for a trailer. Also looking at the "Trailer in a Bag" option. I know I need to make my mind up real soon - trackday on Oct. 1.

[mrlmd]

You have to take into account that it puts a 300lb load a foot or more out from the rear bumper and your hitch and rear suspension has to be able to handle that load, plus, depending on the tow vehicle, it's going to greatly lighten the weight on the front wheels, sometimes making steering and traction a little wobbly and aiming your headlights high. It's not just simply a bolt it on and forget it thing, you have to make sure the tow vehicle can handle it. You also have to make sure the whole contraption doesn't block your rear lights and turn signals and license plate. IMO, you are better off with an inexpensive small trailer, like from Harbor Freight for less than $200. They stand up well and can easily carry the load and have been used and recommended on many other forums. You can also get one that folds in half and stands up if you don't have room in the garage or yard.

[tanman2003]

Anyone hear anything about this style?

[mrlmd]

You are putting wear on your rear tire, chain, sprockets, transmission, you can't back up. It's OK for a short, few mile trip, going x-country you'd probably want to remove the chain to disengage the rear wheel. They also lean the bike around turns, you have to make sure it's well strapped on. A small trailer is still cheaper and more secure, less traumatic to the bike.

["A"]

Originally Posted by mrlmd

You are putting wear on your rear tire, chain, sprockets, transmission, you can't back up. It's OK for a short, few mile trip, going x-country you'd probably want to remove the chain to disengage the rear wheel. They also lean the bike around turns, you have to make sure it's well strapped on. A small trailer is still cheaper and more secure, less traumatic to the bike.

IMO, that's better than obstructing driver's rear view, rear turn signals, tail/brake lights. Less chance of a motorcycle falling off the hitch while loading or unloading.
Securing the motorcycle from the handlebar clip-ons are poor example though.

Small trailers are dangerous at highway speed (for cross country application), a good bump on the road can send the trailer tipping and causing control problems on the towing vehicle, especially if you do not have a heavy towing vehicle.
Maneuvering any trailer is not intiutive to most drivers, turning raduis, reverse methods, braking methods, load distribution.. all can cause serious handling effects on the towing vehicle.

[mrlmd]

Originally Posted by N Ja

Small trailers are dangerous at highway speed (for cross country application), a good bump on the road can send the trailer tipping and causing control problems on the towing vehicle, especially if you do not have a heavy towing vehicle.
Maneuvering any trailer is not intiutive to most drivers, turning raduis, reverse methods, braking methods, load distribution.. all can cause serious handling effects on the towing vehicle.

That is not true, even the small Harbor Freight trailers are rated for highway speeds and there are many people on other forums using them for extended trips with no problems. You have to pay attention to tire pressures and keep the bearings properly greased and they will serve you well. The 12" wheeled trailers are better, but the 8" wheels also perform very well even for long trips. And, like with everything else you do, you have to learn how to drive with one and how to back up. A very short trailer can be difficult because it is easy to jackknife, a longer utility trailer or modified boat trailer not so much a problem with the axle further from the hitch ball.
In short, you are entitled to your opinion, and that's all it is, so don't listen to any advice, go out and buy and do what you want.

[650cat]

I have a Trailer In A Bag. It is fantastic! It is pricey but it can come apart and take up very little space. It can accommodate a big bike if you need it. I have hauled my bikes to track days and racing for years. I use a Subaru Forester and it works great! I have the single ramp style. I can't use it "for other things" like the flat bed style but I don't have room for one of those anyway.

Check out my bike/trailer/cat on the TIAB website:
http://trailerinabag.com/photos/sportbikes/index.html

[austexjg]

I've been scanning craigslist for one - might bite the bullet and buy one for full price.

[avneet]

Am I the only one who just rents a trailer from U-haul for $15 for the day?

[650cat]

Originally Posted by avneet

Am I the only one who just rents a trailer from U-haul for $15 for the day?

That is great if you only go to the track a few times a year, have plenty of time to pick up & return it during their business hours, and own or can borrow a vehicle large enough to pull one.

I got my TIAB so that I could be completely independent. I can put the trailer together, attach it to my car, load the bike, drive it and then unload/load solo at the track. It has been completely worth the price for me.

The only thing I can recommend is spend the extra money for a Condor wheel chock when you get the TIAB. It makes loading easier especially if you have no kickstand on your bike.

[austexjg]

I rented a U-haul this weekend for a trackday - it has a 45 mph speed limit - I still went 55, but I was being passed by everything on the road. It was a pain to wait in line at the counter - begining of the month - at least 6 people were in front of me and only one person working the counter. The price was fine, the wait was not.

[650cat]

Originally Posted by austexjg

I rented a U-haul this weekend for a trackday - it has a 45 mph speed limit - I still went 55, but I was being passed by everything on the road. It was a pain to wait in line at the counter - begining of the month - at least 6 people were in front of me and only one person working the counter. The price was fine, the wait was not.

Like I said the TIAB is worth the price if you are going to haul your bike around on a regular basis. There are lots of other options but space, weight and ease of use it is the only way to go! Oh yeah the speed thing... we could talk about it offline... my trailer is legal at the speed posted on the "pulling a trailer" sign. In my area that is 55. Let's just say on an occasional down hill segment I have safely been over the limit a bit.

[ironglory]

I reason I am considering one of those Moto Totes/ Hitch mounted carriers is to lessen the expenses.
If you have a trailer - TIAB, u-haul'n, small Landscape Trailer, modified boat trailers - dont u still have register it and have it inspected to? I might be wrong on this fact though. Plus the speed limit restriction though I'm not say'n driving like a maniac with a Hitch mounted motorcycle carriers.

[johnjohn]

Versa-Haul will work with a unibody vehicle but you will need to put air bag suspension in the coil springs to handle the overload. Vehicle will stay level and not give the light front end effect. Need at the minimum a class 3 hitch.