Carrying motorcycles - RV-Dreams Community Forum

woodly1069 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Carrying motorcycles

TK · RV-Dreams Community Member

Good question. I'd love to hear what others have done out there. I am also considering brining along a motorcycle when I finally go fulltiming, but I'm not sure how it will work with a fifth wheel.

retread · RV-Dreams Family Member

We're not motorcyclists, but it seems that those who do have toyhaulers with the weight compensated with an extra axle? Linda

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

You're asking a very technical question and can't be answered without all the specifics on what exact motor home are you referring to, what does the manufacturer say is the weight capacity on the rear and how much does the bike and mount weigh.

It's not a matter of opinion, it's an engineering problem.

Good luck,

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have seen dirt bikes mounted on the front of the truck. Not sure if that's an option for you or not. It looked like they had a hitch mounted to the front of their truck and used a hitch mounted rail. I think they are usually rated for hauling 500 lbs.

mcw50 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We would agree that its a matter of engineering - weight rating, etc. We have friends who has a 35 ft. motor home and carried a Gold Wing motorcycle on a beautiful rack on the rear. He kept blowing tires, doing damage to the RV in the process. He finally decided it was the weight and stress on the axle. He now tows a Jeep instead.

Mary

TrishsTravco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good luck with that, Woodly.

Knowing that I'll be taking my bike's the biggest reason I settled on an A and a small enclosed trailer.

Truthfully, I wouldn't. After having the Avion for (many) years, I considered stashing the bike in the bed, but I need the bed for "stuff." Everyone needs stuff --extra water and gas cans, blocks, tools (if it can break, it will), and everything else.
Plus, with the weight of the bike, you must take into consideration your braking-to-weight ratios & tongue weight.

With your hitch, there just isn't room for a bike. But I would not leave my bike, either.

-- Edited by TrishsTravco on Wednesday 17th of June 2009 01:23:27 PM

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've considered just such a problem, and though I'm not full-timing yet (house on the market 7 months) my solution is:
A. Go with a TT rather than a 5er so the bed of the pick-up can be used for tools and a couple small motorcycles.
B. Use a 5er toy carrier.

There are 5ers that though designed for a single motorcycle are not classed as toy carriers by their manufacturers, so they may be difficult to find. One such entry level 5er in this category is the Wildcat 31THSB by Forest River, though it's CCC may not be adequate for FT use. You might even consider a lightweight TT toy hauler like the KZ 289ks Spree (though also lacking in CCC). Though a little heavier, a Wildwood 29SBSRV or a Keystone Sprinter 301RMP both have much more adequate CCC. These latter models would also give you a garage/workshop and storage area which you will probably find invaluable when fulltiming. Both are very reasonably priced, though you may find the living space/features a little too spartan for your tastes.

DaveSam · RV-Dreams Family Member

You could go with one of these motorcycle carriers. I saw one last year in California and it was really neat. It hitches to the rear of a fifthwheel.

http://www.motorcyclecarrier.net/rv_motorcycle_carriers.html

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

here is how I carry mine.

http://workinrvers.blogspot.com/2009/05/back-in-groove.html

Friends of ours pull a cargo trailer (with the bike loaded inside) behind their Big Horn. We tried a swivel wheel trailer behind ours but I never felt comfortable with it and the extra weight on the back made the tail wag the dog at times (scary).

AnnDon · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you can get it in the door, park it in the living room. Just Kidding. Have friends who are bikers and actually park their scoots inside their homes. We have a touring bike but keep ours in the garage. We are trying to find a trailer to pull behind our MH, to carry our bike and some tools. :)

Dan and Gail · RV-Dreams Family Member

We tow a GMC pickup behind our motorhome and carry the Yamaha motorcycle in the bed. Below is a link to the motorcycle loader made by Blue Ox which we had installed by Trailer Masters.

I don't have a picture of our bike loaded in the truck, but there is a video on this website.

http://www.blueox.us/Carriers/sportloader.htm

The center piece does extend out the end of the truck bed by about 6-8". And we also have a bike rack on the back of the truck. :)

Email us with your phone number if you want to talk to Dan more about it.
gailbrogdon@gmail.com

He really likes it. Doesn't have to wrestle the motorcycle around. He usually has a group of guys watching him unload as soon as we pull into a new campground. :)

We'll also be at the Texas rally, if anyone wants to see it.