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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> Options for bringing a car and a motorcycle
Post Info TOPIC: Options for bringing a car and a motorcycle
Tom and Mare


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Options for bringing a car and a motorcycle
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I am wondering what solution others may have come up with to full time with both a toad and a lightmotorcycle. We will be going with a motorhome but the weight figures don't seem to work out with gas units. At this point we don't really want the extra outlay and expense for a diesel. Any tips or experience with this would be appreciated.



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Lucky Mike


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mini pick up....Chevy S10.....ford ranger....gmc sonoma.....bike in the bed.

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Tom and Mare


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We have a 2010 Nissan Frontier, plan on downsizing to a 500lb Honda. It seems like we'd be maxing out on weight with a gas unit. The floorplan we like is the Winnebago 35A.



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Workinrvers


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there are a few manufacturers that make vehicle tow dolly's where you can haul a motorcycle in front of the car. Here is a link to one  http://www.carrierliftstore.com/towdolly.html

 

Phil



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Lucky Mike


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Im kinda confused as to your weight issue.......where are you getting your numbers from as far as weight for towing and vehicle towing....your total tow should be 5k or less on a gas model ...do you already have your coach? I tow a trailer with my truck inside and shop equipment and Im not overweight....I have a 25' Class A with a 460 gas

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 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

rers1@mail.com

 

My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!
Tom and Mare


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My truck weighs in at around 4400+500 for the bike. So thats cutting it close for a 5000 lb tow rating.one chassis option for the 35A has 22 GVWR and 26 GCWR so that option is out. Another chassis option is 24/30 which seems to work for towing. do you think that might be cutting it to close?That option is much harder to find. This option has a CCC of 3100 lbs. Just looking for other options and others experiences.

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Tom and Mare


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I have seen those tow dollies but adding the weight of the dolly would put us over the 5000 lb tow rating.

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Mark V


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As long as both of you can drive, another solution would be for one of you to pilot the pick-up as a scout, and just tow the MC. The problem with that idea though would be the additional cost of the gas for the Nissan.



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WendysPhotos


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Sell the truck and buy a smaller lighter weight car. You can find a nice 2000-3000 weight small SUV or coupe and then I saw somewhere that had a 4 down tow bar hook to a rack that had a Harley on it and the rack was installed on the frame of the motorhome. It looked like they were towing a Prius, but don't quote me on it. I saw it on Google images while surfing. We want mopeds besides the car and were looking for a rack that can be installed. Try google images and see if you can find a solution.

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WendysPhotos


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Found It   Hydra-lift.com    They make a thing that holds the motorcycle and then the 4 down dolly connects to it.  So no big dolly.

 

Wendy



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Workinrvers


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WendysPhotos wrote:

Found It   Hydra-lift.com    They make a thing that holds the motorcycle and then the 4 down dolly connects to it.  So no big dolly.

 

Wendy

 

I would be real careful trying to put a motorcycle lift on a gas motor home. We had one on our diesel and it was marginal, went with a cargo trailer towed by the MH and DW follows in our p/u truck when traveling to our summer work camping job. We do leave the bike/trailer at our daughters in the winter and tow our truck behind the M/H (four down) when heading south to work in the oil fields.

 

Phil

 



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Tom and Mare


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I remember reading about your ordeal with the lift, Phil, I defineately want to stay away from that. We have toyed with driving the pickup separately, that maybe the best option in the long run as long as we're not constantly on the move.


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Terry and Jo


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Tom and Mare wrote:

I remember reading about your ordeal with the lift, Phil, I defineately want to stay away from that. We have toyed with driving the pickup separately, that maybe the best option in the long run as long as we're not constantly on the move.

 Jo and I have opted for this same idea, although for a different reason.  We are "static" full-timers and don't really want to do all our coming and going in the F450.  In addition, when we do travel, Jo can drive the F150 and follow, watching the trailer.  Or, she can go ahead and scout out parking places or easy places to get into for fuel.  Or, we can park the trailer and F450 in a Walmart parking lot and go to a better restaurant.

Plus, if one breaks down (Heaven forbid), there is an extra vehicle to go for help or parts.

Terry



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FOSJ


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Steve and I just arrived in Custer South Dakota for the summer. When traveling he drives the motorhome pulling the trailer with the bikes and I follow in the jeep. This works great for us as I enjoy stopping when I want to take pictures. I just have to pay attention and not lag too far behind. I tend to watch the scenery more so than the road signs!


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WendysPhotos


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I was just pointing out an option. We are getting a DP, but have yet to decide on all the accesories that go along with the towing and stuff. We are not motorcycle people, but though it would be fun to have a couple of electric mopeds to cruise around the RV parks and close by. Do not know if that will pan out or not yet. We will see.

Wendy

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Workinrvers


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WendysPhotos wrote:

I was just pointing out an option. We are getting a DP, but have yet to decide on all the accesories that go along with the towing and stuff. We are not motorcycle people, but though it would be fun to have a couple of electric mopeds to cruise around the RV parks and close by. Do not know if that will pan out or not yet. We will see.

Wendy

 Wendy,

The lifts are more for the diesel pushers and the OP said he was sticking with a gas unit, no harm in putting it out there for others to consider though for sure. There are several of us that ride bikes and it is a great lifestyle, along with full timing. Maybe instead of the electric scooters you'll join us with something bigger?


Phil 

 

 

 

 


-- Edited by Workinrvers on Tuesday 22nd of April 2014 08:00:18 PM

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Phil and Rudee
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2002 Winnebago Journey DL
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Tom and Mare


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After talking to everyone at the spring rally we have pretty much decided to give up on the gas MH and go diesel instead. It should give us all the power we need to haul the bike around wether its in the bed of the truck or on a combo dolly. Driving some of those hills in the Smokies also made me realize how valuable a Jake brake could be. Thanks for all your suggestions.


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TXRVr


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None of the smaller pickups have a bed long enough to fit a bike in without lowering the tail gates. I did occasionally put my Honda Shadow 750 in my Ford Ranger using that technique.    The truck is 3100 # and the bike is 500 #.  That's well under the tow capability of most 5000#  RV tow limits.  The issue is not that, but rather the need for supplemental braking when tow weights get much over 3000 # - even with a jake brake.

I now use a Hydra lift on the back of my DP and live it.  I don't know the cost comparison between that and the tandem tow dolly. 

 

 



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folivier


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If you do carry a bike in a truck with the tire (weight) on the tailgate then consider a set of these: www.dgmtailgatesupport.com
I use them for carrying my RZR in the back of my truck.

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