Hitch carriers?

imortlfool

imortlfool

Well-known member
What's everyone's experience with hitch carriers?

These things: http://www.mototote.com/mototote-mtx-sport-motorcycle-carrier.html

I have a Tacoma. Tongue weight says 500lbs. Bike is 400, carrier is 60, so I guess I could do it. Single support seems sketch though.

Hitch has safety factors engineered in?
Anyone played with adding support beyond the hitch? Some extra straps from the ends up over into the bed would help, maybe.

Thanks
 
gixxerjeff

gixxerjeff

Dogs best friend
Some people here will tell you they all suck while others will claim they drove to Wisconsin with 2 Gold Wings on one carrier.
Others will also ask why not use your truck bed or buy a trailer?
I presume you want the truck bed for other things and space is an issue storing the empty trailer. Been there. For the money they're asking for the one in your link you could buy a damn fine used utility trailer if you have the space. I built and modified/upgraded the $300 Harbor Freight punch-line of a trailer in to the perfect (for me) solution as it easily folds in half and rolls up against the garage wall. Before I built the trailer I had a hitch carrier (still have it). They obviously vary in quality and beefie-ness. I would put mine right in the middle. I never worried about losing the bike, although I wouldn't put anything bigger than a 250 dirt bike on mine, it's fine behind my Dakota (no camper shell) but when it was on my Durango I always worried the inside handlebar was going to punch through the back window. In short, it turned out to not provide any solution for me personally but I understand the appeal.
 
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FXCLM5

FXCLM5

bombaclaud
no after seeing a fukn grom being strapped on one

no FN way

you cant pay me to put my bike on one of those, not even my foooqn grom
 
F

fubar929

Well-known member
imortlfool said:
I have a Tacoma. Tongue weight says 500lbs. Bike is 400, carrier is 60, so I guess I could do it.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but there's no way this works for your vehicle. These hitch-mounted carriers place most of the weight a foot or two from the hitch. Because of this additional level arm, the tongue weight gets multiplied. Take a look at the capacity recommendations from Versahaul:

http://www.versahaul.com/vehiclecarrycapacity.php

For 2014 Tacos, it looks like they recommend a limit of 250-280 pounds for most models, even when used with their beefiest carriers...
 
cg_ops

cg_ops

1-Armed Bandit
Took mine to Tahoe on one, no issues but if you use one, make sure you get an anti-tilt device to keep it from moving as much.

jbXfehJ.jpg
 
S

Schnellbandit

I see 4 lights!
Op, the hitch rating of 500 pounds is at the hitch and every inch rearward is acting as a lever, compounding the actual weight.

Overloading and overstressing hitches, shocks and tires seems to be a pastime in America, I saw a Fiat (the subminiature size) with a hitch yesterday!

The safety factor built in isn't something you should take for granted or rely on.

Approach hitches with the thought..."if this things cuts loose and kills someone, was I doing it right and things just happened or dis I do it wrong and ..." because they will find out.

We talk about gearing up all the time, having insurance and all that and then push when it comes to other stuff, like this.

I read their marketing. Sounds good, aviation this and that. That is all pure BS.

I know, this sounds harsh but when you hear stories about how its okay, works for them, ask youself if they will be there at the pileup and funerals.

Please play it safe, give that hitch a margin because the financial aspects of a hitch failure with a bike on it is the smallest detail you should worry about.

A good trailer, no tiny wheels and tires, good tie downs, rear gate, front tire chock, load, check it, down the street, check it again, freeway, next exit a quick check and then checks whenever you stop.

Please stay and err on the very safe side, don't go to the max or even close to it on weight.
 
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madsen203

madsen203

Undetermined
Harbor Freight trailer is super easy to pull, light weight (300#), well equipt for what it is. I got mine built out the door $500 OTD. I pull it with a car rated to tow 1000#. With the bike loaded...the tongue weight is only 60-70# which is 1/3rd of the rated tongue wait for my car. I can drive 70mph all day long with it up and down hills and it's no problem. Easier to load, more space for other junk, and easy to maintain.
 
J

JimE

Rider
I have a cheap Cycle Gear one was on sale for under $100. Took out the bolts for the tire locations so the tires sit in there better. I strap it down pretty well and use extra tie downs between the ends and the hitch on the truck. Takes 5 tie downs IIRC. I've gone all over the Sierras, Oregon, etc... Some 4x4 roads (mild and very slow). You do have to watch the exit angle. Anyways I've done this all with a DRZ400s and it's fine. I would NOT do this with a heavy bike but a dirt bike it's okay. So not sure what you plan to haul but that's my experience. Oh and this is on a Tundra with a factory tow package. Probably the same tongue weight rating as yours.
 
C

Crispietogu

Well-known member
madsen203 said:
Harbor Freight trailer is super easy to pull, light weight (300#), well equipt for what it is. I got mine built out the door $500 OTD. I pull it with a car rated to tow 1000#. With the bike loaded...the tongue weight is only 60-70# which is 1/3rd of the rated tongue wait for my car. I can drive 70mph all day long with it up and down hills and it's no problem. Easier to load, more space for other junk, and easy to maintain.
Click to expand...

Got harbor freight too and it's been awesome . Light to move around by hand and can carry 2 bikes no problem. Got top box installed for storage. The original owner installed plywood with metal sheet over it and had two baxley chocks installed. Installrd pitbull restrant and loading and locking is so easy doing it by yourself. I go average 70-75 mph on freeway without any problem
 
rick

rick

Well-known member
That carrier comes with the anti-tilt/wobble bracket which is kind of huge - it's very alarming to watch a bike rocking back there and that can allow strap to loosen so, be sure to use it! Another set of tail lights on the carrier can be really nice as the bike typically blocks the set on your vehicle.

I dunno about the Tacoma specifically but 400# levered a foot or two away might be a little much for your receiver with a 500# limit. Pickups in general seem to do well with carriers though. However, I don't recall seeing one on a Tacoma off the top of my head.

FWIW, I never felt comfortable hauling a sport bike on one and I mostly only use receiver carriers for significantly lighter dirt bikes (less than 300lbs). Those dirtbike carriers are also significantly lighter to drag out and install onto the vehicle too.
 
dravnx

dravnx

Well-known member
Make sure the hitch doesn't block your license plate either.
Many small cars have hitches. They're used for bike racks, not pulling trailers. I'm about to install one on our Prius.
 
stangmx13

stangmx13

not Stan
the Tacoma seems to be sprung very lightly compared to other trucks. i bottom out the suspension somewhat regularly w/ the bed full of everything i take to club racing. ill be adding helper springs soon to prevent that and level the truck when loaded.
 
Shaggy

Shaggy

Zoinks!!!!
stangmx13 said:
the Tacoma seems to be sprung very lightly compared to other trucks. i bottom out the suspension somewhat regularly w/ the bed full of everything i take to club racing. ill be adding helper springs soon to prevent that and level the truck when loaded.
Click to expand...

Or you could grow a pair and get a man's truck...

:twofinger
 
J

Junkie

gone for now
I'd use one on my 3/4 ton, even with a streetbike, but no way would I want to carry even a dirtbike on one behind a Taco. Maybe a mini...
 
Burg-Mann

Burg-Mann

Well-known member
Crispietogu said:
Got harbor freight too and it's been awesome . Light to move around by hand and can carry 2 bikes no problem. Got top box installed for storage. The original owner installed plywood with metal sheet over it and had two baxley chocks installed. Installrd pitbull restrant and loading and locking is so easy doing it by yourself. I go average 70-75 mph on freeway without any problem
Click to expand...

Your supposed to go NO Faster than 55mph with a trailer!! U R Breaking the law!!!��
 
tootall424

tootall424

Team Hammered Racing
I haul my KTM 350XCF on the back of my VW Touareg TDI with the Cycle Gear hitch hauler. Works great, the rear suspension is just slightly lower than the front, and it barely affects mileage. I used 2 ratchet straps and 2 tension straps.
 
C

Crispietogu

Well-known member
Hoppalong said:
Isn't one of the arguments against trailers (vs hauling in a truck) is that in California the legal limit is 55 when towing?
Click to expand...

Yup it's limited to 55 only but I usually go faster if it's a flat straight away and that there aren't any surprises on the road that would upset the wheels
 
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