Hitch carrier?

[moto-rama]

I recently acquired a 2000 Land Cruiser ("Brutus"), primarily for hauling a driftboat/trailer , camping and navigating some difficult backroads where I like to fish.

I'm wondering about getting a bike carrier / hitch-mounted setup to haul a bike, maybe even my R1200R if there isn't any reason not to. (weight)

I have a 2" receiver, and it works great with my boat/trailer. Does anyone use something like this for a 400-500 bike? How difficult is loading/unloading something that heavy?

I'd be Ok just carrying the KTMDuke, since it's only 325 or so, but a larger, heavier bike?

Yes, I could always rent or buy a motorcycle trailer, but I don't really like hauling the boat, as far as that goes,(trailers give me the creeps) but getting a drift boat in and out of a river requires a trailer so no way around that.

So that's why I am thinking about a hitch-carrier as an alternative to a trailer, for bikes that is.

Thanks for any wisdom!
__________________
Jim

 

[wilit]

If it's a 2" receiver, it's most likely a Class III receiver. They have a tongue weight capacity of 600lbs. You have to factor in the weight of the carrier plus the wet weight of the bike. Most likely you're going to be really close to the full capacity of the receiver.

I've got a hitch carrier for my dirt bike and it's pretty sketchy at 225lbs. I don't know that I'd trust a 400+ lbs bike on one. Get a trailer if you can.

 

[fufo47]

I have the Black Widow carrier, bought it off Amazon for $280 and haven't had a problem at all. I have a Tuono that I've take to THill and Sonoma and my KTM out to Diabli/Argyll regularly. Easy to load and unload the bike, and to remove the carrier I found it's easier to remove the ramp and lift the carrier...

 

[HadesOmega]

It depends on the hitch carrier. Aluminum ones are light but can only carry about 400 lbs. The steel ones can carry more weight but they are heavier.

I bought a harbor freight one but I haven't got a chance to use it but I'm loading it with really light bikes 125-200lbs. I wish they made a hitchcarrier that mounts on a 1-1/4 receiver then i could use my Prius.

 

[sjuels]

I believe the Landcruiser is class 4 and 850-1000 lbs, but the calculations are a little more complicated than that, because it depends on how much lever arm the trailer hitch places on the hitch itself.
All that being said, with a good trailer hitch (I have one that clamps to the hitch, which stops the jostling of the bike and hitch) I would have no qualms with putting the little beemer on the back of the Landcruiser.
I have rescued many a bike, some significantly over 700lbs, on my trailer hitch - it's an old diesel, so lots of tongue weight allowed.
I believe the towing capacity of the Landcruiser is over 8000 lbs, So with 10% tongue weight, that is still 800 lbs.
Oh yeah, steel carrier not aluminum!

/Soren

 

[motomania2007]

I have a extra heavy duty hitch carrier that a buddy of mine made that when he made it he tested it by putting his goldwing on it and hauling it around and it handled it just fine but this is not your typical one you find for a couple hundred bucks this is much more heavily built I have it mounted on the back of my motorhome and routinely put my R1200R or my FZ09 on it

 

[gixxerjeff]

I have a 2" receiver.
__________________
Jim

You're gonna need a 3'' class 3 receiver, period.
Easy fix, though.

 

[cg_ops]

You're gonna need a 3'' class 3 receiver, period.
Easy fix, though.

Wait what? My Ram 1500 has a 2" Class 4, why would a 3" be needed?. For a bike under 450lbs a class 3 should be ok, but still a little sketchy given the type of load.

https://www.drawtite-hitches.com/learning_center/general-towing-classes

Class III hitches are weight carrying (WC) and also are weight distributing (WD) depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications.
Not all Class III hitches are rated to be both. See the specific hitch for that information.
Class III hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 6000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 600 lbs.
Class III hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1000 lbs.
A Class III hitch usually has a 2" square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch. To use this class of hitch for weight distribution requires a weight distribution system.
Class III hitches attach to the vehicle frame only.


Class IV hitches are weight carrying (WC) and weight distributing (WD) hitches depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications.
Not all Class IV hitches are rated to be both. See the specific hitch for that information.
Class IV hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1000 lbs.
Class IV hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 14,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1400 lbs.
A Class IV hitch usually has a 2" square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch. To use this class of hitch for weight distribution requires a weight distribution system.
Class IV hitches attach to the vehicle frame only.

 

[matty]

(I have one that clamps to the hitch, which stops the jostling of the bike and hitch)
/Soren

Interesting, which hitch carrier is that?

 

[KooLaid]

You'll be fine but you're gonna be way nose high. Get some air bags or at the very least, air shocks on the back. It's just a little scary how close that bar end can get to your back window though.

Most every hitch carrier should have some sort of single or double bolt device to remove the wiggle.

 

[gixxerjeff]

Wait what? My Ram 1500 has a 2" Class 4, why would a 3" be needed?. For a bike under 450lbs a class 3 should be ok, but still a little sketchy given the type of load.

https://www.drawtite-hitches.com/learning_center/general-towing-classes

For starters, I haven't seen a motorcycle hitch carrier that was smaller than a class 3.
As someone who rides behind those things occasionally, that's fine with me.

 

[cg_ops]

For starters, I haven't seen a motorcycle hitch carrier that was smaller than a class 3.
As someone who rides behind those things occasionally, that's fine with me.

Never sugested less than class 3. I'm asking about the 3" (3 inches) you specified. Class 3 and 4 are 2" receivers, usually. You said they NEED a 3 inch class 3....?

 

[gixxerjeff]

Never sugested less than class 3. I'm asking about the 3" (3 inches) you specified. Class 3 and 4 are 2" receivers, usually. You said they NEED a 3 inch class 3....?

Okay....I'll change the word need for you.
New word: recommend
:rolleyes

 

[Heywood]

I recently purchased the Black Widow carrier from Amazon as well.

My biggest gripe is that the main tube is short after the hitch pin hole and enables the rack to sag. I also added trailer lights to it as the bike covers the tail lights and license plate. I'm not going to worry about the plate. Overall it's pretty heavy duty and well designed. Dragging my son's bike to UT Sunday so I'll find out pretty quick if it holds up. After I get back I'm replacing the hitch tube with my own.

 

[KooLaid]

I've never seen a 3" class 3 before.

My ram 2500 has 2.5" class 5. I think the newer super duties come with a 3" class 5.

 

[HadesOmega]

I like that the blackwidow has the 2 tie down points in the front and back. The HF carrier has only one in the center. Plus it has a flat ramp to roll the bike on.

 

[ST Guy]

I would never use one of those carriers for anything other than the lightest of bikes. The problem is that the bike and carrier has a tendency to twist in the hitch receiver and there are some very heavy twisting loads that get transmitted into the 2" receiver. Most hitches are really not designed to take that kind of constant punishment. And, unless the carrier is tied down to the vehicle in some secure manner or there's a tight clamp on the receiver to limit the twisting, parts can hammer themselves to death.

The ideal setup would be a hitch that has two identical receivers on either side of the main central receiver. That way you'd have three attachment points (or just the two on the outside) and all the twisting moments would be controlled.

Frankly, I'd just get a trailer. Towing a trailer is no big deal. And be sure to use an anti-sway control. Even the smallest of trailers can get into a sway and overpower a large tow vehicle.

Good luck!

 

[moto-rama]

I believe the Landcruiser is class 4 and 850-1000 lbs, but the calculations are a little more complicated than that, because it depends on how much lever arm the trailer hitch places on the hitch itself.
All that being said, with a good trailer hitch (I have one that clamps to the hitch, which stops the jostling of the bike and hitch) I would have no qualms with putting the little beemer on the back of the Landcruiser.
I have rescued many a bike, some significantly over 700lbs, on my trailer hitch - it's an old diesel, so lots of tongue weight allowed.
I believe the towing capacity of the Landcruiser is over 8000 lbs, So with 10% tongue weight, that is still 800 lbs.
Oh yeah, steel carrier not aluminum!

/Soren

I am pretty sure it's an OEM hitch which is a Class III, rated at 6500 lbs towing capacity. At least that's what the Owner's Manual states, with 350kg "download" for the tongue, close to 800lbs.

The LC itself has plenty of power, over 300lbs of torque, so it's grunty enough for most towing/hauling.

The P.O. installed a trailer-braking system that works great with my drift boat, so yes, a trailer has advantages. However, it usually takes me about 5 approaches to drop my boat in to a typical ramp launch on a river. I have the trailering skills of a methed-up chipmunk, even with years of practice, I still have novice skills when I am backing up..

The real problem with a trailer is that I would have to rent a storage spot someplace for it, adding to to logistics and cost. My boat/trailer lives up in Idaho in a shed, so it's got a place to live near where we use it. Our lot is next to an avid hunter, so tweakers are not an issue, at least not yet.

This is all pointing to the only solution that makes sense.

Lightweight Dirt bike, with a hitch carrier. I knew it would come to that. :thumbup

 

[Sharky]

I would never use one of those carriers for anything other than the lightest of bikes. The problem is that the bike and carrier has a tendency to twist in the hitch receiver and there are some very heavy twisting loads that get transmitted into the 2" receiver. Most hitches are really not designed to take that kind of constant punishment. And, unless the carrier is tied down to the vehicle in some secure manner or there's a tight clamp on the receiver to limit the twisting, parts can hammer themselves to death.

The ideal setup would be a hitch that has two identical receivers on either side of the main central receiver. That way you'd have three attachment points (or just the two on the outside) and all the twisting moments would be controlled.

Frankly, I'd just get a trailer. Towing a trailer is no big deal. And be sure to use an anti-sway control. Even the smallest of trailers can get into a sway and overpower a large tow vehicle.

Good luck!

When I am carrying two bikes or my XR650L, I always tether the carrier on the front and back against the bumper of my truck. Tightens things up.

The reality is, hitch carriers with anything heavy are probably too heavy for most cars and trucks. I have a full size truck and before I installed helper springs it wallowed and sagged with my 400lb XR.

Also, invest in an anti wobble setup for $20 on amazon. Keeps things from twisting in the receiver and generally looking sketch.

I have bounced by CR250 off the carrier twice banding through the twisties coming from Carnegie. No damage to the bike since only the front wheel came off (ground the knobbies down). All of this was user error (didn't secure it properly and was driving too fast).

 

[sportbiker929]

I have a custom hitch carrier and also a 100 series LC. i have put my GS on it and traveled. Just be sure to secure the bike to the carrier and then the carrier to the LC. Ratchet straps are the best.