Moto Hauling Options (Trailers/Hitch Haulers/Bed Loading)

Going to make an easy place for people to discuss how they load/haul their bikes. Everyone has different needs. So post up tips and info on what you do.

My personal experience has been with a standard strap down hitch hauler, rack-n-ride hitch hauler, 4x8 harbor freight trailer, and loading in the truck itself.

Hitch hauler:
Pros
Can use a shell/bed cover to gain dry storage.

Cons
a bit more difficult than i thought it should have been for a standard strap down style. Having to hold the bike upright and get straps around the bars was annoying. When i ran the cheap hitch hauler it made my truck bob up and down when going down shitty roads. Lose departure angle when used offroading.

I do now own the rack-n-ride and it is amazing. Sturdy, no wobble in the hitch, plenty of ground clearance, and i get to use my bed cover to keep gear locked in the bed and dry. See here for my review

A few examples of hitch carriers:

Rack-N-Ride :



Add-A-Bike :



Ultimate MX Hauler :



VersaHaul :



Basic (would not recommend at all)





Trailer:
Pros
works great and super easy to load just step up. I used two harbor freight wheel chocks and e-track for tie down points. Leaves the bed for all the gear which is awesome. Could also use a shell/bed cover to gain dry storage for gear.

Cons
Really the only drawback i had was a minor decrease in mpg (12 vs my average of 13). Stopped using it mostly because i got tired of having to dig it out from behind my garage by hand. I personally wouldnt want to take the trailer down anything outside a fire road either though.

Truck bed:
Pros
simple. No extra shit to have to get ready or attach or store later. I usually keep a cooler back there and stand. I use one ramp and the cooler as a step so i can walk the bike up in gear easily.

Cons
losing the bed space for gear especially when loading two bikes.I usually end up having to stuff my gear in the back seat though. Im hoping the motogate will change that issue and not having to make sure everything is tied in securely since the tailgate is down. No dry protection for gear in the bed if it rains.

 

Awesome thread. I'll be debating this topic here soon. I have my Tepui RTT over my bed, and I'll be wanting to bring my XT225 along on some trips. Was thinking about the hitch mount -- good point you make about the extra weight on the back causing some bobbing.

 

ill post some pictures of my ramps when I get home. I found two slotted ramps and walking it up in first gear slipping the clutch is pretty easy compared to a trailer

 

Thats why I moved my rtt onto the cab rack to gain back the bed loading. Unfortunately this can cause the ladder to be in the way of opening the truck door (only experienced with a hardshell, tepui should be fine). Climbing all over the truck to unzip/zip it was annoying though. Definitely give and takes to each setup

 

@Sacrifice how much did the bike weigh that you were throwing on the hitch hauler?

 

That one was 320lbs. I used it for my grom once. I still didnt enjoy loading it.

 

I've used the bed for just about every bike I've had. Makes me think a long bed might have been a better idea... The moto Gate is nice, but I've got a small folding ramp that just fits under most dirt bikes I use to hold things in place, you can see in the second to last photo.

 

Thats similar to the ramp i use. Tri-fold. I usually end up sticking it behind my driver seat since i can squeeze it on the floor board. Mostly because i didnt want to deal with tying it in. How do you like having the bed mat? Ive thought about it but i usually slide stuff around rather than climb in to put it up front or something.

Main reason i dont think the longbed is of much benefit with bikes is because the tailgate still has to be down unless its only one and you can angle it. Full size truck would be nice there.

 

Bed mat seems fine, but I don't think I'd buy it if it didn't come with the truck.

 

Dead thread revival, but I finally remembered to get pictures of my bike and everything else loaded in the truck.
I'm convinced 1st gen Tacomas were made for a dirtbike. Even with a reg cab I've still got enough room to fit a ramp, tools, misc. fluids, gas, and a stand, plus more room for camping stuff if I need it.

 

Reasons i wish i had a long bed.

 

For a quick haul somewhere I throw it in the bed. If I'm hauling a distance, especially if there's a distance off road to get to the riding area I use the hitch hauler. THis isn't your typical hitch hauler though. Handles rough terrain like it isn't there, bike is rock solid and your not creating a coiled spring ready to launch the bike should something happen to a tie down.

 

Is that the add-a-bike?

 

yes, I've had the traditional haulers and didn't care for them.

 

that looks super beefy and i like how it mounts to the bike

 

Cool, how much do they run? I wouldnt mind entertaining a hitch carrier again so i could put gear in the bed with a tonneau cover if i decided to go that route.

Yeah ive been digging the peg tie downs.

 

The peg tie downs are the key, the suspension isn't compressed much so it's a little better for the bike and it has a big bolt that threads in instead of the hitch pin in your receiver, it's backed up by a safety chain so the whole thing isn't going anywhere. It takes a couple more min to get secured then the convention setup but the solid mounting of the bike is worth it, no rocking or moving around of the bike or the carrier. I used it recently on a trip out to Utah and being able to load everything else up in the bed was nice. They're kind of pricey, I think I paid $300 a few years ago. It's alum so it isn't very heavy and I think it's rated at 400lbs.

With the other design (using tiedowns) I'm always worried the bike will launch off should something happen like a TD break or come unhooked. I don't have that concern with this setup.

 

Interested in a hitch hauler like some of the ones posted - but they look kind of narrow..can a 180 tire fit in the track? most of the ones pictured look snug for a dirt bike tire.

 

they would not fit in the ones i posted. Rack-N-Ride does have a sportbike carrier but im not sure it is in the states yet. I would suggest contacting them.

Discount ramps has a few sportbike carriers as well. What are you loading?