Motorcycle Hauling Round Up Thread

Looking for discussion around motorcycle hauling solutions. There are a surprising number out there. All have their trade-offs.

I want to bring my Royal Enfield INT 650 with me on a big west road trip (main thread documenting that build) and need to think through the best hauling option for my use case.

Current Build:
2023 Tacoma TRD Long Bed with Leer 180 Shell
Planning on 6112 / 5160 / RXT suspension lift.
TBD on tires but need to upgrade because current tire payload is less than truck payload.


Options:

In the bed
Obvious answer.
Photo by kywoodsrider


Pros:

• No additional gear required

Tradeoffs:

• Don't think it will fit under my Leer 180 shell
• If it does, limits what else I can put in the bed

Question:

• Has anyone had success loading a motorcycle in a bed backwards and leaving the tailgate down? This approach would let me fit 90% of the bike under the shell and leave the handlebars/front tire exposed since they don't fit but seems sketchy.

Trailer
Obvious answer.


Pros:

• Secure, stable platform

Trade-offs:

• Price ($1k+)
• Limited storability depending on model
• Target for theft?
• Reduction in off-road capability while towing

Questions:

• Open vs enclosed?
• Reviews on the kendon foldable?

Hitch Carrier
I want this to work but it seems sketch
Photo by Xtremsiege2
Pros:

• Like a bike rack, but for motos

Trade-offs:

• Bike + carrier = 578 lbs = 90% of 3rd gen tongue weight max
• 578 lbs is 40-50% of payload capacity, getting truck close to max with other items
• Forums suggest high moment load on an extended lever would make that 578 lbs feel like 1200+ lbs over bumps to your hitch and rear leafs. Best case it works rear suspension and body hard. Worst case it bends/breaks the truck or the carrier itself breaks and the bike falls off.

Question:

• Has anyone used a hitch carrier on a 3rd gen on a 300+ mile highway trip? How did it go?

Wheel Dolly
Absolutely wacky but could be viable? Haven't seen much discussion of these on here.



Pros:

• Tows like a trailer but without the extra weight or storage concerns

Trade-offs:

• If a strap comes loose or you turn too hard, the bike will fall over
• Might interfere with lowering tailgate depending on design

Question:

• Has anyone rocked these? Forward or rear facing? How did it go?

Front hitch
Front hitch is not viable for a 3rd gen and a 500 lb bike so not including in this thread.

Are there other options I'm not aware of?

Feel free to tag other relevant threads too
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/towing-motorcycle.713394/

Let me know what you think!
Thanks

 

OP- Bike will not fit under a shell, the “hitch hauler” method “works” but rides horribly and bar ends will contact camper shell window(bye bye window). I have a 5x8 utility trailer for day trips and an enclosed cargo(converted) 6x10 for overnight dirt bike camping.
IDK about a wheel dolly, but id assume you’d prefer to save the bikes rubber for actual riding?

 

Putting mine in the bed so I can still haul the lightweight camper. Ramp is bolted to the side rail for transport. Also have a small flatbed and enclosed. All good option IMO. My bikes are too big for hitch haulers.

 

My only input is that enclosed trailers offer a level of security when stopped for meals, shopping, etc when the truck/motorcycle is out of your line of sight. Had stuff stolen from open trailers in the early days of our travels back when I was much more budget limited, but after losing some gear (never a bike thankfully), I sprung for a small enclosed trailer.