Dirt bike hitch mount

Lol. Sorry.

 

Hmm, on this model there's a pin that locks the unit into place so the ram/hydraulic doesn't take the full force of the bike on bumps, etc. But I do agree with you, it does have more failure points than the "platform" units.

It is a bit sketchy how it secures the bike, its basically just hooks that you bolt through your pegs... I've never seen or heard of a peg break though...Decisions decisions

 

Well at least there is a failsafe, his didnt have that but it was a really old one, but yeah, still kinda dont like the connection points, seems sketchy to me.


Anyway just got back from the National Hare and Hound Championship, was in 1st and had a pretty bad 5th gear crash, ended up costing me about 15-20 minutes and still ended up in 3rd!
Bad part is I didnt get 1st place like I wanted and got 3 cracked ribs from the crash and I had 47 hard miles to go!

 

used it on my ninja 650, if you can eliminate the rocking with some sort of clamp, it's quiet stable

 

http://youtu.be/JeJ0O4ZDc6M

 

I just drove a couple of hundred kms with my new YZ250 on one of these from Princess Auto (Canadian Harbour Freight). It was 80 bucks and worked flawlessly. The bike was secure with 4 straps and it sat just below the tailgate so it didn't affect my mileage whatsoever! The rear didn't sag noticeably since I have the TC AAL. Ill post pics the next time I load it up. Oh and I was able to open my tonneau cover without hitting the bars.

 

Very interesting thread. I need to load my 250lb dirt bike onto a hitch mount too.

To review:
1) Harbor Freight gets mixed reviews. Some say good, some bad.
2) At $400, the Joe Hauler is way expensive for what it is. Just another platform hitch rack
3) The MX Hauler seems solid and is much easier to load than any platform rack, but it's also crazy priced at $440 shipped. I can get a brand new trailer for that price
4) Trailers are easiest safest to load but can only go 55mph. That sucks
5) Tons of platform carriers out there for about $200ish. This might be a good compromise of ease of loading and security.

With those platform carriers, it may be possible to drill into the factory hitch rack, add some square-tubed reinforcements to attach to the bike rack, to add extra stability. The only problem is making them easily removeable so they're not sticking out when the rack is not being used.

Also, anyone add a lightbar with tail and indicator lights? I don't like the lights not being visible at all. PLus I had a friend get a ticket for that reason.

 

I have some tail lights that are magnetic and I put them on the hitch hauler. I've heard of tickets being issued for obstructed tail lights. Also, I want the drivers behind me to know if I'm stopping or turning.

 

The Joe Hauler was the first one on the market, all others are copies. I build them, we use thicker high quality steel, not the thin tubing like the cheaper ones.

And I wouldnt say a trailer is safer by any means...the tow rack is the best way IMO. I have one that even holds 2 bikes!

 

Why can trailers only go 55 MPH?

 

Would the hitch racks work with a high clearance rear bumper? I think the ramps are too short, but I don't have any ramps in person to look at

Some of the small trailers have small tires that aren't road rated above 55.
Also, higher speeds can induce sway in the trailer. They eventually want to flop over, and sometimes have enough weight to bring your vehicle over as well.
That said, I've had good trailers with full size wheels that traveled fine at 70 with no sway. With that though, I don't drive like a jackass who thinks I can do quick maneuvers. I hate the guys that haul boats and think they are in a race.

 

It is law I think in most, if not all states.
Any vehicle towing a trailer must not exceed 55mph..... semi truck or car.... if towing, then 55 max.

 

Some states. Not most states. Sometimes they are limited to 65 MPH. Sometimes it's only commercial vehicles.

 

This is the one I have. This is the best price I've found to.

Best Choice Products SKY1375 Steel Anti-Tilt Motorcycle/Scooter/Dirtbike Hitch Mount Carrier with Rack Ramp (Hauler)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00916MMJG/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_g6Twub1TSMQN5

I got mine used, but it's that exact carrier. Here's my bike on it. It sticks out more than this, but I pushed in into reciever all the way so it's closer to truck. I just prefer it in close.





Mounted in the reciever using the pin, it only goes into the reciever maybe 3" inches or so, which isn't so great IMO. So that's why I pushed it in as far as it would go to backing plate on reciever which now is now in at least 10" or so. Much stronger, with less wobble. Then I added my "anti-wobble it's goin nowhere" mod..... The Carrier is now one with the truck, very very solid. I don't worry about it at all, ever. I just use the 4 tie-downs, and 2 cam straps around the wheels. Very strong setup.

 

Hey guys! Just picked up a

$170 amc-400 aluminum motorcycle hitch carrier, 400 lbs. capacity, adult or youth dirt bike hauler, anti-rattle device included, roll-on roll-off ramp design

amc-400 hitch carrier off of fleabay. Plan to haul either a ktm450 or wr250r (270-315 lbs), and probably add a camper shell as well. Sounds like it might be too much weight?

To beef up the back end did you guys just add a leaf, or also upgrade the shock? Assuming this would also lift the back end when unladen - yes/no?

 

Hey guys I need to buy one theses and don't want my bike to fall off on the hwy. Anybody been down dirt trials with these or recommend the best product to carry a dirt bike on a hitch?

 

which product do you build? Thanks.

 

How does the anti-rattle gadget work on these hitch haulers? I have one, but can't figure it out.

 

which one do you have? Have you had it long or used it on any bumpy dirt roads?

 

The Original Joe Hauler motorcycle carriers.

The cam lock just takes up the gap in the receiver by pulling a wedge against the hitch itself. Well on the Joe haulers I mean, not sure what others do...