Motorcycle Carrier

I have a 2008 Tacoma Double-Cab V6 Auto-5-speed, short-bed, with factory tow-package (Class IV). I would like to use a motorcycle carrier supported solely from the hitch. But one of the large manufacturers of these carriers tells me that I'm limited to 280 pounds of carrying capacity (due to the leverage).

Does anyone have any data to the contrary?

 

Hey man, I know this doesn't really answer your question but you may want to check out my post from yesterday. I am going to be getting one of the motorcycle racks from usrack.com. I just emailed them today and apparently they are making the unit even stronger. Check out the pics that Oldcow posted of his setup. Pretty nice and will probably cost close to a hitch carrier.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/10486-hauling-dirt-bikes-double-cab-short-bed.html

 

no data, but will this help?

http://www.discountramps.com/smc-600-motorcycle-hauler.htm

 

How big of a bike are you carrying? I used to throw my CRF in the bed of my short bed no problem.

 

Actually, it's not a limitation on the carrier itself, but on the truck. The carrier manufacturer states that their carriers would place too much torque on my truck, via the hitch. Obviously, the closer the carrier is located to the truck, the better, as far as that goes - so as to reduce the lever-effect on the truck & hitch. So, for example, if a particular carrier is rated at 600 pounds, and a 550-pound bike is placed upon it, then the torque on the truck & hitch could exceed the ability of the truck to support such a torque (e.g., at the point of attachment of the hitch to the truck's frame). BTW, my bike weighs 350 pounds dry; but I would like to carry a 550-pound bike occasionally.