Hitch Mounted Bike Haulers

[MotoMan]

I know I have asked about these before, but I am going to ask again.

I recently have purchased a Chrysler Pacifica, I am thinking of installing a hitch on the vehicle and the reason I would do this is so I can haul my bike around (and possibly to the GMB) and still get the great mileage this thing gets.

I am looking for suggestions and reviews of ones that some of you may own or have seen.

I see them on e-bay ranging from $60 to $450 the more expensive ones being for streetbikes etc. I am looking to not spend alot of money but I also don't want my bike flopping around back there.

This is something like what I am talking about: NEW MOTORCYCLE CARRIER & RAMP:dirt bike trailer rack - eBay (item 380048718826 end time Aug-11-08 23:45:00 PDT)

[char393]

I know Howard has one, I think it's the Moto-Jack Rack and it seems to work well. Hopefully he'll chime in here before too long.

[pragmatic393]

I like the one Howard uses and the Joe Hauler brand. Both are oil-field stout, not sure how much BM paid, but the price on the JH is a bit high ~ [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] It's fairly close to the small utility trailer pricing.
...Maybe include it on your used rack searches?

[VET393]

DrawTite makes one, we are a drawtite dealer here. I was thinking of doing the same thing so I dont have to pull trailer. I was going to just make one myself. But this ia a really good price.

[DRGSin393]

Originally Posted by VET393

DrawTite makes one, we are a drawtite dealer here. I was thinking of doing the same thing so I dont have to pull trailer. I was going to just make one myself.

Make one and let us take a look. You may have a couple of customers to help you finance some of your trip.

I still think the cheapest way to go would be to get 3 guys and a pick up truck. Share the expenses 3 ways and no extra gas for pulling a trailer. The only drawback of course would be trying to find a space to store the bikes while were down there. Wouldnt want them out in the open. Lotta theft going on down them parts!

[VET393]

I couldnt make it for the price they sell them for. I would like to see one,because I am interested.

[char393]

Storing the bikes wouldn't be an issue. I know I'd gladly offer up some garage space here.

[MotoMan]

Originally Posted by char393

Storing the bikes wouldn't be an issue. I know I'd gladly offer up some garage space here.

Thats good, I was hoping you would post that.

[popfuhre393]

I've got plenty of space in my Garage too!

[char393]

Originally Posted by MotoMan

Thats good, I was hoping you would post that.

OH... he meant for your bike? In that case, I dunno, I think my garage is full.

[dellaquila]

For what it's worth... I ordered the RMATV branded hitch hauler. My plan is to haul my fourwheeler in the back of my Tacoma and my YZ off the back. It'll be here tomorrow and I'm taking it from St Louis to Nashville to PA and back... around 1700 miles, so I'll let you know how it holds up! It's $199 and says it'll hold 500 lbs, which is about 300 more than my YZ weighs I think.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[MotoMan]

Originally Posted by dellaquila

For what it's worth... I ordered the RMATV branded hitch hauler. My plan is to haul my fourwheeler in the back of my Tacoma and my YZ off the back. It'll be here tomorrow and I'm taking it from St Louis to Nashville to PA and back... around 1700 miles, so I'll let you know how it holds up! It's $199 and says it'll hold 500 lbs, which is about 300 more than my YZ weighs I think.

ATV Parts, ATV Tires, Dirt Bike Parts & Motocross Gear - Rider Cargo Single Motorcycle Carrier | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

I would REALLY be interested in how that holds up man, if you would be so kind as to post here when you get back that would be GREAT. That's exactly what I am looking for in a review.

[MotoMan]

Originally Posted by char393

OH... he meant for your bike? In that case, I dunno, I think my garage is full.

Dang it....guess I can't come then......

[DRGSin393]

Originally Posted by char393

Storing the bikes wouldn't be an issue. I know I'd gladly offer up some garage space here.

Originally Posted by popfuhre393

I've got plenty of space in my Garage too!

Sweeet!! Thanks for the offers!

[Woody_393]

I've been thinking about this for a while now too, since I don't currently have a way to get my bike anywhere... I really like the double hauler --> Joe Hauler Motorcycle Carriers and Accessories

[Big Maico 393]

Ya I have a moto jack rack!

It's ok for hauling a bike,but you can only haul one bike & that's it!

If you have two bike, you need to get a Joe hauler or something like it!

I don't know how the Moto Jack rack will be on a long haul, as the longest distance I've done with it is 45 miles! If you stop over night you going to need to come up with a way to put a lock on the bike.

[Dan151]

yeah i have a cheap on from pepboys and ive been using it for mabe 3 years and have never had one problem with it, was hundred bucks well spent lol

[dellaquila]

well i got my hitch hauler in the mail today and assemled/installed it tonight. i haven't loaded the bike yet since i'm not leaving until tomorrow, but i think it's going to work very well for what i wanted. it seems to be built really well, everything lined up perfectly... the only thing i'm not a fan of is the tightening bracket since it doesn't work with my hitch very well. it's not deep enough for the bolts to clear the flange part of my hitch, you can see what i mean in the pictures. it's tight right now and seems solid, but i think with the weight of the bike adding torque it'll move the bolts and it'll be able to wiggle around. i'll let you know how it goes though. i may take a drill and make some indentions where the bolts hit so they can't move around when tightening them. here are some pictures of the parts and then my assembly/installation. there aren't directions, just some pictures, but it's a straightforward assemly if you just lay it all out and do it piece by piece.

the parts


starting to go together


closeup of the truss-like supports


the tightening bracket from below. you can see on the right side where the bolt started out when i was tightening, then it slowly moved under torque. that's where i might make some indentions to help keep them in place while i torque the bolts down if it doesn't work out this way.


you can see how far it sticks out in this one, it's about flush with my mirrors, so not too bad. the bike shouldn't be any wider than the hauler.


all installed and the ramp in place up front


i'm taking it to nashville tomorrow then 700ish miles to pa from there on sunday, so i'll let ya'll know how it holds up! trial by fire, my favorite kind.

[Woody_393]

Looks good man! Let us know how it works when you get back.

BTW, I moved this from the other thread as it wasn't the one we were using

[Orido]

toyota's rule! I got me self one of those as well, going to test it out tomorrow!