Haul a dirt bike on the receiver hitch?

[JeffAndPam]

I'm looking at purchasing a street-legal dirt bike that weighs 328 pounds. Is this something I can haul on the back of our 05 Fleetwood Flair via the receiver hitch?

How can I look up how much leverage that receiver hitch can hold?

 

[Scooterfan]

Should be OK up to 500 lbs on your Class III hitch. (I'm assuming that's what you have) If you have a Class I or Class II hitch it may be pushing it a bit. But I can't imagine they would put a lessor hitch on a Motorhome. Now, find a sturdy motorcycle carrier with a convenient ramp. Have fun.

 

[JeffAndPam]

Should be OK up to 500 lbs on your Class III hitch. (I'm assuming that's what you have) If you have a Class I or Class II hitch it may be pushing it a bit. But I can't imagine they would put a lessor hitch on a Motorhome. Now, find a sturdy motorcycle carrier with a convenient ramp. Have fun.

Yes, class III.
Awesome. Thank you!

 

[jaydee325]

Couple thoughts. I'm using a Versahaul for example.
The carrier weighs about 100 lbs itself. Plus the 328 lbs motorcycle gives you 428 lbs 2 feet from the hitch. That will apply 856 ft lbs of torque to the hitch. This is multiplied an unknown amount going over bumps.

Considering the carrier is probably about 2 feet above the ground, are you capable of pushing the 328 lbs motorcycle up the ramp? Remember, you'll loose a lot of leverage on the handle bars the higher you get. May not be an issue if you have a helper.

I know a lot of people do it, but I'm not a fan of these carriers unless it's on the back of a Diesel pusher or bus.

 

[JeffAndPam]

Couple thoughts. I'm using a Versahaul for example.
The carrier weighs about 100 lbs itself. Plus the 328 lbs motorcycle gives you 428 lbs 2 feet from the hitch. That will apply 856 ft lbs of torque to the hitch. This is multiplied an unknown amount going over bumps.

Considering the carrier is probably about 2 feet above the ground, are you capable of pushing the 328 lbs motorcycle up the ramp? Remember, you'll loose a lot of leverage on the handle bars the higher you get. May not be an issue if you have a helper.

I know a lot of people do it, but I'm not a fan of these carriers unless it's on the back of a Diesel pusher or bus.

Good thoughts there. Was just pondering that same thing...getting it up on the few carriers I looked at. I would have my wife to help; but we will definitely have to work out that issue.

 

[Diesel Pusher]

I'm looking at purchasing a street-legal dirt bike that weighs 328 pounds. Is this something I can haul on the back of our 05 Fleetwood Flair via the receiver hitch? I've seen the carnage caused by a similar, non modified set up. Not something I would do without reinforcing the 2 " receiver and the frame where it's attached. There will be considerably more stress on the structure (welds) compared to towing a trailer supported on its own wheels.

How can I look up how much leverage that receiver hitch can hold? Too many variables and application specific. This is probably not something you could determine for your needs without structural or mechanical engineering experience.

I'd hate to be the guy behind you when it breaks free from the receiver but my lawyer would have a field day!

 

[JeffAndPam]

I'd hate to be the guy behind you when it breaks free from the receiver but my lawyer would have a field day!

Is that a common enough occurrence to be concerned about? That certainly doesn't sound good.

 

[mjeds]

the Ultimate MX Hauler is a hydraulic lift carrier for a receiver hitch,

the unit weighs 60lbs and can support up to a 375lb dirt bike.

Ultimate MX Hauler Review, 2023 Dirt Bike Hitch Carrier •

*** this is a review of the Ultimate MX Hauler for dirt bikes.

dirtbikesam.com

the bike is bolted and strapped to the carrier:




I have a friend that has one attached to the rear of his toy hauler travel trailer, been using in for several years driving from CA to Lake Havasu and even FL without issue.

 

[Scooterfan]

Towed a 16,000lb boat with a tongue weight exceeding that of your motorcycle with a Class III hitch. If you get a carrier rated for that weight, IMHO your hitch will handle it. But as stated above, there are plenty of lawyers out there looking for their "field day"

 

[mjeds]

something else to consider:

bumper/hitch re-enforcement brackets:

SafetyStruts™ RV Bumper Support Brackets - Mount-n-Lock®

mount-n-lock.com

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I have been waiting patently for someone to bring up the other flaw with this idea!!!

Did you know how an RV obtains a rear axle at the location its centered, and so much hanging behind said axle???

Of course I am responding to this thread because the rv is likely a gasser.

Well they extend the frame!!! Thats right!!! Get your work duds out and slide under and look how crafty they are.

I wouldn't think of bringing this up, but I have heard horror stories about the frame breaking at that splice, due to loading a scooter on the back. Is it true? I don't know!!!

 

[mjeds]

I have been waiting patently for someone to bring up the other flaw with this idea!!!

Did you know how an RV obtains a rear axle at the location its centered, and so much hanging behind said axle???

Of course I am responding to this thread because the rv is likely a gasser.

Well they extend the frame!!! Thats right!!! Get your work duds out and slide under and look how crafty they are.

I wouldn't think of bringing this up, but I have heard horror stories about the frame breaking at that splice, due to loading a scooter on the back. Is it true? I don't know!!!

yeah that bus has a huge overhang at the rear.

I wonder if a hitch installed at the front would work? I did that on my 2010 Chevy Truck as to carry my e-bikes, 2 bikes @ 90 lbs each, plus carrier, was about 280lbs. but big difference on a Chevy truck vs. a RV buss

 

[Kevin D Pem]

yeah that bus has a huge overhang at the rear.

I wonder if a hitch installed at the front would work? I did that on my 2010 Chevy Truck as to carry my e-bikes, 2 bikes @ 90 lbs each, plus carrier, was about 280lbs. but big difference on a Chevy truck vs. a RV buss

My choice would be a harbor freight trailer. It's not the weight, it's the constant torque that is applied with every dip or bump in the road.

 

[Scooterfan]

Lots to digest on this topic...but listen...if you want to haul your bike on the back of your motorhome, it CAN be done. If you are concerned about any of the above, find an agricultural fabricator and ask him to "beef" up your hitch. Believe me, he (or she ) will transform your hitch so that you can haul three lawyers looking to have a field day! Don't be discouraged...your idea is certainly "doable".

 

[Wemustrv]

I have been waiting patently for someone to bring up the other flaw with this idea!!!

Did you know how an RV obtains a rear axle at the location its centered, and so much hanging behind said axle???

Of course I am responding to this thread because the rv is likely a gasser.

Well they extend the frame!!! Thats right!!! Get your work duds out and slide under and look how crafty they are.

I wouldn't think of bringing this up, but I have heard horror stories about the frame breaking at that splice, due to loading a scooter on the back. Is it true? I don't know!!!

Ken, totally agree I would only feel comfortable if those splits were reinforced and gusseted. A friend of mine had an older gasser that the frame on its own sagged in the rear and it was the frame flexing at the split.

 

[GypsyR]

My old gasser did indeed get its frame cut and extended when it was built. But...I've inspected that split and it's like midway in the frame. So if were ever a problem, the coach would be sagging in the middle and I can't imagine whatever I had on the hitch to be a factor. On mine anyway...1993 F53, 38 feet long with a drop axle.

 

[Joe Hogan]

To Kevin's point, the forces involved in hanging effectively a pendulum on your hitch may introduce a load that the hitch/frame was not designed to handle.

At the very least, I'd plan to get dirty and scout the frame extension welds, connection area closely, and if you proceed with mounting motorized bikes, on a regular basis.

Not sure how common it is to hang motorbikes off a trailer hitch, found only one story on the Web about a Class C frame extension failure. But that failure could be due to any number of factors, corrosion, other abuse, etc. You might search on the brand of mount you are considering for stories.

Here is a video on point, to give an idea of some frame extension quality. This particular welding on the frame in this Video is downright scary, in my opinion.