Looking to buy

[Jim S]

what size motor rv class A diesel do I need to put a hydraulic lift and flat tow a small truck?

 

[Jim S]

what size motor rv class A diesel do I need to put a hydraulic lift and flat tow a small truck?

The hydraulic lift needs to hold a Harley

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Are you asking how long the motorhome chassis should be or the engine horsepower needed? Neither of these are easy questions to answer without some additional information. How much does the "small truck" weigh? And, the weight of the "Harley" and the "hydraulic lift?" Will your travels be relatively long-haul, or short trips? Lots of driving in the mountains, or not much?

There may be someone on the forum with some first-hand experience, but in the meantime, some more information on what you plan to do would be helpful. While I have significant experience with motorhomes and towing vehicles, I've never dealt with the motorcycle lift issue. If I were setting this up with the information Ihave at hand, I would want at least a 40' motorhome rated to tow at least 10,000 pounds and with at least 400 HP. And, with that setup, I would still be prepared for some slow-going in the mountains.

TJ

 

[Jim S]

Everything I have read is exactly what you said. 400HP 10,000 pound towing. My Harley is a Limited Low ( Full dresser) and I want to tow a jeep or a Honda truck. I plan on doing long hauls and in the mountains. I do Not want something over 40ft. Thank you for your advice.

 

[RKins]

The extra weight of the Harley might bump you into a tag axle model to support that weight.

 

[Jim S]

I hope not.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

The extra weight of the Harley might bump you into a tag axle model to support that weight.

I would count on it. A single-axle rig would be badly overloaded in my opinion.

TJ

 

[RKins]

There have been tag axle 40 footers.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

There have been tag axle 40 footers.

Yes. In the Newmar line alone, there have been 40' tag-axle coaches since at least 2018 in the Ventana, Dutch Star and Mountain Aire models. I'm sure other manufacturers have them too.

TJ

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

During our travels last year in the Upper Midwest, I remember seeing a frame-mounted motorcycle carrier with a pair of large caster wheels supporting most of the weight. And, it had an extended hitch receiver under it that allowed towing a vehicle behind. The fact that it was frame-mounted made it part of the motorhome, according to the owner, and allowed towing a vehicle behind without being subject to the two-trailer rule. It could also be the solution to the single vs tag axle issue.

I'm sorry that I don't recall the manufacturer, but it was a commercially available unit. Some internet research might find it. Or, someone on the forum may have more information.

TJ

 

[Akdare]

Cruiserlift/Swivelwheel-Carrier/Hauler Systems by Fastmaster Products

Cruiserlift RV Motorcycle Lifts, Swivelwheel Transport Systems, CruiserRamp Pickup Loader's all available through Fastmaster Products Inc. Golf Cart Carrier, motorcycle Hauler, motorcycle hauling, motorcycle hitch trailer, Golf Cart Hauler, camper trailer, Motorcycle Carrier, RV Motorcycle Lift,

www.cruiserlifts.com

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Cruiserlift/Swivelwheel-Carrier/Hauler Systems by Fastmaster Products

Cruiserlift RV Motorcycle Lifts, Swivelwheel Transport Systems, CruiserRamp Pickup Loader's all available through Fastmaster Products Inc. Golf Cart Carrier, motorcycle Hauler, motorcycle hauling, motorcycle hitch trailer, Golf Cart Hauler, camper trailer, Motorcycle Carrier, RV Motorcycle Lift,

www.cruiserlifts.com

That's the one, @Akdare; thanks for posting the link. From what I old tell, it looked like a quality unit.

TJ

 

[MapNerd]

Forget the lift. Just get an enclosed trailer. Put the car/Jeep and bike in it. Alternatively, tow a pickup and put the Harley in the bed.

 

[MapNerd]

Also, TandemTow could work too.

 

[BGMAC]

Forget the lift. Just get an enclosed trailer. Put the car/Jeep and bike in it. Alternatively, tow a pickup and put the Harley in the bed.

This is probably the best solution in my humble opinion. It doesn’t have to be enclosed, but it does keep things more secure. I have seen where the motorcycle is loaded from side toors in the front and secured sideways giving more room for the vehicle and have a shorter trailer. This would improve towing in the mountains and reduce rear end weight of the RV.

 

[Just George]

I have a Hydralift on my Ventana 4369 (with tag). I have a Harley Road King that goes on the lift. The lift works great although when we hit short dips on the expressway I see more "bounce" of the entire platform that I would like. Have not had any issues just my observation looking at the rear view camera as we travel. Bike in the back of a pick up would be a good solution and there are some manufactures that produce a "lift" that fits in a pickup bed that assist with the loading and securing the bike. In my case I already had a recent model toad which was not a pick up and I did not want to purchase a different vehicle. The trailer solution certainly would also work and would allow you to back up if required (vs a 4 down toad). For me a trailer is not my desired path for 2 reasons. 1) while traveling many times we will use the toad even for a one night stop. Seems it would be a bigger pain to unload and reload a trailer vs unhook & reattach the toad. 2) When I get to my destination I have to have a place for the trailer, some parks have a place for trailers & some do not. Just one less logistic to have to deal with.

 

[MapNerd]

I lean more towards the bike in the bed solution. Get a raptor or gladiator. Both can go 4-down, hold their own off road and host a Harley in the bed. Cover the bike if you’re worried about chips.