02-15-2024, 12:14 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Jan 2024
Location: East Coast NC
Posts: 28
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interesting question for the group
We full time RV with a bumper mount RV. I want to buy a Lifan KXP 250 to use for running to store, hitting trails etc,, the classic enduro model usage.
Our current RV is a 30 ft Airstream classic and not able to have stuff on the back bumper etc. I had originally looked at getting front mounted hitch and putting on carrier to carry this way.. but the more I though about the more i wanted to figure a way, if possible, to carry on back with trailer.. I have seen it done with bike but not sure possible with a almost 300 lbs dirt bike. the truck will be a 2018 3500 ram SRW with a shell on back.. I saw a hitch on a truck camper that was pulling trailer with ATV and it appeared to be about a 2-3 foot long to clear the back of camper. Was thinking if i could figure out a way to do something like that it might give enough space between truck and front of camper to allow bike carrier.. any idea helpful and good idea's more so. found this when looking at truck camper hitches for trailers. https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Adapt...t/TLE1521.html |
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02-15-2024, 07:57 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,703
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We have a member on here that carried his Hawk across the US with his bike mounted on the front. He felt more comfortable with it on the front so he could see it and not have worry about it falling off the back. He was sleeping in his truck camper and wasn't even pulling anything.
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2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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02-15-2024, 08:57 AM | #3 |
Join Date: May 2023
Location: NY
Posts: 144
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Depends upon the frame design of your airstream. Seems using a front hitch with a standard bike carrier on it would provide the best safety and ease of use. You paid for a 3500 series truck, they are built for this type of use, should take advantage of it. I use a standard carrier on the back of my rv and they are stable, simple, and inexpensive. If I'm understanding you correctly your thinking of towing a trailer with your trailer, this would negate your ability to back up, limit which states you can enter due to vehicle codes, and add several more failure points vs a simple readily available solution? I'm sorry if I misunderstood your original idea.
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02-15-2024, 09:59 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,703
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timcosby's setup.
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2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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02-15-2024, 10:39 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 324
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I use such a double hitch so I can carry four bicycles on their hitch rack and tow a little Toyota on a car dolly at the same time. Not real thrilled with how the extension/adapter kind of hangs out there. Pretty sure I wouldn't use the same setup with a trailer the size of your Airstream. (Nice, by the way.) In my case I didn't like how wobbly my setup was at first. I trimmed the tube back to fit more snugly and to be as short as I could get away with and drilled new holes for the pins.
I'd love to haul the car and bike too. Maybe put the bikes on the roof or something. But the way I see it (for me) the choices are to either buy or build a car dolly that carries both or put the bike at the front bumper. If I were you, the only good option would be the front bumper. I've seen various schemes to add stuff to the hitch the way you're talking about and every one seems more than a little sketchy. Like I said, I'm not all that trusting of what I'm using and it's just for a little car and some bikes. |
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02-15-2024, 11:12 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,610
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Lots of insect smacks on the bike when it's on the front (yuk!), and aerodynamically must cause the fuel gauge to drop quicker! Not that fuel economy is a bonus on any full sized truck, and especially an RV.
These would be the main reasons I am going to get a hitch rack. Most of them are aluminum, but I'd like 2 up capacity.
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02-15-2024, 11:14 AM | #8 | |
Join Date: Jan 2024
Location: East Coast NC
Posts: 28
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Seem the better solution is to use front hitch with carrier.. We only do like 3-4 hrs of travel a day for the most part.. just thinking about the wind resistance, we do like 60-65 mph for the most part when towing, and cooling aspects when pulling some of the long azz hill they got out west.. (5-6% for 7 miles or so like I -17 heading up to Sedona)..
the extended hitches they use on truck campers might work but the need for mods would be expensive I suspect.. I do like the idea on front to see it.. Saw one guy with truck camper with MC on front and he ran a strap from tow eye hook on each side around the bike pulling ti towards the hood to help with bounce.. said that made a world of difference for him. any idea on how much it effect MPG and cooling? have seen some comments in other forum on taking some of the surrounding around gas tank off for air flow to radiator.. thanks. Quote:
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02-15-2024, 12:25 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,610
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WMA motorsports has a 1000 lb capacity platform made for one large road bike. It has a 16" platform close to the hitchmount, and a 6" motorcycle slot out farther. That 16" is roomy, and I have a 12" class III extension to make it even more roomy. I could easily put a second dirt bike aiming in the opposite direction there. It is steel, and would be easy to add some heavy duty
Here is there description $400 right now): 1000 LB MOTORCYCLE DIRT BIKE E-BIKE TOW HITCH CARRIER RACK HAULER + GAS CAN CARGO SHELF STORAGE Once the bike(s) are unloaded, the rack can serve as a front porch for your camper if you have a back door.
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-NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross) |
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02-15-2024, 01:38 PM | #10 | |
Join Date: Jan 2024
Location: East Coast NC
Posts: 28
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that would be the deal if not needing to towing a trailer with it..
Quote:
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02-15-2024, 02:10 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,040
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How about in the trailer? Only four bolts hold the handle bars.
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02-15-2024, 04:47 PM | #12 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,610
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Look more closely. There is a pass thru 2" hitch mount.
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-NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross) |
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02-16-2024, 01:16 AM | #13 |
Join Date: Jan 2024
Location: East Coast NC
Posts: 28
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Description:
This 1000 lb motorcycle e-bike hitch mount carrier rack with gas can storage shelf is the perfect solution to transport your scooter or dirt bike by mounting on your 2″ receiver. It doubles as a cargo carrier for your gas can, gear or luggage. Included is an auxiliary 2″ tow hitch receiver for towing your trailer, boat, or vehicle behind. The motorcycle hitch with storage carrier has a 1000 lb weight capacity. The 58″ long x 5 1/2″ wide loading ramp has a weight capacity of 400 lbs and stores underneath the carrier to save space. This 1000 lb Motorcycle Hitch Carrier Rack for Dirt Bike, E-Bike or Scooter with Gas Can Storage Shelf and towing receiver for hauling complies with Standards and Specifications and comes with LIFETIME WARRANTY against defects." "Max weight capacity for cargo shelf is 400 lbs Towing weight capacity: 2,000 lbs Tongue weight capacity: 200 lbs" 30 ft airstream weighs 8500 lbs tongue runs around 900 to 1000 lbs IF it was rated for 10K tow weight and 1200# tongue it might work but you gotta add the 30" of extension and the compounding of weight because of that.. for a small trailer pulling behind it might work fine.. |
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02-16-2024, 03:07 AM | #14 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,610
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Yeah I get it...I wouldn't haul a 30' boat through it
But a popup camper would probably be safe.
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-NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross) Last edited by Thumper; 02-17-2024 at 11:50 PM. |
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