ReddInc
Tampa (for now)
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Our Sprinter-base diesel has a trailer hitch but we're not excited about pulling even a small trailer with a big 'scooter' on it. Has anyone had a 'lift' installed on their rig? How'd it work? Big bucks?
The hitch has a 350# (vertical) weight limit and be bike is exactly that. I like the lift since there's no need for ramps or accidental drops. Any advice? ? ?
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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You are saying the bike weights what the hitch maximum weight capacity is without the lift?? Doesn't sound doable.
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Ka Ron
Kelowna
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There is a lift you can get that does not use the hitch, but attaches to the frame.
Maybe this info will help.....Cruiserlift
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Bike weighs 350 so how much does the lift weigh?
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Roadpilot
NH Seacoast
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The hitch weight is for a ball mounting, which can't put any twisting moment on the hitch. It's a straight vertical movement.
If you mount a motorcycle to a lift on that hitch it will have a twisting component because it's not on a ball. It will fail quickly. You need a lift that uses two mounting points to the rear of the MH to eliminate the twisting moment.
Look at Cruiser lift or Overbit lift or Blue Ox.
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boogie_4wheel
SLC, Utah
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Hitch failure...
350# tongue weight is up close to the hitch. The bike will be a couple feet out so that the handlebars clear the back of the vehicle, and that extra distance is just like adding more tongue weight. As the load moves farther away from the hitch, the tongue rating drops.
I made this mistake on my factory Class 3 on my half-ton truck. I had a shell on the bed so I made a carrier for my ~320# 650cc dirt bike. Couple trips later and the hitch was starting to change shape at the angle iron where it bolted to the truck frame (also altering the frame of my truck). That resulted in an upgraded hitch.
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jml
Laval, Québec
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If the weight on the hitch is a concern, you can look at this option. The advantage of a trailer without the problems when backing up. I do not own one, but I find the idea interesting.
motorcycle trailer
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truepath
Minnesota
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I agree with the posts here that you will be significantly exceeding the hitch weight limit. The lift will act as lever that will multiply the weight actually placed on the hitch. I have used both a motorcycle carrier and a trailer and the trailer is a much better option. It keeps the bike secure, it keeps it clean and it is much easier on your RV suspension. Beyond that, the trailer can be used for hauling other items whether at home or while camping. Anyway, that's my two cents worth.
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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The swivel wheel trailer jml linked to is a good choice.
Jim
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oldkeywest91
ForkedRiver,NJ
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what is the weight of the trailer at the hitch.you can use a simple scale to figure that out.Then put the MC on the trailer and use same scale to way hitch weight.You'll see that the weight at the hitch is under 100lbs.Well with in the limits of your MH.The 350lbs limit is dead weight on the hitch not towing weight,which is about 3500 lbs.
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