18 replies to this topic

[PaulT]

You might consider Sumosprings for the front of your Titan if you go for the front mount.

http://www.etrailer....cleid=201027654

 

Paul

[SuperCal]

I have a 2008 Ford F-150 and a FWC Hawk. I installed Firestone airbags to give me a little adjustability with my ride height if needed. They work great for leveling things back off with my Xr650 hanging off the back. Biggest downside of having the bike on the back is that its a pain to get in without unloading first...

[idahoron]

What does that 650 weigh?

[srileo]

All,

Its been 3 months since i posted the original question. I am now ready for a trip to DeathValley hauling my WR250r and am considering buying a lightweight MC carrier such as:

 

AMC 400

http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/B001IUV1CM

 

MX600

http://www.etrailer....orts/MX600.html

 

The difference between the two is merely of weight. 35lbs for the Aluminum one and 65lbs for the steel one with max 600lb rating. The latter gives me a little more room between back of camper and end point of the handlebar for mounting the bike, but also ends up moving the weight CoG further back i guess. 

The AMC400 (light aluminum one) is perfect weight wise for my 250cc bike, but i worry that there might not be sufficient clearance between back of camper and handlebar.... 

 

Thoughts? Other brands? 

[srileo]

Actually, i found this thread on ADVrider that has plenty of experience....

 

 

http://www.advrider....ad.php?t=740139

[Caveman44]

I am in the same boat. I have a Tundra with a Hawk and a Honda XR 250L. I have the motorcycle rack, and firestone air bags. But I also have a front receiver hitch. So I could either put the hitch on the back or the front. I wonder about the headlights on the front and if that kind of weight on the front is ok for my truck. I wonder about the back too but I take a trailer a lot so I think the weight issue in the back would not be much worse than my trailer I am already using.

I have airbags and an extra leaf, put the bike on the front using a joe hauler, no problems at all. Just use the high beam while driving to shine through the bike, then I added a lightbar to shine under it when offroad

[Fallbrook]

Heck yes, it will do just fine. I'm running an 05 Tacoma, 14 Fleet, have a dirt bike on the carrier, then a tandem hitch adapter that Walmart sells, with a 20' bass boat with a 250 Merc on the back, with surge brakes. All of that using Firestone air bags only. Sits level or slightly high in the back. Truck pulls like a champ, but you can't drive it like you're racing a diesel up the mountain (I don't beat up my equipment), and you'll need a little extra room for stopping. Cruises at 70 all day long, just was on the road for 9 weeks doing some fishing, went 11,700 miles with that rig. Never felt anything other than completely safe, with either my wife or I driving. With all of that gear, the truck could stop far faster than my 99 2wd or 03 4wd Tacoma, both with only a light load.

Edited by Fallbrook, 10 March 2015 - 07:50 PM.

[idahoron]

So you have the dirt bike carrier on then a boat hooked to that?  I have seen that attachment but I was kind of worried about it. That is great your having good luck with it. 

[Fallbrook]

It works great, seemed like a dream when I saw it because I had always wondered who could fabricate one for me for a few hundo, and here it is for under $50. Down in Florida, I saw guys with much larger bikes, I think one was a 750 Shadow, and pulling bass boats. Seems like it's an awfully stout piece of metal!