I'm not sure about VA law either but I bet a trailer like the one above probably wouldn't attract too much attention. I guess I need to check into that also. I think I would take a bet that most officials wouldn't give it a second look as long as you motoring down the road safely.

On Edit:
I wonder if you made the mounting attachment permanent or semi-permanent,,,,,, in other words, if you were to use another attach method other than the hitch *****,,,, I wonder if that would still technically be considered a separate trailer?

Actually, if you could find the supplier for the swivel wheels and had a certified welder,,,, you could probably make one for half the cost.

 

FWIW, when I was looking to buy a trailer for my 5er I talked to a guy that was pulling a Blue Ox swivel wheel behind his 5er. He lived in Florida and said he had never been hassled by anyone about it. We just got back from three weeks of which a week was spent in Virginia and we never even got a second glance from any VHP that passed us or local LEO's anywhere.

I did get the C-rated tires and heavier suspension so the trailer is rated at 1500lbs. The tires are rated at 900+lbs each and rated to 65mph. I didn't get the ramp either, I thought it looked great but also thought the price was just waaaaaay too high. Besides I already had a ramp that I can just drive up to load. Little more hassle but way less $'s.

 

I found this thread using the search function so here I am I'm reviving and old one before I start a new one.

I'm thinking of putting a 2" receiver on the front of my truck to carry a 500 pound motorcycle.

This is the rack I'm considering -SMC-600R http://www.discountramps.com/smc-600...LAID=298240483

And this is the front receiver I'm looking at: https://bodiaknet.powweb.com/store/c...29078a8196a79e

It's only for when I tow my 5th wheel trailer & need to bring the bike, too. I don't want to put the bike on the back of the RV. If I hang it on the front of the truck, I'm little concerned with the cantalievered weight, but this shouldn't be much different than a snow plow. I'd like to find a stonger front hitch. Any ideas?

 

I'd also be looking at a cover. That bike will have bugs and all kinds of road grime on it...

I'd rather have a small trailer behind (probably with a brake on it too) than something else on the frame of the truck. You might be pushing the frame too hard depending on what 5ver you have...

I like the idea in theory though....

 

CoDodge2500Man, Thanks for the input. I'm trying to avoid a trailer behind my 5th wheel. A cover is no problem. Plus I won't be doing this often, maybe once a year or so. Like I said, if you can hang a snow plow on the front, why not a 500 pound motorcycle?

 

Yes, it is. You'll block air flow through the front of the truck. That's a bad thing.

You could probably cover parts of the bike in Seran Wrap.

 

I agree. What I meant was covering the bike to keep bugs off is not by biggest problem. I considered the Saran Wrap idea, too.

Some other concerns are making sure the headlights & air flow are not compromised terribly. I know people who drive around in the northeast with plows on thier trucks for months at a time and they aren't experiencing overheating. I will of course watch my temperature readings.

My largest concern (over air flow, headlights, etc.) is structural integrity. If the hitch manufacturer says it's good for 500 pounds verticle load, that equates to tongue weight to me. if the bike is 500 pounds and the hitch is another 80 pounds, I'd feel better with a front hitch that is rated for MORE than 500 pounds. Anyone know of any?

Maybe a more robust attachment is called for, like a PAIR of 2" receiver set up, (maybe where the tow hooks are) or an attachment like that of a snow plow. Any ideas?

 

Anyway, we never bought our own TT/FW yet and still rent a TT from the local A.F. base here. I have just been carrying my bike in the bed. I have gotten pretty quick at unhooking if we want to switch to the bike and so far I have always found a ditch or high spot to back up to to lessening the angle on the ramps which makes unloading/loading the bike much easier.

I have a Ranchhand bumper with a 2" receiver on the front, but I don't think I would want carry my bike on there due the reasons already mentioned: bugs, rocks, blocking airflow to engine, and blocking headlights.

An additional factor which prevents me from this solution is my wife. She is only 4'10" tall. Even with seat all the way up and pillow her eyes are not far above the dash. With the bumper I actually zip tie a couple of the little flag pole thingys minus the flags on it so she knows just where the front of the bumper actually is. Another two feet of bike space hanging off the front would be unthinkable for her to share driving duties. She drives well and my family always gets a kick out of seeing her drive up pulling the trailer when we visit on vacation.

Just don't tell her she is short...

 

There are always alternative methods. I'll try to take some photos of our method.
We haul my 73 Triumph Bonneville on the tail of our 5er, but not from a receiver.
The bike weighs in at 540 wet.
We dropped the tin belly cover from our Travel Supreme and took a look at the frame. As a lifelong welder I decided that the frame could hold that much weight IF the carrier was placed in the right locations.

I welded 4, 2" x2 "x 1/4" angles vertically on the frame and let them protrude 6" below the belly pan. I then drilled and bolted 2, 3" x 3" x 1/4" angles horizontally, front to rear and then let those extend from the back of the 5er by enough to place a piece of channel iron across. I use the 2 forward angles as the pivot and the 2 rear angles as pip points.
This configuration spreads the weight over 4 points, 2 of which are pretty far forward of the rear of the 5er. That way there is not too much weight cantilevered past the axles.
Actually worked out better than I envisioned.
I load and unload the bike by myself.
Bike rides just fine back there. No bugs or stuff like that.
Bike and rack stick out past the rear of the 5er by 32"
We have traveled almost 10,000 miles like this with absolutely no issues.
My pin weight was a touch high for my 1 ton, so the cantelevering of another 600 lbs. put my pin weight just perfect!

Can be done.

 

Actually, plows can overheat the truck. Extended highway driving is not recommended by plow or vehicle mfgr. And this is in winter. Very hard on the front end and tires too. Toy hauler or 2nd trailer is safest. JMO

 

My wife and I have a Keystone toyhauler ('08 Energy FS260) and its huge on the inside once you lift the twin beds in the rear to load/unload the cargo area. It has a reinforced ramp, D ring tie downs in the floor, can sleep up to eight, 2 showers (one outside), generator, 40 gallon fuel cell with a fill up station, and is very comfortable.

I know you're looking for a 5'er but this one is a Class IV and rides nice behind my truck. They're out there, and good luck with your search.


Kris

 

I would put the motorcycle in the truck or look into the "garage model" toyhaulers. Having a garage in the back of your travel trailer is very handy and secure.

 

All states allow doubles if one is a fifth wheel. Some don't allow double ball hitch.

 

I'm sorry, but I have to differ with you on that one. Washington State does NOT allow recreational doubles. Believe me, I have called and checked all over, and they are not allowed. That is not to say they I haven't seen them in Washington, because I have, but none of them had Washington tags on them. They were all from out-of-state.

DMH

 

hth?

How to make “soft wraps” in any tie down strap & strap storage.

Pass the long end around the fork (watch out for the BRAKE LINE)



And bring the hook about half way down to the tie down point,
And make a loop in the strap going up, push it thru the eye of the hook, and around the hook portion.


We use them all the time





Put a rag under the strap, on the fork. The strap will print into the metal as it vibrates, even on a 4 hour trip.

The storage method is called “butterfly”

It’s how the military used to store Teletype ribbon messages.


You just let the hook hang to create tension


(or hold the end in between pinkie & finger) and start making flat figure eights.


Take a the last bit, and wrap it around the whole pile,
or tie it in a knot.