Was going to the track this morning but rained out. Figured I post my hitch carrier. I live in a subdivision and don’t have a place to keep my trailer, keep it at storage place. It’s a pain to drive to the storage then take it back, not all that close either.
Figured I’d give a hitch carrier a shot. It took a little work to modify a harbor freight bike carrier but it seems to work good. Hauled to the track about 20 miles away and it was solid.
I made a cross piece out of 1 inch square tubing I had laying around, welded ears on it for tie downs. Welded couple pieces of angle on the main support/2 inch square tubing to tied down at the pegs. I drilled the rivets out the short ramp that came with it which was worthless and added the cross pieces to the main carrier.
Bought a threaded hitch pin off Amazon to take out the wobble. I had an old Harbor Freight front wheel chock or whatever it’s called that was on one of my trailers. Took the plate off of it painted it up mounted it.
The Tri fold ramp I bought cost more than the carrier but works and doesn’t take up much room in my 97 Tahoe.
I was surprised how solid it it was once I tied the pegs down along with a ratchet strap over the swing arm. It worked out good enough doubt I’ll use my trailer much unless taking another bike. Thanks Billy
Sano (is that still a word?).
I did a similar mod to a harbor hitch few years ago.
I've been using that one for 8+ years now. I built just small L brackets for the straps to the bars. The wheel sits in nice and tight with the bar over the rim wrapped in tape to keep from scratching the rim. Never had a single issue in all the trips from Chicago to Florida, Arizona California, Alabama ect. They hold up well over time as well.
Is there any play in it? Handles bars and the rear windowgot me worried.
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I like the mods. I just bought the same carrier and haven't even taken it out of the box yet - when I do I'm gonna use your idea!
Haha. Years ago I bought a hitch rack for my Yukon and in stop and go traffic one morning I started moving then immediately had to slam on the brakes. Boom, handlebar exploded the rear window! The peg straps look like they would help, my rack only had the outrigger on the front.
I have one similar. It had an aluminum extrusion that bolted to a steel plate that bolted to the rack. The extrusion was bolted to the hitch part. It was too much movement and started cracking. I dumped that and welded the steel parts together. It's much stiffer and has been good for about 8 years now. I just run tiedowns to the original anchor point below the pegs and have no problem keeping it on the rack.
Good question on the handle bars and rear window. First time I rolled it up on the carrier the front tire stuck like chuck. I thought this is pretty cool. Reached down to grab a strap and it bike tilted over and grip hit the rear window. Not hard, but enough to scare me.
Its fairly solid with just the handle bar straps, but once I crank down the peg straps its doesnt move very much at all. When I add the strap to the swing arm it suck down tight as a ducks butt. I'm not concerned about hitting the back window once I get it all tired down.
Next thing I plan to do is get some mini binders or as my oil patch dad called them, chain boomers for the foot pegs. Ratch straps are not a large pain, but still somewhat of a pain in the ass. Its not perfect but beats 20-30 min. one way in Houston traffic to my storage for my trailer. I've only used it once to haul to Ultimate Motocross which is 20 ish miles from my house.
Is this the hitch master 400 lbs unit ? I see them @$169.00 at my local HF
Used to see super coupons in mx magazines for harbor for the hitch. $99. The front wheel chocks were $25 when they first came out. Quite a bit more now but always watch for sales.
Yeah its the 169 dollar one. I think I either got mine on sale or had a coupon or something. I can't recall what I paid but don't think it was $169. They used to be less than a 100 bucks if I recall correctly.
Next thing I'm going to do is get one of these ATV racks. I welded a 2 inch adapter to the end of the square tubing make support. I want to carry my VP gas can and ice chest somehere other than back of my Tahoe. I have a truck but it a 3/4 ton and doesn't ride good, just use it to haul heavy stuff, bass boat, tractor, RV etc.
I like the steel one. All you do is remove an extra bolt under the wheels and the bike drops right in nice and tight, but not so much that it's hard to push out.
I have used mine to drive 240 miles from SoCal to Parker, AZ And back, multiple times. Zero issues.
I 100% agree. No need to make a wheel chock or even strap down your rear tire. My bike has traveled thousands of miles on this carrier on all terrain and I've never had an issue. Bike stays nice and snug and it's easy to push in/out.
Do you all use the long pins through the wheels that it comes with? I haven't used mine in a while now that I have a truck, but still keep it in the shed if I ever have to use one of our SUV's. I never thought the wheels would pop out, but who knows.
Just a tie down strap on each side and she’s good to go. Nothing else.
Yup. Over 500 days on mine so far without any mods.
I want to see the 2 door Tahoe you got OP.
Many are fine with their bike held on the carrier with a few straps. It’s windy out west too often like the bike not to move at all. Plus haul my 690r sometimes and it’s a little bit heavier than the average dirtbike.
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