Does anybody else use a car & trailer or some other unique set up to transport your bikes?

Edited Date/Time 9/6/2018 3:20am
Ive personally had everything from a dedicated motovan to a variety of vehicles and trailers ranging from a lifted Z71 Chevy Silverado to......i'm kind of embarrassed to admit it but a lowered Nissan mini-pickup circa 1985 (praise the lowered).

Having lived in Holland it was much more common to see a smallish family sedan pulling a motorcycle trailer or a camping trailer than to see a pickup or van. But here in the US I frequently get puzzled looks when others see a Kia Forte Koup effortlessly pulling a trailer with one or two bikes on board that easily gets up to & over 100mph with both the car and trailer remaining smooth and stable enough that's its easy to forget im even pulling anything.

For those who have decided to not use the standard van or truck set up and don't mind sharing what do you use and why. And do you have any lessons learned or funny stories about it?

A google search found some of these "unique" set ups









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mingham97
Posts
854
Joined
7/16/2013
Location
AU
6/11/2018 1:32am
Every bodies living situation is different. Im close to the city so I don't have room for a trailer so I have one of thes e
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kb228
Posts
6161
Joined
1/31/2018
Location
Mansfield, OH US
6/11/2018 2:14am
mingham97 wrote:
Every bodies living situation is different. Im close to the city so I don't have room for a trailer so I have one of thes [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/06/11/267395/s1200_Screenshot_20180611_163121_eBay.jpg[/img]e
Every bodies living situation is different. Im close to the city so I don't have room for a trailer so I have one of thes e
I also use one of these. After a long day its much easier to load onto it instead of into a truck bed
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Deja New
Posts
2763
Joined
11/22/2016
Location
AU
6/11/2018 3:23am
I live out of town and want some luxury when at the track ie aircon after a ride and a fridge with beer for the end of the day.....$50 plus K AUD not cheap but fricken awesome Smile







And it gets pulled buy a little bit of Japanese muscle

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Turbojez
Posts
2421
Joined
8/5/2015
Location
PL
6/11/2018 3:23am
I use a trailer and tow it around behind a wagon. Plenty of space and you can take up to 3 bikes. The only downside is you need space to store the trailer.

The Shop

billyp330
Posts
416
Joined
4/3/2017
Location
Dorset, OH US
6/11/2018 5:39am Edited Date/Time 6/11/2018 5:42am
I use a 4x8 trailer and tow it with a 07 Ford Focus. Before the focus it was towed with a 97 Civic and before that i used a 91 chevy 1500 z71. So much easier to load and unload with the car/trailer setup and even with hauling 2 bikes i get over 25 mpg. I have thought about buying a truck several times but i just like the fuel mileage of the car and i would still haul the trailer anyways since its easier to load/unload out of.

Edit: i cant believe i forgot. i also had a Ford ranger for awhile and LOVED it. It was lower to the ground then the z71 so loading wasnt bad and it got about 20mpg so was fairly cheap to drive. If i didnt have kids now i would of probably kept the Ranger for life. Damn those useless sideways facing seats...
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6/11/2018 5:39am
I have a VW Golf with a custom 150lb trailer. Single rail, 13 inch tires. Oddly, in Europe you can buy factory equipped towing packages, but for some legal reason, cannot in North America. So, added aftermarket hitch. Hardly notice you're towing it.
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Gale19XX
Posts
341
Joined
11/9/2014
Location
Dubuque, IA US
6/11/2018 1:52pm
I pulled a 4x8 trailer with my 2013 Subaru Impreza for a couple years. I had gotten out of MX for around 10 years but remember it being fairly common at my local tracks to see cars pulling small trailers. Times changed while I was away because I got a lot of funny looks and seemed to be the only one showing up in a car.

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ktmdan
Posts
1220
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Houston, TX US
6/11/2018 2:26pm
When I was a kid my friend's dad took us in a Camry with >300,000 miles with a trailer with 3 big bikes and an 85. It was terrifying when it rained.
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omalley
Posts
1528
Joined
7/27/2016
Location
Snohomish, WA US
6/11/2018 2:29pm
I think my favorite is that old O’Neal (?) magazine ad with the rider, his girlfriend, and his bike in a ragtop Caddy...
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FI2T
Posts
686
Joined
10/23/2012
Location
Kennewick, WA US
6/11/2018 3:07pm
My short bed on a Moab trip. 300xc, 350xcf, stump jumper and a pw50.


Believe it or not this guy had no idea who Ronnie Mac was. He also had a quad inside the van!

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Doddy
Posts
773
Joined
12/28/2017
Location
Everett, WA US
6/11/2018 3:10pm
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/06/11/267538/s1200_1.jpg[/img]

I see 2 1/2 things wrong with this picture Wink
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ruy
Posts
4092
Joined
4/26/2009
Location
España ES
6/11/2018 3:26pm

I have a normal trailer, but pulled from an old good car, big and comfortable, which is more than 20 years old, 1996, in which you travel great.
jtiger12
Posts
1720
Joined
8/2/2006
Location
Forest H Ill, MD US
6/11/2018 5:47pm
Couple years ago, I saw a guy at the track pulling a 6x12 with a mustang 5.0 gt.
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FWYT
Posts
3310
Joined
5/25/2014
Location
San Diego, CA US
6/11/2018 5:47pm
After I retired my beloved Toyota truck with 450k miles (!), I got a little Ford Escape and built this rack to carry a bike.
It holds both wheels independently so the load is spread out and not focused on the single point of the hitch receiver. The bike does not move around AT ALL. Rock solid. When not in use, the rack pieces swap sides so they just sorta resemble a nerf bar. Uses those quick links attached to the foot pegs to hold it down. Super solid!

Fugging love this set up. I can throw my gear in the back and not worry about it if I stop for lunch.

I didn't want to get a van as I don't like big cars and I can't justify the expense. I just want one car that does everything I need economically, on a daily driver basis.






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rob162
Posts
609
Joined
7/8/2015
Location
IL US
6/11/2018 5:48pm
Just bought 2010 prius for doing estimates for work. It will be getting a hitch and a 4x8 v-nose trailer.

Met a guy with this set up for his R1 and R6 track bikes says he gets 38-41mpg still at 75mph on the highway.
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c0ncEpT
Posts
1270
Joined
5/13/2015
Location
Harrison Twp., MI US
6/11/2018 8:37pm





I use my TDI Jetta for everything. It does really well. Still pulls down MPG in the low 30's pulling 2 bikes.
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sumdood
Posts
5573
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA US
Fantasy
1267th
6/11/2018 9:43pm
7 x 10 enclosed trailer. Just short enough to fit in the garage. Has 2 side doors and holds 50 gallons of water for longer trips. I pull it with my tundra work truck unless were camping, then it's the Dodge and the Lance. Pretty happy with this set up.



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FWYT
Posts
3310
Joined
5/25/2014
Location
San Diego, CA US
6/11/2018 9:49pm
Phildo wrote:
[IMG]http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii2/PhilMeUpBaby/SuzukiVan2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii2/PhilMeUpBaby/SuzukiVan1.jpg[/IMG]


Oh man, I love those! I looked into getting one imported here but it just didn't
seem like it was doable. One of these days, maybe!!
Mr. Sandman
Posts
187
Joined
7/5/2017
Location
Eastvale, CA US
6/11/2018 10:01pm
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/06/11/267538/s1200_1.jpg[/img]

Doddy wrote:
I see 2 1/2 things wrong with this picture Wink
No worries...love it or hate it, 2, 3 or 4 wheels and I’ll ride it, race it or wreck it and have fun doing it!
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Benihana225
Posts
116
Joined
8/13/2015
Location
Orlando, FL US
6/11/2018 10:09pm


6 speed TL pulled 4 dudes 3 big bikes. Gear and tools no problem
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Markus422
Posts
236
Joined
4/5/2018
Location
Seattle, WA US
6/11/2018 11:38pm
I work and go to school in the city so my long bed Ram 2500 was getting super annoying to daily. Bought a new Passat and I’m about to put a hitch on it, already have a 3 rail trailer. I wanted a hitch rail but apparently it’s only rated for 200 pounds with one of those, but can tow up to 2000 pounds. Kind of a bummer but I’ll take their word for it. Trucks are over rated and I find where I live most which have them rarely use them for their intended purpose.
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WFO72
Posts
97
Joined
8/11/2009
Location
Gainesville, FL US
6/12/2018 3:12am
Whats goes around comes around. Started back in the 70's with a 3 rail trailer. Through the years have had a motorhome and trailer combo, Toy hauler and numerous pick up trucks. I went back old school with this combo. The trailer is low enough for easy loading and unloading for my old worn out body parts. It was a real pain to load it before way up on my Four Runner after a lond day of moto. I'm old now and a simplified trailer system works best for me. Plus it's the fastest looking race hauler in the pits.

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6/12/2018 3:15am
Q5 SUV + 8x5 trailer. Can fit 3 bikes and gear easily, plus valuable gear such as gopros, helmets, tools, etc stay safely locked in the boot/trunk of the car.

You don’t even feel that you’re towing it. Occasionally I forget and startle myself when I look in the rear view and see a dirt bike right on my ass.

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