MX Hitch Carrier

3/7/2012 4:52am Edited Date/Time 3/8/2012 9:52am
Hey, has anyone used a hitch carrier?
I'm looking for an inexpensive one for a 250T.
Thanks for the help.
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mjskier
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3/7/2012 5:55am
There are multiple listings and they always are available so just find the best auction. Good rack.

Wow, cheap. Some guy on TT built a small trailer out of one of those.

The Shop

Cygnus
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3/7/2012 6:02am Edited Date/Time 3/7/2012 6:03am
That trailer is great. the hitch carriers are ok but I did have my bike fall off going through a huge dip going into a gas station. Luckily I was only doing 3 MPH. then I had to slam on my brakes for a cop once and put the rear window of my suburban out. I sold it soon after.
GrapeApe
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3/7/2012 6:13am
Cygnus wrote:
That trailer is great. the hitch carriers are ok but I did have my bike fall off going through a huge dip going into a gas...
That trailer is great. the hitch carriers are ok but I did have my bike fall off going through a huge dip going into a gas station. Luckily I was only doing 3 MPH. then I had to slam on my brakes for a cop once and put the rear window of my suburban out. I sold it soon after.
I run a tie down from the chain hooks on my draw hitch, under the rail, and hook it on the outside peg of my bike. This trick is a rear window saver!
Suns_PSD
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Austin, TX US
3/7/2012 11:12am
You need to buy a hitch carrier that tugs your bars forward and has decently wide mounts.

I shopped carefully and the one I got works great. I didn't really shop on cost. I wanted one that used a steel frame for strength but aluminum tracks so installing it could remain a one man job. Not too heavy. It needed the lower mounts for the tie downs to be forward, not to the center of the bike like the cheap ones. Also, I didn't want to deal w/ a heavier and cumbersome spare steel ramp, if avoidable. And I wanted loading my bike to be an easy one man job. I also then purchased an orange square crate from Crate & Barrell and some U-bolts from the hardware store and bolted the orange crate to the main arm of the bike carrier. My tall square gas can and triangle stand both fit securely into this crate for no gas fumes in my car.

Here it it: http://www.discountramps.com/tilting_motorcycle_rack.htm

You will have no problems w/ this unit. I dragged around a spare diesel truck and all of it's associated bills for years just to move the dirtbike, but it's just not necessary. My new system works great and saves piles of cash.
Mx4life320
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3/7/2012 11:34am
We ended up building one.. 4 inch channel maybe 5 inch... Notched and bent the front up so we had a wheel chock. cut some chaing and welded it to the c channel. Mounted it right to a 4 inch drop hitch. . It was cheap and very easy to build.. Did it one night in the garage. I will post pictures if you want... But I really like the idea of making a trailer around it.. Thats awesome
IWreckALot
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3/7/2012 11:39am
I currently used one. The first few times I used it, it was a bit nerve wrecking but once I learned the points to tie it down, I got comfortable with it. I definitely reccomend a fork saver. I don't think they're a huge necessity with trucks but I tie my bike down as tight as I can on a hitch hauler. I don't want that thing coming off!!!
3/7/2012 11:41am Edited Date/Time 3/7/2012 11:42am
only problem with that trailer is you now are illegal in the left lane and can get a ticket for unsafe speed while towing or some shit?

hitch rack means you can drive 75 on the hwy.

as far as the rear window i never had that problem I do use a tide down on the outside footpeg but that was to keep the rear wheel from popping up thinking if i hit a big bump and only had tie downs from both sides of the handlebars that shit could go down.
Mx4life320
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3/7/2012 11:50am
To optimize fuel better I will prolly only go about 65.
Madmax31
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3/7/2012 11:53am
I used an Ultimate MXhauler for years on the back of my Ford Escape. No issues.
fcr
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Monkeys Eyebrow YE
3/7/2012 11:54am
I have a Joe Hauler, heavy as hell. Very Solid, you have to be careful and check it. It has been used to chase, with a bike on it, in Baja. Also had a guy run into it while pulling out of a parking space. His car had a ton of damage, the hauler not much if any. I would recommend it, or one of the EZ haulers, which I have observed used in Baja.
MT MX
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Great Falls, MT US
3/7/2012 12:08pm
I bought the Cycle Country wedge-lok one about 3-4 years ago. Did the same thing and got on Vital asking. Anyways, its all steel, so kind of heavy (to actually carry), but works really good for about 250 bucks. I mainly bought it to carry my bike on gravel roads up to the mountains to go trailriding. So, it's been on some rough rides and is still very stable.
RVR
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Atkins, AR US
3/7/2012 12:31pm
i have one for my Tacoma and fill the bed with tools and gear it is great. i use it even if the bed is empty. i bought the straps with clips so they dont come unhooked never had a problem yet.
mxb2
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3/7/2012 1:21pm
Joe Hauler with lights, Ya get what ya pay for!, Remember its your $8000 investment, do not be cheap.
MX_Andrew83
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Morehead city, NC US
3/7/2012 3:23pm
I have one, it works great. I am just very cautious when I strap it down.
crf250pilot
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Manning, OR US
3/7/2012 3:32pm
mjskier wrote:
[b]There are multiple listings and they always are available so just find the best auction. Good rack.[/b] Wow, cheap. Some guy on TT built a small...
There are multiple listings and they always are available so just find the best auction. Good rack.

Wow, cheap. Some guy on TT built a small trailer out of one of those.

That looks like a yard sale wating to happen. I'd nver trust my bike to a wheel barrow axle and a ramp tied together with a bungee cord.
Driven71
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3/7/2012 4:19pm
+1 on the $100 Ebay carrier. Had mine for 4 seasons and no complaints. Tolls are cheaper too without the trailer. A lot easier than putting it in the back of the truck/van. Make sure you use quality RATCHET tie downs and you secure the wheels to the deck. For the wheels I use heavy duty velcro straps usually used on ladder racks.The bike will move around a bit on bumpy roads but nothing to worry about.
3/7/2012 5:16pm
Hey, has anyone used a hitch carrier?
I'm looking for an inexpensive one for a 250T.
Thanks for the help.
I have this.

http://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-receiver-mount-motorcycle-carrier-9…;

Has worked well for me for the last 2 seasons. I'm moving on to a trailer now though since I downsized to a car and still want to go motoing!
Torco1
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Corona, CA US
3/7/2012 5:19pm
Try and find an original Moto Jack Rack. I had one years ago and that thing was built so damn solid. I don't know if they make them anymore, but they are really good. I wish would've kept it.
josh8811
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Kaysville, UT US
3/7/2012 6:01pm
I use one if I don't feel like dragging my trailer.. They work fantastic.. Just get some really good straps, (Like protapers) and don't leaving them laying outside in the sun and water. I just strap it down tight and drive reasonably. I've got thousands of miles using it, and never lost my bike or put the bar through my back glass..
3/7/2012 6:55pm
just make sure you get an anti rattle hitch pin. it adds a ton of stability to the whole set up.
i looked all over the damn place for one and ended up getting one from a local but big uhaul place. just make sure you ask them for it cause i looked right past it and was about to leave. guy showed it to me and i was like damn i looked right at it and didnt even notice.
Faceaz
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Glendale, AZ US
3/7/2012 7:26pm
I use one allot like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTORCYCLE-CARRIER-RACK-RAMP-TRAILER-HITCH-HAUL…;

Been using it for about 8 years without a problem. The best feature is one where the front wheel is blocked from going backwards & the tie downs pull toward the back. This sucks down the entire bike, so you don't need to tie off or worry about the rear wheel hoping.
3/7/2012 7:28pm
I have an Ultimate MX hauler...works great! I picked it up on eBay a few years ago shipped to my door for $140. It was a demo unit from a dealership. No way would I have paid the full retail price... I was shopping for the aluminum rail haulers others have mentioned at the time when I found the ult MX hauler
3/7/2012 7:35pm
My set up on the back of my wife's Wrangler... Usually use on the back of my F150 when I'm being lazy...



loftyair
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riverside, CA US
3/7/2012 8:37pm
Torco1 wrote:
Try and find an original Moto Jack Rack. I had one years ago and that thing was built so damn solid. I don't know if they...
Try and find an original Moto Jack Rack. I had one years ago and that thing was built so damn solid. I don't know if they make them anymore, but they are really good. I wish would've kept it.
this, I had one ,wish I still did. Was a sweet thing, never a prob, except for adding oil to pump.
mjskier
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CO US
3/7/2012 9:22pm
Me too. I used a Moto Jack Rack for a couple of years.
I lent it to the guy that bought my YZ (because he was going to take it apart to put it in the back of his SUV!!!) but he never brought it back. I should have known better I suppose. I don't have a vehicle to use it anymore so not that big of a deal besides the principle. What kind of a sorry ass individual are you if your words have no values?
WhKnuckle
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TX US
3/8/2012 3:21am
My set up on the back of my wife's Wrangler... Usually use on the back of my F150 when I'm being lazy... [url=http://mickeymeanie.smugmug.com/Family/2011-Jeep-Wrangler/14379937_khPRKM#!i=1098285287&k=QUi3n&lb=1&s=A][img]https://mickeymeanie.smugmug.com/Family/2011-Jeep-Wrangler/DSC0039/1098285287_QUi3n-M.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://mickeymeanie.smugmug.com/Family/2011-Jeep-Wrangler/14379937_khPRKM#!i=1098285372&k=da6fE&lb=1&s=A][img]https://mickeymeanie.smugmug.com/Family/2011-Jeep-Wrangler/DSC0040/1098285372_da6fE-M.jpg[/img][/url]
My set up on the back of my wife's Wrangler... Usually use on the back of my F150 when I'm being lazy...



Is there any kind of securing pin to keep the platform in the upright position if the hydraulics in the jack spring a leak? I'd hate to have the bike drop to the road all of a sudden. That looks like a great solution for my son's Escape.

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