Posts: 4
Joined: 5/4/2018
Location: Germantown, WI USA
Hello,
I have a 2010 RMZ 250, I am graduating college next week and am in the process of getting a newer vehicle. I would like to be able to use a motorcycle carrier that goes across the back of the vehicle. I'm not interested in trucks or vans. I need it to be an every day vehicle.
Thank-you!
Posts: 4643
Joined: 10/1/2013
Location: Davis, CA USA
Van is an every day vehicle! Or, try to find a small Toyota pickup, I still have mine as a daily driver along with my van, but both work just fine for every day use. Any reason why you absolutely need a car instead?
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Posts: 3499
Joined: 8/1/2013
Location: Avondale, PA USA
Posts: 4961
Joined: 3/28/2012
Location: TN, USA
Posts: 996
Joined: 1/2/2011
Location: Cromwell, CT USA
Before you buy check the maximum tongue weight rating the vehicle can handle. It will need to handle the bike weight plus the weight of the carrier (about 100 ponds). You’ll probably need a full size suv to get that rating. I bought a Nissan Rogue thinking it could handle it, since they sell trailer hitches that can carry 525 lb tongue weight, but the vehicle can only handle 110 lbs, so I have to go to a trailer instead.
Posts: 2545
Joined: 5/25/2014
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Yeah, man, I'm with you. Same thing; I wanted an everyday car so I got a small SUV (Ford Escape) and built this
cool rack for the back. I love it. Works perfect for me. In this thread>>
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/My-new-moto-hauler-with-bumper-rack-alternative,1338453
Posts: 993
Joined: 12/13/2010
Location: Carlsbad, CA USA
Posts: 5854
Joined: 1/31/2018
Location: Mansfield, OH USA
Trucks are everyday vehicles... at this point you need an suv with a 2” receiver for a hitch hauler. I think most come with a 1.5” or whatever the smaller one is.
Posts: 271
Joined: 2/18/2018
Location: Houston, TX USA
Edited Date/Time:
Would help to know where you’ll be living /working (downtown in a large city, country, suburbs,etc). Can’t very easily fit a f250 in a parking garage downtown, hell even a 1/2 ton won’t fit in some meaning some suv’s Won’t fit either.
Posts: 431
Joined: 3/29/2015
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 1605
Joined: 8/2/2006
Location: Forest H Ill, MD USA
Edited Date/Time:
I've been hauling with an amc400 hitch carrier and a 2006 Toyota 4 runner for the last 5 seasons. I also have a 7x12 enclosed that I use for long trips, it'll pull it acceptably on the flats, but add a brake controller. I HATE having a full-size truck for where I live and the driving/parking situations I have for work. The 4runner is my daily, and i love it. Check out the 4runners from 2003-2009. Very reliable, well appointed and cheap. It's one of the few medium size suvs left with an actual frame and not a unibody chassis. Just read the forums and check the normal items. Frame rust, panel rust, service records or a good owner. Try and find one that has had a transmission fluid change by 60-90k miles. I've got 170k on mine, it's still got original everything except for brakes and tires. I have never been pulled over for blocking the rear plate with my bike either.
Posts: 100
Joined: 1/31/2018
Location: Rock Creek, OH USA
Posts: 1631
Joined: 10/19/2015
Location: Edinboro, PA USA
Posts: 1864
Joined: 11/19/2011
Location: Escondido, CA USA
What's your budget?
All work great with a Switch Hauler®
And when you're done pack it away nicely
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www.alljackedupinc.com home of the Switch Hauler®
Posts: 4
Joined: 5/4/2018
Location: Germantown, WI USA
Edited Date/Time:
Budget is in the 5-7k range. I live in a decent sized town (50-60k people) and probably have 1.5 to 2 hour drive to a track. I have no problem with SUV's but don't want to be spending a lot on gas. Personally, no point in getting a truck because otherwise I would just borrow my parents, which is where my bike is stored anyways. Main reason for this question is so I wouldn't have to plan a day of riding around their schedule to borrow their truck. This question is purely a thought right now as I want to see options as I always could borrow their truck. The smaller the SUV the better. I currently am very fond of the newer Nissan Jukes,and that size. I have come to terms with a car is not an option for this. RAV4?
Posts: 47
Joined: 4/11/2014
Location: Blythewood, SC USA
We love our Xterra. 2007 with 134K mikes. Off Road edition with 6-speed manual. Added the Ultimate MX Hauler with the optional fuel can holder. Works great when I ride by myself. Use the trailer when the family goes with me. 
Posts: 2545
Joined: 5/25/2014
Location: San Diego, CA USA
I looked long and hard at a RAV 4 as well as I am a huge Toyota reliability fan. But the way the rear is designed, I couldn't see doing the rack the way I wanted to (check my thread). However, if you are cool with the rail type
of rack, then yeah, a RAV 4 and a class 3 hitch would be awesome. Or the 4 Runner like the other posted above.
As it is, I am really happy with the Escape. 21 MPG and hits my checklist.
Posts: 1605
Joined: 8/2/2006
Location: Forest H Ill, MD USA
Edited Date/Time:
I will only caution you about going that light duty (rav4, escape, etc) if you plan to ride more than 8-10 times a year. I looked at them when i was making my purchase. Almost all small suvs are compact car drivetrains, front wheel drive. with a unibody chassis. To me, unweighting the front when you have all your gear and a 250 lb bike hanging 10 inches off the back was something I was not comfortable with. I drive 2-3 hours each way to the track as well. When I was college age, I used to pull 3 rail trailer with a 98 4 cylinder Altima stick shift. You can make anything "work" when your pinching pennies. Good luck!
Posts: 5969
Joined: 1/15/2013
Location: Anchorage, AK USA
Posts: 1864
Joined: 11/19/2011
Location: Escondido, CA USA
I know you can buy an 8-10 year old Honda Pilot for 5K.
Around 18mpg. There's bound to be something that's
perfect for your budget.
www.alljackedupinc.com home of the Switch Hauler®
Posts: 346
Joined: 4/6/2018
Location: Aurora, CO USA
Posts: 209
Joined: 5/19/2016
Location: Portland, OR USA
My AMC Eagle could handle a bike on the hitch. Maybe you should look into getting one of them.
Sadly I don't have a photo of using the hitch carrier but at the time I had a 400 lbs yamaha xt550 that I learned to ride on and I toted that around. I'm sure it wasn't great on the eagle but it did the job.
In all seriousness if you want to get a smaller car or suv(RAV4 etc) then you'll likely need to buy a harbor freight trailer to tow the bike around.
Posts: 171
Joined: 2/27/2015
Location: UT, USA
Posts: 9758
Joined: 8/16/2006
Location: CO, USA
Posts: 2545
Joined: 5/25/2014
Location: San Diego, CA USA
I was concerned about this, as well, when I got my Escape. But I don't feel the front end any lighter
at all when driving. I don't notice anything at all about the bike on the back. Nothing. Granted when I built my rack, I did place the bike as close as possible to the rear of the car.
Posts: 716
Joined: 7/22/2014
Location: Columbia, SC USA
Look for 2" receiver and 500/5000 rating. Anything else is sketchy IMO. And when you get into that size, you're basically full size SUV or truck anyways...
Posts: 1033
Joined: 9/21/2015
Location: NLD
I've recently bought a Ford Transit Connect Long Wheelbase High Roof (L2H2). It's about the smallest van you can buy to transport your bike without having to compress the forks or other things. Mine is a 2006 but I believe they didn't come to the USA till 2010. (Facelift model). I also use mine as my daily vehicle. Don't buy the newest version Transit connect (2014 and newer) because they're smaller.
Posts: 3704
Joined: 4/1/2008
Location: Visalia, CA USA
A small Harbor Freight trailer or a single rail motorcycle trailer can be pulled behind virtually any car. Store the trailer upright at your parent's house with the bike, and enjoy a 30+ mpg commuter everyday.
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Joined: 5/21/2016
Location: Chandler, AZ USA
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Joined: 6/20/2008
Location: Radiator Springs, CA USA
