Looking for a hitch mounted motorcycle carrier, suggestions?

[utgunslinger13]

I just recently purchased a Honda Pilot as my wife is expecting and the VW Golf was no longer going to cut it!  I'm also looking for a way to transport the bike without having to buy an entire trailer.  I noticed there are carriers that mount into the hitch and you load the bike parallel with the bumper, and I'm looking for anyone that's used these before?  Suggestions?  Pros/Cons?

Thanks,

Nick

[lilwoody]

If your handy, with access to a drill press you can built one for about 100 bucks.
Heres the one I made.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=49321.0

[O.C.D.]

2nd that, build it.

[utgunslinger13]

I'm not really sure who that comment was directed towards Homer, but glad you care enough to contribute.

[007brendan]

Probably OCD.  Homer had a pretty awesome homemade tail that was met with criticism for it's lack of subframe support.

Here's a commercially made one.
http://www.joehauler.com/camloc/camloc.shtml

Requires a Class III hitch, but even that is only rated at 500 lbs tongue weight.  The newer GS's weigh almost 440 lbs with gas and all.

[utgunslinger13]

I'm just not sure how to take him, maybe ignore is the best.

That was a concern of mine, seeing as most hitch carriers I seen had dirtbikes in them.  I was worried that a.) hitch couldn't handle the weight and b.) carrier couldn't handle the GS with full tank of gas/oil/etc.

[007brendan]

I'd be more concerned about torque on the supporting arm during turns and bumps.  My parents almost bought one when I had a 250 Honda in college, but decided to just rent a small open uhaul trailer for the few times I needed them to take it back and forth to school.

[pacitup01]

If you have a reese hitch on your pilot they sell a kit that will mount into your hitch that mounts your bike sideways on Ebay for Like $200 or if you have a Harbor Freight where you live they sell small motorcycle trailers for like $150

[mister]

I just recently purchased a Honda Pilot as my wife... the VW Golf was no longer going to cut it! 

Out of context... funny as. Least, I assume it;s funny. Like.... you didn't really buy a Honda Pilot as your wife cause the VW didn't cut it as your wife.

Michael

[O.C.D.]

If it were directed at me I will laugh with him as I would not be concerned about making one.  You either make it right or buy one.  Not too hard in my book unless you are (completely) incompetent.  Welding a 2" square tube to a grate with supports and tie-down anchors is not that hard to mess up.


















$20 says Homer still posts in this thread again?!

[utgunslinger13]

I just recently purchased a Honda Pilot as my wife... the VW Golf was no longer going to cut it! 

Out of context... funny as. Least, I assume it;s funny. Like.... you didn't really buy a Honda Pilot as your wife cause the VW didn't cut it as your wife.

Michael

Perhaps a comma might have been better lol


I do have a Harbor Freight locally, I'm just unsure about storing a trailer in my apartment complex.  We technically only get 1 parking space, but we have 2 vehicles and a motorcycle now taking up 3, and I don't want to take a 4th lol

I'd really prefer to buy one, I have the welder and skills to make it but I don't want to take on another project right now, and I want it prepainted lol

[dohabee]

I almost bought one of these before I got my truck, I like that you can put it in the trunk or a closet if need be. http://trailerinabag.com/index.html

As for building a hitch hauler, my brother made one out of steel, it weighs about 100 pounds and materials cost him nearly as much as a pre-built aluminum one from Harbor freight.

[O.C.D.]

my brother made one out of steel, it weighs about 100 pounds and materials cost him nearly as much as a pre-built aluminum one from Harbor freight.

Noted and true.  I guess I see at as cheap because I have all sorts of metal at home and never need to buy it.  So yes, cost does compute when making it yourself.

[lilwoody]

I've drove over 2600 miles with the GS on the hauler I made and a few hundred with a 450 Rebel and a 250 Rebel back there. Not a problem yet. There is a list of material on the link I posted but I'll gaurentee that it will be much less than a Harbor Freight hauler and be 4x stronger.