Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Tech Forums > Modifications and Upgrades
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-13-2015, 07:00 PM   #1
Keywestparrothead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 104
Motorcycle transport with a fifth wheel?

Hello all, love our living space in our 3750FL Montana and can't find a Toy Hauler that offers the same. But I am looking at getting back into motorcycling and want to take a bike when we go camping. I'm looking at a BMW r1200GS Adventure that weighs about 600 lbs wet.

So, from my research so far, I seem to have these choices;

1. Rear mount/weld a platform and bike hauler to the rear of the 5er (I currently have a 1 1/4 sport hitch, so not much in the way of capability)

2. Front mount a 2" receiver on the truck, but the mike could/would block the lights and to some extent the radiators. I have a F450 with enough weight capacity for the weight, just not crazy about the placement.

3. A front tire lift tow rack that attaches to the receiver on the back of the 5er and drags the rear tire. Not sure about this either for wear and tear as well as safety...https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo...p/RHMC1SV.html

4. A permanent and expensive hitch for the rear of the 5er, would add about 900 lbs (hitch and bike) to the rear. While by overall weight would still be under max, for both 5er and TV, not sure how the towing characteristics would be affected. http://www.overbiltlifts.com/electric-lift/

5. Get the wife to drive the Truck or Bike to the destination, yeah right...

How are you non-toy haulers doing this today? Am I missing an option or 2 or just out of luck?

Many thanks for your help!
__________________

2015 Ford F450 KR CC
2010 Montana 3750FL
------------------------
Previous addictions...
2008 Ford F350 6.4 KR CC
2008 CC Silverback 32LFGBS TT
2004 Coleman/Fleetwood PU
Keywestparrothead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2015, 01:36 AM   #2
rjsurfer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 452
Both 1 and 4 would dramatically change towing characteristics, not for the good.

I carried a few bicycles on my front hitch for a few years and didn't find it too distracting even the headlights beam wasn't badly distorted or blocked, go figure.

Number 3 I'm not sure about, does the Adventurer have a drive shaft? May be an issue along with tire wear.

Personally I'm thinking an Adventurer might be too much of a bike for your needs. Are you really going to be long range on/off road cruising? Something the bike was really designed for (I think).

I would be thinking something along the lines of a lighter weight enduro would be more practical. My DRZ400 is more than enough bike for my travelling needs and half the weight making most of your solutions more obtainable.

Ron W.
__________________
2019 Cougar 25RLS
03 Dodge 2500 Cummins
Disc brakes
700 watts solar
2000 watt inverter
rjsurfer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2015, 03:13 AM   #3
BirchyBoy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Colorful Colorado
Posts: 798
I don't think you should even consider the front hitch. Those bikes are tall. Even though you're in a F450, the bike would still block your view. I see quite a few people towing 5th wheels with boats behind them. I think that is how I would do it provided your camper is built/rated for it, etc.
__________________
Current:
'17 Winnebago Vista 31BE / Wife, pesky Eski and loco Toto dog
Former:
'15 Open Range 256BHS / '05 F350 CCLB RWD V10
'14 Keystone Passport 238ML / '13 GC Trailhawk Hemi
RIP Birch (pitbull)
BirchyBoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2015, 04:15 AM   #4
Keywestparrothead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 104
Quote:
Originally Posted by rjsurfer View Post
Both 1 and 4 would dramatically change towing characteristics, not for the good.

I carried a few bicycles on my front hitch for a few years and didn't find it too distracting even the headlights beam wasn't badly distorted or blocked, go figure.

Number 3 I'm not sure about, does the Adventurer have a drive shaft? May be an issue along with tire wear.

Personally I'm thinking an Adventurer might be too much of a bike for your needs. Are you really going to be long range on/off road cruising? Something the bike was really designed for (I think).

I would be thinking something along the lines of a lighter weight enduro would be more practical. My DRZ400 is more than enough bike for my travelling needs and half the weight making most of your solutions more obtainable.

Ron W.
Thanks RJ, yeah the bike is big, but I plan on riding 2 up both here in NC mountains and also in Denver if we get transferred. I'm 6'7" and 275 lbs and the bike fits me just right. It does have a drive shaft, so #3 is higher on my list but like you said, tire wear could be a problem.

__________________

2015 Ford F450 KR CC
2010 Montana 3750FL
------------------------
Previous addictions...
2008 Ford F350 6.4 KR CC
2008 CC Silverback 32LFGBS TT
2004 Coleman/Fleetwood PU
Keywestparrothead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2015, 04:18 AM   #5
Keywestparrothead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 104
Quote:
Originally Posted by BirchyBoy View Post
I don't think you should even consider the front hitch. Those bikes are tall. Even though you're in a F450, the bike would still block your view. I see quite a few people towing 5th wheels with boats behind them. I think that is how I would do it provided your camper is built/rated for it, etc.
BirchBoy - thanks for the option, I should have mentioned that NC, as well as other states we frequent, don't allow triple tow. I did see a wheeled platform that attaches to the back of the 5er and sits on one or two wheels, but is not considered a trailer because of the way it attaches. Even allows for you to back up, hmm....?
__________________

2015 Ford F450 KR CC
2010 Montana 3750FL
------------------------
Previous addictions...
2008 Ford F350 6.4 KR CC
2008 CC Silverback 32LFGBS TT
2004 Coleman/Fleetwood PU
Keywestparrothead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2015, 04:24 AM   #6
GaryWT
Senior Member
 
GaryWT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: MA
Posts: 3,153
A second truck for the bike but then you have 2 vehicles where ever you go.
__________________
2013 Premier 31BHPR
2014 F350 6.2L
Soon to be just DW and I
GaryWT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2015, 05:05 AM   #7
bsmith0404
Senior Member
 
bsmith0404's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
If you decide to go with the front mount, just make sure the front receiver can handle that much weight. Most of the ones I have seen available only have a tongue weight capacity of 250-300 lbs. A hitch on the rear of the RV could be an option, but again 600 lbs bouncing is A LOT different than 300 lbs of tongue weight from a trailer. The hitch would have to be VERY heavy built to withstand the forces. If you can get around the triple tow law and still have a wheeled platform as you mentioned, that would probably be the way I would go. Whatever you decide, just make sure you check, double check, and triple check the capacities.
__________________

Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
bsmith0404 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2015, 06:45 AM   #8
notanlines
Senior Member
 
notanlines's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,308
I would be VERY wary of the mount on the rear of your trailer. Your welded mount itself is probably 200 pounds or so and add in a 600 pound bike, coupled with 80PSI tires and your machine may be in for "the ride of it's life."
I'm not sure you have a viable solution. And one other thing, long as I'm being such a "downer." Check out the price for your floating cargo platform for the rear of your trailer, the one with two spinning wheels.....uh huh, surprise, surprise, surprise.
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
notanlines is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2015, 07:28 AM   #9
Barbell
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 375
We have a 3100RL Montana that came with no hitch whatsoever. After several DIY attempts to fashion a suitable rack on the back of the trailer to carry two bicycles that did not work; too much bouncing on the rear of the 5er, I had a welding shop put in two very heavy angle irons between the I-beam frame rails and welded a receiver hitch to them. So far it works fine but I would not attempt to tow anything with it. I also have a front hitch on my Dodge 2500 and have carried the bikes there. We also have motorcycles but I doubt I will ever try to haul even the DRZ400 either on the back of the 5er or the front of the truck. So far we just pull the bike trailer with another vehicle.
Barbell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2015, 07:48 PM   #10
Desert185
Senior Member
 
Desert185's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
I get your dilemma. I have an 1100GS and found the only reasonable solution with a pickup and a 5'er to be a toy hauler. A lighter weight bike allows other options, but the GS (even the newer models) are heavy.

As a side note, given that weight, I still find it amazing that they actually handle like they are 100# lighter than they are. I used to do 24 hour rides and wish I had a GS at the time.
__________________
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
Desert185 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2015, 08:09 PM   #11
kfxgreenie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WI
Posts: 424
For a motorcyclist, the alfa gold toy hauler is some cool shiat. Barley loose any living space compared to the average toy hauler and still store the bike. And depending on the bike, not have to worry about the angle on the ramp, and high center the bike.

kfxgreenie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2015, 06:15 AM   #12
Keywestparrothead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 104
Quote:
Originally Posted by kfxgreenie View Post
For a motorcyclist, the alfa gold toy hauler is some cool shiat. Barley loose any living space compared to the average toy hauler and still store the bike. And depending on the bike, not have to worry about the angle on the ramp, and high center the bike.

I did see that when researching yesterday, I think the Alpine 3900RE might be an option too, if I need to go the TH (even though this is listed as a 5er...) route...

http://alpine.keystonerv.com/models/...late=ModelPage

Thank you everyone for your input, some great input here!
__________________

2015 Ford F450 KR CC
2010 Montana 3750FL
------------------------
Previous addictions...
2008 Ford F350 6.4 KR CC
2008 CC Silverback 32LFGBS TT
2004 Coleman/Fleetwood PU
Keywestparrothead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2015, 06:19 AM   #13
Keywestparrothead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 104
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desert185 View Post
I get your dilemma. I have an 1100GS and found the only reasonable solution with a pickup and a 5'er to be a toy hauler. A lighter weight bike allows other options, but the GS (even the newer models) are heavy.

As a side note, given that weight, I still find it amazing that they actually handle like they are 100# lighter than they are. I used to do 24 hour rides and wish I had a GS at the time.
Thanks, it's starting to look that way as well...

on your side note - I agree, even with the panniers and wife I can maneuver at "slower" speeds.
__________________

2015 Ford F450 KR CC
2010 Montana 3750FL
------------------------
Previous addictions...
2008 Ford F350 6.4 KR CC
2008 CC Silverback 32LFGBS TT
2004 Coleman/Fleetwood PU
Keywestparrothead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2015, 03:54 PM   #14
bsmith0404
Senior Member
 
bsmith0404's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
That 3900RE is interesting, almost the same floorplan as my 3500RE except the rear garage. Makes me wonder how they squeezed in nearly 5' of garage in the back with a 5er that has the same overall length.
__________________

Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
bsmith0404 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2015, 05:04 PM   #15
Campy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Preble county, Ohio
Posts: 261
I'm looking into this for my 5th wheel as well, check into Idaho Tote or Swivelwheel either one of these would do the job perfectly. The Idaho Tote is an awesome piece and can even be had with air ride but the price is expensive. The Swivelwheel is exactly the same type but uses a single or double caster wheel instead of a steering axle that make it less expensive.
__________________
2008 Silverado 3500HD 4x4 SRW Duramax Allison trans
2014 Cougar 327 RES "Campy"
Campy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2015, 03:59 AM   #16
jimmyv13
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SE MI
Posts: 74
I saw this trailer during our spring break trip. I couldn't get much out of the guy as he spoke French, but I did get that he built it himself and it works very well.







Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
08 Springdale
05 Ford F250 PSD
jimmyv13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2015, 05:25 AM   #17
tommy_z
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Taylor,TX
Posts: 115
I don't have a 5er, or a bike, but I do recall seeing this thing that is advertised to fit your need.

http://idahotote.com/
tommy_z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2015, 05:51 AM   #18
notanlines
Senior Member
 
notanlines's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,308
I also had looked at the Idaho Tote a few months ago at a motorcycle rally in Texas. Just curiosity I guess. MSRP 8′: $7,098.00, Shock kit, $155.00,
Auxiliary air, $86.00, Air axle locking system, $489.00, Electric brake package, $750.00, Tongue Kit, $445.00, Custom color, $95.00, 15” tires/rims, $70.00 each, ITDI hitch (rear), $598.00, P.U. attachment, $497.00, Regular ramps (2), $210.00, 8’5” ramps (2), $320.00, tri-set (3) trike loader 8’5” Lg., $675.00, HD. Ramps 1”x3” alum., $545.00
cruiser Bike Loader (hands-free loading), $2,598.00. You can pick and choose AND do the math. Holy shmoly, the price got WAY, WAY out of hand.
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
notanlines is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2015, 10:26 AM   #19
Keywestparrothead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 104
Thanks all. Went and looked at the Alpine 3900RE yesterday. While there is more living space than a TH, the "garage" would barely fit the bike. Not sure how they can say a "small GC could fit in there"... So we then looked at some TH on the lot and learned a lot. Including once you take the bike/GC out of the garage you can set it up as a separate dinning room, if you don't have guest staying in the back (which we don't )

The Idaho Tow and Swivel wheel all price out to about $5, with the work to be done to receive/use the devices. That and the $5k for auto levelers and another $5k for a genny, puts us easily in a new 40' TH range. Even the wifey agrees, so a shopping we will go

Many, many thanks for all of your help! Safe and happy camping all.
__________________

2015 Ford F450 KR CC
2010 Montana 3750FL
------------------------
Previous addictions...
2008 Ford F350 6.4 KR CC
2008 CC Silverback 32LFGBS TT
2004 Coleman/Fleetwood PU
Keywestparrothead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2015, 01:15 PM   #20
Campy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Preble county, Ohio
Posts: 261
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyv13 View Post
I saw this trailer during our spring break trip. I couldn't get much out of the guy as he spoke French, but I did get that he built it himself and it works very well.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I like it! I have the shop and the equipment to build one myself but had issues locating the caster wheels. I could find some but none I would trust to carry the load. When it comes to those caster wheels bigger is always better.
__________________
2008 Silverado 3500HD 4x4 SRW Duramax Allison trans
2014 Cougar 327 RES "Campy"
Campy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:35 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.