Motorcycle hauler

Does anyone have experience with using a motorcycle hauler like the one shown in the image. I would use it on my Mazda cx5. the cx5 can handle the tow weight, just not sure about the stability of the ramp.

 

I have one MAJOR issue with that style of bike hauler.
You can clearly see in the pic that it covers the vehicles tail/brake lights.
Not only does this create legal concerns but very serious safety problems!

~Ghost

 

Not tow weight, you have to check for tongue weight, which is considerable less. On my Suv it's only 500 pounds.
I looked into it years ago and heard people say it works and bike is stable. But I have never tried myself as all of my bikes took me to the tongue limit. But I would love one of these for easy bike haul.
Regarding lights, you can probably get an extender and aux lights

 

As you are cutting off that 80,000 lb semi truck because you misjudged the exit. Are you willing to risk your life on probably??
What is more likely going to probably happen is the aux lights are either going to get broken, or completely forgotten. Which returns you back to no lights.

The harbor freight DIY trailer kit is approx the same price range, and eliminates the issues of tongue weight, load balance, tie down security, etc... And it even folds up for easy storage! I have seen these style bike haulers on the road and watched the bikes wobble. If your just hauling a small dirt bike they work good but for anything bigger than a 250-350 I seriously do not recommend them.

The biggest problem people have with pulling a trailer is lack of experience. Backing up with a trailer is a learned experience that I could tell you all day long how to do. But until you actually get in the vehicle and do it yourself. You never mentally train yourself to do it. It is a counter intuitive motion that the brain refuses to accept as a natural act. It takes practice to learn to steer from the back instead of the front.

~Ghost

 

Get a trailer in a bag, or a small utility trailer, but not any hitch carrier. Not with your vehicle. The highest towing rating on it is 3,000 pounds, whih places the tongue weight at 300 pounds maximum. You will damage the unibody if you put anything other than a lightweight dirtbike on that type of carrier.

If a strap fails on a trailer the bike tips over and lands on the trailer (assuming a utility trailer). If a strap fails on a hitch carrier the bike becomes a total loss and a hazard to the vehicles behind.

Backing a trailer becomes much easier when you move your hands to the bottom of the steering wheel instead of the top.

 

The mazda cx5 is an awesome car, the tongue weight for it is 525 pounds. I've never heard of trailer in a bag. I'll definitly check it out, but it doesnt look that sturdy for a 7 hour drive.

Right lane all the way!

For lights that can be solved with a light kit. Not a big deal. The stability like you mentioned is the main concern for me. I'll check out harbor freights option too. Just dont know if i trust their products.

 

Buy a trailer. I got a used Kendon for $600. You can find a lot of adequate used trailers on Craigslist, etc. Even if you have a 525 pound tongue weight, I sure wouldn't what a 500 pound bike bouncing on it.

 

About the only thing that I'd feel safe putting on a hitch like that would be a cooler.

 

Their trailers get good reviews from folks who take their time assembling and making sure to regrease the bearings. From what I've read there are poorly greased from the factory.

 

The carrier and empty bike (no fluids) will exceed a 525 pound tongue weight.

Trailer in a bag is very well built, and I've never heard of a failure. They do cost quite a bit though.

A utility trailer (even the little Harbor Freight trailer) has the advantage of being able to haul more than just a motorcycle, but you also have to have the room to store it when not in use.

 

Trailer in a bag is no longer in production.
http://www.portachopper.com/

~Ghost

 

Yep to all of that ^^.
Trailer with REALLY good tires, often times new trailers are sold with very cheap 2 ply Chinese tires . . . how many trailers do you see on the road side with a blowout on a weekend?

Backing up a trailer? F'n tricky if you don't have a lot of space for getting a good approach. Practice, practice, practice. When in the city I detach the trailer from the F150 with crew cab and then attach it to the Jeep TJ wrangler, shorter wheel base makes life easier. As Kmoe said, hand on bottom of steering wheel and that hand goes in the direction you want the trailer to go.

 

back in the day i would tie the front wheel of a 185 suzuki into the back of a ford pinto station wagon, take off the chain and let the back wheel roll on the ground.
worked really well, hard on the knobbys though

 

There are carriers that do just that; a bit more secure than rope. On an XJ you'd want to remove the driveshaft first to prevent transmission damage.

 

....and that is a sort-of involved job----a lot more than just loosening an removing a chain....lol

 

Wow, lucky you. They are expensive