Motorcycle Carrier and 08 Bounder 35H

[Monty W S]

I have been researching motorcyle lifts and there use on my coach and wanted to here from any other Bounder owners doing this. I have talked to several manufacturers and a couple of engineers and all but one said my coach would deal with weight. The one doubter wasn't sure and did not have much expereince in this field.

The lift I am considering is the Joey Lift. It is hydraulic/pneamatic and weigh about 250lbs. My motorcycle is under 600lbs. I hqve added two more 2" receivers for the lift and that should help spread some of the load off the existing receiver.

I was wonereing if anyone else has used this product and what was there experience like.

I used a ramp loaded rack on my class "C" and that worked great but the rack is about 8" higher on the "A" and that makes loading the biker a hair raising adventure.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Alan_Hepburn]

I would be hesitant to hang that much weight off the back of most motorhomes. yours should have a maximum tongue weight rating of 500 lbs on the receiver. Now imagine putting that 250 lb rack back there, then adding your 600 lb bike - that's 850 lbs hanging off the rear frame extension. Now imagine hitting a bump at 65 mph - that's a dynamic load possibly an order of magnitude greater than the 500 lb load rating. While it may not break anything the first time it happens, imaging the metal fatigue that is going to set in after a few hundred, or a few thousand, similar bumps in the road.

If you really want to take your bike along take a look at the various swivel-wheel trailers that are available - you'll be safer in the long run.

[tmar10]

Have I seen lifts on bounders like ours? Yes. But when I went though the process of finding one that would go on the back of our bounder, without exceeding load capacity and maintaining proper weight distribution, I found nothing. Doing the increased weight calculations for the rear axle alone killed the idea for me. If you find a system that works while ensuring safety...sign me up.

[JOMARFL (FMCA 401058)]

We,re looking at something like these for our golf cart, maybe they have what you need.
Platform Carriers
Our local dealer also has a model they use for Fleetwoods and we are going to check that out also, just not sure what they use.

[Route 66]

HERE is a link to Blue Ox's weight calculator.

Something like THIS may be the answer where weight prevents the use a lift.

[tmar10]

Dirk is correct about the weight calculator and the frame extension on our Bounders is also an issue to be considered. The swivel wheel units could be an option if you leave your toad at home.

http://www.cruiserlift.com/swivelwheel58.html

[jupoa]

Monty, I use a home-built ramp style aluminum rack for my 200lb Honda scooter. It is mainly receiver tube supported but I added a couple of outboard struts to keep it from rocking side to side.

The rack is high on my class A too, so what I do is put down the front leveling jacks to the max without putting down the rears. This puts the rack about a foot lower for unloading the scooter and makes all the difference. After I unload the scooter, I pick up the jacks then level the coach.

BTW, I have a CW purchased steel ramp style receiver rack that I'm not using because my 3" wide scooter tires get lost in the 7" wide wheel rack.

[becks]

Monty...As others have stated a lift and bike are to much weight for a gas MH. There are even some diesels where it is borderline. There are other good options. Many, myself included, carry our cycles in a pickup pulled behind our gas rigs. I pull a 2008 Ford Ranger (4x4) 3400 lbs with a 800 lb bike in the bed without being over loaded. Good luck.

[Easyrider]

A trailer is another option. Good luck and happy riding however you decide to do it.

[Blaster]

No way would I put a lift on the back to haul a heavy bike, will absolutely afect the handling, will take weight off front. would not use that swivel wheel carrier either, if you look at that small wheel on back, you would need to carry bearings and a spare spindle, and grease very offen, it will be turning 5 times as fast as the MH tires. Do you remember all the old boat trailers you would see beside the road with bearing down, that was from the 8 & 12 inch wheels on those trailers.

[tmar10]

Blaster,
I agree with you on the lift but proper maintenance and operation of the swivel wheel should prove a reliable system. Based on over 30 years of experience with everything from popup campers to jet aircraft, I have never had a bearing failure on a properly maintained and inspected wheel and bearing assembly.

[teglz]

Have you heard about the hydralift.I have seen this bike carrier on almost any diesel rv's.Some on gas unit's some modifications are required like adding air bags that would increase your load capacity by 2,500lbs.I have seen them at www.eltororvservicecenter.com .

[tmar10]

I thought about airbags and looked at hydralift but was concerned with the additional stress placed on the rear frame extensions.

[Route 66]

Neither air bags nor any aftermarket add on's can increase your load carrying capacity above the manufacturers GAWR.

Air bags can make the rig level again, if the load is great, but that can be a false sense of security if you're are overloaded.