Hydra-Lift Motorcycle Carrier

[JerryKelly]

I am considering my options for hauling my bike and car behind the MH. My research and gut is telling me that the Hydra-Lift is the best option, considering I am towing a 6000# Chevy Suburban and an expensive motorbike. My dealer estimates that the total cost is approx. $5000 installed ($500 for the lift and 12 - 16 hours to install). I am looking for comments and/or suggestions.

[JerryKelly]

I am considering my options for hauling my bike and car behind the MH. My research and gut is telling me that the Hydra-Lift is the best option, considering I am towing a 6000# Chevy Suburban and an expensive motorbike. My dealer estimates that the total cost is approx. $5000 installed ($500 for the lift and 12 - 16 hours to install). I am looking for comments and/or suggestions.

[doc]

While it would be great to have the MC with us on some of the trips, I wonder how it would suffer on the rear of the MH. Our Horizon has a rear radiator and the hot air blowing on the Harley all day, only a few inches away makes me nervous. I cannot imagine what it would be like if you ran into a rain storm and the water, road grime and other crud is being picked up by the fan and blown directly on the scooter. I can imagine trying to get into all the cracks and crevices to clean that big boy up again.
But it sure would have been fun to cruise around the Black Hills this past summer.

[Route 66]

Another consideration is the added weight cantilevered that far back.

Does your coach have the additional capacity?

BLUE OX has a weight calculation form online that can help answer that issue.

[BillArf]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by doc:
While it would be great to have the MC with us on some of the trips, I wonder how it would suffer on the rear of the MH. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, my Harley is suffering on the back of my gas powered, Class A.. NOT! After 15,000 miles riding on the back of my rig my Harley has suffered no ill affects/damage. It is still mint. Yes, my Harley has had to be cleaned after a rainey trip but this also happens if I get caught in a rain storm while riding the bike. In regard to my Class A, it handles the lift with bike loaded and my rig weights are within tolerances(big plus is I'm single and travel with less inside the rig)... In closing my Overbilt Lift, Inc. lift has allowed me to bring my Harley along which makes me lets say smile.. Yes, there are better alternatives then a bike lift but this alternative works well for me.

[Dave Killey]

I considered the hydra lift, but found my gas MH would be too heavy on rear end and also felt the extension of the overall length was not desirable. I opted to purchase a Ford ranger truck and installed the Rampage lift. I love the set up and am very pleased I went this route. The bike is a litte protected behind the cab of the ranger. A firend of mine went the same route except he purcased the Blue Ox lift for the back of the pick-up truck. We both agreed the rampage lift is easier to load and seemed to be a superior product.
I know this does not really address your question, but thought I'd share my experience.

[RonNBama]

Five big ones sounds awfully high for a lift. I see them advertised for around a grand, electric lifts and Harley capable. I think the name is "Joey Lift" and it's made in OK.

[Jack Pattman]

I got a Hydra lift on my 2006 Knight and I am very happy with it. as you can see the lift raises the bike up about 40" above the road allowing great clearance for our toad (2006 Explorer +/- 4600#. FYI, I paid $5600 installed. I carried the bike from Jersey to Alabama (right by RonNBama), rode around Huntsville for a few days and then on up to Tennesee for a few days on mountain roads. You can't beat carring your bike on a lift for 1000 miles rather than riding it and being so sore you hate to get on it. See you in Sturgis in 08