Community Forums

trampsrv · 04-02-2013, 05:42 PM

i have a master tow car dolly for towing my 1999 ranger.i was thinking of getting a motorcycle.if i mounted a wheel chock on the center of the dolly to hold the front tire,ratchet strap over the front tire and tie down straps on the handle bars and the back tire on pavement would this work?

Coaster1 · 04-02-2013, 05:53 PM

I've seen it done once and frankly, it scaird me. If I were to do it, I would install a third ramp in the middle and get the bike off the ground. Do not cover the bike when hauling it, your paint will be gone in a couple of hundred miles.

TXiceman · 04-02-2013, 05:55 PM

I am all for getting the rear tire off the ground as well.
Ken

Scarab0088 · 04-02-2013, 06:33 PM

From your Avatar, you are a person that tries new things (backwards pick-up on a dolly) Things like this can be done and if done right, they work and can be safe.

Considerations for the motorcycle dolly tow:
Tire and chain wear
Transmission in neutral with gear spinning on the backside of the teeth (pulling vs. pushing.
Some wobble as the dolly bounces down the road with little weight on the frame (probably want to lower dolly tire pressure).

I bet it would work - but - if it were me, I would just mount a single ramp to the dolly and get the whole bike off the ground.

Best of luck!

trampsrv · 04-02-2013, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

From your Avatar, you are a person that tries new things (backwards pick-up on a dolly) Things like this can be done and if done right, they work and can be safe.

Considerations for the motorcycle dolly tow:
Tire and chain wear
Transmission in neutral with gear spinning on the backside of the teeth (pulling vs. pushing.
Some wobble as the dolly bounces down the road with little weight on the frame (probably want to lower dolly tire pressure).

I bet it would work - but - if it were me, I would just mount a single ramp to the dolly and get the whole bike off the ground.

Best of luck!

now that you said that getting a small trailer might be cheaper then damage to a bike.thanks

jmckinley · 04-04-2013, 08:06 AM

Check your motorcycle owner's manual. It probably says don't coast in neutral for extended periods because it will trash the transmission. Like a lot of cars, most motorcycle transmissions don't lubricate themselves well when in neutral.

Alan_Hepburn · 04-04-2013, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trampsrv

now that you said that getting a small trailer might be cheaper then damage to a bike.thanks

We tow a Ural sidecar rig using a Kendon dual-rail trailer. When not in use it stands up in our garage and takes up very little room. If you've only got one bike then their single rail trailer would work well. It's lightweight - around 300 lbs - and is rated to carry 1000 lbs. They are a bit pricy, but they're worth it. They hold their value well and are well-built - here in the USA!

poppy bill · 04-04-2013, 03:58 PM

If you tow it this way you will trash the transmision. PLUS alot more

harris155 · 04-04-2013, 07:14 PM

Long long time ago I had a carrier that the front wheel would strap into and then into the tow receiver. Carried my dirt bike around a lot, not sure it did it any harm but then I did more harm to the bike back then.
I see they still sell a similar version....
The Motorcycle Tow Bracket - Secure Tow, No Stress
If you were handy you could mount the tire chock onto a 2 inch bar and do away with the dolly totally.

jmckinley · 04-04-2013, 11:22 PM

Ditto on the Kendan trailer. I had a single rail and towed my BMW K1200 LT with it. Bike weighted 850 pounds and it towed perfectly. Took up almost no room in the garage because of the stand up feature. Bought it used and sold it 4 years later for what I paid for it.

trampsrv · 04-05-2013, 07:11 AM

i rent my car dolly out by the day and i have had phone calls from people that want there bikes moved in town.i have a wheel chock so i was thinking of mounting it on the dolly.