Quote:
Originally Posted by Merrymary
We have a 40’ Itasca Horizon and would like to have our Harley Trike and Jeep with us. Both will fit in the trailer, but with the Hydralift we would not have to worry about getting into RV Parks. Does anyone have one installed on their motor Home? Would you do it again? I am just thinking that 68’ feet is very long!
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Merrymarry,
Well, we've done EXACTLY what you're thinking about. In fact, it was on OUR '04 Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP. I did the install myself. It was both fun and quite a challenge. I won't go into all the details but, suffice to say, when done, I set that Hydralift up so it could be removed off the back of the coach in about 6-8 minutes just in case I needed to perform any major maintenance or, any major engine work needed to be done. I did that by setting up the hydraulics with a quick release fitting, much like air hoses have. And, the electric side also had a quick disconnect type "Weatherpak" connector.
Now, most don't care about that kind of stuff but, since I'm the one that does all the maintenance and work, I wanted that Hydralift out of the way if and when needed.
Now, how did we like it? Well, without a doubt, the Hydralift is by far, the best motorcycle lift and carrier on the market, no doubt about that. But, they know it too. That's why they cost what they do. I added extra structural undercarriage to the base for additional tie down points for the bike. When that Goldwing was on there, it was a rock.
We towed three different toads while that Hydralift was installed. And, we had a ball doing it, all over 1/2 the U.S. We did it for over 8,000 miles without one single issue. As for the coach, it handled it flawlessly. No wandering, no porpoising, no ill handling effects whatsoever. The coach rode at the same exact height, BOTH front and back, with the bike on there as it did without the lift and the bike. The ride height sensors took care of all weight and height adjustments.
Now, being that our coach is a 36' unit, we have the lighter axles. My rear is a 17,500 GAWR unit and my front is a 10,410 GAWR. Together, it's 27,910 GVWR. The problem was, for our coach, with the bike and lift on there, I was 2,100 lbs. over weight on the rear. Using advanced math, that's 1,050 lbs. per side. Now, I knew the coach and the suspension could take it. It was the TIRES that I had no control over. They were overloaded too. If I blew one of the duals on either side, that would put a phenomenal load, on the remaining tire. THAT, was a major bad juju.
So, even though we both loved that Hydralift and the ability to carry our '08 Honda GL 1800 Goldwing with us, along with our various toads, we decided to take a different route. We sold the Hydralift and now carry the bike on a Rampage lift/carrier in the back of one of our present toads, an '11 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended cab. We like that way too. They both have benefits and pitfalls.
AS for ANY motorcycle/trike that is carried out in the open, yep, no doubt about it, it's gonna GET DIRTY for sure. I take pride in our bike and keep it clean and shiny all the time. So, whether it was carried on the back of our coach, or, carried in the back of our truck, it gets dirty. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I think that it gets a little less dirty when carried in the truck, as opposed to the back of the coach. When we find a campground/RV park for a night or maybe a few days, out comes the bike and it gets a sponge bath. About 10-15 minutes and, DONE!
YEP, also no doubt about it, dragging the bike around in an enclosed trailer is a way better scenario. We've done that too. Plus, it's a little better security too, if one is worried about that.
Anyway, if you'd like any info on the install, how I did things, what I thought about this or that, I'd be happy to help. Good luck and have fun.
Scott
2000 coachmen santara 370 5.9 cummins isb
2017 Phaeton 40IH XSH Maroon Coral - Power Glide Chassis with IFS
Linear Mode
