Community Forums

Leary54 · 02-05-2013, 03:19 PM

Go to Overbilt. Com great lift have one on my bounder diesel.

majfrizz · 02-05-2013, 06:18 PM

we were thinking of adding the Hydra-Lift to our Journey. i had the 4 corner weigh done and it would have put me almost on the weight limits. i just did not want to push it that close, even thought others with the same model have done so. My goldwing weighs about 800lbs, but based on the formulas it really adds almost 2200 lbs on the rear. so we did not do it. I will just wait till we buy our next coach and make sure it has a tag axle, which will help a lot. i did find out one of the disadvantages of the cruiser lift, i was told it does not fold up when not in use, like the Hydralift does.

rdkng88 · 02-05-2013, 06:27 PM

I like having my Harley in a enclosed trailer it is always clean when I get where I'm going. I can also take a golf cart and a lot of gear inflatable boat outboard motor. Makes a nice place to garage when not riding. I would have concern with the weight on the rear axle. Do the math you will see if it is possible.

rstarny · 02-05-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PyrateSilly

Race City got bought out. The prices about a yr or 2 ago was about $3k to $4k and now they are almost double. They still use the Race City website thou. Check the shipping requirements or think about driving to go pick it up.

i got mine about 5-6 years ago, paid 2k prices sure went up but for me the best money spent and it doesn't need to be registered

windydaboo · 02-05-2013, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BpK9Miami

I agree with the comment about the warranty impact. Check that first - heck it may negate the whole argument.

And, BTE, what's a tandem tow hauler? I don't think I've ever seen one of those.

This is what I use...

We use it for our bikes, bicycles, golf cart, Jeep and sand rail or usually a combination of the above... with a 8x8 platform it can hold two bikes or a bike and golf cart

sugarbear · 02-06-2013, 06:39 AM

I checked with the tow dolly people and with the few accessories I wanted the price was almost $6,000.00 without shipping

I am right at the limit weightwise but installed air bags and tire monitor system so I will see how it goes.

PyrateSilly · 02-06-2013, 08:18 AM

We were looking at getting one almost 2 yrs ago and they were still in the $2k to $3k range then. Trust me we are kicking ourselves for not getting one then. Now we are looking at having one made at a trailer shop around here. Same thing but looks like it might be cheaper. We do have a 20ft equipment trailer so for right now we are not having to find something fast. But we are still looking at reducing the weight of all. The trailer is about 4k to 5k lbs by itself and with the 4Runner and bike it tops out at about 10k total, so if we can change out to something like the tandem tow we will lower the weight by quite a bit.

cenfl · 02-07-2013, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PyrateSilly

We were looking at getting one almost 2 yrs ago and they were still in the $2k to $3k range then. Trust me we are kicking ourselves for not getting one then. Now we are looking at having one made at a trailer shop around here. Same thing but looks like it might be cheaper. We do have a 20ft equipment trailer so for right now we are not having to find something fast. But we are still looking at reducing the weight of all. The trailer is about 4k to 5k lbs by itself and with the 4Runner and bike it tops out at about 10k total, so if we can change out to something like the tandem tow we will lower the weight by quite a bit.

Also considering having a tow dolly modified by a custom trailer builder to carry H-D and tow small car. We will be under 5,000 lb. Class III hitch limit and GCWR/RAWR; however, tongue weight on the hitch could be a problem. Has anyone done this and have an accurate tongue weight?

windydaboo · 02-07-2013, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cenfl

Also considering having a tow dolly modified by a custom trailer builder to carry H-D and tow small car. We will be under 5,000 lb. Class III hitch limit and GCWR/RAWR; however, tongue weight on the hitch could be a problem. Has anyone done this and have an accurate tongue weight?

IMO it would be better to have a car trailer modified with a tow dolly assembly on the rear (see pics above). It's much more sturdy and dual axles give a little piece of mind if a blow out were to occur.

As for hitch weight, it's a lot. In my case I put two full dress cruisers on the platform and tow a Jeep. I have about 1800 lbs. tongue weight with both bikes onboard, a lttle more if the Jeep isn't coming along since it's weight on the dolly section takes some off the tongue.

The tongue on the trailer is rated at 2500lbs.. I bought a 16000lb capacity/2500lb.TW utility truck hitch from ETrailer.com. The hitch comes as a weld together kit with your choice of long or short brackets. I had it welded on by a local fabricator/hitch shop. I also had him weld in two bars in "V" formation to control any side to side movement of the hitch under load. The hitch and welding cost less than $400. I have put over 15k miles on this set-up without an issue and it tows great.

This is what worked for me, hope it helps give you ideas for your situation.

rstarny · 02-07-2013, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cenfl

Also considering having a tow dolly modified by a custom trailer builder to carry H-D and tow small car. We will be under 5,000 lb. Class III hitch limit and GCWR/RAWR; however, tongue weight on the hitch could be a problem. Has anyone done this and have an accurate tongue weight?

if you look at the tandems the cradle that the car sits on is adjustable therefore with the bike on the front you move the cradle back to counter balance so tounge weight is in a sense adjustable. it works very well and is just 1 bolt to adjust

JohnFreyja · 02-07-2013, 07:23 PM

Hydralift works great with HD Ultra. Don't notice the weight and tow the car behind approx. 4,000 miles so far. Yes, it does get dirty if it rains and it isn't covered properly.
Home Page - Hydralift-USA

BigDogSolo · 02-22-2013, 09:09 PM

Overbilt and Hydrlift both make quality units. In my case I decided against a lift because of three things....
1. Price for unit and installation can run close to $4k for some units
2. There have been some reports of frame stress (especially with a 1000 lb Harley)and warranty violations.
3. That 1000lb bike bounces hard in the lift and gets real dirty!

Bought an enclosed trailer and just plan trips for either Motorcycle riding or Car...not both.

winniman · 02-22-2013, 10:17 PM

We hauled our bikes down east last year on a flat deck trailer. Several times the bikes were so dirty we had to take them to a car wash before we even wanted to touch them. I have since bought an enclosed trailer to put them in.

DGShaffer · 02-23-2013, 05:37 AM

After trading my Outlaw for a conventional motor home I had a decision to make. It didn't take long to decide that going with an enclosed trailer was the only real option. I bought a new 5' x 8' V-Nose for $2k and all I did was to make a couple of supply shelves and gear hangars and install a wheel chock.