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10/17/2020 9:20am
Got a new (to me) SUV and am going to put a hitch on and get a hitch mount bike carrier. Any experience on brands? I'm worried about the bolt on hitch handling the weight of the carrier/bike, highest tongue weight offered I've seen is 350 lbs. Looking at Uhaul brand, any other suggestions?
And is the Harbor Freight aluminum bike carrier worth a crap?
And is the Harbor Freight aluminum bike carrier worth a crap?
https://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle-carrier/p/AMC-400/
What SUV are you mounting it on? If you can get a class 3 hitch installed, that will give you 800lb tounge weight. If I was going to use a hitch hauler, I wouldn’t go under a class 3 hitch. A class 2 with a 350 lb tounge weight should work just fine, but class 3 would offer more peace of mind.
For a hitch hauler, if you're gonna use it every weekend, the "Add-A-Bike" hauler with the single footpeg post is perfect. Load and unload the bike in 2 seconds, no straps. It's also very light. I've been using it for years hauling a KTM 250SX and I strap a 2-gallon gas can under the bike -- Daystar Cam Can (it's not technically rated for gas for legal reasons). This setup works great.
The Shop
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/all-jacked-up-switch-hauler-wi…
While RM is presently out of stock, you might be able to get one earlier by going direct.
(I have a KTM 640 and want to do this but it seems a bit much.)
The only vehicle I had with me to get my bike from Redding to Mammoth was an Escalade. The only carrier I could find was at Harbor Freight. It worked really well.
Good luck.
Remember that more often than not, the actual weight is going to be carried further back than where the ball is usually mounted and rated, acting like a lever increasing the force at the receiver.. So you want a considerable fudge factor in your favor in my opinion.
As already mentioned, you may or may not need helper springs. In addition, the further back off the bumper and away from your rear axle, the more the weight will be felt when driving (especially vehicles with shorter wheelbases.) Trucks and full size SUVs don't seem to even notice.
I run the Ultimate MXhauler on a class III hitch mounted to my Land Rover Discovery II. The disco has a relatively short wheel base with a long rear overhang and a spare to clear, so the bike is way back. Adding to it, the disco is lifted slightly with a soft offroad shocks. The receiver and carrier are stout, but I do feel the weight back there. Fine with my dirtbikes, but I've carried an XR650L a few times at 350lbs + and wouldnt do it regularly, with my rig as set up. Needed to really slow down on the twisty mtn roads. Just my experience.
That said, I've seen Outbacks, Elements, etc haul just fine with a bit reason. Buddies FJ with similar wheelbase but less rear overhang carries bikes with the same Ultimate MxHauler without a fuss, likes its not even there. I suspect my extreme overhang and offroad set up are responsible for my results.
Just things to consider when setting up your system.
I have an f150, so theres not tongue weight concern.
Pit Row
I also have a cx5 I put a class three on a few years ago, have never used the hitch hauler but we have towed a small 4x8 with two bikes all over the place with no issues the car towed it great.
just about every dip you'll be grinding your carrier on the ground.
With this in mind we built a few just for those CX5s and some others with the same problem.
It's not a standard offering so it's not like you could call and get one shipped right out but this is what you need,
It's the Switch Hauler® with the 3 inch lift.
If you have any questions you could PM me
https://motojackrack.com/product/hd-motojackrack/
I’ve had mine for 4 years and it’s still going strong.
www.addabike.com
I made this set up for my Escape a couple years ago and it works FANTASTIC. (Team Green has seen it in action and can verify.
I welded some receivers to the sides of the factory class II hitch. Then those hoops just slide in when needed. The middle receiver is used as the mounting point and those load links hold the bike SOLID. When not in use, the pieces just sit out of the way in the back of the car. Nothing to stash on the side of the house or anything. Works unreal. I'm actually working on V 2.0 at the moment that is going to be even better.
That black widow one looks nice for the price.
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