interesting question for the group

[carlN]

We full time RV with a bumper mount RV. I want to buy a Lifan KXP 250 to use for running to store, hitting trails etc,, the classic enduro model usage.

Our current RV is a 30 ft Airstream classic and not able to have stuff on the back bumper etc.

I had originally looked at getting front mounted hitch and putting on carrier to carry this way.. but the more I though about the more i wanted to figure a way, if possible, to carry on back with trailer.. I have seen it done with bike but not sure possible with a almost 300 lbs dirt bike. the truck will be a 2018 3500 ram SRW with a shell on back..

I saw a hitch on a truck camper that was pulling trailer with ATV and it appeared to be about a 2-3 foot long to clear the back of camper.

Was thinking if i could figure out a way to do something like that it might give enough space between truck and front of camper to allow bike carrier..


any idea helpful and good idea's more so.

found this when looking at truck camper hitches for trailers.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Adapt...t/TLE1521.html

[JerryHawk250]

We have a member on here that carried his Hawk across the US with his bike mounted on the front. He felt more comfortable with it on the front so he could see it and not have worry about it falling off the back. He was sleeping in his truck camper and wasn't even pulling anything.

[Mikd]

Depends upon the frame design of your airstream. Seems using a front hitch with a standard bike carrier on it would provide the best safety and ease of use. You paid for a 3500 series truck, they are built for this type of use, should take advantage of it. I use a standard carrier on the back of my rv and they are stable, simple, and inexpensive. If I'm understanding you correctly your thinking of towing a trailer with your trailer, this would negate your ability to back up, limit which states you can enter due to vehicle codes, and add several more failure points vs a simple readily available solution? I'm sorry if I misunderstood your original idea.

[Mikd]

Like this

[JerryHawk250]

timcosby's setup.

[GypsyR]

I use such a double hitch so I can carry four bicycles on their hitch rack and tow a little Toyota on a car dolly at the same time. Not real thrilled with how the extension/adapter kind of hangs out there. Pretty sure I wouldn't use the same setup with a trailer the size of your Airstream. (Nice, by the way.) In my case I didn't like how wobbly my setup was at first. I trimmed the tube back to fit more snugly and to be as short as I could get away with and drilled new holes for the pins.

I'd love to haul the car and bike too. Maybe put the bikes on the roof or something. But the way I see it (for me) the choices are to either buy or build a car dolly that carries both or put the bike at the front bumper. If I were you, the only good option would be the front bumper. I've seen various schemes to add stuff to the hitch the way you're talking about and every one seems more than a little sketchy. Like I said, I'm not all that trusting of what I'm using and it's just for a little car and some bikes.

[Thumper]

Lots of insect smacks on the bike when it's on the front (yuk!), and aerodynamically must cause the fuel gauge to drop quicker! Not that fuel economy is a bonus on any full sized truck, and especially an RV.

These would be the main reasons I am going to get a hitch rack. Most of them are aluminum, but I'd like 2 up capacity.

[carlN]

Seem the better solution is to use front hitch with carrier.. We only do like 3-4 hrs of travel a day for the most part.. just thinking about the wind resistance, we do like 60-65 mph for the most part when towing, and cooling aspects when pulling some of the long azz hill they got out west.. (5-6% for 7 miles or so like I -17 heading up to Sedona)..

the extended hitches they use on truck campers might work but the need for mods would be expensive I suspect.. I do like the idea on front to see it..

Saw one guy with truck camper with MC on front and he ran a strap from tow eye hook on each side around the bike pulling ti towards the hood to help with bounce.. said that made a world of difference for him.

any idea on how much it effect MPG and cooling? have seen some comments in other forum on taking some of the surrounding around gas tank off for air flow to radiator..

thanks.

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

We have a member on here that carried his Hawk across the US with his bike mounted on the front. He felt more comfortable with it on the front so he could see it and not have worry about it falling off the back. He was sleeping in his truck camper and wasn't even pulling anything.

[Thumper]

WMA motorsports has a 1000 lb capacity platform made for one large road bike. It has a 16" platform close to the hitchmount, and a 6" motorcycle slot out farther. That 16" is roomy, and I have a 12" class III extension to make it even more roomy. I could easily put a second dirt bike aiming in the opposite direction there. It is steel, and would be easy to add some heavy duty
Here is there description $400 right now):

1000 LB MOTORCYCLE DIRT BIKE E-BIKE TOW HITCH CARRIER RACK HAULER + GAS CAN CARGO SHELF STORAGE



Once the bike(s) are unloaded, the rack can serve as a front porch for your camper if you have a back door.

[carlN]

that would be the deal if not needing to towing a trailer with it..

Originally Posted by Thumper

WMA motorsports has a 1000 lb capacity platform made for one large road bike. It has a 16" platform close to the hitchmount, and a 6" motorcycle slot out farther. That 16" is roomy, and I have a 12" class III extension to make it even more roomy. I could easily put a second dirt bike aiming in the opposite direction there. It is steel, and would be easy to add some heavy duty
Here is there description $400 right now):

1000 LB MOTORCYCLE DIRT BIKE E-BIKE TOW HITCH CARRIER RACK HAULER + GAS CAN CARGO SHELF STORAGE

Attachment 30828

Once the bike(s) are unloaded, the rack can serve as a front porch for your camper if you have a back door.

[david3921]

How about in the trailer? Only four bolts hold the handle bars.

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by carlN

that would be the deal if not needing to towing a trailer with it..

Look more closely. There is a pass thru 2" hitch mount.

[carlN]

Description:

This 1000 lb motorcycle e-bike hitch mount carrier rack with gas can storage shelf is the perfect solution to transport your scooter or dirt bike by mounting on your 2″ receiver. It doubles as a cargo carrier for your gas can, gear or luggage. Included is an auxiliary 2″ tow hitch receiver for towing your trailer, boat, or vehicle behind. The motorcycle hitch with storage carrier has a 1000 lb weight capacity. The 58″ long x 5 1/2″ wide loading ramp has a weight capacity of 400 lbs and stores underneath the carrier to save space. This 1000 lb Motorcycle Hitch Carrier Rack for Dirt Bike, E-Bike or Scooter with Gas Can Storage Shelf and towing receiver for hauling complies with Standards and Specifications and comes with LIFETIME WARRANTY against defects."

"Max weight capacity for cargo shelf is 400 lbs
Towing weight capacity: 2,000 lbs
Tongue weight capacity: 200 lbs"

30 ft airstream weighs 8500 lbs
tongue runs around 900 to 1000 lbs

IF it was rated for 10K tow weight and 1200# tongue it might work but you gotta add the 30" of extension and the compounding of weight because of that..

for a small trailer pulling behind it might work fine..

Originally Posted by Thumper

Look more closely. There is a pass thru 2" hitch mount.

[Thumper]

Yeah I get it...I wouldn't haul a 30' boat through it

But a popup camper would probably be safe.