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Hitch-mounted Motorcycle Carrier
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Posted by: lynn02
I was wondering if anyone uses a hitch-mounted carrier. I'm interested in one instead of using my trailer. The only problem is my spare on the rear. I have a Jeep Liberty. Can anyone suggest a good carrier?
Posted by: TheJunkMan
remember tha is alot of weight on the back end and considering your liberty drives on the front end until you put it into four paw.
Posted by: joereitman
I use one- carry both kx250 plus a ktm 65. works well on Dodge Durango. Custom- I welded it up.
The Liberty is a front driver!?!?
Posted by: Surfrider55
I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I use a Zieman hitch carrier that is all welded together. No nuts and bolts to do yourself plus a self contained ramp as well. I also tried the MotoJack Rack but it was a pain in the butt if your suspension sat too high!
The only thing with the Liberty is the spare tire is mounted outside the vehicle. The extra distance and weight could effect your normal vehicle handling.
Good luck
Posted by: joereitman
My carrier rails are as close in as possible due to the problems with all that weight being too far outboard. I have so little space the handlebar is only an inch off the sloping rear window when the bike is straight up, and I have to tie down from bottom shock mount to a frame rail under the truck. But it is very secure and rides well this way.
Posted by: lynn02
The bike that will be on the carrier will be a CRF100. Do you all think that will be that much weight on the hitch? Thanks everyone for the help. I appreciate it.
Posted by: snb73
Lynn02,
Here is a link to a bunch of Jeep Liberty sites.
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=jeep+liberty+tow+capacity&ei=UTF-8&fr=fp-tab-web-t&cop=mss&tab=
Most list the towing capacity as; 5,000 pounds (w/auto transmission and tow package).
Towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight, including trailer and load, that the manufactuer recommends the vehicle can pull. This is with a class 3 hitch.
A general rule of thumb for a class 3 hitch is; not to exceed a tongue weight of more than 500 pounds. Tongue weight is the amount of weight a pushing down on the hitch at the tongue, with a loaded trailer.
I estimate a receiver bike carrier and a CRF-100 won't exceed 200 pounds total. My son has an XR-100, and I have a Jeep Cherokee. I routinely transport the bike on a hitch receiver carrier, with no problems. Just make sure it's tied securely.
I hope this puts you at ease. A Jeep Liberty with a class 3 receiver hitch will carry the CRF-100 with room to spare.
Hope this helps, Steve.
Posted by: snb73
Lynn02,
I found a site for carriers.
http://www.discount-trailers.com/receiver_products.htm
I made mine, it's simular to the "Reese" one. I mounted a vertical bar to support the boy's bike. My spare tire is mounted inside, so clearence wasn't an issue.
http://www.discount-trailers.com/reese_cargo_carrier.htm
I think this one should work for your application. It gives you 24 inches of clearence from the face of the receiver to the center of the CRF-100. I think that will clear your spare tire. I'd measure to be sure. It looks fairly strong as well.
http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle_carrier.htm
http://www.discountramps.com/vh55rodisplayedwhite.jpg
This one looks a bit weak.
http://www.off-road.com/dirtbike/reviews/addabikereview/
Good luck, Steve.
Posted by: kawdude
I posted this review for the add a bike carrier...
[size=2]Purchased this product on ebay for approximately 250 bucks and I feel it's worth the money if you don't have a truck or want to wheel the bike up ramp. I use my wife's Montana van and works fine.
>>Installation is easy. Slide the product into the receiver, insert and tighten the receiver bolt and you're done. The installation of the class 3 hitch (not included) is more difficult and more time consuming.
>>Loading is quick and easy. Roll the bike up and clamp it in place. Hold down straps are optional but I use them for piece of mind.
>>Bike is locked into place via down pressure (see the pics) but not enought to cause suspension issues to the best of my knowledge. Because of the design the bike cannot move forward or backwards.
>>Carrier is constructed out of aluminum and weighs approximately 30-40 lbs. Very light when compared to the steel carriers on the market. This product is sturdy and does not appear to have any wobble problems related to rocking in my receiver.
>>I am unsure of the maximum weight that the company recommends can be placed on this carrier. I use it to carry a KX500 and a XR70...not at the same time. I'm sure it would hold both if you stacked the XR on top of the KX!!! I would be concerned if you tried to use it for a heavy bike such as a XR650 but I don't really know. Ask the manufacture.
>>One issue I have come up against is that with the bike on the carrier the rear of the my vehicle swats too much. This presents the hazard of scraping the bar. Obviously this is not a problem with the bar just the suspension on the van.
These are just my opinions and observations. Good Luck!!![/size]
Posted by: nephron
I've used this one since 02: http://www.versahaul.com/vh55dmro.html
It's powdercoated, and hasn't rusted. A little heavy to get on the hitch, and if you've got back problems or you're just a plain wuss, don't get it. It does get out of the way pretty well in the garage. I slide mine underneath a classic car (that I've done nothing to since finding this forum).
It has a bolt locking mechanism @ the tongue that prevents (until you gouge it on a few deep dips) rocking and swaying. That on'e s a plus-minus, but works if you don't ever hit a bump. And we certainly don't, out where we ride. 
Overall, I like it with the above caveats--but wouldn't have done it had I had the pickup I've got now.
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