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Old 10-18-2021, 06:02 PM   #1
AngliaUSA
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Default Adding a Motorcycle Hitch Carrier

I wanted to be able to carry my trail motorcycle to the campgrounds on a rear hitch carrier.
So here is what I did and it is working just fine.
Pictures are the best description. But to summarize I welded and bolted some 2" x 2" box steel to the ends of the sub frame of the TM2719 which extend at the rear and hold the rear bumper. Then welded and bolted the rear hitch supports to those at either end.
The main hitch carrier is a simple 'bolt to the bumper' set up .... but it is additionally supported by the 2 new welded support arms which are removable.
The hitch carrier is a standard double ramp system that slides into place. It weighs about 60lbs and can support up to a 600lbs motorcycle.
The motorcycle is a 200cc Suzuki VanVan and weighs apron 280 lbs. So I figure that when the bike is on the back I have added approx 350lbs to the rear of my Trail Manor. I haven't noticed any rear wobble or fishtailing when towing at 60mph with the additional weight, so so far so good.
Only issue I have found is the motorcycle blocking the rear tail lights when it is loaded, so I'll need to add some magnetic mount additional towing lights when towing to keep everything visible and legal. Anyway thought I'd share.
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Old 10-18-2021, 07:28 PM   #2
Larryjb
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Cool! I wish you were my neighbour, and could weld a receiver for my bike rack!

I just checked your other posts (okay, post). I hope the next time we hear from you is sometime before 2029.
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Old 10-19-2021, 01:37 PM   #3
AngliaUSA
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Default Lurking and reading more than posting ....

Before taking on this 'add on hitch' job I checked this forum first and sadly nobody had attempted what I have done - one guy had added a rear tow hitch so now his tow vehicle is towing a TM and a MC trailer which is not legal here in California.

Most advice was NOT to do it as the rear bumper is rated at 400lbs max tongue weight but after examininglng the subframe and welds that hold the stock bumper to the main sub frame I really felt that with a properly supported rear hitch carrier the risk of catastrophic hitch failure - ie. the welds failing (breaking) and the whole thing falling off was minimal.

My biggest concern was and still is TM sway and fishtailing while under tow because I have added almost 400lbs to the rear. My plan B was to add an anti sway tow accessory to my front hitch to possibly rectify that scenario. So far unnecessary.

Only way to test it was to build it and try. At the very worst it wouldn't work and I'd have to remove the already removable bike carrier.

All this said - yes it works, no it doesn't fishtail at speeds upto 60mph and I don't notice the additional weight when towing. But caveat emptor - don't attempt this if you don't know how to weld properly. I wouldn't attempt to carry this kind of additional weight on the rear without it being properly supported. Is it recommend by the manufacturer ? NO. But can it be done ? YES.
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Old 10-21-2021, 09:45 AM   #4
Bill
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Looks like a nice installation, though I'm not sure where you found the 400 pound rating for the rear hitch. But you bypassed that, so it should not be an issue.

I'm thinking that you have 14-inch tires on your 2619/2720. These tires don't have a lot of load-bearing margin, so a trip through a CAT scale might be in order.

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