Motorcycle Carrier: Input needed

[midwestOutreach]

Here's the idea:
I want to drive across the country on my third trip with a motorcycle carrier mounted to a hitch on my Eurovan.

I currently have a hitch that's mounted to the frame with a 2' receiver, assuming its a class 3 spec.

The motorcycle: BMW R80 1985, stripped fairings, around 350lbs
The carrier: Black Widow SMC-600R, up to 600lb capacity

The dilemma: Tongue weight.
Motorcycle plus the carrier will weight in the vicinity of 400-450lbs. CURT 13217 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2-Inch has a tongue rate of 400lbs.

Obviously I want to stay safe and not endanger anyone on the road. Is there anything you recommend to accomplish my goal or can you draw on your experience to enlighten me.

I've had a few people recommend I reinforce the hitch, some said its fine as the manufacturer's overestimates, etc.. But then again, I don't want to endanger anyone.

Example:

Will be lifting the rear 1.5'' with spacers from cavevan:
https://cavevan.myshopify.com/products/eurovan-lift-spacers
_________________
In the garage:

• 90 Vanagon
  
• 03 Discovery
  

[Abscate]

Take 100 pounds load off the hitch with three ratchetingstraps picking up the edge of the tailgate. Estimate the tension by adding 100 pounds to the empty tailgate and seeing how much it deflects,then tension the straps the same amount, opposite direction
_________________
.ssS!

[midwestOutreach]

[Abscate]

[midwestOutreach]

[Abscate]

It’s probably not the hitch support that determines the tongue weight, it’s the hitch attach points , both on the hitch and on the car

Guessing at that , but that’s the case on my T4 I run a heavy tow load .
_________________
.ssS!

[M-BOB]

I carry my CRF450X with a Kurt class 3 hitch and I feel that my bike at 270 pounds of weight, is borderline. I have heavy duty springs at the rear. I also had to add a riser because it was to low. I cutted the carrier a bit in order to not multiply weight because of added lenght with the riser.

Before, I had a class 2 hitch with a 2 in receiver and it failed (bended).

Now it does the job but it has a tendency to wander a bit and the steering axle feel very light but I still prefer it over a trailer.

Good luck.

[MrPulldown]

Any news on this front. I have a possible trip coming up that will require me to "trailer" my bike for about 8 hours each way. I am considering using my hitch hauler instead of my truck. Would be nice to break up the drive and sleep in the van. Bike is about 320lbs and hitch hauler no more than 50.

I had been planning on adding air bags to the rear, but have not got around to it.r

Anyone have some experiences they would like to share.
_________________
2002 EVC

[Zeitgeist 13]

Has anyone tried a one wheel bike tow dolly? It seems like it would solve the tongue weight issue.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284151783022
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[MrPulldown]

Well initial test went well. I can see why a riser would be nice. Handle bar is really close to the back glass. never got up to highway speeds on the test drive.

_________________
2002 EVC

[MrPulldown]

SO what is the tongue rating of the Eurovan? Is it different for the LWB EVC vs the short? THis number is not readily published. I have seen the 200lb # floating around. This seems very light. Those pictures of other vans carrying a moto suggest that it is more.
_________________
2002 EVC

[Zeitgeist 13]

I think the tongue weight is dependent on the hitch being used. The Curt Class III hitch on my van is rated at 400lbs tongue weight.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[MrPulldown]

[Zeitgeist 13]

If I get another bike it will be a BMW with shaft drive, so no chain problems. Way too heavy to load onto a rear carrier, it's either the one wheel or a trailer approach for me. I wonder what backing up would be like with a one wheel. That would be the clincher for me.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[MrPulldown]

[Zeitgeist 13]

Hmmm...that's the first I've heard of final drive failures. I had tens of thousands of miles on my two old R-bikes, and nary an issue. I had a front wheel bearing die in Oregon on my way down to Louisiana. I think I'd be more worried about the bike having a tire blow out while being towed.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[MrPulldown]

[jonathannickel]

I don't have anything very constructive to add but I thought I'd share a couple of motorcycle/EVC photos.
I put a fairly large motorcycle on my hitch carrier but only for about 120 miles. It worked fine but I was obviously pushing the envelope a little.
When I drove it across the country, I put the bike inside the van.

[MrPulldown]

[jonathannickel]

I'm not sure which hitch it is. GoWesty put it on for me. It's pretty beefy.
The bike is an 1190S, which is certainly a bit over 500 lbs.