February 16, 2020
Big Rigs & Big Motorcycles
Bringing your motorcycle in addition to you– Can it be done? Tips, techniques and choices for bringing a bike and vehicle with you while on the road
Long before we chose to ditch the stick home and proceed to the mobile lifestyle, both my other half and I were devoted motorcyclists. I began riding bikes at the age of 6 and the rest is history. I captured the bug tough and found myself on all manner of bike from cruisers to sport bikes and tourers. In 2014, my dad and I chose to take two weeks off and take a trip from coast to coast on motorcycles. Staying in camping tents under the stars for most of the journey. When I returned, I understood two things to be true. I wished to make travel a much larger part of my life going forward. And I required to discover a way to bring a motorbike along for the experience.
Fast forward over five years full-time in our diesel pusher and we enjoy to report that our decision to bring our 8000lb+ BMW R1200GS Adventure Motorcycle was among the very best choices we ever made. We did our research study and chose the best services for our particular requirements. We also managed to steer clear of major occurrence. Here are our suggestions for bringing your motorcycle along for your Recreational Vehicle experience.
Specifying Your Requirements
Before you start your search it is crucial to define your requirements. Each choice has costs and advantages depending on your unique scenario. All these and more things will require to be thought about. So it is important that you make a strong list of requirements prior to you start your search.
Suitable with our Motorhome
A solution suitable with our Entegra Aspire Class A diesel pusher motorhome.
Tow Vehicle Support. An option suitable with flat towing our Jeep Wrangler and Full-Size Motorcycle behind our diesel pusher.
High Capacity. BMW GS Motorcycle isn’t light. We required at least 900lb of lift capacity after fuel & luggage considerations.
Serviceability. Ability to field service on the road, a choice towards minimal customized or complex parts
Removability. Ability to quickly move from one RV to another or remove totally without additional welding
Security. A service with a tested track record and pleased consumer’s that could share their experiences over a minimum of 100,000 miles of integrated usage.
Worth. The sky is the limit with custom Recreational Vehicle devices. We prefer to keep away from that upper limit if possible. With safety being more vital than saving cash in the short run
Motorcycle lifts
Because of our requirements, particular services like a motorbike trailer were not an option for us as we would have needed to leave our automobile behind. The concept of having both a motorcycle and automobile not only implied we might utilize our automobile in inclement weather condition, however it also implied that my other half and I had independent modes of transport during our travels which was a big plus. This left our search to motorcycle lift companies created for Class A motorhomes or heavier 5th wheels with frames capable of supporting the included weight of a lift & motorbike.
Our Solution
For our requirements we thought about a number of very qualified companies that specialized in motorcycle transportation services for the RV market. The Hydralift was hands down the highest-end service using hydraulic systems to easily lift the motorbike up and out of the way so we could attach our tow vehicle. The Cruiserlift on the other hand used a winch system comparable to a winch used on an ATV.
Installation & Removal Process
With any of the motorbike lift options currently readily available minor adjustments are usually required. Our Entegra Aspire had a 10,000-pound tow drawback. This required to be eliminated and replaced with a 3-point drawback system that had a much bigger tongue weight and hauling capacity score. The lift producer suggested a welding shop that might perform the modifications and they had our lift shipped to that shop. So we only needed to stop at a single location. The setup had to do with a 6-hour task to get rid of and re-weld and paint the new receiver. Then to set up the lift itself. This expense is above and beyond the cost of the lift.
The procedure does not generally need any body adjustments to the Recreational Vehicle. Just the receiver drawback pre-installed on the motorhome. We recommend budgeting in between $1000 and $1500 for installation which has to do with the average. Before making a final decision take special care to understand the lift removal procedure as thi may affect resale value. In our case the updated 3-point hitch should stay on the motorhome. However the strength and versatility of more powerful drawback system is welcomed by the majority of previously owned purchasers.
Drive Characteristics
For the a lot of part we do not notice the motorcycle is mounted on our motorhome. Always check with the lift manufacturers to ensure compatibility you’re your particular configuration. Viewing your bike in your rear-view camera for the very first time can be a bit unnerving but rest assure if you purchased a great set of tie-down straps and check on things during your routine pit stops everything will be fine.
Will You Void Your Warranty?
We get asked this question all the time and the most basic answer is to consult your producer as each has a different service warranty process. When we had to have our radiator replaced several times due to a maker problem understood to our model year, in our experience we had actually no problems related to service warranty claims even. Both Entegra and Spartan never ever mentioned the lift as being a concern and mored than happy to service our motorhome without issue numerous times under service warranty.
Length Considerations
Adding a motorcycle lift to a class A motorhome usually will include roughly 5 feet to your overall length. It is necessary to take this into consideration when choosing a tow-vehicle, motorhome and lift maker as there are total length constraints on U.S roads and interstates.
Lift makers are launching new and amazing services for gas coaches, fifth wheels and diesel coaches without air suspension systems every day. Consult your lift manufacture for the best alternatives for your particular requirements.
This left our search to motorbike lift business developed for Class A motorhomes or much heavier 5th wheels with frames capable of supporting the included weight of a lift & motorbike.
Our Solution
For our needs we considered a number of really qualified companies that specialized in bike transportation options for the RV market. The Hydralift was hands down the highest-end option making use of hydraulic systems to easily raise the bike up and out of the method so we could attach our tow car. Installation & Removal Process: With any of the motorbike lift choices presently readily available small adjustments are typically needed. Drive Characteristics: For the many part we do not see the bike is mounted on our motorhome.
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