Will this hold?

[zombierider]

I was wondering if this would work. I have a Masterbuilt Motorcycle Hitch carrier it's rated up to 500 lbs.
I want to use it to go down to San Antonio and pick up a 2010 Z1000 and bring it back to denton.
The bike is under 500 lbs so it could hold it. Has anyone else carried a street bike on one of these?

http://www.cabelas.com/cargo-carriers-bike-racks-masterbuilt-motorcycle-carrier-1.shtml?WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleBaseUSA&WT.z_mc_id1=716554&rid=40&mr:trackingCode=461ADE51-F5D2-DF11-82EF-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA

[KenH]

Do you have a receiver rated for a 500-pound tongue weight without an equalizer hitch bolted to a vehicle rated to tow a 5000 pound trailer without an equalizer hitch?

[budzrex]

I have on very similar that has hauled my ZRX from Georgia to Texas twice with no issues other than one trooper not liking my bike obscuring my taillights at night, he pulled me over right in front of an Autozone quick trip inside for a trailer light kit made him happy and me no ticket


The lights are off of it now(never loan your trailer and expect it to come back with working lights) and it sits in the garage almost never used. $100 bucks and it's yours and you can swing off the interstate in New Braunfels and get it on your way to San Antonio

Save you from buying all the other stuff when making your way through Cabellas

[zombierider]

I have a hitch that can handle the weight. I am using my K5 blazer to go get the bike.

I already have the hitch hauler. I bought about 6 months ago (used it for my dirt bike)
Now that I know how far you traveled then I feel much better.


I would love to take a one way flight down and drive it back but the wife and kids want to go and the guy is giving me some gear and some other goodies. So this will let me spend time with the wife and kids and get all the gear.

[budzrex]

Good deal, earn you some brownie points jump off. At exit 191 take her into Gruene for dinner and some shopping

[Monkey Wrench Cycles]

Another option is that Uhaul rents a motorcycle specific trailer for, I believe, $18 a day OTD price. Good for a one time thing if you don't plan on using the hitch carrier much

[DaveAlvarado]

Another option is that Uhaul rents a motorcycle specific trailer for, I believe, $18 a day OTD price. Good for a one time thing if you don't plan on using the hitch carrier much

This is how I got my bike to the track before I bought my truck. You can pull them with just about anything. I used a Ford Focus. :D

If you get the insurance, you're looking at just a bit over $30 for a daily rental, due back within 24 hours. Two days is about $50. It's a good deal for the occasional tow. Only thing is you have to be wired for a 4-pin light plug.

[DaveAlvarado]

One thing I just saw on that link:

Note: This item should not be used with scooters or bikes larger than 450cc, due to uneven weight distribution.

Maybe not the best idea for a Z1000. Sounds like the engine block puts too much torque on it.

You probably need something like this, if you have a Class III or IV hitch:

http://www.amazon.com/Hitch-Mounted-Sport-Motorcycle-Carrier/dp/B002M3ODTC

[gixxerjasen]

Um....drive down with the wife and kids and ride it home? Wife drives the Blazer. :mrgreen:

[david_]

I had a dirtbike go flying off one of those around a corner in my neighborhood. I also had an outside strap break and send the handlebars through my rear windshield. If you go ahead with it, try to put a rod through the front wheel without destroying your brake calipers.

I hate them.

[Monkey Wrench Cycles]

Only thing is you have to be wired for a 4-pin light plug.

they make an adapter plug

[DaveAlvarado]

they make an adapter plug

Fair enough. I was thinking more along the lines of not all vehicles are wired for trailer lights, period.

[dukey33]

Fair enough. I was thinking more along the lines of not all vehicles are wired for trailer lights, period.

At first I thought to myself "why would anyone have a hitch and not be wired for lights?"
But then I thought about all the hitch mounted accessories (bike racks, moto haulers, cargo carriers, etc) that some might use on their hitch and not need lights. :phead:

[zombierider]

Um....drive down with the wife and kids and ride it home? Wife drives the Blazer. :mrgreen:

I wanted to do that with her Neon, but she refuses to drive thru any major cities. :doh:

[ed29]

If you are unsure of the safety or wisdom of using the carrier you can swing through Azle outskirts and borrow a 5X10 trailer that is set up to haul bikes.

If you are sure the carrier will work it probably will.

[gixxerjasen]

Whaaaaaaaat?

Of course, after our last drive to SA, the ride through Austin was downright scary.

So..... accommodate her. Avoid the big cities and take the scenic route. Take 281 back, it's a very nice drive and far less crazy than 35.

[RedPill]

Take 281 back, it's a very nice drive and far less crazy than 35.

You got that right.

[zombierider]

If you are unsure of the safety or wisdom of using the carrier you can swing through Azle outskirts and borrow a 5X10 trailer that is set up to haul bikes.

If you are sure the carrier will work it probably will.

I may take you up on that offer.

One of the twins (daughters) has been bad this week so the wife just told me she doesn't think she should do anything fun this weekend. So it looks like I'm making the trip solo.

[DaveAlvarado]

I bet if you recruited help and offered to let someone ride the Z1000 back to Denton you could get some takers. :)

[zombierider]

I'd be willing to take turns switching between the Z1000 and the Neon paying for gas and food. I'm leaving out sat morning around 8 am. unless I can convince the wife to go and drive back lol.

[Monkey Wrench Cycles]

Fair enough. I was thinking more along the lines of not all vehicles are wired for trailer lights, period.

I believe O'Reillys has a harness kit you can buy that plugs into your tailight harness connectors of your vehicle.

[KenH]

Borrow the trailer.

K5 Blazers should not be subjected to over 350 pounds on the receiver unless using an equalizer. Bike + carrier + trailer lights + tiedowns will probably be close to 600 pounds. The back end will sag, the front end will rise, your headlights will make raccoon eyes shine, and your Blazer will drive like the front end is on ice.

[zombierider]

Borrow the trailer.

K5 Blazers should not be subjected to over 350 pounds on the receiver unless using an equalizer. Bike + carrier + trailer lights + tiedowns will probably be close to 600 pounds. The back end will sag, the front end will rise, your headlights will make raccoon eyes shine, and your Blazer will drive like the front end is on ice.

I can't say for certain but are you sure? It's a heavy truck. I don't have a lot of experience with this but I didn't think it would make much of a difference as far as the trucks handling.

[DFW_Warrior]

Didn't you just post a thread a few weeks ago about picking up a sweet enclosed trailer for next to nothing? Why not just load that thing up and go pick up the bike?

[zombierider]

Yes but it's not ready yet. It doesn't have anything for me to tie down too

[budzrex]

Borrow the trailer.

K5 Blazers should not be subjected to over 350 pounds on the receiver unless using an equalizer. Bike + carrier + trailer lights + tiedowns will probably be close to 600 pounds. The back end will sag, the front end will rise, your headlights will make raccoon eyes shine, and your Blazer will drive like the front end is on ice.

K5 is the older full frame 1/2 ton Blazer from the late 70-late 80s should have no issues with the weight, now a S10 blazer not on your life.

I towed my ZRX which is heaver that the Z1000 over 2000 miles on my reciever hitch carrier on the back of a 1997 Tahoe same basic frame as his K5 with no issues

Things also dont usually go flying off if properly secured

Want to miss Austin spend 7 bucks and take the 130 Toll get on north of Georgetown exit in Buda see the new F1 track as you go by

[ed29]

Yes but it's not ready yet. It doesn't have anything for me to tie down too

Heavy flush tie downs at Northern Tools are reasonably priced. I used them on an enclosed trailer I set up for hauling bikes. You can fab up a chock or snag one of those tip in ones that holds the front wheel. Pretty sure Northern and Harbor Freight both have chocks of differing style and price. Only takes an hour or two to go get them and bolt them in.

[KenH]

K5 is the older full frame 1/2 ton Blazer from the late 70-late 80s should have no issues with the weight, now a S10 blazer not on your life.

I towed my ZRX which is heaver that the Z1000 over 2000 miles on my reciever hitch carrier on the back of a 1997 Tahoe same basic frame as his K5 with no issues

Things also dont usually go flying off if properly secured

Want to miss Austin spend 7 bucks and take the 130 Toll get on north of Georgetown exit in Buda see the new F1 track as you go by

K5 Blazers and Tahoes are nowhere close to the same frame. K5s have a channel frame, Tahoes are semi-boxed. Next to nothing interchanges with the suspension or brakes, either. K5s have a solid front axle, Tahoes are IFS.

Rack plus bike plus tiedowns plus lights are going to come in well over 500, maybe closer to 600 pounds. K5s are rated to tow 3500 pounds with a 350 pound tongue load without an equalizer hitch, 7000 pounds with a 700 pound tongue load with an equalizer hitch. Unless you can figure out how to rig an equalizer on a bike rack, limit to 350 pounds is the prudent thing to do. Think i'm kidding? Look up in the owners manual what Chevrolet considers a safe limit on cargo weight centered over the axle, then calculate the leverage of 500 pounds centered 3 feet behind the axle and compare the axle loads.

Just because you did it doesn't make it safe, nor legal. Should there be a crash while driving with an overloaded hitch, there are liability issues to consider. Borrowing a trailer is free, or maybe the cost of a lunch. Community is great! Air up the trailer tires and go with confidence.

[Electrified]

Zombierider, didn't I just see where you got a sweet deal on a cargo trailer or am I thinking of someone else???

[gixxerjasen]

Zombierider, didn't I just see where you got a sweet deal on a cargo trailer or am I thinking of someone else???

Didn't you just post a thread a few weeks ago about picking up a sweet enclosed trailer for next to nothing? Why not just load that thing up and go pick up the bike?

Yes but it's not ready yet. It doesn't have anything for me to tie down too

:mrgreen:

[Hood Ornament]

At first I thought to myself "why would anyone have a hitch and not be wired for lights?"
But then I thought about all the hitch mounted accessories (bike racks, moto haulers, cargo carriers, etc) that some might use on their hitch and not need lights. :phead:

Can't imagine that occurs very often at all. Any factory mounted hitch is going to be a part of a towing package which will of course include lights.

[KenH]

Hopkins trailer wire plug-in adapter:
73-84 Blazer Part #41105
85-91 Blazer Part #41115
92-99 Blazer Part #41125

Not for S-series.

Very easy to install: unplug taillight harnes from main harness (usually behind left taillight), plug in adapter to main harness, plug in taillight harness to adapter, done.

[shadow247]

Get off the internet and get yourself outside and get that trailer ready!

[Monkey Wrench Cycles]

This thread is dead in the water. He borrowed a truck and is probly on his way back right now with the bike in the back of it.

[zombierider]

:mrgreen:

Thanks. I've been working 10hr days 6-7 days a week since I got the trailer so I haven't had a chance to do anything with the trailer. I am having to take off Saturday so I can go get my new bike. Work schedule changed again so wife and kids are staying home I am leaving for San Antonio at 730am sat, and turning around and coming home as soon as the bike is loaded.
Got to be back at work sunday.

[jnappier]

If you can't get your trailer ready I would either rent a trailer or get a buddy (Aaron) to go with you. Hey didn't you drive to Houston with Aaron to get his bike. Tell him he owes you. lol

[jnappier]

It would be alot cheaper to drive your car and buy Aaron's lunch/dinner than to drive the blazer pulling a trailer 600 miles round trip.