View Full Version : Towbar mounted motorcycle carriers?
nzspokes
16th October 2011, 06:49
Im looking for designs for towbar mounted carriers. In the past I wouldnt have thought they would suit me but Ive realised my car is rated for a 100kg bar load. So im thinking of making one for my trail bike. There is one on TM but would like to make one.
So any ideas appreciated.
geoffm
16th October 2011, 09:57
I made one for our campervan. The article on how to make it is in the Shed mag http://www.theshedmag.co.nz/online/-previous-articles/june--july-2010 .Let me know if you want any info
Geoff
FJRider
16th October 2011, 10:06
Im looking for designs for towbar mounted carriers. In the past I wouldnt have thought they would suit me but Ive realised my car is rated for a 100kg bar load. So im thinking of making one for my trail bike. There is one on TM but would like to make one.
So any ideas appreciated.
100 kg load ... ???
How heavy is the bike (full of fuel) ... ???
How heavy is the carrier going to be ... ???
avgas
16th October 2011, 10:12
Interesting re: downforce limits on towbars.
Makes me seriously question some of the things I have done in the past on them.
He'll I can't even count the amount of times I have stood on one, or loaded one up so the back shocks are sagging.
Is it for real - or has it only come about recently due to cheap fitting of towbars. Cos I swear to god we have put 2-300kg on older tow bars not problem.
FJRider
16th October 2011, 10:21
I recall a few years back ... A gent I knew boasted about how well his Mazda 323 towed his 12 foot caravan around the south island ... The day after his return home, he took the car for a WOF ... the tester opened the back hatch ... but couldn't shut it again ... the car had stretched ... INSTANT FAIL ...
bogan
16th October 2011, 10:27
Is it for real - or has it only come about recently due to cheap fitting of towbars. Cos I swear to god we have put 2-300kg on older tow bars not problem.
Old enough that the cars had frames instead of the monocoque sillyness? Cos that seems like the biggest issue now, nothing solid to bolt the fucking thing to.
FJRider
16th October 2011, 10:30
Old enough that the cars had frames instead of the monocoque sillyness? Cos that seems like the biggest issue now, nothing solid to bolt the fucking thing to.
Just the finest 3mm panel steel Japan can make ... :blink:
Gremlin
16th October 2011, 11:36
Speak to Quasi perhaps... I know he had one (not sure if he still has it)
orangeback
16th October 2011, 11:49
248617248618248619
what i built mine from
avgas
16th October 2011, 12:23
Can anyone remember why it became illegal to just have the back wheel(s) of a vehicle and towing the front?
I miss my old car A-frames and this would be a simple bike towbar thing too for the op.
Flip
16th October 2011, 15:06
I used to tow my old landy around behind my works Falcon Ute on an A frame. Had to be right on the limit for the vehicle as well.
Wrote to the NZTA about the rules, they said no problem provided the vehicle was disabled, ie the battery was disconnected. Got it in writing some where too.
I would say you could front wheel tow frame a trail bike provided it was disabled.
sleemanj
16th October 2011, 15:31
I would say you could front wheel tow frame a trail bike provided it was disabled.
There is a speed limit of 30 when towing motorbikes if some rozzer having a bad day saw your front-wheel-suspended tow rig it probably wouldn't be a stretch to apply that limit.
Probably wouldn't do your rear tyre much good either, no leaning when cornering. Sidecar tug pilots will tell you how quick a bike tyre gets eaten when it can't lean.
avgas
16th October 2011, 16:44
Probably wouldn't do your rear tyre much good either, no leaning when cornering. Sidecar tug pilots will tell you how quick a bike tyre gets eaten when it can't lean.
Really? Why?
Most of my tread disappears under power on the rear and under lean on the front.
bogan
16th October 2011, 16:48
Really? Why?
Most of my tread disappears under power on the rear and under lean on the front.
but if it has knobblies on the rear (as you'd hope a trail bike would), they might disappear regardless of power applied, and in big chunks too!
Laava
16th October 2011, 22:27
http://www.monstermarketplace.com/car-racks-and-accessories/tilt-a-rack-motorcycle-and-motor-scooter-carriers-410acr
http://www.gayashopping.com/aluminum-double-motorcycle-carrier-rack-for-2-dirt-bikes-166867.html#specifications
Hailwood
17th October 2011, 07:26
I had one made for me a few years ago which I am getting rid of. PM me if you are interested in it
nzspokes
10th February 2019, 21:11
So thinking of doing this again. As far as I can find out my Commodore has a ball capacity of 120kg so Im good there I think. :woohoo:
Now to start looking at designs.
buggerit
11th February 2019, 18:25
So thinking of doing this again. As far as I can find out my Commodore has a ball capacity of 120kg so Im good there I think. :woohoo:
Now to start looking at designs.
Just remember, the rating is directly on top of ball, as bike and rack sit well behind this point the leverage on the tongue,
mountiing brackets, cross tube and body mounting points can be increased greatly .
speights_bud
12th May 2019, 00:33
Thinking of doing something for a trials bike on my corolla wagon. Except I'm thinking of a squarish platform above the tow bar and attaching directly through the footpegs. Then a strop to just stop the handlebars turning.
The idea being a trials bike is light enough to lift straight on to a fixed platform.
Attached photos of the luggage box I made up recently for the Mrs wagon when we travel with the kids. Mounts in the 2" receiver.
Loaded up with 2x moto gear bags and a big suitcase to test and it didn't budge. FYI definitely needs the "anti-rattle" clamp I made or else it flops around everywhere. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190511/467482877a27394f7fa198c09c07bfe7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190511/6ae82b116e00cb95951f5acd769f7a47.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190511/597ced2d4e633b82361d07d6064b00c1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190511/ed39275d21236cb57cdca615a03a4017.jpg
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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190511/57c075b5fc02fd19805b7b7d7ddb1670.jpg
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