Looking at the Moto Tote carrier as an alternative to pulling my 12' trailer to the track. They have a 600 lb rating model that would be perfect for my bike. Just curious if anyone uses these regularly without issue. Sure would be handy, but kinda sketchy dangling your bike off the back of your truck via one piece of tubing. Saw a guy at Tally with one a couple months back, kinda caught my attention as an alternative.
Seen a couple on the back of trucks/large suv's. Not common though. Just make sure your hitch tongue weight is sufficient.
Moto tote is a great carrier. I put about 40k miles on mine with a full size sport bike with no issues. Don't hesitate to get one they are very handy.
Wow, thats a ton of usage! I'm really interested in them, they seem to be well built, and I suppose the tube and weight isn't much different than tongue weight on a trailer. I have a 2005 Silverado half ton 4wd, engine has plenty power, but has 3.42 gears and larger tires on it. Pulling my 12' trailer to the track, it struggles to maintain anything 70mph and over unless it gears down to 3rd, which then turns more rpms than I like when driving an hour or so straight on the freeway. Trailer also has a mesh gate which I'm sure provides some wind resistance as well. Don't really want to go back to smaller tires, so a hitch mounted carrier seems to be a solution to this issue. I looked at tuning the truck (and i still may), as there is significant restrictions via torque management in those trucks, also looked at regearing but that is more time and money than I want to invest in the truck.
I have an 03 Sierra 4x4. Mine has 3.73 gears. Do you use the tow/haul mode switch? That should help pulling. My 6x12 enclosed doesn't even feel like its behind the truck (until I have to stop).
Yeah, I've tried everything. I believe in 05 they upped the effect of the torque management on those trucks, because I have heard and seen too much about others with 2000-2004 models pulling way heavier loads without issue. Mine will pull it, just not in 4th gear. the 3.42's suck bad. My truck is actually a bit of a rare bird too in that it has the L33 5.3l HO engine in it. All aluminum block, different cam, pistons, heads, and everything than the traditional iron block 5.3l. It's rated at 310hp vs the standard 5.3 in that model rated at 295hp. The L33 only came in extended cab 4wd trucks from 05-07 and only in a few of them. 8th digit of vin code must be B if it has the L33 engine. I'm thinking a tuner will really liven the truck up. I used to be into rock crawling and had a 2006 3/4 ton GMC 2500HD with the 6.0l gas engine in it. That truck had 4.10's and the 4 speed 4l80e transmission was geared differently than the 4l60e in our half tons. While the 6.0l gas engine really doesn't produce much more power than the 5.3l, the gears and tranny gearing help out dramatically for towing. I pulled my crawler which weighed around 4k lbs on an all steel deck 18' dovetail car hauler trailer like it wasn't crap. The 6.0l does boast a little more torque for pulling, but horsepower rating for it was only 300 hp, which is 10 less than my current half ton. I wish it had 4.10 gears in it, it already gets shitty fuel mileage due to lack of power and larger tires, so not worried about mpg's. Tires aren't too large, 295/70/17 (33.5x12). My dad could help me set the gears up, but lookin at $7-900 in just parts, not counting having to pull the front differential, which is a big job in itself. Hell of a lot easier to buy a Mototote. Ha! But I'm probably going to try a Diablosport Predator tuner on it too, as I had one on my old 3/4 ton truck and it really made it more driveable. Shift points and shift pressure was better, and it just felt like it had noticeably more pulling power overall.
I've used one for a couple years and love it. For me, the key is using TyreFix straps that hold the bike in place with the tire. They let you crank the ratchets down as tight as you want without compressing the suspension. The only downside is you have to pull the front fender off to use them, but the upside is you don't have to store, maintain, or register a trailer.
That is awesome, I'm very interested in one of these. I haven't thought about using the tire straps so as not to load the suspension when strapped down. I actually just ordered another canyon dancer handlebar strap. Might just use it on the front and buy a tire strap for the rear. My current bike, Honda NC700X has conventional forks, so I've just been looping straps around the fork bottoms just above where the fender mounts and cinching it down, but I also add straps looped around the lower triple clamp too just as a backup. I still have to keep my trailer and store it regardless, and I've never registered any of my trailers in Alabama Lol...but one of these sure would make the drive back and forth to the track more enjoyable, and probably save a little fuel too.
I have used one off and on for about 6 years. I just bought a replacement bar for the second time from where I have backed up and hit something and bent it. Overall, it is a great option and really well built. They key to using it properly is to be able to tighten the bike without hurting the suspension. I hook the back ratchet ties to the rear sets as the tightest point then mount between the triple tree in the front. I highly recommend using rings to mount the ratchet ties to the mototote. They are similar to what is posted in the picture but you buy them at Lowe's or Home Depot. They allow you to not rely on tension to hold the bike in place since the ratchet ties cannot dislodge. I am work now but will try and post a photo later of what I mean.
Old thread I know, but in case there’s still any interest... one of my buddies carries his SuperDuke and Supermoto on his hitch mounted carrier, and loves it. One at a time I should mention. Last two times we’ve met up to ride, he’s brought the bike on the carrier while I’ve ridden to meet him.