Motorcycle Lift for Montana - Page 2 - Montana Owners Club

av2pilot · 06-24-2008, 06:46 AM

Just finished installing the Hidden Hitch (71" Universal RV hitch). I moved the rear stabilizer forward (used the front hole as the rear hole and drilled a new front hole). I had to cut the bottom of the ladder off and mount hinges on it so it wouldn't interfere with the swivel wheel bracket. I took the hitch and swivel wheel bracket to a welder and had him weld on 2 more receivers on the hitch and extensions on the bracket (used the center receiver mount to square everything up)...the single point hook up was WAY to wobbly! Truck is in the shop right now, but as soon as its back I'm taking the RIG out for a test drive. I'll let ya know how it goes, but it looks sweet.

cdaniels · 06-24-2008, 07:56 AM

Will be looking forward to hearing how it works. Did you get the single wheel or double? I look every few days for another one on ebay. Nothing so far. Eventually one will perhaps come up closer to home. Wish I could have bid on the Florida one but so far to travel. Wish you luck. They say it is the way to go.

av2pilot · 06-25-2008, 02:33 AM

I have the single wheeled one with a spare tire and hub! I think I need a camera or one of those tire pressure things to "watch" things back there!

simonsrf · 06-25-2008, 04:24 AM

Has anyone seen or used the Hydralift?

This looks like it could be a good solution.

http://tinyurl.com/6q3w3m

bsmeaton · 06-25-2008, 05:06 AM

I played with one on the back of a used Hitchhiker on a dealer lot. Pretty snazzy.

greener · 06-25-2008, 08:21 AM

We traded our toyhauler in on the Big Sky. We found that we didn`t use the bikes when we camped because we couldn`t leave our dogs alone to ride together. That being said, if you would put a lift for an 800+ pound bike on the back you would lose the hitch weight on the fifth wheel and be fish tailing all over the road. A pull behind would be better if possible.

simonsrf · 06-25-2008, 04:49 PM

To be able to offset some of the high cost of diesel for town driving. We are about to buy a scooter that weighs about 280 lbs. The problem is a decent way to transport it. In WA state we cannot tow behind the trailer, so, the single-wheeled trailer are out, but did find a pretty good alternative in the hydralift (previous post), but the cost is $4500, and out of our price range.

I then found this one called Tilt-A-Rack. ~$400.00
http://tinyurl.com/4b4xlk

I just need to get a 2" receiver installed.

Anyone have experience with what I want to do here? Any pros or cons?

We don't have dogs, but wonder if 300# would have an adverse effect on towing?

Thanks.

ole dude · 06-25-2008, 05:24 PM

I have seen something much like that on the back of a motor home, neat set up. I wonder how the frame of our trailers would would hold up to that. Some one on the forum is showing their trailer with a smaller bike on the back, they can probably share some good info.

mtheo · 06-25-2008, 05:49 PM

I carry a dirt bike on the back of mine, about the same wieght. I notice no ill effect. Tried to carry to bikes (450lbs)which was to much at that point I noticed the unwieghting of the front of the trailer so much that I would not do it again.
I did carry two bikes on the back of my last trailer many times over ten years with no illeffect to the trailer and it only had a 6" box tube frame.
That being said they do say it will void your warrenty

cdaniels · 07-27-2008, 04:51 AM

Harry & Jackie
How did the swivel wheel trailer work for you guys??

simonsrf · 07-27-2008, 05:25 AM

I ended up buying the Tilt-a-rack. I am very pleased with the way it works, its portability and the light weight.

The tilt-a-rack is rated to 400 pounds and our new scooter weighs 380 lbs.

Loading and unloading is pretty simple, think we will get better at getting it on and off.

BTW, the scooter just got 83 miles to the gallon!

bsmeaton · 07-27-2008, 06:20 AM

Robbie,

What did you end up installing for a hitch and what was the rating?

simonsrf · 07-27-2008, 06:34 AM

Brad,

Had a hitch fabricator in Eugene, OR build the hitch. When I asked him about the rating, he said it would be well over my needs of 400 pounds.

It seems very sturdy after securing the scooter real well.

Going to be loading up today, will try to get a picture for ya.

bsmeaton · 07-27-2008, 06:37 AM

That would be great, thanks Robbie. The hitch on our last Montana was fabricated at a shop and worked great. This 3400 is a lot longer and I worry a little about dragging the "tailhook" on uneven roadways.

HamRad · 07-27-2008, 06:47 AM

Robbie and Alice,

Can't wait to see your new addition. I'll bet you're going to enjoy that 83 miles to the gallon! NICE!

See you later.

Dennis

av2pilot · 07-27-2008, 09:36 AM

Well, we hooked up the swivel wheel and put my 1100 Virago on with no problems. Took the entire load to Arkansas with no problems at all...I had my son behind me watching the swivel wheel to make sure all was well. When we got to the site and backed in I amazed several on lookers when I didn't disconnect it. It will continue on to Colorado next month where I really look forward to doing some riding in the mountains. I'll try and get some pics when I get back to Arkansas. As a side note I also was passed by SEVERAL law enforcement officers and they didn't give my rig a second look...WHEW! I also did some mods on my truck to give her a little more power....4 inch exhaust, cold air intake and Power Puck chip. I was impressed at the added power and got 1 mpg better fuel economy.

bsmeaton · 07-27-2008, 10:27 AM

Look forward to seeing pics Harry - curious how you tied into that 3400. Enjoy Colorado!

rich6506547 · 07-27-2008, 12:15 PM

hey what kind of hitch and size for the back of my 3400 for a bike

bsmeaton · 07-27-2008, 12:45 PM

Rich,

Welcome to the Forum! Good question, but you probably will get a better response by opening on a new topic. The folks that know may not see it in here because its talking about motorcycles.

I knew of an off the shelf hitch, but can't remember the company that makes it anymore, or the size. Something for motorhomes because of the wide spread on the frame rails.

cdaniels · 07-27-2008, 01:55 PM

We actually had our bike rack made from a welder. But the one already made is called hidden hitch. Our bike rack works great! It is on the back of our 2955. Now want to expand to the swivel wheel trailer to take the Harly.... Friends of ours who also have a Montana put a bike rack on the front of his truck. That seems to be working for them. Just another idea.

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