dual sport on a hitch mount carrier AND a 450lb street bike in bed?

[cmattina]

Hey Guys,

Any opinions on running on the highway for 400 miles with a 350 dual sport on a hitch carrier and a sport bike in the bed of the truck? I actually have helper springs that bring my level payload to about 800lb i think.

 

[Grumpaw]

I think you'd be a lot better off, and safer, towing a 5x8 utility trailer with the bikes on it.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[sheep herder]

 

[sgtsandman]

My vote is for the trailer option as well.

 

[cmattina]

i know eh... We have a trailer i am doing the hubs on this weekend, and then the lights as well.

What is your guy's reasoning? Balance?

I'll probably put the sport bike on the trailer and dual sport in the bed.

I have done two dual sports in back, at a total of about 800lbs with the helper springs. Truck felt great! I eventually hit a grouse and it totally demolished my windshield (feathers in the cab and everything).

 

[Dirtman]

The issue is the tounge weight. Even with the added weight of a trailer and two 2 bikes on it, the actual tounge weight will still be less than a single bike free hanging off the hitch. A ranger can haul 800 pounds all day every day if its balanced in the bed or on a trailer. But 400 pounds hanging off the hitch is not gonna be great for stability. Is it within the ratings of the hitch and truck, probably, but it's not ideal.

 

[sgtsandman]

Dirtman pretty much covered it. The other part is the arm moment. That weight will be significantly back behind the rear axle forcing the front of the truck up. While it might be ok, there is a chance that after hitting a bump or a dip that proper control could be lost because the front end would be unloaded too much to maintain traction.

 

[RonD]

Why can't you put both in the bed?