Will this work? Fabrication of motorcycle carrier in bed - 2 HD bikes

[MAJR-AZ]

Read the 1992 Ford Ranger XL Specs on GAWR/GVWR knowing I have to at least alter shocks/springs/leafs and tires to maximize my 'payload' to original package #2 (1620).

Am in the process of building an aluminum bed insert to transport 2 HDs (Ultra/Fatboy) totaling (wet weight) ~1550 lbs. Bed transport would weigh about 100-150 lbs finished so I know I'm hitting maximum payload without personnel inside of cab (1650-1700). However, this is intended to be a poor man's bike trailer behind my RV so no additional weight will be on the Ranger other than the bikes.

The concern - the potential 'cantilever' effect since the platform/bike center of gravity will be 15 inches behind the rear axle. (I could move the FatBoy as a 'bike rear in front' to move some of the CG but the Ultra won't be able to do that).

If I did my math correctly that means ~ the rear axle would sustain an extra 115 lbs for a total cantilevered weight of 1843 lbs... about 225 lbs over the total payload package but the actual weight would still be within the rear axle GAWR.

I understand I wouldn't truly know until I place the vehicle on a CAT scale to measure the axle weights but I wanted to be sure to plan my project for success instead of failure.

Any thoughts?
Thank you

 

[2011Supercab]

I don't think the rear axle weight is going to be your problem.

The problem I see is that with the extra weight behind the rear axle the front axle is going to be light, making steering a bit on the scary side, flat towing the Ranger even scarier.

1st and 2nd gen Rangers are already loose enough in the steering department.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

How are you towing the ranger? Tow bar? Dolly? Personally I don't think I would have a problem with either. Tow bar is cheaper to buy and try. If that doesn't work then a dolly should. Your going to drop the drive shaft while towing?

 

[SenorNoob]

2 Harleys seem like a lot to fit dimensionally. I'd like to this when it's done.

Weight wise based on your numbers I'd suspect a set of the #1750 springs would be perfectly functional.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Towing a loaded vehicle either flat or on a dolly can cause serious handling issues…

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Towing a loaded vehicle either flat or on a dolly can cause serious handling issues…

I didn't know that.

 

[superj]

I feel like it's not going to end well for those harkeys

 

[MAJR-AZ]

I don't think the rear axle weight is going to be your problem.

The problem I see is that with the extra weight behind the rear axle the front axle is going to be light, making steering a bit on the scary side, flat towing the Ranger even scarier.

1st and 2nd gen Rangers are already loose enough in the steering department.

Thank you for the reponse. Yes, I agree. I'll be removing saddle bags from the bikes and putting them in the cab moving ~50lbs to the front axle and removing the the tailgate (~35-50lbs)[*1] which will reduce rear axle weight and moving cg at the same time. [*1] - The carrying platform is aluminum channel spreading weight with a 45 degree angled to the end of the bed for the overextend, ~17 inches, to mangage the weight displacement.

My RV is a small class A with limited OCCC so I can't add weight onto the trailer hitch; accordingly, I plan to flat tow and yes, Rangers have a light front end but with the weight added to the front axle, via the saddlebag movement, I think the cargo CG will move closer to axle center. Won't know for sure until I actually build and weigh rig on CAT scales.

Thoughts?

 

[MAJR-AZ]

How are you towing the ranger? Tow bar? Dolly? Personally I don't think I would have a problem with either. Tow bar is cheaper to buy and try. If that doesn't work then a dolly should. Your going to drop the drive shaft while towing?

Thank you for the repsonse.
Tow bar and no, I don't plan to drop drive shaft while towing (it's a manual transmission).
The class A rig has limited OCCC or I would use a motorcyle trailer. I'm refurbishing the 1992 Ford Ranger instead of buying https://ironhorsetrailers.com/. Great trailers but very expensive.

 

[MAJR-AZ]

2 Harleys seem like a lot to fit dimensionally. I'd like to this when it's done.

Weight wise based on your numbers I'd suspect a set of the #1750 springs would be perfectly functional.

Thanks, will do

 

[MAJR-AZ]

Towing a loaded vehicle either flat or on a dolly can cause serious handling issues…

Yup, great advice! ... I'm an old man and drive slow probably upsetting those behind me.
Regardless, it's a calculated risk I'm willing to take.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I didn't know that.

I do. I’ve flat towed and dolly’d my Choptop a number of times over the years. It tows best empty, but I’ve had to load it with camping gear a few times. Get a semi to blow past you on the highway and it has a tendency to get squirrely really fast

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yup, great advice! ... I'm an old man and drive slow probably upsetting those behind me.
Regardless, it's a calculated risk I'm willing to take.

I still think I’d be looking for a car hauler trailer to load the loaded truck on behind the RV. That way you at least have extra braking control to help with options if it starts to do unwanted things back there.

 

[RobbieD]

I'm an old man and drive slow probably upsetting those behind me.

So what?

We've earned it.

 

[don4331]

I do. I’ve flat towed and dolly’d my Choptop a number of times over the years. It tows best empty, but I’ve had to load it with camping gear a few times. Get a semi to blow past you on the highway and it has a tendency to get squirrely really fast

I'll second - towing on a dolly, you absolutely don't want the Ranger rear axle heavy.

I took one of the Rangers out to the farm to work on it on a dolly. As I was going to do some repairs, I threw an extra set of wheels in the back and couple other items of similar weight. Just holding speed down a hill got the dolly/Ranger swaying out of control.

When we got stopped, we moved the clothes from the box to the cab (cab was real cozy) and the tires to the box of the SuperDuty. And drove real slow the rest of the way to the ranch.

Ironhorse trailers are real nice, but you can get more reasonable cost trailers. For the value of 2 HDs, a trailer is worth it. They are way easier to load/unload tool.