Availability of RV-Rated Hitch Motorcycle Carrier for Use on Winnebago 35F Motor Home Hitch

Question:

New to RVing. Have a Winnebago 35F - weight limits 5000/500. Hitch height 24. Were consider what if towing or cycles. You dont recommend the Rage Powersport double carrier for RV use - is it because of the weight limits? We are considering Yamaha Zuma 50cc bikes - 201 lbs each and carrier at 75 lbs. Potentially under 500 lbs. Still not good or are there other options?

asked by: Dave H

Expert Reply:

Any type of carrier that will be used on the back of an RV or trailer - such as a bike, cargo or motorcycle carrier - must be rated specifically for use on such vehicles. This restriction has more to do with distance and leverage than just sheer weight.

On an RV or trailer, the rear axle will be much further forward of the hitch than with a typical passenger car. This distance translates into more leverage on the hitch and carrier, much in the same way that using a pipe on the end of a lug wrench allows you to apply more force on a stubborn lug nut. This is why RV-rated carriers must be built to handle that extra stress.

We do offer one 2-inch hitch-mount motorcycle carrier that is rated for RV use, Ultra-Fab's # UF48-979033. This ramped 80-inch carrier has a 500-lb capacity. This carrier itself weighs about 48-lbs so you'll need to confirm that the combined weight of it and your motor bikes remains within the hitch's rated capacity.

If you have a place on the motor home to secure them I also recommend adding ratcheting tie down straps like # EM05710. These will help stabilize the carrier to reduce random motion.

expert reply by: Adam R