Even though I haven't bought a MH as yet, I am looking at the possibility of bringing
along a motorcycle scooter attached to the rear.
Anyone done this and if so, please feel free to comment on recommendations.
Obviously, there is going to be a substantial bracket/platform to be fitted to take the weight
of the machine and I wonder if anyone has fitted to take a scooter/bike up to 200+kg?
I realise the body of the MH is going to have to be strong enough to take all this weight and it
is certainly not ideal to have this weight hanging off the back. Would I be better towing a small
trailer with the scooter/bike on that?
Perhaps I should just purchase a lightweight electric bicycle which would be handy but not give me
the riding distance that a scooter/bike would.
Any thoughts or comments appreciated.
Happy travels to you all.....
Aus-Kiwi said
12:09 PM Mar 12, 2021
Depends on weight, size etc ? I have been looking myself ? Being elect bike to scooter etc ? Some remove the spare tyre and fit under body with ratchet style chain to lift tyre, lock under body . Then make a fold down ramp to push the scooter into rear . Its easier on motorhome V caravan .
jade46 said
12:24 PM Mar 12, 2021
Assuming every thing else is ok this company makes what your after but there is a lot to consuder for it to be legal.
Not a bad price . I fabricate things . It wouldnt be worth it to buy the steel etc . Thanks Jade.
PeterD said
01:01 PM Mar 12, 2021
There are a lot of them out there. I would be discussing the inclusion of a carrier when ordering the motorhome. There are a lot of chassis out there that I would suspect will not take the strain, particularly those with front-wheel drive. A lot of those motorhomes have an extendable chassis that is like the European van chassis, they are strong when used as designed but not when you attempt to do other things with them.
The other thing is you need to watch the overhang of the vehicle. A lot of the motorhomes are built with the maximum permitted overhang and if you add something on the back you immediately transgress the overhang limits when you add anything to the rear of the vehicle.
TheHeaths said
01:03 PM Mar 12, 2021
A small trailer may be better, as a motorbike/scooter up to the size you say would eat up quite a bit of your load allowance.
The trailer will also give you a space to cart a few extras around with you.
Wayne o said
01:27 PM Mar 12, 2021
Great advice from all and very much appreciated.
KJB said
01:52 PM Mar 12, 2021
A Truck based (eg. Isuzu...) Motorhome with a full "ladder chassis" would really have to be the starting point and then it would need "unused" overhang distance to leave room for the bike , not to mention "unused" carrying capacity as well.
It is all possible if you start off with the additions in mind and you can end up with a very convenient and well balanced outfit.
I carry a small "restored" 50 year old bike on the rear of our Fifth Wheeler and have had a lot of pleasure out of having the bike and being able to ride it in many places throughout Australia. There is a social side to it also , it creates conversation with other motorcycle "past and present enthusiasts " - which is always enjoyable.
Peter_n_Margaret said
02:50 PM Mar 12, 2021
Be careful of the overhang limits. You may not have anything that extends more than 60% of the wheel base behind the rear axle.
Yes removing tyre will almost make the clearance . In some cases the centre of gravity
is lower too . The bracket sits on TOP of draw bar
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Friday 12th of March 2021 04:00:45 PM
PeterD said
04:39 PM Mar 12, 2021
What do you mean by "removing tyre will almost make the clearance?" Peter built his motorhome to be the maximum length he could. The overhang is exactly 60%.
Buzz Lightbulb said
05:01 PM Mar 12, 2021
I was told by Jayco, when I bought my van, that is now illegal to have fuel on the back of the van. You may need to buy an electric scooter. I looked at the Fonzareli electric scooter about six years ago. I was impressed with it.
Aus-Kiwi said
06:43 PM Mar 12, 2021
PeterD wrote:
What do you mean by "removing tyre will almost make the clearance?" Peter built his motorhome to be the maximum length he could. The overhang is exactly 60%.
The scooter almost sits in same position ? With tyre ? It will need to sit further back for clearance ? Above tow bar . If tow bar is included in the 60% Rule ?
KJB said
06:53 PM Mar 12, 2021
I do not think that Peter is thinking of carrying a m/bike on the back of his motorhome..........KB
Whenarewethere said
07:20 PM Mar 12, 2021
Wayne o wrote:
to take a scooter/bike up to 200+kg?
It's a heavy bicycle!
Peter_n_Margaret said
07:55 PM Mar 12, 2021
I carried one for some time on an F350 4WD.
It was a Yamaha 100DT. It was lifted on and off by the winch mounted on the front of the trailer which also lifted the boat off the trailer.
We have carried a Suzuki 250 around on the back of out 5t MH for 10 years. The chassis must be of a truck type. Apart from the 60% rule there is a verticle load limit of 10% of the capacity of the tow bar eg stamped max tow weight 3700, VLL would be 370kg. Honda make a great lwt scooter of 120kg. We have the centre hitch and 2 outrigger supports which attach to the chassis. (This also increases the v load limit) Our hitch was made by Hitchmate in Qld but they retired and closed shop a few years back. However you would have no trouble duplicating one. Dont buy a cheapie off ebay etc, they rock and roll terribly.
PeterD said
04:27 PM Mar 13, 2021
From what I have seen with the slop of some shanks in the hitch receivers, I would not be happy with a motorbike carrier that just replied on the tow bar. I would be insisting on a carrier that attached to both chassis rails.
Tony Bev said
06:51 PM Mar 14, 2021
I have seen motorhomes similar to mine, with scooters on the rear, on a rack
Therefore I know it can be done
At an Elvis festival in Parkes (pre Covid), I was talking to a man with a Piaggio Fly 150 cc Scooter on his motorhome
The scooter did 100 KPH with both him and his wife, on it
Blues Man said
11:25 AM Mar 15, 2021
Tony Bev wrote:
I have seen motorhomes similar to mine, with scooters on the rear, on a rack
Therefore I know it can be done
At an Elvis festival in Parkes (pre Covid), I was talking to a man with a Piaggio Fly 150 cc Scooter on his motorhome
The scooter did 100 KPH with both him and his wife, on it
Must have been down hill with a great big wind behind him.
Cheers.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:38 AM Mar 15, 2021
Im fitting a motorised front wheel to mountain bike . Two batteries. One spare . I dont mind pedalling! Its exercise after all !! Extra battery just in case first goes flat ? That way I know I have enough to get home ! Be mainly used to get shopping etc . I suspect a little site seeing in bush ?? Which I do on bike anyway . Just easier !!!
landy said
09:55 PM Mar 15, 2021
We have often carried 2 electric bikes. one on the back of the van and one behind the cab in the back of the truck.
Webby 68 said
09:04 AM Mar 23, 2021
I have a ebike which folds up 500 wat motor 20 amp hr battery and get around 60km out of 1 charge And have a 350 cc BMW scooter c400 got at 220kg on the back of my Winnebago from rack n roll in QLD the rack slides in your tow bar you can get an upgrade for 2 more bars which bolt on the existing tow bar makes it a lot stronger
it is not intended for the Suzuki but the thought did cross my mind in towing the Suzuki with the scooter on the back but the Suzuki was doing wheel stand
I am thinking of a motorhome, but there is no way i am leaving my 32 thousand dollar BMW on a tow bar hitch.
The very minimum would be an 8x5 box trailer
peter67 said
06:18 PM Mar 24, 2021
Blues Man wrote:
Tony Bev wrote:
I have seen motorhomes similar to mine, with scooters on the rear, on a rack
Therefore I know it can be done
At an Elvis festival in Parkes (pre Covid), I was talking to a man with a Piaggio Fly 150 cc Scooter on his motorhome
The scooter did 100 KPH with both him and his wife, on it
Must have been down hill with a great big wind behind him.
Cheers.
Or straight down a mine shaft, I've ridden quite a few Piaggio's, who I think used to be Vespa or Lambretta back in the day. If I was going to carry a bike for local runs it would probably be a Honda postie bike. It's a good thing no one has yet asked how they could carry their full dresser (massive fairing, side and top boxes) Honda Gold Wing. For the non- motorcyclists here, it looks like a Honda Civic with handlebars.
Tony Bev said
06:45 PM Mar 24, 2021
peter67 wrote:
Blues Man wrote:
Tony Bev wrote:
I have seen motorhomes similar to mine, with scooters on the rear, on a rack
Therefore I know it can be done
At an Elvis festival in Parkes (pre Covid), I was talking to a man with a Piaggio Fly 150 cc Scooter on his motorhome
The scooter did 100 KPH with both him and his wife, on it
Must have been down hill with a great big wind behind him.
Cheers.
Or straight down a mine shaft, I've ridden quite a few Piaggio's, who I think used to be Vespa or Lambretta back in the day. If I was going to carry a bike for local runs it would probably be a Honda postie bike. It's a good thing no one has yet asked how they could carry their full dresser (massive fairing, side and top boxes) Honda Gold Wing. For the non- motorcyclists here, it looks like a Honda Civic with handlebars.
I may have looked a bit sceptic when he told me, about the 100 KPH, but he was not trying to sell me anything, as I had asked him about it
He did explain (going from memory)
It was slightly over 150cc, had three and not the normal two valves, was fuel injected, and had larger wheels than a normal small scooter
When I looked at the speedo, I did notice that it did go up to 140 KPH, were a normal scooter only goes up to about 80 KPH
I am repeating info what I was told, and had no reason to doubt him, perhaps he was going by speedo KPH speed
Webby 68 said
10:30 AM Mar 25, 2021
I have had my bmw scooter up to 145km and felt safe and had more to go but is 350 cc and had a piaggio 150cc sold but had it to 90km and didnt feel safe
KJB said
01:17 PM Mar 25, 2021
My version , not on a Motorhome but on a small Fifth Wheeler that has a full length RHS chassis.
This has travelled thousands of Kms. incl. Gibb River Rd, Gulf Rd., full length of the Darling River and many more "roads" without a problem.
Bike weighs approx. 85 Kgs. .
My only advice is that when the bike is tied down make sure that no part of the bike or carrier can be moved, shaken or flexed.
Do not rely on - "being out of sight , it will be right."
How many push bikes have broken away and been lost off the back of caravans and it is no wonder when you see them bouncing around flexing the carrier and eventually causing crystallization / metal fatigue to the carrier and mounting points.
Like your fifth wheel set up KB and like another poster wonder why they are not far more popular here, my father had one over in kiwi and raved about it. Perfect little road rego honda get about and you can ocky strap a slab on the rear carrier.
Even though I haven't bought a MH as yet, I am looking at the possibility of bringing
along a motorcycle scooter attached to the rear.
Anyone done this and if so, please feel free to comment on recommendations.
Obviously, there is going to be a substantial bracket/platform to be fitted to take the weight
of the machine and I wonder if anyone has fitted to take a scooter/bike up to 200+kg?
I realise the body of the MH is going to have to be strong enough to take all this weight and it
is certainly not ideal to have this weight hanging off the back. Would I be better towing a small
trailer with the scooter/bike on that?
Perhaps I should just purchase a lightweight electric bicycle which would be handy but not give me
the riding distance that a scooter/bike would.
Any thoughts or comments appreciated.
Happy travels to you all.....
centralcoastendurostore.com.au/for-the-bike/bike-carriers/rack-n-roll-steel-mx-motorcycle-carrier-orange/
The other thing is you need to watch the overhang of the vehicle. A lot of the motorhomes are built with the maximum permitted overhang and if you add something on the back you immediately transgress the overhang limits when you add anything to the rear of the vehicle.
The trailer will also give you a space to cart a few extras around with you.
Great advice from all and very much appreciated.
A Truck based (eg. Isuzu...) Motorhome with a full "ladder chassis" would really have to be the starting point and then it would need "unused" overhang distance to leave room for the bike , not to mention "unused" carrying capacity as well.
It is all possible if you start off with the additions in mind and you can end up with a very convenient and well balanced outfit.
I carry a small "restored" 50 year old bike on the rear of our Fifth Wheeler and have had a lot of pleasure out of having the bike and being able to ride it in many places throughout Australia. There is a social side to it also , it creates conversation with other motorcycle "past and present enthusiasts " - which is always enjoyable.
Be careful of the overhang limits.
You may not have anything that extends more than 60% of the wheel base behind the rear axle.
Cheers,
Peter
Yes removing tyre will almost make the clearance . In some cases the centre of gravity
is lower too . The bracket sits on TOP
of draw bar
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Friday 12th of March 2021 04:00:45 PM
The scooter almost sits in same position ? With tyre ? It will need to sit further back for clearance ? Above tow bar . If tow bar is included in the 60% Rule ?
I do not think that Peter is thinking of carrying a m/bike on the back of his motorhome..........KB
It's a heavy bicycle!
I carried one for some time on an F350 4WD.
It was a Yamaha 100DT. It was lifted on and off by the winch mounted on the front of the trailer which also lifted the boat off the trailer.
The pic is on the Gunbarrel Highway in 1999.
Cheers,
Peter
Therefore I know it can be done
At an Elvis festival in Parkes (pre Covid), I was talking to a man with a Piaggio Fly 150 cc Scooter on his motorhome
The scooter did 100 KPH with both him and his wife, on it
Must have been down hill with a great big wind behind him.
Cheers.
And have a 350 cc BMW scooter c400 got at 220kg on the back of my Winnebago from rack n roll in QLD the rack slides in your tow bar you can get an upgrade for 2 more bars which bolt on the existing tow bar makes it a lot stronger
it is not intended for the Suzuki but the thought did cross my mind in towing the Suzuki with the scooter on the back but the Suzuki was doing wheel stand
The very minimum would be an 8x5 box trailer
Or straight down a mine shaft, I've ridden quite a few Piaggio's, who I think used to be Vespa or Lambretta back in the day. If I was going to carry a bike for local runs it would probably be a Honda postie bike. It's a good thing no one has yet asked how they could carry their full dresser (massive fairing, side and top boxes) Honda Gold Wing. For the non- motorcyclists here, it looks like a Honda Civic with handlebars.
I may have looked a bit sceptic when he told me, about the 100 KPH, but he was not trying to sell me anything, as I had asked him about it
He did explain (going from memory)
It was slightly over 150cc, had three and not the normal two valves, was fuel injected, and had larger wheels than a normal small scooter
When I looked at the speedo, I did notice that it did go up to 140 KPH, were a normal scooter only goes up to about 80 KPH
I am repeating info what I was told, and had no reason to doubt him, perhaps he was going by speedo KPH speed
My version , not on a Motorhome but on a small Fifth Wheeler that has a full length RHS chassis.
This has travelled thousands of Kms. incl. Gibb River Rd, Gulf Rd., full length of the Darling River and many more "roads" without a problem.
Bike weighs approx. 85 Kgs. .
My only advice is that when the bike is tied down make sure that no part of the bike or carrier can be moved, shaken or flexed.
Do not rely on - "being out of sight , it will be right."
How many push bikes have broken away and been lost off the back of caravans and it is no wonder when you see them bouncing around flexing the carrier and eventually causing crystallization / metal fatigue to the carrier and mounting points.