Hitch mounted Motorcycle - Scooter carriers

M

mike

New member
Dec 31, 2000
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Hello All, i'm looking for suggestions on the best way to carry along a 250 pound Vespa motor scooter?

I am looking at hitch - mounted carriers for this application, do you have any experience with a specific model or what would you recommend?

Thanks for your opinions,
Regards,
Mike
 
Mike,
Find one that fit the Vespa weight and size and in the price range that you can afford. Don’t go cheap, mid range is probably best. Not an issue as for weight for the carrying the Vespa. I know a several that have mounted the Honda Elite model 250. Depends totally on the type of hitch mounted on the rear of the GMC. Receiver type is the only one that I would use, bumper bolt on is a NOT for usage.

JR Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMC Eastern States Charter Member
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMCMI
78 GMC Buskirk 30’ Stretch
1975 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

>
> Hello All, i'm looking for suggestions on the best way to carry along a 250 pound Vespa motor scooter?
>
> I am looking at hitch - mounted carriers for this application, do you have any experience with a specific model or what would you recommend?
>
> Thanks for your opinions,
> Regards,
> Mike
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
> Mike,
>
> I'm hoping to have this problem myself one day. My wife caught the scooter bug in Key West. Lots of options out there. I like the ease of
> loading potential offered by the Ultimate MX Hauler:
>
> http://www.discountramps.com/ultimate-mx-hauler/p/10-BLK-Carrier/

Hello James, thanks for your message. The Ultimate MX Hauler is a nice carrier, I'm not sure if a Vespa will work, guess I'll do more research.
Discount Ramps does have some nice alternatives to consider.
Thanks again,
Regards,
Mike
 
> Mike,
> Find one that fit the Vespa weight and size and in the price range that you can afford. Don't go cheap, mid range is probably best. Not an issue
> as for weight for the carrying the Vespa. I know a several that have mounted the Honda Elite model 250. Depends totally on the type of hitch
> mounted on the rear of the GMC. Receiver type is the only one that I would use, bumper bolt on is a NOT for usage.
>
> JR Wright
> GMC Great Laker MHC
> GMC Eastern States Charter Member
> GMCGL Tech Editor
> GMCMI
> 78 GMC Buskirk 30' Stretch
> 1975 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
> Michigan
>
>

> >
> > Hello All, i'm looking for suggestions on the best way to carry along a 250 pound Vespa motor scooter?
> >
> > I am looking at hitch - mounted carriers for this application, do you have any experience with a specific model or what would you recommend?
> >
> >
> > Thanks for your opinions,
> > Regards,
> > Mike
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

Thanks JR, I agree the hitch mount is the way to go.The Vespa weighs in at ~265 lbs, going with a carrier that will handle 400 to 500 lbs should be
more than sufficient to support the scooter.

Thanks again,
Regards,
Mike
 
I think the mx carries too far from the vehicle.

> > Mike,
> > Find one that fit the Vespa weight and size and in the price range that
> you can afford. Don't go cheap, mid range is probably best. Not an issue
> > as for weight for the carrying the Vespa. I know a several that have
> mounted the Honda Elite model 250. Depends totally on the type of hitch
> > mounted on the rear of the GMC. Receiver type is the only one that I
> would use, bumper bolt on is a NOT for usage.
> >
> > JR Wright
> > GMC Great Laker MHC
> > GMC Eastern States Charter Member
> > GMCGL Tech Editor
> > GMCMI
> > 78 GMC Buskirk 30' Stretch
> > 1975 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
> > Michigan
> >
> >

> > >
> > > Hello All, i'm looking for suggestions on the best way to carry
> along a 250 pound Vespa motor scooter?
> > >
> > > I am looking at hitch - mounted carriers for this application, do you
> have any experience with a specific model or what would you recommend?
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks for your opinions,
> > > Regards,
> > > Mike
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> Thanks JR, I agree the hitch mount is the way to go.The Vespa weighs in at
> ~265 lbs, going with a carrier that will handle 400 to 500 lbs should be
> more than sufficient to support the scooter.
>
> Thanks again,
> Regards,
> Mike
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*
 
I'm going to need something that can handle a larger bike (going to buy
something like a BMW R1150GS next month), so I was looking at a
http://versahaul.com/vhsportro.php or the like, but that doesn't have a
lift, you drive it up.

On Sun, Nov 12, 2017 at 9:15 PM, John Phillips
wrote:

> I think the mx carries too far from the vehicle.
>

>

> > > Mike,
> > > Find one that fit the Vespa weight and size and in the price range that
> > you can afford. Don't go cheap, mid range is probably best. Not an
> issue
> > > as for weight for the carrying the Vespa. I know a several that have
> > mounted the Honda Elite model 250. Depends totally on the type of hitch
> > > mounted on the rear of the GMC. Receiver type is the only one that I
> > would use, bumper bolt on is a NOT for usage.
> > >
> > > JR Wright
> > > GMC Great Laker MHC
> > > GMC Eastern States Charter Member
> > > GMCGL Tech Editor
> > > GMCMI
> > > 78 GMC Buskirk 30' Stretch
> > > 1975 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
> > > Michigan
> > >
> > >

> > > >
> > > > Hello All, i'm looking for suggestions on the best way to carry
> > along a 250 pound Vespa motor scooter?
> > > >
> > > > I am looking at hitch - mounted carriers for this application, do
> you
> > have any experience with a specific model or what would you recommend?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for your opinions,
> > > > Regards,
> > > > Mike
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> >
> > Thanks JR, I agree the hitch mount is the way to go.The Vespa weighs in
> at
> > ~265 lbs, going with a carrier that will handle 400 to 500 lbs should be
> > more than sufficient to support the scooter.
> >
> > Thanks again,
> > Regards,
> > Mike
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
>
> *John Phillips*
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Plato seems wrong to me today.
 
The VersaHaul has an integrated hitch, so you can still tow up to 3000
pounds. Applied GMC sells a hitch than can handle up to 1000 pounds tongue
weight, and 15,000 towing weight.
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/730

On Mon, Nov 13, 2017 at 1:00 AM, Ronald Pottol
wrote:

> I'm going to need something that can handle a larger bike (going to buy
> something like a BMW R1150GS next month), so I was looking at a
> http://versahaul.com/vhsportro.php or the like, but that doesn't have a
> lift, you drive it up.
>
> On Sun, Nov 12, 2017 at 9:15 PM, John Phillips

>
>> I think the mx carries too far from the vehicle.
>>

>>

>> > > Mike,
>> > > Find one that fit the Vespa weight and size and in the price range
>> that
>> > you can afford. Don't go cheap, mid range is probably best. Not an
>> issue
>> > > as for weight for the carrying the Vespa. I know a several that have
>> > mounted the Honda Elite model 250. Depends totally on the type of hitch
>> > > mounted on the rear of the GMC. Receiver type is the only one that I
>> > would use, bumper bolt on is a NOT for usage.
>> > >
>> > > JR Wright
>> > > GMC Great Laker MHC
>> > > GMC Eastern States Charter Member
>> > > GMCGL Tech Editor
>> > > GMCMI
>> > > 78 GMC Buskirk 30' Stretch
>> > > 1975 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
>> > > Michigan
>> > >
>> > >

>> > > >
>> > > > Hello All, i'm looking for suggestions on the best way to carry
>> > along a 250 pound Vespa motor scooter?
>> > > >
>> > > > I am looking at hitch - mounted carriers for this application, do
>> you
>> > have any experience with a specific model or what would you recommend?
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Thanks for your opinions,
>> > > > Regards,
>> > > > Mike
>> > > >
>> > > > _______________________________________________
>> > > > GMCnet mailing list
>> > > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> > > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > > GMCnet mailing list
>> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>> >
>> >
>> > Thanks JR, I agree the hitch mount is the way to go.The Vespa weighs in
>> at
>> > ~265 lbs, going with a carrier that will handle 400 to 500 lbs should be
>> > more than sufficient to support the scooter.
>> >
>> > Thanks again,
>> > Regards,
>> > Mike
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > GMCnet mailing list
>> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> *John Phillips*
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Plato seems wrong to me today.
>

--
Plato seems wrong to me today.
 
I built one around 12 years ago. I have hauled several motorcycles on it all over the country. I use to hual my 450 pound Honda and I never knew it
was there. I usually take my 250cc Honda Scooter these days which is around 300 pounds.

The idea was to keep it as simple as possible. I made it out of 2" square (scrap) steel tubing, a hinge, a couple of eye bolts and something less
than 8 foot long tray. I cut the tray out of a piece of scrap about 10" or 12" inches wide and too it to a local fab shop that has an 9 foot break to
have the folds put in it to form a U shape. It took them less than 5 minutes and cost me around $10.00 labor. I probably have less that $50.00 in
the hole thing. Lots of people around the airport borrow it. We all borrow each other's stuff on a regular basis. The following are pictures of it
on the back of my Blazer after I used it to move a motorcycle home from somewhere in Michigan. I do not have any pictures of it on the back of my
GMC.

I do suggest that you make a set of magnetic stick on tail lights as the motorcycle you are carrying will probably cover one of the vehicle tail
lights. Harbor Freight has some cheap magnetic ones you could use. I made my own out of stuff I had around. I always meant to to convert them to
LEDs but never got around to it.

Start here and page forward:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p26079-motorcycle-carrier.html
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
I do not know what the maximum weight is that you can carry on the hitch. I have the Blaine Merrill 2" receiver hitch and it has never indicated
that it could not carry the weight. I see Jim K. says 1000 pounds. I do not know if Blaine has ever stated a weight. So the next question is how
much weight can you carry on the back of the coach. When I mount the scooter or motorcycle on the carrier, the first thing I notice when I start the
engine is the air suspension compressor turns on to re-level the coach. Since everything is automatic I have never checked to see how much difference
in ride height there is with that extra weight back there before it air up.

Like I said before, It is all automatic and I never notice that it is back there. Luckily I can just see the windshield of the bike in back window
through the center inside mirror so I know it did not fall off. It is good to hear that your 600 pound bike carries the same.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Will the GMC tow 15000 lbs with a tongue weight of 1000 lbs?
I have been looking for the max tow weight and tongue weight, so far
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/730
is the best documentation I have found. Is the final drive strong enough to
tow that much weight without shortening its life significantly?

> I have the black widow from discount ramps.
> It has hauled my 600 lb BMW F800GS all across the country
> --
> Justin Brady
> http://www.thegmcrv.com/
> 1976 Palm Beach 455
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*
 
Well, there is someone with the heaviest coach ('78 Royal, 12,500) towing a
7500 pound trailer, granted, he does have the 3.70, and is thinking about
the 4.10 now that it's available. So, it can be done. I've not heard of
final drive or other concerns (temp of engine, transmission, both could be
issues, and of course, stopping, and stupid gets that much more expensive
;-)

I assume Applied knows what they are doing, unlike me. That carrier, a
motorcycle, and a modest trailer are all I feel any need for.

On Mon, Nov 13, 2017 at 4:52 AM, John Phillips
wrote:

> Will the GMC tow 15000 lbs with a tongue weight of 1000 lbs?
> I have been looking for the max tow weight and tongue weight, so far
> http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/730
> is the best documentation I have found. Is the final drive strong enough to
> tow that much weight without shortening its life significantly?
>
>

>
> > I have the black widow from discount ramps.
> > It has hauled my 600 lb BMW F800GS all across the country
> > --
> > Justin Brady
> > http://www.thegmcrv.com/
> > 1976 Palm Beach 455
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
>
> *John Phillips*
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Plato seems wrong to me today.
 
This is my opinion and it is opinion without anything to back it up.

I would not try it.

1. 1000 pounds on the back obviously lifts some unknown amount of weight off of the front wheels. The front is what moves the coach.
2. Also the braking on the coach in primarily on the front wheels.
3. The load that you are towing needs to have very good brakes on all wheels. The load is heavier that the tow vehicle (your GMC).
4. Finally I worry about the transmission dragging that much weight around. Especially if you are not in flat land country. That trans was initially
designed to tow a 5000 or 6000 pound car around. You are asking it to tow 5 times it's original requirement.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
If I recall, recommended tongue weight to reduce the probability of tail-wag-the-dog trailer sway should be approximately 10% of the total trailer weight. That would mean a recommended tongue weight of 1500 pounds for that 15,000 pound trailer. I feel you should remember that the transmission was designed for an automobile that MIGHT weigh as much as 6000 pounds and is probably already heavily stressed to just move a 12000 motor home!

Ya pays yer money and takes yer chances, and I know there are a few GMCers who DO tow heavy weight trailers, but I sure wouldn't do it!

D C "Mac" Macdonald
Amateur Radio K2GKK
Since 30 November '53
USAF and FAA, Retired
Member GMCMI & Classics
Oklahoma City, OK
"The Money Pit"
TZE166V101966
'76 ex-Palm Beach
k2gkk + hotmail dot com

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of John Phillips
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2017 06:52
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Hitch mounted Motorcycle - Scooter carriers

Will the GMC tow 15000 lbs with a tongue weight of 1000 lbs?
I have been looking for the max tow weight and tongue weight, so far
https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.appliedgmc.com%2Fprod.itml%2FicOid%2F730&data=02%7C01%7Ck2gkk%40hotmail.com%7Ca9ffd287be8b4613773608d52a958e48%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636461744179536526&sdata=gCmFslUP5qXTgHi61Hz00rehxIxymWn4%2FD7bOUuPxtg%3D&reserved=0
is the best documentation I have found. Is the final drive strong enough to
tow that much weight without shortening its life significantly?

> I have the black widow from discount ramps.
> It has hauled my 600 lb BMW F800GS all across the country
> --
> Justin Brady
> https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegmcrv.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7Ck2gkk%40hotmail.com%7Ca9ffd287be8b4613773608d52a958e48%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636461744179536526&sdata=D0kUci28mrgiuGpE2NXiKajOzpFb8YmUVpY11V0LcLI%3D&reserved=0
> 1976 Palm Beach 455
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flist.gmcnet.org%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fgmclist_list.gmcnet.org&data=02%7C01%7Ck2gkk%40hotmail.com%7Ca9ffd287be8b4613773608d52a958e48%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636461744179536526&sdata=GFU7jouZ4y1eg682vjHKoVaZg6Jmf8O4wgxAANQ3EZk%3D&reserved=0
>

--

*John Phillips*
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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I bought a simple hitch mounted scooter/bike mount off Craigslist for $50.
I have had zero issues with it, besides it being too narrow for the rear tire on some of my scooters.
It hauls my current scooter fine.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/1973-glacier-pics/p63342-obx-campsite.html

It really is nothing more than a 2 inch square tube with a bent C-Channel to hold the front tire in place.
2 loops for tie down straps and I think it is bolted together, but I could be wrong.

--
1973 GMC 26' Glacier - Unknown Mileage - Has a new switch pitch transmission with Powerdrive
 
Bear in mind that if you get too much weight on the hitch, you might not
have enough traction on the front wheels to get up
a wet hill.

RonC

On Mon, 13 Nov 2017 04:52:30 -0800 John Phillips

> Will the GMC tow 15000 lbs with a tongue weight of 1000 lbs?
> I have been looking for the max tow weight and tongue weight, so
> far
> http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/730
> is the best documentation I have found. Is the final drive strong
> enough to
> tow that much weight without shortening its life significantly?
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 13, 2017 at 3:52 AM, Justin Brady

>
> > I have the black widow from discount ramps.
> > It has hauled my 600 lb BMW F800GS all across the country
> > --
> > Justin Brady
> > http://www.thegmcrv.com/
> > 1976 Palm Beach 455
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
>
> *John Phillips*
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
I built this rack as an extension. We have carried 500 lb. bikes on this. it can be reconfigured for a mobility scooter or for carrying extra stuff.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p22753-tacked-up.html http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p22753-tacked-up.html

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/exterior/p25944-do-it-all-motorcycle-rack.html http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/exterior/p25944-do-it-all-motorcycle-rack.html

>
> Hello All, i'm looking for suggestions on the best way to carry along a 250 pound Vespa motor scooter?
>
> I am looking at hitch - mounted carriers for this application, do you have any experience with a specific model or what would you recommend?
>
> Thanks for your opinions,
> Regards,
> Mike
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

Gary Worobec
gtw5
1973 23 GMC Glacier
1935 Dodge pickup
 
A few years back we had a GMCer, now deceased (Walt Taylor), who regularly
towed a 10,000# trailer. He towed it loaded with Mazda race cars, parts,
tools, and a golf cart, all over the country -- and frequently rebuilt the
GMC's transmission. I doubt that Manny ever built one for him; he MIGHT do
better -- IF he was willing. :-)

Ken H.

On Mon, Nov 13, 2017 at 7:52 AM, John Phillips
wrote:

> Will the GMC tow 15000 lbs with a tongue weight of 1000 lbs?
> I have been looking for the max tow weight and tongue weight, so far
> http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/730
> is the best documentation I have found. Is the final drive strong enough to
> tow that much weight without shortening its life significantly?
>
>
 
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