Carrying a motorcycle on a truck...ramp, hitch carrier...both...

[SwampNut]

I will want to carry the XR with the Rivian, and quite possibly the Zero.  The XR is light, but super long and tall.  The Zero is XX weight, about 520 wet, and medium long.  Considerations are convenience, loading ease and safety, and the aerodynamics.  Please hold any discussions about how to tie it down until page 5.

 

The critical dimensions as I see them...

 

Front of the front tire, to the middle of the back tire (I think this is what matters for the bed, and for the carrier size):

XR, 72

Zero, 68

 

Front of tire to rear of tire (for total width if loaded on a carrier):

XR, 88

Zero, 84

 

Bed size with tailgate down:

Straight front to back, 83

Cross-wise, 75 bed, and 84 to corner of tailgate

 

The truck squats super low when parked, so loading height is very low.  Therefore ramp length is irrelevant, as is having a curve in it.  Bed height when parked is 

 

One thought with the hitch carrier is that it probably could also be used as a rail and ramp in the bed, serving two methods.  

 

The truck has a tongue rating of 1155, so weight is not a factor.  It's also auto leveling.

 

[tomek]

 Would they fit side by side in the bed? If answer is yes I would not fuck with motorcycle carrier. I'd imagine securing hitch mounted one to prevent unwanted movement is PITA. 

 

 Also, if you keep one bike in the bed and another one on carrier, and you happen to want to use one in the bed you would have to remove one on carrier, etc. anyway. Too much work. 

 So, I would, if that is possible, load  motorcycles on the bed. 

[Zero Knievel]

I have a motorcycle trailer for sale.  Put one in the bed and one on the trailer.

[TOXXIC]

Motorcycle trailer. At least for the Zero.

[superhawk996]

A carrier would probably be easiest and possibly most aerodynamic if it's low enough, but probably limited to one unless you make something.  To carry both I'd say bed, or maybe the zero in the bed and XR on a carrier.

[IcePrick]

Same conundrum for me, except the bed is out (Excursion, and that's MY bed).  A hitch hauler was nearly perfect for what I did for a long time, even with the 990ADV.  But now there are at least two bikes.

 

The self-leveling would be an amazing benefit whichever way you go.  But Tom makes the likely accurate observation that no matter which one is on the carrier, it's the other one you'll want to use.  You'll be motherfucking that choice every time you have to drop the hitch hauler bike to get to the one in the bed.  Rivian may not have a place at the table yet in terms of aftermarket support, but there are those bed extenders that double as a ramp and work pretty well.  I may actually have one from a GMC if you want to try to retrofit it.

 

Final answer though - I'm with Tim. Though it is an additional piece of equipment to register, maintain, store, etc... it's just the best answer.  I'm slowly coming around to it myself, and it's painful because I like a simple, self-contained one-piece unit.  But it isn't simple anymore (or... again).  And that's okay, the benefits largely outweigh the negatives, just have to adapt. 

 

 

[The Krypt Keeper]

I saw this at COTA, 

Know Rick used similar for his bikes at Jennings a couple times in the past. 

[tomek]

10 hours ago, IcePrick said:

Same conundrum for me, except the bed is out (Excursion, and that's MY bed).  A hitch hauler was nearly perfect for what I did for a long time, even with the 990ADV.  But now there are at least two bikes.

 

The self-leveling would be an amazing benefit whichever way you go.  But Tom makes the likely accurate observation that no matter which one is on the carrier, it's the other one you'll want to use.  You'll be motherfucking that choice every time you have to drop the hitch hauler bike to get to the one in the bed.  Rivian may not have a place at the table yet in terms of aftermarket support, but there are those bed extenders that double as a ramp and work pretty well.  I may actually have one from a GMC if you want to try to retrofit it.

 

Final answer though - I'm with Tim. Though it is an additional piece of equipment to register, maintain, store, etc... it's just the best answer.  I'm slowly coming around to it myself, and it's painful because I like a simple, self-contained one-piece unit.  But it isn't simple anymore (or... again).  And that's okay, the benefits largely outweigh the negatives, just have to adapt. 

 

 

 Trailer would be my first choice as well as long there is convenient place to store it.

 I know it is EV so range reduction when towing could be a bitch but Rivian punches much bigger hole in the air vs. Tesla 3, it should be almost none issue in case of small trailer. 

 

 My little utility 5x8 trailer has tilted bed, I don't even fuck with the ramp. No ramps.

 Wheel chuck in the nose, couple straps, and, boom, ready to roll. About 20 % mpg drop, but I tow with Volvo XC70, essentially lifted station wagon. Not much of frontal area. 

[SwampNut]

16 hours ago, Zero Knievel said:

I have a motorcycle trailer for sale.  Put one in the bed and one on the trailer.

 

Absolutely no on a trailer, and I should have been more clear that I will carry the XR for sure, the Zero maybe, and never both.  Just one at a time.  There will not be a trailer in my life again, period.

 

 

[SwampNut]

2 hours ago, The Krypt Keeper said:

I saw this at COTA, 

Know Rick used similar for his bikes at Jennings a couple times in the past. 

 

 

 

That might be the one I had for a while.  I used it once, to bring a bike home from CA.  It was fine, the vehicle was not.  This was retarded because it squatted the Jeep so much, as expected.  (Ignore the seemingly broken angle, I had released the straps and the anti-tilt/anti-rattle mechanism so I could purposely tilt it.) On this truck it would not affect handling or anything much, so I'm good with getting one again.  I'd probably buy something nicer.

 

 

 

[SwampNut]

An additional consideration is that I MAY be able to rig up a solution to having both my dirt bike and travel trailer together.  This cannot work as it is.  The tailgate has to be down for the bike, and can't be down for the trailer.  But probably solvable with some welding.

 

[tomek]

Bike carrier attached to travel trailer is the answer. It should be possible to attach receiver to the frame of travel trailer, or do permanent attachment of the carrier.  

Edited April 22 by tomek

[SwampNut]

Hmmm.

 

 

 

Edit to be clear:  It's a ramp and bed extender.  $230 and out of stock for now.

 

[SwampNut]

These are two of the many reasons that I won't do a moto trailer.

 

 

 

 

Towed a 400lb R3 in the bed last week and it worked perfectly, although the tailgate had to be down the entire time. The range hit was minimal, probably 10-15%, but the truck handled great.

If I had to guess, the dedicated motorcycle trailer would definitely impact range much more.

 

 

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R1T Preorder

 

Consider that there are speed limits for vehicles with trailers. For example, WA state is 60mph regardless of the posted speed limit. OR, MT and ID are 65. There are sections of highway in each of these states where you'll be going significantly slower than the rest of the traffic if you're adhering to the letter of the law.

I've towed my motorcycle all over the NW, including each of the aforementioned states and it's a bit irritating to be slower than the flow of traffic. I'd put it in a truck bed if you can. Does it fit, though?

 

 

And I guess, in the long run, maybe it's time to sell the TT and switch to a small toy hauler type, or the kind that have a front basket or rail for motorcycles.

[TOXXIC]

I recall seeing Sean, ApolloXX - K9XX haul his blackbird in the rear of a Honda Ridgline caddywampus (like the dirt bike above). I was worried the rear tire of your Zero might be too much weight for the tailgate on the Rivian?

[SwampNut]

All of the weight ratings are pretty crazy on this thing.  The gate can hold 1k.  The tunnel doors fold down as seats and they are 250 each.  Rivian rep laughed and said something about a piggish Harley would even be fine.

 

[TOXXIC]

8 minutes ago, SwampNut said:

All of the weight ratings are pretty crazy on this thing.  The gate can hold 1k.  The tunnel doors fold down as seats and they are 250 each.  Rivian rep laughed and said something about a piggish Harley would even be fine.

 

 

holy crap! So the tunnel doors double as seats! That is crazy cool. I would not have thought their tailgate could support 1K pounds. 😲

[SwampNut]

There's also 12v and 120v power inside the tunnel to charge gear.  And a rolling cover to access the tunnel from inside the cab.  The tunnel doors act as huge steps to tie things onto the roof cargo bars, and/or reach into the front of the bed.

 

 

[blackhawkxx]

Great stuff.  Does the tunnel affect the room in the bed?  I don't think you showed a pic of inside the bed.

[SwampNut]

Yes, it makes the bed ultra small.  About like a Maverick but wider.  And almost no wheel wells since it has bed flares.

 

 

[superhawk996]

On 4/22/2024 at 8:33 AM, SwampNut said:

An additional consideration is that I MAY be able to rig up a solution to having both my dirt bike and travel trailer together.

If the tailgate can be removed and the bike will fit diagonally, that would let you tow the trailer.  Or maybe with the tailgate partially open.

[tomek]

On 4/22/2024 at 11:51 AM, SwampNut said:

These are two of the many reasons that I won't do a moto trailer.

 

 

 

 

Towed a 400lb R3 in the bed last week and it worked perfectly, although the tailgate had to be down the entire time. The range hit was minimal, probably 10-15%, but the truck handled great.

If I had to guess, the dedicated motorcycle trailer would definitely impact range much more.

 

 

Upvote3DownvoteShareShare

 

 

R1T Preorder

 

Consider that there are speed limits for vehicles with trailers. For example, WA state is 60mph regardless of the posted speed limit. OR, MT and ID are 65. There are sections of highway in each of these states where you'll be going significantly slower than the rest of the traffic if you're adhering to the letter of the law.

I've towed my motorcycle all over the NW, including each of the aforementioned states and it's a bit irritating to be slower than the flow of traffic. I'd put it in a truck bed if you can. Does it fit, though?

 

 

And I guess, in the long run, maybe it's time to sell the TT and switch to a small toy hauler type, or the kind that have a front basket or rail for motorcycles.

 The dude, not Swamp, is probably the only person in United States, that includes cops, who gives fuck about speed limit while towing small trailer. 

 

 And he is wrong. Montana, for example, has 75 mph speed limit for heavy trucks.  That would be 18 wheeler. Pretty much same in Idaho.

 Can't imagine it would be lower for pick up towing small trailer.  

 

 I'm guessing real reason is retarded layout of charging stations. Very few are gas station type pull thru.  It either back aor pull in in case of EVs. That means dropping trailer every time you need charge. Very enjoying. 

 

Edited April 24 by tomek

[SwampNut]

10 hours ago, superhawk996 said:

Or maybe with the tailgate partially open.

 

A great point, and a feature that this doesn't have.  Wonder why?  The Gladiator had that, specifically called out because it has a short bed.  It let me carry multiple sheets of full-size ply.  

 

Afro-engineering in 3...2....

 

I really think that I should get the combo ramp and bed extender.  Then see how that feels for loading and carrying, and go from there.

 

Every post I can find about trailering is about the same; bigger impact on economy than carrying cargo.  And the fucking 55 limit in CA, and just the annoyance/risk factor of it.  I'm not going to own one, and while U-haul isn't super far, it's another thing to do before trips.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Max-NR002N-Xtender-Combo/dp/B007K9D7NG/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fC_Kl9lB4qJyk6LqNIoYA4DT86pmY1E8QMosKbRIVeAe0CznBpoTAsU9deib62al9qE97Fv9LXZuV0kAtxFLiPcUrZJH3O_Z3dUVf2-SuCBuATjjd2IzefzYiv5LO1nIsT3iDoyGkey-OY5R2vXX8kCducUnOdTyjla6VOp0BscErnttqywibyzPCQCho526W7U65bJi5D8ZesHa_GmQwQkczTYYClwEZVuHdJwd6mzkMP6ELHfXRWZF-PaROqU9OyAZ0S-anOxgBmWFdddpCAGe6eoEOiRExofm08hTIYQ.Ees3UXgA_cTOT2-euTflN2Bat6DLrmrZ9pt8kMgn5_Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=ready+ramp&qid=1713964323&sr=8-3

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Max-NR002S-SLVR-Motorcycle-RampXtender/dp/B00GM859O6/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fC_Kl9lB4qJyk6LqNIoYA4DT86pmY1E8QMosKbRIVeAe0CznBpoTAsU9deib62al9qE97Fv9LXZuV0kAtxFLiPcUrZJH3O_Z3dUVf2-SuCBuATjjd2IzefzYiv5LO1nIsT3iDoyGkey-OY5R2vXX8kCducUnOdTyjla6VOp0BscErnttqywibyzPCQCho526W7U65bJi5D8ZesHa_GmQwQkczTYYClwEZVuHdJwd6mzkMP6ELHfXRWZF-PaROqU9OyAZ0S-anOxgBmWFdddpCAGe6eoEOiRExofm08hTIYQ.Ees3UXgA_cTOT2-euTflN2Bat6DLrmrZ9pt8kMgn5_Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=ready%2Bramp&qid=1713964323&sr=8-2&th=1

[superhawk996]

A bed extender would solve the bike hauling, but not allow the trailer unless you did an extended hitch which is gonna suck for weight distribution.  One option would be to extend the trailer's tongue, that would allow tailgate down while reducing tongue weight, and allow for using the distribution hitch if wanted.  I bet it wouldn't take much to create a "bolt on" solution rather than doing a permanent tongue mod.

[SwampNut]

I've been told that WD hitches are pointless on this truck because of the air suspension and weight of the truck.  At least in the scale of the small TT.  The bed extender wouldn't necessarily be to use with the TT, but could be useful in general.  The fact that the same dollars gets me a ramp and the extender is the main benefit.  Neither bike can fit in the bed with the gate up, and whether the Zero might fit with it partially up is open.  The XR, no way, and it would be the one to go on trips with the trailer.  Check out my measurements; best case, the XR tire would barely be on the tailgate.  Removing it is out of the question.  So gate down is going to be the only option, and how the TT works would be a matter of either a tongue extension or truck extension.  I had the Wellcraft trailer extended, don't remember the cost, but not enough for me to remember because it hurt my ass so much.

 

I decided to draw it out to be sure.  

 

Bed Length at Rail - Tailgate Up 1373 mm or 54.1 in.

Bed Length at Floor - Tailgate Down: 2130 mm or 83.9 in.

Bed width (exposed cargo width): 1299 mm or 51.1 in.

Bed wheelhouse width at the floor: 1277 mm or 50.3 in.

Bed Height with Tonneau Open: 465 mm or 18.3 in.

Max Cargo Height (Tonneau Closed): 434 mm or 17.1 in.

Bed Volume: 828 L or 29.2 cubic feet

 

Something is sketchy between the diagonal and straight measurements which I have listed as the same.  I believe it's because of the differences in floor versus rail/cover space; the cover and rails eat space.  I need to measure again, and it's off for paint correction right now.

 

 

Fuck, I need new whiteboard markers.  Now to measure and draw the bike footprints.