Harbor Freight rack

[m in sc]

2 totally different types of loads, and that doesn't look that great either TBH. . but you're going to do whatever you want to do anyway, so best of luck.

 

[Quadjeeper]

Ok, I give up. I'll just sell the rack and probably the bike to make everybody happy. There isn't a decent place to ride around here, gotta go at least 40 miles through crazy Orlando traffic to get to good riding areas. Have a yard full of trailers, want to simplify things, hence no trailer. Have a pickup, too high to load myself. So screw it. Hope you all are happy. Tried to find a fun thing to do with the " You meet The Greatest People on a Honda" crowd. Ain't happening.

 

[oldskool]

Ok, I give up. I'll just sell the rack and probably the bike to make everybody happy. There isn't a decent place to ride around here, gotta go at least 40 miles through crazy Orlando traffic to get to good riding areas. Have a yard full of trailers, want to simplify things, hence no trailer. Have a pickup, too high to load myself. So screw it. Hope you all are happy. Tried to find a fun thing to do with the " You meet The Greatest People on a Honda" crowd. Ain't happening.

Holy smokes man. Nobody is trying to bust your chops. Sorry but your setup looks a bit sketchy, you asked. I wouldn't use that set up but you do as you see fit. You have a Tacoma I think it will haul your ct with the tailgate down...? You can get a nice set of ramps for not a lot of money. I have had mine for almost 30 years and use them often.

 

[sieg]

Ok, I give up. I'll just sell the rack and probably the bike to make everybody happy. There isn't a decent place to ride around here, gotta go at least 40 miles through crazy Orlando traffic to get to good riding areas. Have a yard full of trailers, want to simplify things, hence no trailer. Have a pickup, too high to load myself. So screw it. Hope you all are happy. Tried to find a fun thing to do with the " You meet The Greatest People on a Honda" crowd. Ain't happening.

Your best idea yet!

 

[Shoot870p]

If you decide to sell will it be posted in classifieds here?

 

[AZ7000']

I was going to post some info but knew you would freak! Lots of nice people here with advice, take it or leave it, it really isn't personal!

 

[SneakyDingo]

I was going to post some info but knew you would freak! Lots of nice people here with advice, take it or leave it, it really isn't personal!

Corollary to this: If none of us said anything and just let that person f**k up, what kind of place would this be? It's neither personal nor malicious. We just don't want to see someone else go through unnecessary pain*.

*Ok, we might want to see that if it's really, really funny

 

[dmonkey]

I felt sick seeing that one Trail that was dragged down the road hanging from a rear carrier, really don't want to see one take a longboard dive. It's a good amount of money to risk and based on that thread you could be SOL when it comes to an insurance claim on it.

 

[NMCoyote]

Ok, I give up. I'll just sell the rack and probably the bike to make everybody happy. There isn't a decent place to ride around here, gotta go at least 40 miles through crazy Orlando traffic to get to good riding areas. Have a yard full of trailers, want to simplify things, hence no trailer. Have a pickup, too high to load myself. So screw it. Hope you all are happy. Tried to find a fun thing to do with the " You meet The Greatest People on a Honda" crowd. Ain't happening.

Don't be a jackass about this, you came to us for our opinion and you got several, just because we disagree with you and your dumb idea you throw a fit. Sell you bike we don't give a shit, but don't come after us because we aren't fawning over your plan.

 

[MonotoneCulprit]

As a self-described "Retired ole fart" you have been on this Earth way too long to have skin this thin. I don't know if you're surrounded by yes men or had a mother who told you that you could do no wrong, but you should take some time to think about why you can't deal with people disagreeing with you.

We all have bad ideas or ask stupid questions from time to time. You learn why your idea was bad, gain knowledge, and move on. I mean, I'm the dumbass who bought the '23 Front Rack and Windshield without the '23 Meter Stay well after it was clearly documented that you couldn't install either accessory without it. Live and learn, accept criticism, don't be too hard on yourself. The people here are very nice and helpful, but will also politely tell you when your being dumb. Especially when we've seen those same mistakes made before with catastrophic results.

It would be borderline irresponsible to see your set up, and say nothing or give you blind approval. If all you want is blind approval then post to Facebook, turn off comments, and watch the likes roll in.

 

[Kev250R]

I'm late to the party but didn't come here to pile-on, though I agree with what others have said, QJ's rack/extension set-up is not something I would use. However I do recommend that everyone who uses a MC Rack add a set of safety chains to it then attach them to something solid on the vehicle's frame, that way if there is a failure with the Hitch or the rack and it somehow leaves your vehicle at least it won't be sitting in the middle of the road.

As you can see in my Avatar I'm a user of MC Racks. Adding tailights and safety chains were literally the first things I did when I got my rack. Bonus that the chains make it more complicated/time consuming to steal the rack if someone is so inclined.

YMMV

 

[BaldRider]

I had a rack on my pickup but that had a higher rating than my Subaru (and an actual frame). I think I'm going to have to go trailer or see if I can fit it in the hatch.

 

[dmonkey]

Prices and availability vary by location, but a nice motorcycle trailer runs less than $20/day to rent from my local U-Haul. Slightly inconvenient to pick up, but very cost effective for infrequent use and they're surprisingly well maintained. Might be a good place to start to see what you want from a trailer before buying one.

 

[m in sc]

having both, but also hauling multiple bikes, i have a smaller trailer that does 2 bikes very easily, but can do 3 as well. trailer also useful for just general moving of stuff when needed, or one of the larger bikes (like the 1100). I need to get a bigger trailer, but not right now. But a small utility trailer with a removable wheel chock is a good investment IMHO. (pic from last fri night). 5 hour round trip zero issues.

as far as going off road, stuff the spare on a roof rack... and skip the hitch, extension and would have been just fine. .02

2 days later from the show i went to, it was borrowed to go pick up a riding mower.

 

[Kev250R]

The only drawback to using a trailer here in Ca is legally when towing the speed limit is 55. Anything which isn't towing the speed limit (on the highway) is typically 65 or 70 (depending on location of course). Which is one of the reasons I use my rack as much as I do.

That said I have three trailers and use all three frequently (Camper, car trailer, utility trailer). Typically I cruise at 60 on the highway with no issues (thus far) but won't push it much more then that to avoid getting a ticket. Outside of Ca I have no issues towing at whatever the speed limit is, though it is a bit weird to legally be able to tow at 80 MPH in Utah.. If I'm only hauling one bike or ATV then it goes in my truck. If I'm taking more then one then I drag a trailer and just know that it's going to be a slower drive. i think Ca is one of the only states with a split speed limit. I'm not a fan but it is what it is.

Not that @Quadjeeper is reading this but another option he could have explored would have been to add a receiver to the front of his Jeep and haul his trail in the front instead of hanging it (way) off the back. I do that when I tow my Camper and want to take a bike with me; bike on the rack on the front hitch, camper on the rear hitch.

 

[Shoot870p]

Very good point on the front receiver hitch. Had one on my last truck.