Hitch Receiver Tubes--extra ones to prevent sway

[ebod]

I'd like to haul dirt bikes via a hitch mounted dirt bike carrier. There are a number of carriers/haulers that fit into the hitch receiver but they seem to sway/twist due to the fact that the receiver is in the center/middle of the truck while the bikes put weight across a wide length (so there's a lot of leverage to cause twist/sway) (I know I'm not describing this like someone who understands physics terminology could, but I hope you can catch my drift). I've seen some receiver hitch carrier set ups where that use two outboard mounted receiver tubes to there's support on each side for the bikes. Most of these however seem to be custom fabricated.

Does anyone here know of a three receiver tube hitch bar (one in the center for traditional towing and two outboard for the situation I described above)?

Has anyone here added additional receiver tubes to their factory bar? (it seems that the outboard tubes wouldn't have to bear that much weight if the center mounted tube does the brunt of the work while the outer ones just prevent sway).

Does anyone have links to a receiver-based bike hauler that uses two (or three) receiver tubes.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[petrotk40]

http://www.amazon.com/Boone-Outdoor-Wedge-Rattle-Stabilizer/dp/B001IBHVNY

 

[scottm]

I think I know what you're getting at, just something to stabilize the ends of the hitch-mount platform. I've not seen anything factory like that. If you get something welded up, make sure you have it done by someone who is familiar with hitch building, even if you just have yours modded. I'd send it out after welding to be normalized by a heat treater. If you ever haul a big trailer, you'll want the peace of mind.

 

[jgray]

Maybe one of these will do what you want...
WD With Sway Control Weight Distribution | etrailer.com

Look around on etrailer... Great company to deal with, quick shipping, etc....

 

[e9999]

I've experimented with my moto carrier and an anti-rattle locking device (not the one above which seems a bit ad hoc) and it seems to work. Carrier was stable at least when I jumped up and down on it at a standstill. Have not had it out there at speed yet, though.
Much simpler than outriggers. And you could also rig something with a cable fairly easily that would probably help too.

 

[Tahomatom]

I had a moto jack rack that worked pretty well. After about a year I added some thin padding to 2 sides of the insert to tighten up a bit and make it a bit quieter. I then used rachet straps to each outer edge of the bumper so I could drive way too fast on washboards without worrying about it.

 

[ebod]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll probably try one of those tighteners. I still feel that having the rack plugged into the car in two or three places like this:

<===||====||===>

or this: <===||===||===||===>

is better than this: <=====||=====>

Where "<=======>" is the direction the bike is mounted and "||" is a receiver tube.

Maybe having the outboard receivers would transfer more of the twisting force to the frame (bad) than to the bike rack (annoying, but less bad).

Thanks again and any more suggestions are appreciated.

 

[rusty_tlc]

You could probably add some stabilizers made out of HREW tube. Th bulk of the weight would still be on the hitch but they would stop some of the rotational forces.

 

[78Cruzr]

post up a pic of the rack & bike installed... I expect as Tahomaton suggested you could ratchet strap to the vehicle from the corners. You should also be able to ratchet strap from the bike down to the bumper preferably cross or X fashion.

 

[farinvail]

I use a traditional moto hauler that fits the 2" receiver to haul my ktm. I stuffed a product like this one. http://www.amazon.com/Curt-Manufact...WR3Y/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1329436248&sr=8-9

into the tube and I'm pretty happy with how stable it is.

 

[e9999]

I use a traditional moto hauler that fits the 2" receiver to haul my ktm. I stuffed a product like this one. Amazon.com: Curt Manufacturing 22321 Anti-Rattle For 2 In Hollow Shank: Automotive

into the tube and I'm pretty happy with how stable it is.

that type works too. Ideally, one might want those with a spring to hold them in place in the tube before screwing the bolt in.

 

[78Cruzr]

just saw this on a travel trailer forum... Roadmaster Inc - Quiet Hitch for 2", class 3 hitch receivers - 061 - Hitches & Hitch Bars - Camping World

 

[ebod]

Currently, I use a "moto jack" rack (which carries only one full sized dirt bike plus one mini). It supports the bike at the footpegs, not by the wheels so it sways a little less. I'll still probably try to pick up one of the tightening type products for it. Also, I'll shoot/post some pictures of it loaded over the weekend.

My kid is now ready for a full sized dirt bike so I want to get something that can take two bikes. I hate towing and have no room for a trailer, so I want to go with a hitch receiver type system. Here's one of the options: | Versahaul There also some aluminum ones.

My receiver is class IV with a 1000 lbs tongue weight rating. I know I'll have to get stiffer springs (or possibly air bags--any suggestions on that front). it still seems, just looking at it, that it will sway a lot.

78: The product you linked to looks like it may help for my current motojack situation, but I don't see how it would help with the rack in my link. That one says it's not for weight distributing hitches and it's for class II. I'll try to find a similar thing for class IV.

Thanks again.

 

[ebod]

Below is a photo of how my current Motojack rack set up works:

A dual rail set up, like the versa haul link posted above, would be about 50-90 more lbs. (thus, new springs or air springs) and, it feels to me, more twist (which is what triggered my initial question).

If any one can describe how a cable-based method to reduce sway might work, please do so. To me it seems that anything that doesn't provide support from the bottom won't really work (unless there's a way to get a solid anchor for a cable/tie-down way up high).

Thanks again.