Mototote?

[Longfoehammer]

I am intrigued by the mototote hitches and wanted to know what people though about them. I would love to use one instead of renting a trailer every time I went to the track. I have read people's warnings against them, claiming that it's not safe and exceeds the tongue weight rating due to the motorcycle being mounted so far away from the hitch. On the other hand I've talked with people who have used them without issue.

My bike is 450lbs and the mount is about 60lbs, 510lbs in total more or less. That should put me under the 650lbs weight rating on paper. But in practice it sounds like it exceeds the rating.

What do you think? Anyone have one?

 

[Rednexus]

You would need the OEM Class IV hitch to run one of those, as the bike would put a huge moment (i.e., twisting force) on the rear crossmember. I would also expect that you would need to add in auxiliary airbags to handle the weight and that it would make the steering quite light as weight would be added to the rear axle while being removed from the front axle. So, while it's probably doable, it would affect the handling of the GX quite a bit. And this is coming from my experience towing large trailers with my GX.

If you have the room, a better option would be a small utility trailer. A 4x8 trailer inexpensive, easy to move by hand, and is almost unnoticeable when pulled behind a GX. I built one from a Harbor Freight kit over a decade ago and still use it. Looks like they sell a folding version now.

 

[Longfoehammer]

I agree that the trailer would be the simple, safer option. Unfortunately I don't have room to store the trailer so that is why I am looking at the mototote.

I was looking at the airlift 1000 product for the GX. They're light duty but I feel like they should do the trick in terms of reducing the sag. Do you have a different product in mind?

How can I tell if I have the class 4 hitch? The warning sticker on it gives me weight ratings for weight hanging and weight distribution hitches, but doesn't say which one I have. I am making the assumption those are the class 3/4 oem hitch ratings.

 

[MeefZah]

The Class IV is welded to a cross member that installs on either side of the frame; the III is the lighter duty that bolts to the rear cross member.

I have the III. Most aftermarket hitches will be the III.

I also regularly hitch haul a 300 pound cycle with no issues save for some minor squat in the rear which is fine, given the utility of the hitch hauler. I'll take that trade off. However, I don't know that I'd haul a 450 lb cycle, that seems excessive.

*Edit, my hauler is not the same brand you referenced, I am just speaking in general terms

 

[Rednexus]

I agree that the trailer would be the simple, safer option. Unfortunately I don't have room to store the trailer so that is why I am looking at the mototote.

I was looking at the airlift 1000 product for the GX. They're light duty but I feel like they should do the trick in terms of reducing the sag. Do you have a different product in mind?

How can I tell if I have the class 4 hitch? The warning sticker on it gives me weight ratings for weight hanging and weight distribution hitches, but doesn't say which one I have. I am making the assumption those are the class 3/4 oem hitch ratings.

Class III is rated for 5000 pounds, Class IV are rated for 6500 pounds.

Note that the Class IV is only rated for 650 pounds of tongue weight when using a weight distributing hitch. Without it, they are rated for a bit less (I think only 500). So, you might be over the tongue weight on even the Class IV hitch. I've certainly exceeded that weight on my GX before towing actual trailers. Even with aux airbags, it will make the front end a bit light. I have Firestone airbags, although Airlift bags are probably fine too.

Would you have room for one of these folded up? I can't imagine it taking up much more room than a Motortote would.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1720-lb-capacity-4-ft-x-8-ft-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-58703.html

 

[Longfoehammer]

I need to see this trailer in person. I think it would make sense but I cant picture it being small enough for me to store in my apartment. I think if it folds down small enough, it would make sense to get over a mototote.

Maybe this should be my excuse to purchase a track-only ZX-6R so I can justify a mototote.

 

[Rednexus]

I need to see this trailer in person. I think it would make sense but I cant picture it being small enough for me to store in my apartment. I think if it folds down small enough, it would make sense to get over a mototote.

Maybe this should be my excuse to purchase a track-only ZX-6R so I can justify a mototote.

Most stores have it in-stock. It might be hard to move into/out of an apartment, depending on your stair/entry setup. The trailer however is easy to build, and a basic sheet of plywood will do fine for a floor on it.