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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rotten Ralph on May 17, 2015, 05:24:28 PM

Title: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: Rotten Ralph on May 17, 2015, 05:24:28 PM
Installed the Ultimate MX Ramp on the RV this weekend and tried it out.

Plus:

One person can load the bike. ;-T

Minus:

Hard to get the bike out of the front wheel well when unloading. Maybe a lever/ wedge under the front wheel and go forward?

The inside strap to the handlebars gets tighter as the bike goes up if it is attached to the mechanism loop. Maybe attach the strap from the handlebar straight down to the rack that the bike rests on?

Those dang cylinders sticking out do make loading and tying down a challenge!

The wood pieces in the photo are my curb ramps to get the bike onto the carrier (5.5" off of the ground).

Overall, I think this will work great when the wrinkles are ironed out. :BEER:






(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y396/rewvmd/IMG_2689_zpsvgsyftyg.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/rewvmd/media/IMG_2689_zpsvgsyftyg.jpg.html)

(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y396/rewvmd/IMG_2690_zpsmv2ychhr.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/rewvmd/media/IMG_2690_zpsmv2ychhr.jpg.html)

(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y396/rewvmd/IMG_2691_zps3qw0kzcn.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/rewvmd/media/IMG_2691_zps3qw0kzcn.jpg.html)



Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: dilligaf on May 17, 2015, 06:38:04 PM
 :+=copcar  :+=copcar  :+=copcar you need four  tie down straps. Trust me, two to secure the motorcycle and two for back up.  We had the front of our ST2 jump off our carrier on a rough road in VA.  The two straps on the rear kept the bike from coming completely off.  :BEER:
Matt
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: Triple Jim on May 17, 2015, 06:46:05 PM
That looks really nice, Ralph.  I can see getting some good use from it.  Way better than towing a car.   :)
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: LowRyter on May 17, 2015, 10:43:32 PM
 ;-T
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: normzone on May 17, 2015, 11:04:49 PM
I'm all for it, but it doesn't look overrated enough to me. I hope the mounts to the vehicle are overrated and manually locked during travel.

And what he said - I've lost mere bicycles in travel out of similar systems, please strap that down like a (insert your choice of analogy here).

Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: canuguzzi on May 18, 2015, 12:08:48 AM
Have you taken it out yet? I'm wondering if the handlebars will rock and hit the rear of the motorhome.
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: nc43bsa on May 18, 2015, 12:24:50 AM
If that were my bike, I'd use the trailer from your neighbor's house across the street.     ;D
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: Rotten Ralph on May 18, 2015, 06:10:46 AM
I do plan on using 4 straps - the two were just to see how it worked.

Rating is for motorcycles up to 450 lb. The hitch weighs about 70-80 lb and the Special about 410 with fluids.

The bars are fairly far away from the back but I may move the mirror away.

Yeah - I'm still a little nervous about 500 lb hanging on my trailer hitch but that's what it's rated for and the construction of the Ultimate is really robust.

We'll see! ;)
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: dilligaf on May 18, 2015, 06:34:08 AM
I think you will enjoy it.  The first few trips you will spend quite a bit of time checking the rear view mirror checking to make sure it's still there but, that will pass.  ;D  :BEER:
Matt
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: acogoff on May 18, 2015, 08:21:33 AM
    I'm sure as a kid you experienced the riding in the back seat of the bus on a rough road thrill ride. Your bike is actually on a catapult back there and I would secure accordingly as others have stated.
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: Rotten Ralph on May 18, 2015, 10:32:45 AM
Quote
and I would secure accordingly as others have stated.

Thanks - my worrisome mind will have me using 6 tie downs most likely, along with tying the wheels to the track. ;-T

I just hope for the first few hundred miles I can keep my eyes on the road and not the rear view camera!! ;D ;D
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: canuguzzi on May 18, 2015, 10:46:16 AM
Thanks - my worrisome mind will have me using 6 tie downs most likely, along with tying the wheels to the track. ;-T

I just hope for the first few hundred miles I can keep my eyes on the road and not the rear view camera!! ;D ;D

One of the best ways I have found to secure motorcycle wheels to carriers is not to use tie downs. Tie downs are best used to secure the bike itself.

Use 2" wide webbing that holds the wheel itself to the carrier. That eliminates any upward movement of the wheel away from the carrier. Instead of buckles and so on which limit how tight you can make them without getting all gumbled up, you can use the velcro kind (sold at lots of sporting goods stores). You just make a couple of wrapping around the wheel (lowest part resting on the carrier) and there is no way the wheel can lift off the carrier.

Them the tie down on the bike need only keep it level and from rocking back and forth. What you want to avoid is using tie down to hold the wheels to the carrier by putting pressure on the handlebars or forks. You will see people compressing the forks and really cranking down the tie downs. Big mistake and counter productive. You want everything taunt above the wheels but not to the point where the forks are completely compressed. First, you are unlikely to get the forks compressed that far and second you'll then end up with either the front or read not fully compressed and that just makes for a rocking chair.

A piece of foam on the handlebar closest to the rear of your coach does wonder for possible contact, stuff happens.

Whatever you do with this kind of carrier, don't put any tie down on the handlebar ends, they can and will bend.

If the tires don't take up all the space in the tracks, block them, I've used really thick rubber hose but anything will work. Secure them with bungees.

Just some tips.
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: rocker59 on May 18, 2015, 12:07:11 PM
Get some soft ties, so you don't have to hook the tiedowns directly to the bike and scuff up the chrome/paint.

Something like this:  Discount Ramps Soft Ties (http://www.discountramps.com/soft-loops/p/HD-LOOP/?CID=PSC-PLA-Google-2s-HDLoop-tie-down-straps-and-devices&st-t=google-tie-down-straps-and-devices&vt-pti=61813390163&vt-k=&vt-m=&CAWELAID=1642147600&CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=CNL76Kvjy8UCFQEEaQodYSoAOw)

But available at any bike shop.
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: Rotten Ralph on May 18, 2015, 02:28:29 PM
Good tips - thanks! :BEER: :BEER:
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: nowgrn4 on May 21, 2015, 08:31:09 AM
Close the Opening on every "S" hook to capture the soft tie with a nylon tie wrap or piece duct tape. A friend hit a bad RR crossing, the soft tie slipped out of the "S" hook when the forks compressed and his Beemer sustained some expensive cosmetic damage when it fell over.

Cheap insurance.
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: Rotten Ralph on May 21, 2015, 08:41:53 AM
Close the Opening on every "S" hook to capture the soft tie with a nylon tie wrap or piece duct tape. A friend hit a bad RR crossing, the soft tie slipped out of the "S" hook when the forks compressed and his Beemer sustained some expensive cosmetic damage when it fell over.

Cheap insurance.

 ;-T ;-T
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: Spuddy on May 21, 2015, 10:05:52 AM
Best solution is to ship the Special to Montana and I'll keep it for you - properly exercised...
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: El Pescador on May 29, 2015, 09:51:11 PM
My solution was much, much, more ghetto...

(http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy52/jackmckown/20141128_131616.jpg) (http://s777.photobucket.com/user/jackmckown/media/20141128_131616.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: Luap McKeever on May 30, 2015, 04:23:58 AM
I'd figure out a way to get my bike INSIDE the RV ;D
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: charlie b on May 30, 2015, 02:43:06 PM
That's why they make Toy Haulers :)
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: Spuddy on June 02, 2015, 12:06:16 PM
Quote
That's why they make Toy Haulers :)

Problem with them is they are too long to get them into some of the more ideal camping spots.

Spud
Title: Re: Guzzi carrier on RV update
Post by: rtbickel on June 02, 2015, 12:11:39 PM
Find some way to lock both the carrier and the bike to the RV, otherwise it is liable to be "liberated" in the Denny's parking lot.  You can't watch it every minute.