Carrying a bike on the back of a 4x4
 

Later this year I'm off with three friends across Asia with two R1200GSs and a Toyota Landcruiser.

In the *highly unlikely* event of a catastrophic failure on one of the plastic bikes which requires the attention of a BMW mechanic and his magic computer (for example the tail light) we'd like to be able to mount the bike on the back of the 4x4 to carry it to safety.

Is there a contraption one can mount to the back of a landcruiser that you can put large broken bike on? I was thinking of something similar to the spectacles they lower to put the front wheels of your car into to tow it, but maybe there's a more realistic suggestion?

steve

Steve,

Two options:

1. Make your own receiver hitch carrier; or
2. Get a foldable bike trailer.

I have a Scorpion Racing rear bumper on my Discovery and will be building a rear carrier to fit into the two hi-lift holes. I prefer this setup over the receiver hitch because I'll have two supports instead of one.

In the US they sell these trailers http://www.stingertrailer.com/
or this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/700-l...QQcmdZViewItem

There is another one that folds into a bag. I'll have to look for it.

Good luck.

Hi,

Also, if you fit the bike on the rear bumper, think of the extra load placed way behind the rear axle and the effect it will have on the rear suspension.

That should be a problem only if you run the crappy OME suspension..... just playing with you Roman. I saw your website and noticed you run OMEs....

Seriously, my rear springs are uprated 25% to accomodate 300 lbs of gear. Plus I have gas adjustable shocks and Orange Polybushes so I'm not concerned about extra weight. But Roman has a good point if your 4x4 is not setup to accomodate the extra weight.

Nice Disco Roman!!

Take a look at posts #11, #15 and #17 on this thread
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71292

Tim

wise choice with the Toyota Landcruiser Quark, even after work for Land rover most my career I would still buy the landcrusier first any day.

Ok to the question, obviously draging a trailer in whatever form arround is going to be a pain, its bulky and the weight will have to be taken off your total load weight of your own kit! and I wouldnt put anything heaver than a push bike on a bike frame that fits on a receiver hitch its just not designed for that.

Now a friend of mine out in Africa had the same problem which he over come by making a gizmo that allowed you to tow the bike like it was a trailer itself, you simply removed the front wheel and placed the gizmo between the forks and then put back in the front wheel bolt to lock it in place. Then all you had to do was lift the front of the bike up and place the gizmos trailer coupling on the car, the bike ran on its own rear wheel so the car had no great weight on its rear suspension.

it was made from ally locally and fitted in a small holdal bag which he added to his travelling kit.

Jenna

Is it worth carrying a bulky item like a motorcycle carrier just in case of that rather unlikely catastrophic failure? If you are travelling in convoy, there is always a solution. Worst case you have to ask a local truck to transport your bike to the nearest town, or try putting it on the roof or ...

Just a thought :-)

Chris the guy i know was a loner so he used the gizmo to move both bike and car at once, but yep i totally agree you SHOULD be with atleast one other rider and that really does beg the question of why your not riding as buddies?

Hi Steve,

A mate of mine recently made a bike-carrying device consisting of a galvanised steel horizontal channel across the back of the vehicle, which is pivoted at one end and can therefore be swung out to allow access to the vehilce's back door(s) with the bike still loaded on the channel. The channel is locked in and supported when swung inwards to the rear of the vehicle. The whole contraption can be bolted or welded to the end of the vehicle's chassis - note it can only only be fitted to vehicles with proper ladder chassis, it's no good for monocoque chassis "softroaders". The one he made is strong enough to carry bikes up to 190Kg wet, and we even tested the strength of the pivot by leaving his bike on overnight it with the channel swung out (cantilevering on the pivot) at right angles. It passed this test; there was no deformation of the pivot. We tried to think a name for the device, and the best we could think of was a rather cheesy "Piggy-Bike" (better suggestions on a postcard please...)

The 1200GS is a bit heavier than 190Kg wet, so a beefier version might be required. The GS is also quite wide (I've got a 1100 myself), and this means the carrier might have to be mounted further away from the rear of the Cruiser. This could be a problem, because it is not just the bike's weight which is an issue here, but also the distribution of the load. The further back the carrier is, the more load is proportionately borne by the rear axle. I would guess that, to carry a GS, you would need beefier rear springs on your Land Cruiser. You might also have to remove the rear bumper and/or remount the rear lights, depending on what model you've got.

The American dirt bike rear carrier (for attaching to the tow hook) is a great idea, but frankly looks a bit too flimsy to carry a GS over rough ground, even though the advert says it is good for 700 lb (318Kg). If you are interested, I could put you in touch with my mate (he lives in Cornwall); he might make you a carrier at a price.

Anyway, good luck with the trip.
Nige

i had a bike on my hilux modyfied roof rack , maybe you can design a special roof rack to carry a bike .

They make bike carriers that fit into your hitch reciever. I have one for my bike and it works well. Here is a link to one that is an example. Several companies make them, so look around or make your own.

http://www.versahaul.com/

The idea of attaching the front axle bolt to the receiver is a good one, and may be optimum for this type of "limp to help" scenario. Just be sure that the GS driveshaft and tranny can be rolled in neutral for hundreds of Ks without frying a bearing or the tranny. I know this is a limitation for some drivetrains. I own an 1150GSA, but don't know the answer to that one regarding the GS. Check on the GS thread, I'm sure someone will know the answer to that question.

I just spent a copule of months doing research on big (class 7 & 8) truck based rigs. As part of that package I needed to carry our GSA. Some of these options will not be viable on light trucks, but may give you some ideas for things that you could get fabricated or adapted.

I found the dolly-wheeled trailer/platforms to be an interesting design, but you'd probably need to design/fabricate a more rugged suspension before you'd want to take it to places we're all interested in going.


Advanced Recreational Products

Blue Ox

C5A Heavy Lift Moto Carrier

Overbuilt Lifts

Motorcycle Ramps.Com

Discount Ramps

Pak Rak

RV Lifts of America

RV Motorcycle & Cargo Trailer - this is a design worth looking at if you could modify the suspension for the intended use.

Fast Master Single Wheel Trailer - similar design to above

TK Loader - good option for big bikes and big rigs

TK Loader Implementation on a class 8 truck

Hydra Lift

Don't think that will be a problem.

Not for teh bevel drive. Nor the drive shaft.

The gear box is more of a concern - the bike may well be 'nose up' so a lack of oil at the front may reduce lubrication there?

It is not something I'd like to do at high speed or long distance. To the next town, yep. To the next country ... err no. Put it on a truck and go that way.

Hopefully if you have it, you won't need it.

Slightly off topic but might have bearing on decision to take or not. Does any body know if you have an extra bike do you have to have separate CARNET. I thought you did
Mark