Using my tail lift as a bike rack - anyone done it?
 

Hey everyone I'm new to the forum but seems like a wealth of knowledge here :)
So me and my partner have a MAN TGL that we've converted to a motorhome after years of being cramped into vans! We now have a Yamaha XTZ660 and although did build a garage in the back of the lorry it is not high enough for the motorbike. We have a Dhollandia 1ton fold away tail lift on the back of the lorry and are thinking we could make a bike rack out of it. We would halve the width of the tail lift so as it doesn't stick out too far and to loose some weight. Seems a fairly simple job to either put some cut outs in the floor of the lift or bolt on some steel channel to hold the wheels. Then bolt on some fixing points for ratchet straps and attach a trailer board if needed (need to look into the laws on this, does anyone know?) Lorry has rear under run and I don't think we will need to add another as I believe that law doesn't apply to motorhomes. Dhollandia say the tail lift should not be used to carry goods while in transit but a 180kg bike? Will it really be a problem?

I guess I'm looking for anyone who has done this or similar, anyone who knows a bit more than us and realises maybe this isn't the best idea. Any helpful suggestions or just some support to say we are doing the right thing!

Thanks :):helpsmilie:

I think you will just have to make some sort of pin arrangement that you can put in to fix the tail lift in the raised position. Otherwise you would be relying on the chain of the mechanism to take the weight. Cutting in half would help. I have seen it done and it works. As for underun protection as far as I know it in not required for motorhomes.

Graeme

Thanks Graeme, I don't think there is a chain mechanism like some lifts, it is a hydraulic lift. Do you think the same still applies?

Hi Sam, as Graeme says, a sturdy pin/latch system should be made on both sides so that the hydraulics are not holding the weight during transit, over a time the rams are likely to lose some pressure and the tail lift will drop, especially if you drive with it loaded. I would also consider adding a length of round or box section tube to the edge of the cut off part of the tail lift as a 'bumper' just so you just don't have a fairly sharp edge left sticking out the back of the truck.

I did see a Mercedes truck with a similar arrangement somewhere, it had an open bottom aluminium box mounted on the back of the truck, so when the bike was raised on the tail lift it disappeared into the box and was completely covered - quite a clever idea, as anything on the back end of a truck will get completely covered in dirt/mud/sand/dust.

You'd need to ensure that the tail lift in the horizontal position did not exceed the legal limits for rear overhang - different rules for different countries.
The other safety issue would be how far from the rear under run is the end of the tail lift platform, too far out and you could face civil liability if you get rear ended. Maybe a set of chevrons on the rear would suffice.

Definitely chock it out solidly to take the weight off whatever mechanism. Corrugations/potholes will multiply the loads and an XTZ660 is pretty heavy.

I had one put on an MAN, but only for offloading and as a dinner table. Great solution.
Did a lot of off-road and worried it might break off, but never budged.

No it won't be longer than the legal limit and there are under run bars on the back which legally we don't need as it's registered as a motor home. Thanks :)

Yes thanks, have got some aluminum channel to put round the cut edge and we are working on the pin/latch type of system. We are going to do it all next week so hopefully all will go to plan and I will be back with some pictures :)

You may need to check rear overhang re wheelbase as limited to 60% .
Other thing would be lighting , also in certain countries need hazard board on overhangs . I have a hydraulic lift that carries a Burgman 400 on the rear of my RV . If its legal in home country then you are OK in others, generally speaking . I would make sure that you have a strong enough secondary support , don't just rely on primary eg chain or hydraulics..

Dholandia tail lift convert to bike rack
 

Hi
I haver just bought a DAFF LF45 with what sound like the same tail lift did you convert yours and was ok and do you have any photos and any advice, did you set up a lock pin ???

Kerry

new to this group

hi all

Hi,

One thing that came to my mind: It is not only about what is legal or not, it should also be about the moral aspect. Depending on how far it will reach out and at what height, I would ask myself the question ¨what would happen if someone crash into it? ¨ or ¨would I want to drive my car into that kind of rear end ?¨

Another thing as mentioned by others is don´t rely just on the lifts mechanism. I worked with such a lift and suddenly it went a bit down while driving. It turned out to be a failure in the electrics.

Best regards,

Rögnvaldur