[cool breeze]

I wonder if anyone hauls their bike on a front hitch...I have a 3/4 ton Silverado with a camper on the back that overhangs the tailgate by about 20 inches. To haul the bike on a motorcycle ramp on the back would require too long of an extension and I would have 2 joints unless I got a special weld and still it would be too long. It seems more logical to put a hitch up front but I was wondering if this would restrict headlights and get me in trouble with the Highway Patrol. Any thoughts.

 

[goldenhtr]

I wonder if anyone hauls their bike on a front hitch...I have a 3/4 ton Silverado with a camper on the back that overhangs the tailgate by about 20 inches. To haul the bike on a motorcycle ramp on the back would require too long of an extension and I would have 2 joints unless I got a special weld and still it would be too long. It seems more logical to put a hitch up front but I was wondering if this would restrict headlights and get me in trouble with the Highway Patrol. Any thoughts.



I thought of this for my motorhome, because we haul a boat most of the time. But after putting the bike in front of the motorhome it became clear that the bike would block the headlights. so no go with the front hitch.

 

[Woofhound]

Probably depends on the cop.... we got stopped by officer Richard Cranium of the washington state patrol a few years back for having a couple spokes "obstructing" the tail lights. being on the front might restrict air flow to the radiator.

 

[qwerty]

Waeigh your front axle with the camper on it, loaded for travel, and with your normal complement of crew members in the cab. Do you have 400 pounds additional axle capacity left?

 

[vuldub]

Qwerty is spot on. Keep in mind the front hitch will weigh 100lbs, the carrier will weigh 100lbs (mine does) and the bike weighs 300lbs. I carry a CT70 on the front of my 1 ton dodge, but its setup to carry a snowplow so it can handle the weight. Check the GAWR (gross axle weight rating) for the front and the curb weight (front). Subtract the two and you will see how much you can put on your front axle. You might be pushing the GVWR for your truck with another 500lbs on it, even if you are within the axle rating...



Have you thought of pulling a small utility trailer?

 

[qwerty]

Have you thought of pulling a small utility trailer?

Probably the best solution. A Harbor Freight trailer with a homemade rail will run about $250, probably less than the reciever and decent bike carrier.

 

[Rohnsman]

we got stopped by officer Richard Cranium of the washington state patrol...

An alias I presume? Dare I ask what his nickname was??

 

[tripleted]

If the bike was on a front or rear bumper rack and you got hit by another car (or you hit another) would the bike be covered by insurance? If not, it is kind of an expensive aftermarket bumper wouldn't you think?

 

[Rohnsman]

If the bike was on a front or rear bumper rack and you got hit by another car (or you hit another) would the bike be covered by insurance? If not, it is kind of an expensive aftermarket bumper wouldn't you think?

Not sure that's an arguement for or against since if the bike was mounted on a rear carrier you could also get hit, no?

 

[tripleted]

Not for or against...just something to keep in mind if you did want to.