How to use the hitch mounted ramps?

[black]

Bought a Kage racing hitch mounted rack. Threw on the WR on it right now. Any hints / insights on how to properly secure it?
It has only 2 attachment points which I've strapped to the triple tree.
1 strap holding the rear wheel to the hitch.
Bike keeps lowering putting most of the ratchet action on the rear shock. I strapped it so that I hope it doesn't blow out the rear shock ! Just enough to hold it but not much
I usually used a fork protector when trailering and ratcheting the front forks down and letting the rear shock take most of the action.

Any insights appreciated

[typeone]

a buddy of mine has one similar to that and hates it, but he got it for free. they're a pain to tie down without a crossbar in front. i believe he goes from bars to the center mount then also does pegs to center.

an easy mod would be to bolt a steel crossbar to the front portion (under the wheel area) so you can use two tie-downs up to the bars (or triple like i do) compressing the forks then a simple bungie or strap around the rear wheel. that's how i secure mine to a Just-Hitch-It hitch. you could also do crossbar to bars, pegs to center mount, and bungie around wheel. that would be plenty solid.

old pic below but i still use it

[breakdirt916]

so...I'm assuming

1.) no front crossbar?

2.) no front wheel chock/stopper?

3.) does the wheel just "drop in" a gap in the front?

If so, the handlebars and rear both get cinched into the mount in the middle of the rail

I don't remember the best secure spots on the CR, but I believe I strapped down the rear wheel (carefully! don't want to bend it...), then just the front handlebars



the DR200SE had a luggage rack - so the back was cinched onto that compressing the rear shock



you DEFINITELY need front and back security...I took a short trip to the gas station and the back was ready to bounce right off the rail

have you considered a moto jack rack?

[nick5446]

I had one on my Pathfinder. Went over a speed hump at the airport at like 5mph and the bike rocked back, came unhooked, then went forward and shattered my rear window. Good times had by all.

Crank it down.

[black]

yup on all 3
1.) no front crossbar?

2.) no front wheel chock/stopper?

3.) does the wheel just "drop in" a gap in the front?

Have the front cinched down, didnt have the rear. I'll do that and take it for a test drive tomorrow. I'll probably cinch it just the rear wheel to the hitch, worried about the sub frame bending

Yup almost busted my rear window already undoin a strap. That was close, straps I have that Lockable D ring so no chance of it coming undone

[OreoGaborio]

Tip #1: You know the spot on your vehicle's trailer hitch where you hook your chains when towing a trailer? Use those to hook your truck side tie-downs.

Tip #2: Try and keep your straps as far AWAY from vertical as you can. The further away from vertical they are the less fore and aft rocking of the bike (that shatters rear windows as Nick discovered the hard way... sorry dude, that sucks) you'll have.

Tip #3: Not so much a tip, but peace of mind - Suspension is built, by design, to be compressed.. You shouldn't blow it out by compressing it via tie-downs. Crank it.

[breakdirt916]

why cinch rear wheel to hitch? why not just to the carrier itself (ie. wrap the whole wheel and carrier together)?

you'll be twisting the whole ramp

still waiting for someone to recommend a trailer...or truck (although doesn't seem to be as popular nowadays)

[black]

why cinch rear wheel to hitch? why not just to the carrier itself (ie. wrap the whole wheel and carrier together)?

you'll be twisting the whole ramp

still waiting for someone to recommend a trailer...or truck (although doesn't seem to be as popular nowadays)

ur right incorrect term i meant carrier
any reason you cinch from top of tire than just part of rim closest to carrier?

[breakdirt916]

Ok coo

Ya that doesn't matter...I used ratchet straps and they were too long to wrap around the bottom part of the rim

[typeone]

bungies work fine around the rear rim/carrier. that's all i use.

another thing you might want to purchase is an anti-wobble bracket. they work really well. noticeably less rocking.

[cdovego]

I used to put my bikes in gear and spin the rear wheel so there was no play left. That limited right to left movement and worked best for me. After that, 2 straps and I could go across the country with a liter bike back there.

- - - Updated - - -

another thing you might want to purchase is an anti-wobble bracket. they work really well. noticeably less rocking.

Mine had this built in and it made a big difference, if you can add it I'd def. suggest this too.