Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

has anybody used a hitch style motorcycle carrier on their van?

it's a platform that goes into a 2" reciever and has a max wight of 400lbs.
would i need to beef up suspension to carry 350lbs behind the rear bumper?

thanks in advance for anybody's info on this subject.

An early member here (and since sold his deli) name Steve Mitchell did up his own carrier. The steel I-Beam he used must have been a couple of hundred pounds on its own - then his dirt bike to boot. Can't quote any figures - but I know it worked for him good enough. I'd still recommend an add a leaf or even think about a new set of leafs altogether if you plan on doing any long trips with a dirt bike hanging off the back.
Good luck - and post photos!!!!!

I have a Princess Auto's motor bike carrier. It works but I still think it's better just to tow a trailer for a bigger bike (> 250cc).

I think GaryO sometimes carries a motor bike on a triple hitch.

Pedro uses a motorcycle trailer.

We sometimes carry our basket on the back, loaded with 200 pounds of firewood, but then we are also carrying camping stuff inside the van, does not affect driving /handling / revs / tach.


Christine.

I use a trailer because my V-strom is almost 475 pounds, the hitch rack would have far to much leverage on the suspension ,and I have the trailer anyway. But for a small dirt bike, it could work if you get a very good hitch well installed. Otherwise , it is far easier to pull a load than to carry it!!!

my 2 cent

thanks for all the info, i ended up loading my bike in the back of the van this time, but i'm looking into buying a trailer because i'm not allowed to do that again.

[quote][but i'm looking into buying a trailer because i'm not allowed to do that again./quote]
It's sometimes easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.

Right on!

If you do end up going for a rack that goes into a hitch, MAKE SURE you tell the hitch manufacture what your plans are, as its not just the weight of the bike, but any bouncing can add a serious increase in load on the mounting points. a trailer would be best.

I used one for my trials bike, it does work but it bounces a bit so i usually just load it inside. my bike only wieghs 155 lbs, I will weld up a better bracket to attach the hitch to the van, right now I am using the old bumper brackets welded to a reciever hitch.