This is an offshoot from SpinalGuy's receiver thread, but it started to go sideways, so I moved it to its own thread (the topic, not the receiver!!)

Anyways, I was inspired by
Dr.Tom's receiver thread with a bike hauler on his receiver, to try to find a way to haul my KLR650 on the back of my truck, so I've just come back from Princess Auto, with a little box in the back.

It is exactly like this one, from Northern Tool and Equipment . And it was only $129.99.

I put it together (just hand tightened for now) this afternoon, and its currently sitting in the receiver. Seems like it might do the trick. Just wondering what the best way is to tie the big K down? I was thinking a ratchet strap to each bar, and to the rack on the back, plus a strap going from each "wing" of the hauler back to the flat factory tie downs, under the rear bumper. Should I remove the spare tire? Should I put a strap around the tires?

Sure does stick a long ways back... I am a bit paranoid about the leverage on that hitch...

Hey Phil, I don't have one yet, but these are the best m/c transport straps ever: http://www.canyondancer.com/

Thanks Ed. I've seen those before, but am reluctant to buy them since I'll eventually have "real" barkbusters, which attach at the end of the bar and go across where the handguards are now...

In any event, I finished putting the carrier together today, and convinced my wife to help me put the bike on and off, TWICE! What a great family day project!

The first time I put the bike on, there was a fair amount of leverage on the main bar...



It was also very close to the spare, meaning that it had to sit at a slight angle...



Here's a close-up of the main bar; initially, I wasn't very comfortable with the droop... (yes, I added LOTS of reflective tape all around...)



I wondered how it would be if I could cut two inches or so off the main bar... Did some measuring, test-fitting, and discovered that with the bar in its "OE" position, there was still space on the inside of the receiver. So I pushed it all the way in, and marked the difference. 2 inches!

This pic shows original mounting position, and how much room there is to push it in (all I'd have to do is drill a new hole for the pin). Plus it would be sitting further back in the receiver, which again would be theoretically less leverage, since more of the bar would be sleeved inside the reciever...



The spare was the limiting factor though - the bike was leaning out from it, as it was. So, I pulled the spare...and then convinced wifey to help me push the heavy beast back up again...



Much better! A lot less lever action on the main bar...



...and no need to lean away from the truck to clear the spare. The engine guard does touch the spare mount, so before strapping it, I'll probably have to put some padding in between, but it definitely inspires more confidence on the test fit...



Oh, here's a pic with the bar pushed in all the way (no hole drilled yet, but I'm thinking this is the way to go)...



Straps still need to be worked out, hole drilled in bar, and more air in the rear tires, along with my airbags in the coils, but what do you guys think? Would you trust it?

Hitch mounts with four bolts on the frame, plus four more behind the tow point, in the center. Rated for 500lbs. Carrier is rated for 500lbs in stock position, so I'd imagine moving it in slightly would only improve the safety factor. The bike is 420lbs, with a full tank of fuel. I'd probably add a strap to each outrigger, which lines up nicely with the flat factory tie downs, to reduce side-to-side movement. Maybe even a strap around the bike and through the spare tire holder. Obviously I'd strap the back wheel, and the bars down to their proper place.

I think its going to be a keeper. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> But opinions are always welcome!

Looks pretty cool! You should mount one on the front for the wifey! I was expecting to see a dog carrier on the back of your bike for Mitsu. Where does he ride?

I noticed in the one close up photo of the droop that it looked like there was a gap between the outer part of the hitch assembly and the frame. Are the bolts under there torqued? I'm wondering if you loosen of the bumper mounting bolts then tighten up the frame bolts, then re-tighten the ones on the bumper the hitch itself would sit more level. Or maybe I'm seeing things?

I've never tied down anything as heavy as your bike but I've tied down plenty of duel suspension mountain bikes. You may want to run tied downs up to the bars and use them to suck down the suspension. This will keep more tension on the tie downs and it should ride a little better without moving around. Otherwise when you hit a big bump the bikes suspension may compress taking tensions off the tie downs.

Well I guess we don't need to haul your bike to the dealer in the Frontier anymore?

Cheers
Maurie

Buddy!

Definitely remove the spare tire. You have plenty of room on the inside to tie it down somewhere.

Here's an idea. Take a heavy duty tunbuckle and use it to tie the bike carrier to the tow strap loop above the hitch. That will allow you to take some of hte load and redistribute it a bit.

Hey Phil,
usually you can set that ramp up so the bike sits opposite direction. It will than clear the spare tire. That is what i did.
As for straps, copy the idea on min e or i have a heavy duty bike rack that we built and it has tie downs on the front by using a t off the front welded on with a loop on each side to tie down to.
i will look for pics.
Tom

here ya go.