I bought a cheapie from Pep Boys, and wasn't very happy with it. The main rail is two pieces that are braced together, but no matter how tight you make it, the two pieces sag and it looks like crap. I successfully used it on some long trips, but when a Versahaul came up on CL for $100, I ju,ped on it. Much stronger. Important tip--do not leave it on your vehicle when done using it. I was lazy and left it on my Jeep for a few days after a ride, and my wife couldn't see it when pulling her car out of her parking space. This resulted in broken molding and a gouged wheel on our Subie, and a bent stinger on my cheapie hauler.
It looks like they redesigned some things. My vertical post has a wimpy tang that does not secure the vert arm well. I may get some flat stock and do what they did. I like my anti wobble better than the one they have now. Mine goes all the way through and has a cotter just in case things loosen up. I like the peg idea but I can see how it would be a little harder by myself. The wheel holder also looks nice but I don't think it is necessary.
Does anyone have experience with these things on dirt and gravel access roads? I've used them on highway roads plenty but have zero experience with one on, say, a 10 mile road with washboards.
Blake rally cars backroads with his in full powerslides. He is crazy but never seen him loose the bike.
I have had mine on some pretty rough roads - very solid / secure, but depending on the type / brand, the ground clearance can be a restriction. My VersaHaul is level with the rear hitch carrier and I have scraped the bottom of it plenty of times, some brands are raised a bit and would provide better clearance.
I've got a cheap generic hauler. It was in two sections as dfeckel mentioned. I bought some 1/8" 1x2 and angle iron and built a whole new ramp for it. Still was under $150 total. It's been rock solid. The only thing I'm ever concerned about is how my class IV hitch mounts to the trucks frame. If I'm paranoid I strap the bike to the carrier, and also back to the truck. I've got a cable to connect the receiver to the carrier as a failsafe if the hitch pin ever fails. I find it hard to get used to seeing your bike dangling in your rear view while you drive 60 mph down the highway. I only have to drive 1km or so on gravel roads/washboard to the local riding spot. It doesn't worry me. I think inspecting all your mounting locations regularly is never a bad idea.
I would also consider making sure the bike is insured. I specifically inquired about hauling my bike on the carrier with my insurance agent to make sure I was covered just to be safe.
I just bought a Moto Tote with the light Kit....Used it twice but bought a Versa Haul that allows you to tow directly behind it. If anyone is interested I am selling the Moto Tote $300.00
Bought one at harbor freight for under $100 few weeks ago. Made few shot trips to test it out and one 300+ mile trip. Had no issues at all. And for $100 it rules.
I took the rail from an old bike trailer, mounted it on a hitch extension, added a Bike Shoe to replace the tie downs and added stabilizer bars in the unit I built. This allowed me to mount the unit closer to the rear bumper of the truck and also keeps the bike very steady even for very long trips. I have used it for 3 years now and have taken trips with the bike on it of over 700 miles. Never one issue. Total cost of building one of my own was about $37 plus the old parts I had on hand. Now it is heavy as compared to the ones on the shielf, but it is much stronger as well. It weighs about 85 lbs. Paw Paw
The Ultimate MX Hauler: is very secure, and easy to use. I like that the suspension is not loaded, and you can jack the bike up with a small handle pump. http://www.ultimatemxhauler.com
I just bought one from Walmart for $129. It's decent. I don't know if I would go very fast on dirt roads, but to do the 1 hour trip up to some of the OHVs in the area, it's fine. A lot better than loading the bike into the bed of my lifted truck. I like the idea of extending the ramp to get lessen angle a bit. Since the truck is lifted, so is the hitch.
Sorry to bring up an old topic, l have one of those versahauler's and managed to twist the bloody thing, can excessive tie down force cause this in conjunction with the swaying of the unit when driving? I managed to twist the thing straight again and adjust my straps and also connected a secondary strap from the handle bar to the hitch to stop the bike from falling backwards which, l think was the cause as the bike was leaning slightly backwards when l originally tied it up. (can post a pic later)
http://www.joehauler.com/ repost I think.....Made in USA built by Baja race Vet and metal fab expert Joe Derosiers in North County San Diego.
