I bought a 60" x 20" hitch carrier did some work to make it fit my car and haul my mini.
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I have those same steel ramps, and at present a freebie, but too-large hitch carrier. Making mods this winter. Had wondered about holding the tires in place, then saw what you did here... that's a great idea, slice up an extra ramp and use the pieces upside down.
It looks great and solves that. Quick question if you don't mind:
Are you temporarily fastening the ramp tongue to the carrier, or is that just friction holding it?
I plan to have mine ready for a drive to Michigan in general next spring, hoping to buy a Boonie or a Heald VT or something big-tired like that, then use it again for the ride to Windber 2014.
Jon
It looks great and solves that. Quick question if you don't mind:
Are you temporarily fastening the ramp tongue to the carrier, or is that just friction holding it?
I plan to have mine ready for a drive to Michigan in general next spring, hoping to buy a Boonie or a Heald VT or something big-tired like that, then use it again for the ride to Windber 2014.
Jon
Not sure what you mean ....
The carrier to the tongue that inserts into the hitch receiver is one piece.
I cut and welded the angled riser in there to give me more height so the carrier wouldn't touch down.
I also welded and surface ground .035 to 2 sides of the tongue to make a tighter fit.
A standard hitch pin holds the carrier to the hitch.
The carrier to the tongue that inserts into the hitch receiver is one piece.
I cut and welded the angled riser in there to give me more height so the carrier wouldn't touch down.
I also welded and surface ground .035 to 2 sides of the tongue to make a tighter fit.
A standard hitch pin holds the carrier to the hitch.
I checked several states DMV websites to see what the rules are for license plate location placement. Each state has its own version, but they pretty much cover the same set of rules.
License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and so that the characters are upright and display from left to right, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground. Some states also indicated that the plate could not be more then 24 inches from the center of the vehicle.
I would say that if you secure your hitch carrier to the vehicle and lock it, it would become a permanent extension of that vehicle. That said, if you mount a license bracket to the rear center of the hitch carrier, you would be in compliance with the laws in each state.
Hope my two cents helped out.
License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and so that the characters are upright and display from left to right, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground. Some states also indicated that the plate could not be more then 24 inches from the center of the vehicle.
I would say that if you secure your hitch carrier to the vehicle and lock it, it would become a permanent extension of that vehicle. That said, if you mount a license bracket to the rear center of the hitch carrier, you would be in compliance with the laws in each state.
Hope my two cents helped out.
I'll put in my 2cents.
1st) Love the carrier and loading system.LOOKS SWEET....
Problem also, is your taillights are covered, ( RH side ) I'd install lights on the carrier and use your trailer wireing.
Plate issue, I would not velcro anything. To easy to steel your plate.
Put a plate hanger bracket on the back of the carrier and move the plate.
Ps. use a pad-locking pin on the hitch, or one time you'll come out to find the carrier/bike missing.
Just some ideas
Wild Goose nailed it before my post, lol
1st) Love the carrier and loading system.LOOKS SWEET....
Problem also, is your taillights are covered, ( RH side ) I'd install lights on the carrier and use your trailer wireing.
Plate issue, I would not velcro anything. To easy to steel your plate.
Put a plate hanger bracket on the back of the carrier and move the plate.
Ps. use a pad-locking pin on the hitch, or one time you'll come out to find the carrier/bike missing.
Just some ideas
Wild Goose nailed it before my post, lol
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Thank you for answering, but I goofed using the word "tongue".
I was wondering about the loading ramp-to-carrier connection.
My loading ramp has a thick steel plate "tongue" or "tip" designed to lay on a trailer or pickup truck during loading. On slick surfaces, the ramp tends to squirt backwards, for example when loading a bike and using power (throttle) to get it on the trailer.
I was wondering if your ramp is fastened to the carrier, to prevent the ramp from detaching during loading.
Jon
I was wondering about the loading ramp-to-carrier connection.
My loading ramp has a thick steel plate "tongue" or "tip" designed to lay on a trailer or pickup truck during loading. On slick surfaces, the ramp tends to squirt backwards, for example when loading a bike and using power (throttle) to get it on the trailer.
I was wondering if your ramp is fastened to the carrier, to prevent the ramp from detaching during loading.
Jon
These hitch haulers work great for minibikes.
I've been using one for years and have been hauling everything from minibikes to snowblowers, lawn mowers, wash machines, bodies....oops scratch that last one:no:
I've never had any issues with police. I have been pulled over while hauling a minibike on the rack, but they never questioned it. I'm thinking about getting a hitch installed on the front of my jeep so I can haul stuff up front too.......I just need to buy a truck:doah:
I've been using one for years and have been hauling everything from minibikes to snowblowers, lawn mowers, wash machines, bodies....oops scratch that last one:no:
I've never had any issues with police. I have been pulled over while hauling a minibike on the rack, but they never questioned it. I'm thinking about getting a hitch installed on the front of my jeep so I can haul stuff up front too.......I just need to buy a truck:doah:
My 1998 Jeep ZJ is being retired, and the carrier fit it nicely. Two hefty turnbuckles fit between the safety chain loops on the hitch and the carrier, removing all the side-to-side play.
Slight carrier mods are needed to fit my new Grand Marquis, plus I like the idea of mounting a license plate frame centered on the carrier. Thank you Wild Goose for looking into it, that was a good 2 cents worth!
I already have a set of trailer lights mounted on the carrier in case something blocks the view. The ZJ's lights are much closer together than the MGM.
Plan is to make the ramp lock on to the carrier somewhere (used to be I'd toss it in the back of the ZJ).
Thank you all for the great answers!
Slight carrier mods are needed to fit my new Grand Marquis, plus I like the idea of mounting a license plate frame centered on the carrier. Thank you Wild Goose for looking into it, that was a good 2 cents worth!
I already have a set of trailer lights mounted on the carrier in case something blocks the view. The ZJ's lights are much closer together than the MGM.
Plan is to make the ramp lock on to the carrier somewhere (used to be I'd toss it in the back of the ZJ).
Thank you all for the great answers!
Inventorpardue: Here is the pic ... kinda blurry tho ...
View attachment 58328
MikeBear: The carrier is a 2" class III, the hitch receiver is a 1-1/4" class II, I used the adapter and welded a 2" x 3" piece if tube to give added height needed to keep the carrier from scraping the ground going up my driveway. Here is a pic:
View attachment 58329
I would like to take credit for this design but my inspiration came from this:
Page Title Xtreme Mini Racers Store
I had the ramps but harbor freight sells them for $60 and you can always find a 25% off coupon.
The carrier is new from Auto Zone, part # 1040300. It came with the carrier, 2" to 1-1/4" adapter, 2 hitch pins and assembly hardware. $78 and some change taxed out the door.
I took it to work and added some tube to strengthen it where I will attach the tie downs to. A piece of 1' x 1" angle iron was added where the cutout for the loading ramp is on one end.
The carrier loads from the "sidewalk" side.
Thanks for the plate and lights info.
Now I wont have to bug BeeKeeper to come pick me up.
"Have mini bike, will travel!
View attachment 58328
MikeBear: The carrier is a 2" class III, the hitch receiver is a 1-1/4" class II, I used the adapter and welded a 2" x 3" piece if tube to give added height needed to keep the carrier from scraping the ground going up my driveway. Here is a pic:
View attachment 58329
I would like to take credit for this design but my inspiration came from this:
Page Title Xtreme Mini Racers Store
I had the ramps but harbor freight sells them for $60 and you can always find a 25% off coupon.
The carrier is new from Auto Zone, part # 1040300. It came with the carrier, 2" to 1-1/4" adapter, 2 hitch pins and assembly hardware. $78 and some change taxed out the door.
I took it to work and added some tube to strengthen it where I will attach the tie downs to. A piece of 1' x 1" angle iron was added where the cutout for the loading ramp is on one end.
The carrier loads from the "sidewalk" side.
Thanks for the plate and lights info.
Now I wont have to bug BeeKeeper to come pick me up.
"Have mini bike, will travel!