Hauling a small motorcycle on Mesa tongue?

AuthorMessageMJ_mesa

Can't Back-up Straight

Joined: Aug 19, 2003

Posts: 5

Location: Scappoose Oregon

Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 11:30 am   Post subject: Hauling a small motorcycle on Mesa tongue?

I built a receiver hitch motorcycle carrier for the back of my SUV. It’s a 4” steel channel bolted to an extra long receiver tube. Now I know (from this site), it is not safe to mount a receiver on the back of an Apache, but I have another idea. If I temporarily store the propane tank somewhere else and bolt the channel on the tongue, can I haul 200 lbs up there? The bike is a small Yamaha MX100, it’s short so I don’t think turning radius will be affected much. Seems like 350lb is about max for storage weight of an Apache Mesa, but this is tongue weight and not all the weight should be axle weight. I also have a cool idea of how to mount a bicycle receiver carrier on the tongue that will (should) work great. It’s in the sketch/drawing stage until early spring projects start up. So my question is, am I nuts for trying/thinking this? I guess the best answer is: “get a truck”. Thanks. MJ

timsch

Apache Master

Joined: Apr 20, 2003

Posts: 696

Location: Auburn Hills, MI

Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 11:39 am   Post subject:

I thought of this also and did the math as to the area available for mounting bikes in the same spot and it just did no come out correctly for this use. I figured for three bikes with the tanks still on. Couldnt see moving everthing every trip just for the bikes. It did'nt work for me but in your situation it may be the perfect fit.

DDLTEXAN

Ole' Elmer Like

Joined: Jul 23, 2003

Posts: 775

Location: Keene, Texas (Fort Worth Area)

Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 11:52 am   Post subject: Re: Hauling a small motorcycle on Mesa tongue?

MJ_mesa wrote:I built a receiver hitch motorcycle carrier for the back of my SUV. It’s a 4” steel channel bolted to an extra long receiver tube. Now I know (from this site), it is not safe to mount a receiver on the back of an Apache, but I have another idea. If I temporarily store the propane tank somewhere else and bolt the channel on the tongue, can I haul 200 lbs up there? The bike is a small Yamaha MX100, it’s short so I don’t think turning radius will be affected much. Seems like 350lb is about max for storage weight of an Apache Mesa, but this is tongue weight and not all the weight should be axle weight. I also have a cool idea of how to mount a bicycle receiver carrier on the tongue that will (should) work great. It’s in the sketch/drawing stage until early spring projects start up. So my question is, am I nuts for trying/thinking this? I guess the best answer is: “get a truck”.

Thanks.

MJ

I haul about 200 pounds of firewood in a double wall cardboard box between the tanks and the bezel on my Ramada and it handles fine. I think it should work for you.

_________________

Alan