Motorcycle carrier

I have a 2003 PC 2550 I’ve had it for a few years and love it.
I’m planning on putting on a carrier and a small motorcycle / scooter . The carrier (versahaul) weighs about 100 lbs and the motorcycle (Honda super cub) 240 lbs.
Looking to see if anyone is doing this or has done this and how does the coach handle , and any other mods.
Thanks

Hi JB,

Welcome to the PC forum!

I have never tried what you are thinking of, but consider this.

Your 2003 2550 with a rear slide out is built on an E350 chassis and is already tail-heavy.  Adding 340 pounds cantilevered behind your rear bumper could set your rear end dragging.  If that ends up happening, consider installing rear suspension air bags to bring your rig back level.  You also should weigh each axle, and adjust your tire pressure accordingly.  An extra 340 pounds placed so far behind the rear axle is like adding an extra 700 to 1000 pounds of weight on your 4 rear tires.  Making the situation even more complex is the effect on the front axle, making it lighter which will affect your wheel alignment.

You might do okay, but just be mindful of possible complications.

Ron , thanks for the reply.
I am having the hitch and all the connections  inspected,  and getting info and quote on air bags

I haul my Yamaha XT250 (wt. approx. 300lbs) and my wife's bicycle (30 lbs) on a hitch rack (similar to your Versahauler) on the back of my 2350 and I find it handles no differently than without them. I do have air bags. Given that the grey, black and fresh water tanks are in the rear and when full would add at least 700lbs, I'd be surprised if you felt the moto added weight that negatively impacted handling. OTOH, the rack does add length behind the rear axle and you need to be cautious of scraping it on pavement transitions (e.g., street to driveway).

There is another thing you should know.  The E350 model year 2007 and older did not include any type of rear stabilizer bar from Ford, so you lack one unless installed by a previous owner.  Inspect for an aftermarket bar installed.  If you don't have one, it would be wise to install a Helwig or Roadmaster heavy duty version.  And since your front stabilizer bar is severely under-rated and likely has worn end-bushings, I would upgrade that one.  Adding both front and rear heavy duty stabilizer bars that lack them (especially if you have no rear bar today) would be noticed and greatly appreciated thereafter.

I have a 2003 PC 2550 I’ve had it for a few years and love it.
I’m planning on putting on a carrier and a small motorcycle / scooter . The carrier (versahaul) weighs about 100 lbs and the motorcycle (Honda super cub) 240 lbs.
Looking to see if anyone is doing this or has done this and how does the coach handle , and any other mods.
Thanks

I'm going to do the same since its risky to use Uber now. But it'll be a vintage Kawasaki Trail Boss, weighing in at only 185 lbs. Is your Honda an original Flying Nun  or the retro  re-release?

I also have a Yamaha XT250 that I carry on the back of my 2005 2351. The XT is a perfect light bike for the 2351. I added side and top metal storage, GPS and front bars.

I modified a http://www.magnetatrailers.com/receiverhitchaccessories/dirtbikescootercaddy.html I love the carrier because I can lower it to the ground which eliminates the danger of dropping the bike while putting/strapping it into the carrier. But I had two problems: the weight lowered the back of the 2351 on steep driveways so that the carrier dragged and the side to side rock of the carried was worry some on poor roads. I did solve both of those problems. The unit has been driven 1,000's of miles with the carrier.

I hate airbags which can cause more problems then they are worth.
1. I added Sumo Springs and Bilstein shocks
2. Welded stabilization outriggers supports on the carrier to the OEM bumper and use 1" receivers to connect them when the carrier is in it's highest position.
3. Welded steel roller wheels to both sides of the OEM bumper hitch
4. Welded a steel tube from frame to OEM bumper hitch to increase the receiver stability.
5. Welded a skid pad to protect the plumbing.

I don't have a picture with the actual bike on the carrier but here are some of my mods.

I also rewired all my rear lighting with LED and repositioned the 7 way connector. I did not like the OEM wiring and position of the plug.

I hope it’s OK to reply to all in one post, all are great info and thanks for the replies

 Ron , I’ll check on the stabilizer bars

CalCruiser , it’s a 2020 retro release

Zolman , I like you’re mods especially the added receivers for stabilization . I may copy some of them

 

I love those stabilizations too.  Nice work there zolman.

My brother did something quite makeshift for his Starflyte motor home.  He bought THIS HITCH EXTENDER WITH STEP FROM HARBOR FREIGHT, bolted a full width 2x12 pressure treated plank on it, stabilized the ends of the plank to his steel rear bumper with strong "L" brackets, then mounted Rubbermaid storage containers on the plank using lag bolts with huge washers.  He uses bungee cords to keep the lids on the containers some how.  Then he mounts his bike rack to the extender.  He says it works great.

I kid him that his 20 foot motor home is now longer than our PC-2350, but it has only a 138" wheel base.  Imagine what that looks like.  His rear swing is huge.

Loved the plumbing skid bar, JB!  Would have saved me a lot of grief at a certain gas station in Michigan a few years ago!

I looked into carrying a scooter several years ago.  When I did the math on how the weight that far back effected the weight limits on my 2350, I found that I was only OK so long as all the tanks were empty.  Obviously, the 2550 is a different animal, but it might be something to look into.  It's not as simple as adding up the weights. You have to consider the distance of the weight, due to the leverage effect.  400 pounds 18" past the bumper exerts more than 400 pounds on the rear axle.