Dirt Bike Carrier
May 10, 2006
I had stumbled across a page on the Draw-Tite hitches website that showed a dirt bike carrier that attached to your existing class III/IV receiver. I figured that they wanted too much money for it...and that I could use my miserable welding skills to make one of my own.
I managed to complete it today....all it needs is a little paint....pictures as follows:
Below is the pile of steel that would become the carrier....I bought enough to make two carriers capable of carrying two bikes each. My brother wants one too....so I will be busy for a while. On the right is my 2001 KX 250....the intended passenger for my carrier.
The first step was to drill a 5/8" hole in the square tubing for the pin to secure it into the receiver. I allowed 5" for the receiver, my bike is 34" across the handlebars...so the midpoint [of the bike] was 17"; I brought that out another 3" for clearance....so the "T" is 20" out from the receiver. I left another 5" after the "T" so that I will have something to attach the second bike carrier to.
I like to grind my welds down smooth where possible. It allows me to see [and fix] any flaws, and it just looks better. I added some 2" flat-bar to the joints for additional strength. The ends of the "T" are drilled for the tie-downs. The "T" is 20" across the top....I should have made it a little longer to get a better angle. I will probably fix this in the next few days.
I custom-build the tray out of 2" angle iron, measured specifically for my KX. I also added a couple of pieces to the bottom to stop any side movement. I used 3/8" solid rod to make the tire holder. I used a gate-hinge for the pivot, and I located the pivot as close to the balance point as I could get.
Below is the [almost] finished carrier. It still needs some grinding and paint to make it pretty, but it is now completely functional. I also built a removable extension out of angle iron so that I don't have to push my bike up a steep incline [especially when I use my Bronco to carry it].
Below are some detail pix of the tie-downs and the chains I use as a safety back-up. I will also tie the back tire into the tray to keep it from bouncing out.
The next step is clean-up, paint, and to start putting it to use.
Update: July 31st, 2006
So...a few months have come and gone and I have used the carrier perhaps a dozen times. I am very pleased with it. The following are some recent pictures:
I use a locking pin to keep the less-than-determined thieves from walking away with my creation. I know that if someone really wants my carrier...this little lock won't be much of a deterrent....but it should stop the opportunistic thief.
Below are a few detail pictures; the first shows the extensions that I added to the tie-down points. This modification has made the bike far more stable without having to crank down too hard on the suspension. The second shot shows the tabs that I added to the extension ramp. This has made the ramp far more secure for ease of loading; and the third shot is the bottom of the carrier showing how the extension ramp slots into the carrier tray.
The shots below show how the bike is held securely into the carrier. The safety chains will grab tight if the nylon straps happen to slip. A slipped strap in a trailer will rarely result in your bike bouncing off the pavement....with a hitch carrier, this is a real possibility without a backup for the straps.
The following shots show the carrier as I loaded up the bike.
The carrier weighs about 50 lbs, and is very easy to use. Loading the bike compressed the van's suspension by about an inch, and when driving you can hardly tell that the bike is there. The bike rides very stable and is very secure. My material cost was under $60 for what you see and the construction took a full day.
If you have access to a welder, chop-saw, grinder, and a drill-press....I would recommend making one yourself if this would suit your needs better than a trailer.