I can't recommend a hitch mounted carrier. They put a lot of stress on the hitch and the carrier. That's because they are at the very back end of the vehicle, and even a small bump can cause the weight to go up, then come down with way more force than the rated tongue weight of the hitch. I remember when I was a kid riding in the back seat of a school bus. Every time the bus hit a bump, we would get thrown off the seat. That did not happen if you were closer to the middle of the bus. I recommend a low, single rail trailer. You can push the bike up on the rail and tie it down. I used to could push an XT sized bike up a ramp into the back of a truck, but that was a long time ago. There used to be a company that made a very small trailer called a "Trailer in a Bag" It could be disassembled and literally fit in the trunk of a car. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=WaWWKSmpZYE&feature=emb_logo While the original company went out of business a few years ago, I understand that a new company has resumed building these. They are not cheap, but for me they would be my only option.

Thanks everyone - appreciate the suggestions. Will keep you posted. I found a local fabricator who is helping with a new design. Much easier to install/remove.

JP

Latest design concept. Meeting with fabricator later this week to firm-up the design and start welding.



Note - this is not intended for use with a large cruiser bike.

Another 2 cents in the pond.. I mounted a smaller 2500 lb Badlands winch in the bed of my 3/4 ton long bed HD Dodge Ram. Use it to pull heavy loads up a couple of portable ramps. Bolted it through the bed just below the tool box immediately behind the rear of the cab. It's out of the way but always available. It works well and hasn't balked at anything I've asked of it. If I ever remove it I'll plug the holes and the truck bed will be no worse for wear..

of a related note (as in being able to load heavy bikes into a pickup by yourself), do you think a liftgate could be used?

one way would be to park the bike on the liftgate lengthwise and muscle it 90 degrees to roll into the bed once lifted but, i've thought about modifying a ramp so it could hook or somehow attach to the edge of the liftgate closest to the bed and cantilever the end of the bike beyond the rear edge of the liftgate.

i've been wanting to add a truck to the fleet and sometimes see used pickups with liftgates on my local craiglist.

Sneek peek - I am picking up the unit this evening. My buddy Alex is doin some quality work!




and another view




JP

Looking good. Anxious to see how it mounts in your truck..

Cool.

Mounted. Installed very easily. This was at the shop for a trial fit. No those straps will not be what I use. Buying a set of quality 1 1/2 to 2-inch wide straps rated for 1,000 lbs each.

I took the mount home to add felt pads to all of the touch points. Next up - rewinding the winch cable and a test to load the bike.

Did a few - use all my body weight and press with my legs to pull that winch mount - didn't budge! I expect it will be able to pull a KTM790 (buddies new bike) with ease. That bad boy weighs 416 lbs wet. And truth be told I am window shopping for a new bike. Husky 701 Enduro is on the short list.



JP

Looks like problem solved, good deal.