Hey guys I have a question about how to haul the bike, hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.

I used to load it up in the back of my bed of the pickup and tie it down, however I recently purchased a roof top tent that sits on top of the bed so now the bed is used for storage only for longer excursions. My rear bumper has a 2" reciever tube however I have a spare tire and extra gas on the back so I don't think a standard hitch mount will be long enough to clear it. Can I just get a receiver tube and weld a weld a 2x2 square tube to one end, essentially extending the receiver hitch a foot or so? Do you think there will be strength issues if I extend the tubing or is there a better way to go about it?
Here's the site I found that sells hitches as well as reciever tubes.

Receiver Tubing | CURT Manufacturing

Here's the back of my truck for a visual of what I'm talking about, it needs to be extended approximately the width of the tire I suppose



The main reason I ask, is that I just got back from Moab last week and I want to go next year and bring the bike, I've got the addiction now

 

I have a receiver mount rack and even snugged up to the truck it still has a little sway. I would be concerned about extending it and having too much flex. Perhaps someone else will chime in who has done it.

 

extending will definitely comprise the strength, and add more weight and stress to the hitch and extension....too dangerous...

 

I wonder if I made the tube out of solid stock instead of hollow tubing that might suffice? I could also gusset it and make triangle mounts wings that mount to the recovery points on the back of the bumper to stabilize it. Or maybe I'm just out of luck

 

Extending a bumper hitch device usually challenges the mounting bolts and hardware where it attaches to the vehicle frame or other points. I see this sometimes on some of those huge, heavy, four-bike bicycle carriers with 4 heavy bikes attached...the kind that allow you to leave the front wheel attached and have a tray for the bike to sit in. Sometimes these hitch carriers exert a lot more force on the mounting hardware than towing a trailer ever would. I don't think your problem would the extension material unless you went way to wimpy. I think your problem would start at the hitch or bumper's mounting points and hardware.

Edit: I'd also ask how your receiver bumper is attached to your truck. Some of them I've seen are actually attached like a heavy duty receiver hitch instead of at the bumper mounts. Most, however, are just attached to the factory bumper mounts. These vary a lot in their rated strength. Did I miss the number that yours is rated at?

 

I'd check in with a professional hitch shop. We have one in town here and that's about all they do and they know their stuff. Since there are carriers made to handle two motorcycles, I'd think one bike on a longer stinger is do-able provided the receiver is adequate.

 

I re-drilled the holes on mine to bring it as close to my bumper as possible! My foot peg is about an inch fron the bumper cover now.

I would *NOT* trust a lengthened tube, solid or otherwise. Can you move the gas and spare somewhere else when you're carrying a bike?? That's what I'd be inclined to do...

 

That's a good idea, I never thought about that.

 

I think the weak point will be your receiver, basically what TNC is saying. You could build the rack strong enough, but being extended it will have much more leverage on the receiver. I have often wondered about the leverage. Tongue weight from a trailer, as hitches are rated, is just a linear downward force. These hitch haulers cause one sided twisting force, that I think is more severe. ??
I use one but i keep an eye on the welds on my receiver.
Dan

 

Years ago I used to carry a 200# yz125 on the back of a station wagon. I can tell you the extra weight on the back made the front wheels feel like they were skating. It was too scary to drive fast. I would look for a front wheel carrier,where the rear tire rolls on the road. You just have to unhook the chain from the rear sprocket when towing.
good luck
marc