Will I Have A Clearance Problem Loading Into a Toy Hauler?

[FlyingChief]

Getting very close to buying a late-model (2012-current) GL1800 trike with a Roadsmith conversion. We will want to take the trike with us when we travel in our Raptor toyhauler. There are two problem areas for clearance with 2-wheelers: scraping the back of the bike/mufflers at the bottom of the ramp and hitting the frame (high-center) at the point that the ramp transitions to the floor of the TH. Given the longer wheelbase of the RS, am I heading for trouble?

I'm looking for actual experience from anyone who is loading an RS into a toy hauler. Will I have clearance problems at the bottom of the ramp or at the top of the ramp? With or without the running boards?

Thanks!

 

[cavie]

It all depends on the height of the toy hauler and the length of the ramp. You may need an extension of shorts to make the ramp longer to raise the angle of the ramp. Every hauler will be different. Think short extension ramp to get onto the hauler ramp. I have to jack the nose of my trailer up to lessen the hump at the entrance of the trailer.

 

[brianl]

ramps

I have a 97 wing with a Roadsmith kit. I couldn't load it onto my landscape trailer (4'-0" ramp) without bottoming out. I tried all the tricks like jacking up the front of the trailer etc. I bought a set of 3 curved ramps, 9'-0" long and it works great. You can check them out at http://www.discountramps.com/big-boy-trike-ramp/p/MF3-AMR/ That's me loading up in the picture.

- - - Updated - - -

P.S. They come apart and fold up and should fit easily into your trailer.

 

[GrandpaDave]

Hi,
I don't have the RS kit, mine is a Champion and it has about 3" of ground clearance. When I load it into my toy hauler 5th wheel this is what I have to do to keep the trike from dragging and the mufflers from digging in when I unload. The extra ramps are 4' long. I'm planning on attaching a hinged 5' long x 6' wide extension to the top of the ramp door that I can just flip out this spring to make it a simple process instead of carrying the three ramps.

Here's a picture of the trike and the camper set up to load / unload the trike. Hope it is helpful.

 

[TW]

Ramps

Are the 3 runners made of wood ( 1x8 Etc ) or metal? I am About to pick up my Valkyrie RS trike. I will pick trike up with utility trailer with dove tail and 3 ft ramp . Didn't think about high center. May be a problem.

Thanks in advance
Elliott

 

[mgwtrike]

Getting very close to buying a late-model (2012-current) GL1800 trike with a Roadsmith conversion. We will want to take the trike with us when we travel in our Raptor toyhauler. There are two problem areas for clearance with 2-wheelers: scraping the back of the bike/mufflers at the bottom of the ramp and hitting the frame (high-center) at the point that the ramp transitions to the floor of the TH. Given the longer wheelbase of the RS, am I heading for trouble?

I'm looking for actual experience from anyone who is loading an RS into a toy hauler. Will I have clearance problems at the bottom of the ramp or at the top of the ramp? With or without the running boards?

Thanks!

Would it be possible to take your Raptor toyhauler to a Honda dealer or a Roadsmith conversion center
and try a Roadsmith conversion unit and see what you need to do for clearance?

 

[GrandpaDave]

Are the 3 runners made of wood ( 1x8 Etc ) or metal? I am About to pick up my Valkyrie RS trike. I will pick trike up with utility trailer with dove tail and 3 ft ramp . Didn't think about high center. May be a problem.

Thanks in advance
Elliott

Elliott,
The runners are 48" 2 X 10 material with an aluminum lip type end on them.

Dave

 

[Rick Kay]

Grandpa Dave has a nice setup! I do something very similar, but I don't use the center board, which gives me a little more room for the exhaust tips. I generally have to take the tongue jack all the way up, also, which makes all the difference with clearance issues.

Dave, was your photo taken at the KOA in the Ocala National Forest? They have identical RV hookups.

 

[TW]

Runners

Elliott,
The runners are 48" 2 X 10 material with an aluminum lip type end on them.

Dave

Thanks for the info. Brought my new trike home yesterday and had a little clearance problem. I may try your way, seems effective and simple enough.
Thanks again
Elliott
TW