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Old 09-08-2017, 03:24 AM   #1
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Flat tow a truck with motorcycles in the bed?

Just curious if anyone on here has flat towed a truck with motorcycles in the bed. We're buying a 2012 challenger 37kt and considering options for bringing two motorcycles and a vehicle with us. I've looked at the gmc canyon which can be dinghy towed and was wondering if it would be safe to flat tow with two motorcycles in the bed. The weight of the bikes combined is about 900 lbs. I'm just concerned that having the weight in the bed would make it tail heavy and unstable. Has anyone on here done something like this?

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Old 09-08-2017, 04:31 AM   #2
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My wife and I have a 2017 35SD that is rated for 10k towing. I tow a 2015 RAM Quad 5'7" bed with a 48 Volt electric golf cart in the back (approx. 900lbs) and 2 Hobie Mirage kayaks on top. This does not cause any issues when towing. I also at times have towed my 8.5x18 deck over trailer with 4 atvs without issue.
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Old 09-08-2017, 05:18 AM   #3
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Thanks RTinVA, part of my dilemma is the Chalanger only has a 5000 pound hitch which limits me to a smaller truck. With a full size truck I would be a lot more comfortable hauling the bikes. But, the shorter wheelbase on the small trucks puts the weight further back. Right now we're looking into a tandem tow dolly and a smaller tow vehicle. I'm going to look at the tow dolly tomorrow morning.
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Old 09-08-2017, 11:18 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by Hoofty View Post
Thanks RTinVA, part of my dilemma is the Chalanger only has a 5000 pound hitch which limits me to a smaller truck. With a full size truck I would be a lot more comfortable hauling the bikes. But, the shorter wheelbase on the small trucks puts the weight further back. Right now we're looking into a tandem tow dolly and a smaller tow vehicle. I'm going to look at the tow dolly tomorrow morning.
Pls check ur private messages!!! Thx, Dennis.
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Old 09-08-2017, 12:02 PM   #5
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Don't exceed your towing capacity. (or that pesky GCVW (?) number...
If you have a 5,000 pound towing capacity: you might just be out of luck.
Sorry...
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Old 09-08-2017, 01:55 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Hoofty View Post
Thanks RTinVA, part of my dilemma is the Chalanger only has a 5000 pound hitch which limits me to a smaller truck. With a full size truck I would be a lot more comfortable hauling the bikes. But, the shorter wheelbase on the small trucks puts the weight further back. Right now we're looking into a tandem tow dolly and a smaller tow vehicle. I'm going to look at the tow dolly tomorrow morning.
I had a tow dolly (Demco Kar Kaddy Car Tow Dolly SS with Surge Brakes). It wasn't cheap and was not a tandem but pulled very well. The tandem tow dolly is nice and I believe will be a nice option for you depending on the total weight. As indicated in other comments, stay within your tow ratings. It is when someone else creates a problem that the subject will be brought up.
Rich
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Old 09-08-2017, 02:22 PM   #7
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I'll keep it within the weight ratings. The combined weight of the dolly and bikes is right around 2k, which limits me to looking for a vehicle under the 3k mark. And if I go with the dolly I will have to go for a fwd. The newer challengers (2015 and up) have an 8000 pound hitch on the same engine, transmission, and chassis, and ive e-mailed Thor asking if it's possible and/or safe to upgrade the hitch, but haven't heard back yet. We don't load very much gear since we're not full timing and usually only go out for shorter trips. And I'll definitely hit the scales first time out regardless of how we decide what to tow.
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Old 09-08-2017, 02:34 PM   #8
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I really liked the idea of the truck with the bikes in the back, but have no idea how it would handle while being towed. The gmc canyon we looked at weighs right around 4100 lbs, and with the bikes in it, it would be right at the 5000 lb maximum. 900 lbs is well within the cargo capacity for the bed of the truck and because we live in montana, and whichever vehicle we choose will also be a daily driver, having the truck with 4x4 for the winters would be a nice bonus. But, I just don't know if it would ok to tow it like that.
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Old 09-08-2017, 02:53 PM   #9
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If you're within the limits: you're good to go!
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Old 09-08-2017, 05:23 PM   #10
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By the way... What kind of bikes are we talking about?
I'm all about "Wind Therapy"!
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Old 09-08-2017, 06:53 PM   #11
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Check your weights because even with a 5K hitch you may only have 4K of towing capacity (GCWR - GVWR). If your GVWR is 22K and the GCWR is 26K you only have 4K to tow unless you minimize cargo and passengers.
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Old 09-08-2017, 08:25 PM   #12
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I decided to err on the side of caution and go with the tandem tow dolly for now. Plus I got it for a great price. I'll be sure to keep it under the GCWR and check the axles independently. The bikes are both honda shadows, one 750, and one 600. I forget the exact wet weights, but they're around 504, and 420 lbs respectively. The tow dolly has a capacity of 1200lbs cargo + 5000 lbs car on an 8000lb axle. Now I just have to find a little fwd toad that the wife likes

Thanks again for your input everyone. I'll update once we've gone out for a trip or two.
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Old 09-08-2017, 08:49 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RTinVa View Post
My wife and I have a 2017 35SD that is rated for 10k towing. I tow a 2015 RAM Quad 5'7" bed with a 48 Volt electric golf cart in the back (approx. 900lbs) and 2 Hobie Mirage kayaks on top. This does not cause any issues when towing. I also at times have towed my 8.5x18 deck over trailer with 4 atvs without issue.

________

Hope that 35SD is working out for you, we are awaiting our 2018 Chateau 35SD it's still in assembly.

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Oklahoma City
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Old 09-08-2017, 10:44 PM   #14
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. The bikes are both honda shadows, one 750, and one 600. I forget the exact wet weights, but they're around 504, and 420 lbs respectively. .
Sweet choices!
My Missus won't pilot her own, so we just double-up!

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Old 09-08-2017, 10:49 PM   #15
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Those Spyders are really sweet, we've talked about possibly upgrading to one later down the line. What's the weight on that?
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Old 09-08-2017, 10:52 PM   #16
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They're not lightweights: the dry weight is about 1,150...
But they're more fun than picking on your kid sister; when nobody is looking!
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Old 10-10-2017, 07:25 PM   #17
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Smile

I plan to pull the bike at times in an enclosed trailer.
Haven't yet but everything is ready. I've been pulling it behind the truck for a while, now will behind the motorhome.
Hope there's not an issue with tracking. Never had any with the truck. I also pull a trailer behind the bike without any issues.
My scooter is around 800lbs.
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