Motorcycle Carrier

[vw bry]

As anyone found a motorcycle carrier which will carry a larger motorcycle which fits a T25 Camper, I'm talking of a motorcycle weighing 195kg. I went to the Classic TT at the Isle of Man last year with my Campervan and missed the fact I had to leave my motorcycle at home, but while I was over there some of the German visitors had carriers fitted to their Campers (a VW T4, and couple of T5s). I took note of the carriers so I could look on the Internet when I got home, one was Reimo but I can't find anything available in the UK.

[kernewek]

At a guess I imagine you'd be pushing the limits with a bike as heavy as that behind a T3. I carry an 80kg Fantic twinshock on the back of my T4 and it's already close to the legal nose weight limit. I'd be glad to learn otherwise as I'd resigned myself to pulling a trailer behind my T3

Craig

[nordberg]

Yeah, I guess with the later models having the engine at the front that would balance out in some way having a heavy bike on the back. With the T3 having the engine at the back as well may act as a pivot along the rear wheels making the front end light and possibly handling \ control being compromised? I don't know but it sounds like a realistic scenario and one that i wouldn't like to try without evidence to prove otherwise.

[greasemonkey]

Agree with Craig, a bike trailer would probably be the best bet. You can get nice folding trailers for a few hundred that do the job and convenient to store away when not being used.

[kernewek]

Some intrepid types in the States put their bikes on the front of their 'Vanagons'. Don't think you'd get away with that either in the UK!

Craig

[vw bry]

You may have a valid point with the engine being mounted at the back, a trailer maybe the only way, shame though.

[what2do]

I've always used a motorcycle carrier because it means that your maximum speed on dual carriageways and motorways is not limited to 60 mph, which it is when towing a trailer.

[vw bry]

You've always used a motorcycle carrier, but what size or weight is your bike and do you carry that on your T25.

[what2do]

It's an enduro and if I'm correct (not guaranteed) it weighs 125kg.

[what2do]

I've a Westfalia type tow bar that I don't want to butcher to accommodate the bike rack so I lashed it up temporarily/safely and took the bike from salisbury to Dorset recently and it drive fine, down tight lanes and at 70 mph. In the summer, I'll be in a position to put my van on a commercial weighbridge to see what laden/un laden/nose weights actually are.

Sorry, in response to your question, no, I used to have the bike rack mounted on an Astra van which had the benefit of the engine up front, however, the t25 has the spare wheel/carrier and fuel tank up front and the driver (possibly) passenger sat on top of the forward wheels which helps to counter balance the weight of the bike plus carrier.

Until I've found out the weights, I'll not know the legality of the situation but as for comfort/safety, I was more than happy on that occasion. I've seen traffic cops pulling people over for speeding whilst towing but never witnessed them checking someone's vehicle weight whilst carrying a motorcycle.

Frequently, someone on the t25 facebook page posts photos of their new van/trailer conversion which utilises the existing wheels at the very back, thus, putting far too much loading on the hitch. They must drive like a pig but has anyone ever seen one being pulled over?