Re: Receiver Hitch Platform
Hi Alan; Thats exactly what I'm in the middle of doing also. Me and Marry Lynne are planning a trip to Alaska end of June and we need just a little bit more storage room for sleeping bags ect. On friday I went to a local welding shop to get him to make platform that comes out of the reciever with 1 1/4 tubing, going up 6 inches to clear the exhaust system then making a simple and light platform. I went to Walmart and bought a plastic storage container for $34.00 and going to bolt that onto the platform. The box is about 22" long 16" wide 24" high. The down side is the licence plate might have to be now mounted on the box and I have to admit it may look a little bit ugly but am thinking about getting it painted the same colour as the trike to make it a little less so.
Paul
Re: Receiver Hitch Platform
I've always wondered about those reciever racks. Have seen them on a few trikes and many SUV's piled up with camp/picnic gear. All were blocking the rear license plate, but haven't heard of anyone pulled over because of it. I can inagine it would be another citation on top of not coming to a stop, speeding, etc.
So- has anyone had any or know first hand of anyone having problems with LEO's when running a reciever rack?
Re: Receiver Hitch Platform
Had a Pakit Rak from Dixon Y Machine near Sacramento on my '04 Goldwing/MotorTrike. (Google "Dixon Y Machine".) Loved it. Sold it along with the trike when I went back to a Harley. Made many a long haul trip encountering herds of LEOs with never a problem.
Just be sure to not overpack it, or anything else you hang off the back. It can really change the weight distribution, making the front end a little light. I learned to put the heavy stuff in the trike and hang the lighter stuff off the back.
At one time the folks at Dixon Y said they were working on a Harley version but haven't seen anything come of it as yet.
They are real nice folks and, I'm sure, would be glad to answer any of your questions.
Re: Receiver Hitch Platform
The problem I see is that everyone knows that you should not block the rear plate. You hope that an officer does not pull you over. The problem is what are you going to do with the stuff when you do get pulled over? The officer can legally make you correct the issue before releasing you. Majority of the officers have better laws in enforce, but there are ones that will see fit to enforce it. Can not blame the officer they did not write the law.
Re: Receiver Hitch Platform
Just make sure you don't block the lights. They (or I, before I retired) would stop you for that one. Otherwise, I'd hope you'd be just fine, but there are always the few rotten apples out there.
Re: Receiver Hitch Platform
I'll try to attach a few pictures of my cargo rack. It's made from aluminum and I have a tour-pack rack mounted on top, but it is not really necessary. This is .250 aluminum plate welded to 1-1/2 inch aluminum bar which slides into the receiver hitch. I can stand on it and it won't move. My wife weighs around 110 and she can jump-up-in-down on it and it won't move. I made it myself and welded it all up and milled the holes and openings for straps, netting or bungee cords. I also removed a lot of material from the plate (round holes) to lighten it up. This rack weighs around 15-pounds. I have it elevated enough to get it out of the blow-by rain from under the bike, yet low enough to make the tag visible and open the trunk door. I can just remove the pin, yank the entire thing out and pack it right into the hotel.
Re: Receiver Hitch Platform
That's a good looking rack. well engineered!:yes:
Re: Receiver Hitch Platform
Thanks Wing.
I do have a trailer, so I already had the receiver hitch. We just needed something a little extra for the 2-3 day trips when I did not want to pull the trailer. I have this one set-up so an HD tour pack bag will strap to the rack just like it does on top of a tour pack, but any type rack can be used....or no rack at all. You could simply attach your bag (or whatever) there on the bare plate if you have all the various "option" holes like I put in this one for a cooler, tool-box...or what-have-you. It does not have a single bolt or screw in it, except for the rack mounting hardware. I think the material cost was something like $60 less the rack. The blame rack was $50 used off e-bay. Matter-of-fact....all the aluminum pieces came off e-bay. You could build one as large as you'd like, but the license plate blocking issue as mentioned above comes into play as well as lighting, the weight factor and dragging the tail as you enter drive-ways etc. It would be easy to add a tail/brake light.
All the fabrication, except the aluminum welding can be done with a jig saw and a drill,