![]() |
||||||||||
|
|
RIGS DESIGNED WITH SAFETY AND EASE TO GET YOU THERE!!!When towing motorcycles in Class III trailer hitches, the most important thing is the trailer hitch. It must be a strong, frame-mounted type. Strength depends on the kind of vehicle and varies based on desired load capacity. Some lighter capacity hitches can be made to work by welding them to the vehicle. Some vehicles uni-body cannot handle long term heavy leads. A Chevy Astro van is a good example. When the supports in the uni-body stretch, the hitch comes loose. Small gussets need to be installed by welding in place, to help disperse the load over more survace area of the thin metal frame. As these new style smaller SUV's become more popular and prevalent the tongue weight limit will become more critical. Vehicles like the X-Terra have a frame like traditional trucks. The Ford Escape, Honda Element, most mini-vans (other than Ford Aero star) are made with the uni-body style, i.e. no true frame. Paying attention to the mounts every time a hauler is used is very important on vehicles of this nature. A little common sense can save your from embarrassment, your bike from damage, or more importantly, someone's life. Our Hitch carriers come out of the hitch with 2 inch square tubing, which is 1/4" thick. From here, we use our imagination to create haulers to handle varying loads. People dream up what they wish to take with them on trips, and we make it happen. Just when we think we have done it all, along comes a guy who wants to take two bikes on the front (XR200, Trail 90) and two bikes on the back, plus surf boards, a grill, gear bags, gas, and firewood. Our haulers can take it, but in cases like this, they need to be strongly reinforced. The Cam-Loc device is simply a wedge behind the hitch pin. Very similar to the gooseneck on a bicycle, the little wedge is pulled from the rear to tighten the hitch, making for a snug fit. Our Cam-Loc is two straps welded to the wedge and traveling down to the end where they are attached to a 15/16" bolt. This is necessary to clear the 5/8" hitch pin. The nut is tightened, which takes up the movement in the receiver. Excessive tightening will twist the straps, making removal difficult (the 15/16" bolt head needs to be cut off). Simply tighten and wiggle up and down on the ends of the wheel rail until the bolt is snug (not white knuckle tight) or until the up and down movement no longer seems to lessen: which ever comes first. Sometimes these straps become bent in shipping and need to be cleared before tightening to make room for the pin to fit between. Simply remove the actuating bolt and slide the cam-loc device out of the main shaft. Place the wedge on the ground, wide part down (up-side down). Place a 24" bar between the straps where the pin would bre and stand on one side with your foot. Hit it only once and then re-check the fit. Repeat again if necessary. Be careful not to bend the strap too much. Too much stress to the strap steel could fatigue or elongate it and cause it to fail. It takes a little longer to mount and dismount the cam-loc hauler, and you must remember to bring a wrench. The reward for long-term use is no rounding out of the pinhole or annoying rattling noise on bumpy roads. My personal haulers do not use cam-loc; I like to load and go fast. The wobble does not bother me or matter very much. Motorcycles are designed to hit bumps and it is the suspension that will keep the machine in place. DO NOT USE THE CAM-LOC LOOSE; DAMAGE CAN AND WILL OCCUR!!! To remove the cam-loc, loosen the bolt about 3-5 turns and tap it inward towards the hitch. This will break the friction on the ramps of the wedge, making removal possible. As always call us if you're not sure, or have any questions, that's why we're here. When using a double hauler carrier, there is a lot to consider. Most important is, make sure your hitch is strong and (and not by piling a bunch of neighbors on it either). The dual comes with cam-loc standard, and is elevated 8 inches. to clear speed bumps or get in and out of the gas station. It is necessary to always put the heavier bike on the inside. Because of this, some bike/vehicle combinations may require a longer ramp to clear the hump. When loading the first bike, watch out for the second bike's hold down bar; it is right at knee level. Double haulers come cam-loc standard, but they can be made without it upon request. It is important to follow the above cam-loc instructions and to call us if you're not sure about anything. It is difficult to imagine the many situations you may encounter on the road. Something to consider when using the dual hauler: keep an eye on the hitch mounting bolts on your vehicle. As always be careful. Relocate your lights if the hauler and bike(s) obstructs them. We have lights and wires available. If you need them, please ask. California law states that it is the diriver's responsibility to be sure that their lights are not obstructed and are working properly. Long travel dirt bikes with spoke wheels usually do not hinder light visibility. Cruiser bikes/ scooters with fairings, mag-wheels and saddlebags are the most un-cooperative in this area. It is hard to consider everything for every customer every time, but we try. By asking a lot of questions, we can usually prevent most problems before they occur. bearwarn1944@yahoo.com |
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||||