Brining a motorcycle
 

Hi,

I only drive occasionly for my job. I get the "Hey what about Glen, he has a class A license." Anyway I drive to various parts of the country a few times a year with a reefer trailer hauling cookie dough to school fundraisers. The trailer has a lift gate and there is always extra room it the trailer for my motorcycle.

I have never been asked at a scale to open the trailer; but was told by several pro truckers that it is illeagle to carry a motorcycle in the truck. I don't understand why because there certainly isn't enough fuel or oil or anything to require placards. They just say you can't do that.

I usually have at least a day off between deliveries and like to have the bike along for sightseeing and such.

Can anyone give a fmca rule or any state statute that applies?

Thanks

If you're hauling Food grade they look very unfavorably on things that can contaminate it.

Yeah like Harleys! :P

if your hauling it in your reefer trailer i'm sure the cold will have some negative side effects to the bike's components

You can haul it in your trailer, but you can not have any fuel in it and if it has any leaks they have to covered. I used pull a reefer loaded with produce and would by bikes in Ca. and bring them back to Mt.

I don't know what DOT thinks about it but I'm sure the customer wouldn't think to highly on it. I know flatbedders do it all the time, but that's a little different than what your doing. If ya wrap it in one of them meat sheets and hang it from the ceiling...who would know!! :wink:

The product is our own so the customer isn't an issue. The trailer is multitemp with a bulkhead so the temperature isn't an issue. Sounds like i'm ok?

Just make sure you drain the fuel first and make sure that there are no oil leaks. what kind of cycle is it? just out of curiosity.

Just when are you going to have time to ride? :shock:

Here is my plan: Put the bike on the flatbed and ask dispacher to route me near Sturgis in August with a few days off. I already have a sleeper cab so I just need to pull into a campground and unload.
Daytona in March and October too, please.
No ramp to unload the bike? No problem, I have seen Evil Knieval perform and think I can jump it off the trailer.

There will be times, whether you drive van or flatbed, where every inch will be filled up with product. Hauling a motorcycle just isn't feasible.

Like I mentioned, I deliver our own product to the customer and return empty. I always have room. Our trailer has a lift gate so loading and unloading the bike is easy. I often have a day off in between stops, that's when I ride. When I don't get a day off, I usually have at least the afternoon and night off.

I have a vtx 1300. I would have got a Harley but would never be able to afford the tshirts.

On the tractor
 

Is there no room on the tractor in front of the trailor. I swear I've seen them there, If there is a hitch receiver on the trailor there is a nice tow unit that fust pkugs into it and you just put the bike in nutraland get with it.

Miloh.

Re: On the tractor
 

Uh....what? :?:

answer
 

I've seen several rigs set up with bike and moped wracks on the back of the cab, thought there might be a way to put a bike up there if ya really wanted to. there is also a new wrack that slides into a class 4 receiver that the bike's front tire straps to and the bike is towed like a car in a tow dolly with the rear tire on the ground. both seem like workeable solutions depending on dude;s situation.

Miloh.

Re: answer
 

Have you look at the weight of a vtx 1300? The VTX 1300 S weighs 662 lbs. With a wheel base of 65.7 inches. With a width of 37.8 inches. That sure isn't a moped.

When was the last time you saw a class 4 receiver on a tractor-trailer?

kc0iv

Class 4
 

Ummm I happen to own a suzuki C90T. thats a 1500cc bike and I have never that I can remember seeing a class 4 on a tractor. But hell man if ya want to haul your bike around with ya it ain't going to happen just wishing. I was just thinking out loud for some body that asked. I know it can be done it's just if somebody wanted to or not.

Miloh.

Re: Class 4
 

Sure it could be done. Is it realistic? I don't think so.

To pull this with a Class 4 hitch would require: some form of braking system, full light system, trailer license, and a endorsement for doubles/ triples on your Class A license.

To install a rack behind the tractor would require the rack, ramp, and a winch. Plus have enough room ahead of the 5th wheel to clear this assemble.

kc0iv

Jump it off? Heck Since I will be having a crane on my truck, I'll just lift it off. Plus it will be low to the ground already since I am pulling a small Goose neck.