Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
550 lbs is what the carrier is rated.
A key consideration is always the hitch limit. Many are 500 lbs. Mine is 700 or 750 lbs. The Moto Tote is 62 lbs.
The weight of the Hyperstrada, without cases and half a tank of fuel will be about 430 lbs. Less with mine as I have a lithium battery which weighs just over 3 lbs, so more than 5 lb weight savings (much improved starting too).
430 bike
62 carrier
_______
= 492 lbs on the hitch.
6 lbs per gallon for gas, so we can minimize weight by loading with the reserve light being on.
A key consideration is always the hitch limit. Many are 500 lbs. Mine is 700 or 750 lbs. The Moto Tote is 62 lbs.
The weight of the Hyperstrada, without cases and half a tank of fuel will be about 430 lbs. Less with mine as I have a lithium battery which weighs just over 3 lbs, so more than 5 lb weight savings (much improved starting too).
430 bike
62 carrier
_______
= 492 lbs on the hitch.
6 lbs per gallon for gas, so we can minimize weight by loading with the reserve light being on.
Last edited:
Joined Dec 2013
92 Posts | 0+
Minnesota, USA
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
I needed to start the bike to power up and over the little tire position holder. Unloading was done with the service tech so very easy.
Like many new things, I will experiment and get to be good at doing it by myself.
The tire holder made it easy to hold the bike upright while connecting the two front straps.
Like many new things, I will experiment and get to be good at doing it by myself.
The tire holder made it easy to hold the bike upright while connecting the two front straps.
I'm sure it's fine, but I could never do it. I'd be worried over every little bump in the road that my bike would go sliding down the highway...
Joined Dec 2013
92 Posts | 0+
Minnesota, USA
I figure that if my hitch can tow a 10,000 lb trailer down the road, it should have no problem with a 400 lb bike. Of course this is dependant on the vehicle hitch.
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
The Moto Tote is steel, and the hitch is also steel. Steel bends when stressed with obvious early warning.
Aluminum can disguise eminent failure without warning. Think BOAC Comet and the window crack that caused the failure.
Therefore, I'm confident that with regular inspection a weakness in either the hitch or carrier will become known well before a risk of failure. That is because I'm well within the Toyota ratings for the hitch and within the carrying capacity of the carrier.
Part of my motivation in getting the Hyperstrada, over the MulitStrada, GS or XR was the price and weight. Easy little bike to throw on the back of my car and travel to my favorite California riding areas.
Aluminum can disguise eminent failure without warning. Think BOAC Comet and the window crack that caused the failure.
Therefore, I'm confident that with regular inspection a weakness in either the hitch or carrier will become known well before a risk of failure. That is because I'm well within the Toyota ratings for the hitch and within the carrying capacity of the carrier.
Part of my motivation in getting the Hyperstrada, over the MulitStrada, GS or XR was the price and weight. Easy little bike to throw on the back of my car and travel to my favorite California riding areas.
like I said. I'm sure it's fine. I'm just the type of guy that uses like 6 ratchet straps to strap a bike to a trailer because paranoid haha.
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Ordered Firestone Ride-Rite rear coil airbags from 4 Wheel Parts today. The 492 total added weight on the hitch drops the rear of the 4Runner 3.5".
Tested the security of the system with going over road humps. Passed the test.
The guys at the dealership remarked how easy it was to unload then load the Strada on this carrier.
Tested the security of the system with going over road humps. Passed the test.
The guys at the dealership remarked how easy it was to unload then load the Strada on this carrier.
Joined Nov 2013
1K Posts | 1+
Inland SoCal
I was an engineer for a large company that made RVs, and I specialized in trailers (caravans to you Euros). I spent a lot of time doing durability testing and working on lawsuits. I would never use such an under-engineered device. What testing have they done? Customer reviews are not enough.
The hitch receiver is designed for vertical and lateral loads, not twisting. The hitch is the bit that slides in, and that tube better be really, really thick. Most of these devices come with or specify stabilizing straps that connect to the back of the vehicle, which help but I would not ever trust my Strada to such a flimsy thing.
Not to mention that I have a problem with large objects dropped on the road in front of me...went over a semi wheel in the dark one night long ago. Still have some scars!
The hitch receiver is designed for vertical and lateral loads, not twisting. The hitch is the bit that slides in, and that tube better be really, really thick. Most of these devices come with or specify stabilizing straps that connect to the back of the vehicle, which help but I would not ever trust my Strada to such a flimsy thing.
Not to mention that I have a problem with large objects dropped on the road in front of me...went over a semi wheel in the dark one night long ago. Still have some scars!
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Without firsthand experience, or test results, your assumption of "flimsy" and "under-engineered" is merely speculation.
The manufacturer is located less than 5 miles from my office. If there is any deformation in any part of thier product, their front door will be my first stop.
As you are well aware, there are big differences in vehicle hitches. My factory installed 4Runner hitch is a load equalizing design with a 700 or 750 pound tongue limit.
While I may question the advertised automotive capacities of other manufacturers, I trust Toyota to have a safety margin in their factory hitches.
As for the Moto Tote, they say zero failures since they started selling them worldwide in the early 1990s. I found one disgruntled buyer report online, but with such poor writing skill it appears his failure was hitch related on an RV.
At any rate, I have insurance.
The manufacturer is located less than 5 miles from my office. If there is any deformation in any part of thier product, their front door will be my first stop.
As you are well aware, there are big differences in vehicle hitches. My factory installed 4Runner hitch is a load equalizing design with a 700 or 750 pound tongue limit.
While I may question the advertised automotive capacities of other manufacturers, I trust Toyota to have a safety margin in their factory hitches.
As for the Moto Tote, they say zero failures since they started selling them worldwide in the early 1990s. I found one disgruntled buyer report online, but with such poor writing skill it appears his failure was hitch related on an RV.
At any rate, I have insurance.
hitch carrier
i have a similar setup and it works fantastic. i have a 4runner and have put my 1190 adventure on the carrier and drove over 5 hours with it, no issues. i did however add airbags to the rear coils which makes the ride WAY better and keeps the front wheels on the ground.
i have a similar setup and it works fantastic. i have a 4runner and have put my 1190 adventure on the carrier and drove over 5 hours with it, no issues. i did however add airbags to the rear coils which makes the ride WAY better and keeps the front wheels on the ground.
The MotoTote is a cool device. I hear where Zippy is coming from in terms of torsional loads on th hitch, which would be significant in this type of design. I'd be game to try it, but would like to see straps that held twist in check.
As long as it’s not a lot more costly, I would rather buy a light trailer, which I can use for other items more easily, like lumber, plywood, firewood and the like. So, does anyone have a favorite (or not so favorite) smaller/lighter trailer they can share their experiences with? What works? What lasts in the weather, etc?
Cheers
As long as it’s not a lot more costly, I would rather buy a light trailer, which I can use for other items more easily, like lumber, plywood, firewood and the like. So, does anyone have a favorite (or not so favorite) smaller/lighter trailer they can share their experiences with? What works? What lasts in the weather, etc?
Cheers
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Trailers are fine, I have one as well.
The hitch carrier is easier to park with, easier to back-up with, and more convenient.
If I get a smaller car, I'll build an aluminum trailer similar to this:
But with torsion suspension and 13" wheels.
The hitch carrier is easier to park with, easier to back-up with, and more convenient.
If I get a smaller car, I'll build an aluminum trailer similar to this:
But with torsion suspension and 13" wheels.
