Bikertap Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 When loading my motorcycle into my 42 foot long fifth wheel does it need to be hooked up to the truck? If not do the jacks/Stabilizer jacks in the back need to be up or down? What about loading a side-by-side razor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 (edited) Sorry... error. Edited January 11, 2020 by 2gypsies Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotoes Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 I would load it when hooked up but it cane be done without hooking up. If not hooked up the rear jacks need to be down. The same when unloading. Quote 2015 Itasca Ellipse 42QD 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock Edition 2021 Harley Street Glide Special Fulltimer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikertap Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 👍🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orca Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 I have loaded both hooked up and not. I do try to raise the front of the trailer as high as possible either with the air hitch or the front trailer jacks. Reasoning for that is to reduce ramp angle and breakover angle at the top of the ramp. I see no reason to put rear jacks down because my trailer is so heavy that rear jacks have no effect on stabilizing the trailer. When loading my bikes into my 16' enclosed cargo i used the same procedure hooked up or not. Quote 2004 Freightliner m2 106 2015 DRV lx450 Fullhouse 2019 Indian Springfield 2014 Yamaha 950 V-Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefneon Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 Howdy! We have a Smart Car that we load into our Cyclone 4000. I have loaded it when w e hooked up and not hooked up. When loading not hooked up, I have the jacks down. ” Happy Trails “ Chiefneon Quote "Class of 2007 Fulltimer's" Gary & karen Smoochie & Michaela (fur babies) 2018 Chevorlet 3500 HD/LTZ 2L Custom Hauler 2014 Heartland Cyclone 4000 2016 Smart Car Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Dreamer Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 Our manufacturer said to never have our rear Jack's down during loading and unloading but that may be more because we have a 5700# vehicle. Quote 2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch 2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you! Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/ for much more info on HDT's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikertap Posted January 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 What is the 5700 vehicle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblr Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 5 hours ago, Bikertap said: What is the 5700 vehicle? I think he is taking about the weight of the vehicle...5,700lbs Quote 2017 River Stone Legacy 38MB 2001 T2000 Kenworth 2009 Smart Passion ET Junior hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Dreamer Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 5 hours ago, Bikertap said: What is the 5700 vehicle? Full size custom van! Quote 2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch 2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you! Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/ for much more info on HDT's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 No, you do not have to be hooked up to load/unload. IMO, you are better off being unhooked and LEVEL when loading or unloading. If you are not level, you have NO IDEA what kind of twisting force you are putting on the RV's frame when loading/unloading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 4 hours ago, remoandiris said: No, you do not have to be hooked up to load/unload. IMO, you are better off being unhooked and LEVEL when loading or unloading. If you are not level, you have NO IDEA what kind of twisting force you are putting on the RV's frame when loading/unloading. Level side/side, agree. Level front/back, doesn't matter, as long as you're not loading something heavy enough to stress the rear axle, which is very unlikely. A production motorcycle can't over stress it. It's common practice to raise the trailer nose while loading if the machine sits too low for the breakover angle. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 17 hours ago, rickeieio said: It's common practice to raise the trailer nose while loading if the machine sits too low for the breakover angle. Common practice for who? I've been doing this a little while. Never needed to do it and never seen it done. But I don't have one of those bikes that sit too low, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 (edited) 14 minutes ago, remoandiris said: Common practice for who? I've been doing this a little while. Never needed to do it and never seen it done. But I don't have one of those bikes that sit too low, either. Well, read the post above by Orca for starters, and I know plenty of others who practice this method. I've had a toy hauler since 2009, have hauled dozens of bikes and two cars, and never needed to, as our unit has a very long ramp/door, plus a beavertail at the rear. Any of our bikes will load easily with the trailer level. I would imagine if one were to do survey, we might be surprised at how many use this method. But, it's your coach, do as you please. Edited January 13, 2020 by rickeieio Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orca Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 When i was young and skinny i used to load my trials bike like this; Quote 2004 Freightliner m2 106 2015 DRV lx450 Fullhouse 2019 Indian Springfield 2014 Yamaha 950 V-Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikertap Posted January 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Dreamer Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 3 hours ago, remoandiris said: Common practice for who? I've been doing this a little while. Never needed to do it and never seen it done. But I don't have one of those bikes that sit too low, either. We have seen it done quite frequently on the car show circuit and yes it is for low clearance vehicles and bikes. Like others, we have not needed to do that with ours as our trailers always had a beaver tail and long ramp door. Our new trailer sits much higher than our old car hauler type trailers so I use a set of race ramps under the end of the ramp door and it prevents us from high centering or scraping the front end. We never use our rear Jack's and are always hooked up but we are loading a much heavier vehicle than most. Quote 2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch 2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you! Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/ for much more info on HDT's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 20 hours ago, rickeieio said: I would imagine if one were to do survey, we might be surprised at how many use this method. But, it's your coach, do as you please. Surveys and statistics can be manipulated based on how questions are asked. And a survey done on this forum is a representation of this forum, not the RVing population as a whole. Your last sentence is the best answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtsara Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 2 hours ago, remoandiris said: Surveys and statistics can be manipulated based on how questions are asked. And a survey done on this forum is a representation of this forum, not the RVing population as a whole. Your last sentence is the best answer. I have read somewhere that 63.5% of statistics are just made up numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Yes, and to para-phase Newton, "For every study, there is an equal but opposite conclusion." Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 80% of what I post is made up and the other half is bullshit. Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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