[hypoxia]

I want to mount a motorcycle on the front of an '05 F250. I have seen some ramps for sale like the moto hauler but I want to use two receiver tubes, one from each frame rail where the tow hooks are. I would also prefer an electric lift but being a cheapskate, don't want to empty the bank.

Anyone have any ideas on this? I do own a welder.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

It's a 2005 F250 6.0 with camper front springs.

 

[mgraveman]

You can buy the reciever tubes at any trailer store. That's all I can offer.

 

[Believer45]

How big a motorcycle? My Father-in-Law had a framework that bolted to a flat plate on the front end of both frame rails on his Winnebago motor home. It held a Yamaha 185 off road bike and a Yamaha 250 scooter years ago (one at a time, not both at once).

The only real concern is adding a few hundred poinds that far out in front of the front suspension.

Dave / Believer45

 

[hypoxia]

It's a 425 pound BMW F650GS.

 

[toalpi]

425lbs + 85-100lbs for the carrier or rail system. You won't want to load/unload that bike without a helper. It is likely that one or both headlights will be partially obstructed.

 

[hypoxia]

You're right about that. Getting the beast on and off is the biggest challenge. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif It needs to be lifted about 24". Most motorcycle lifts are too short. The headlight issue will be solved by not driving at night and/or fog lights. I plan on using Leed Engineering receivers on each frame rail. Front Receivers Or I could get ambitious and fire up the mill and welder and make them. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

I used to haul another motorcycle, 250cc, on the front of a motorhome. It was lighter and I was stronger. I could pick up one end at a time and put the tires in the pockets of the holder.

 

[Believer45]

Setup my Father-in-Law had included a ramp that you used to run the bike up under its own power onto the channel it rode in, two tiedown points and storage for the ramp. His was made out of 4 or 5 inch channel, you would need 6" or more to get the tires on your BMW in. You can make the ramp as long as the truck is wide so you would easily be able to get the bike up and down, just like running it onto and off of a motorcycle trailer.

Dave / Believer45

 

[Fordman6]

Maybe you could modify one of these designs to work with your front hitch receivers http://www.motorcycleramps.com/motorcycle_carrier.htm
or build your own with a detachable ramp. Your right, the motorized lifts ain't cheep. Should work pretty well as long as you don't exceed the front axle rating. You'll probably need to install a set of front air bags to level your truck when the bike is being hauled. As long as visability, lighting and air flow to the radiator aren't problems, it should't be much different then having a plow out there.

 

[Kanman]

Thats an awful big bike to mount on the front of a pickup truck. Before I spent a dime on this deal. Jack the bike up in front of the truck to the height you figure the thing will need to ride at. Bet you a box of doughnuts it obstructs your view a lot more than would be safe.

 

[rickeg]

Post a picture if you ever do it. I don't think I'd be too keen on having 600lbs of radiator and headlight blocking road bike on the fron of my rig for any length of time, but sometime you have to be creative to play with your toys.

Don't rear end anyone /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[hypoxia]

The setup beleiver45 used may do the job. I have hauled a 250 motorcycle in front of a motorhome on a Ford E350 chassis. That worked out nicely. I ran the bike up a ramp onto a trailer that was taller than I need on the truck and it was suprisingly easy.

When I figure out how to post a photo here I will do so. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[V10 man]

If you ever figure something out I'd like to see it. I need to find a place to put a Suzuki LTZ250 sport quad. About 360 pounds. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[hypoxia]

I think I figured out how to post a photo. Here's what I did with my motorhome some time back.

http://photos.thedieselstop.com/showphoto.php?photo=29267&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

 

[boatpuller]

If you have room in the bed for a folding engine hoist, you could use that to pick up the bike and load on the carrier. As one of those is actually heavy and takes a lot of room, you might use the concept to make something better suited for your needs. Nice bike by the way.

 

[ovrtrn]

That idea seems like trouble waiting to happen! I have enough troubles worrying about my trans overheating without a big a## Bike blocking the air flow!! Just my 2 cents worth!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif

 

[hypoxia]

Keep the great ideas and pitfalls coming. Lots of both and since I live in Aridzona and it's a dry heat things should work out!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif

 

[hypoxia]

Received the front receiver pieces, here's what they look like. Mfg. by Leed Engineering.

[image]http://photos.thedieselstop.com/showphoto.php?photo=29294[/image]

<font color="red"> </font> [image]http://photos.thedieselstop.com/showphoto.php?photo=29293[/image]

 

[hypoxia]

That didn't work, I'll try again.


Front Receiver

Front Receivers

 

[hypoxia]

Here are pictures of the Leed front hitch's mounted on the truck.

F250 Front Hitch Front View
F250 Front Hitch Side View

I'm rounding up material to make the ramp and carrier. More to come..... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif

 

[Believer45]

Those look a lot like the tow hook recievers on our Volvo class 8 road tractors. They should work well for you.

Have you thought about a removable push bar for when you don't have the bike on?

Dave / Believer45