Modern Buddy

I read the great thread on transporting scooters, but wondered about an option that I didn't see discussed. We have a medium-sized SUV - too small to fit a scooter in the back, but we do have a U-haul hitch package. I was looking at luggage carriers like this one:
http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/product ... rrier,7507

It's rated to hold 400lbs, and is 2' X 5'.

So, does anyone have experience with something like this? I like this idea because it could do double duty - carry the scooter and then carry luggage when needed. Plus it's a lot cheaper than the dedicated motorcycle hitches! Do you think it would be possible for me to lift the buddy (150cc) onto the platform fairly easily? Seems like once it's up there it should be fairly easy to secure.

Thoughts/opinions/experience? Thanks!

Since the buddy weighs just over 220 lbs and 48" from center of front tire to center of rear tire, this should work fine. As far as loading, you could lift it, but it would be alot easier to find a ramp. The scoot can , this easily be pushed up an incline by one person.

Note that there are different-sized and -rated recievers (the square tube that holds your hitch. Things like this are usually designed for the bigger carriers, that are attached only to larger cars. Make sure you have the right one, and that your scooter weighs less than the recommended load.

Also note that the towing capacity of your vehicle is assuming most of the weight will be balanced on the trailer wheels. That much weight on a receiver that's not designed for it (or welded on extra-securely) might be bad.

If you've got a giant SUV with a class 3 hitch, you're probably fine, but if it's something like a CRV or Element, they're only rated for a class 1.

illinoise - all really good points.

Actually, we have a Chrysler Pacifica, which has a class II or III welded package (can't remember which offhand, but I think it's III). Tons of towing capacity - in fact, that's why we got it (we have a boat to tow).

We also drive a Prius. The idea is to park the gas-guzzling pacifica, let me drive the scoot, and my wife/kids take the Prius. We then keep the pacifica around for towing the boat and taking the scoot on vacation.

So, there it is. Still interested in additional thoughts about lifting and moving this thing around on something like this. I'm thinking I could probably improvise a ramp to get it on/off the luggage rack.....

thanks!

You might want to install a wheel chock on this carrier for your Buddy’s front wheel. Also because the carrier is only 2 feet wide, you might want to install some type of metal bar that extends the front tie down points a little farther out from the Buddy’s handle bars so that your front tie down straps are not so much straight up and down. The tie down points on my VersaHaul carrier are extended about a foot wider than the Buddy’s handle bars so the tie down straps look more like an upside down letter V.