Versahaul trailer for Stella

Stilts · Post by **Stilts** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 1:27 pm

Anyone used a Versahual trailer to lug their Stella around? If so, what's been your experience using it as opposed to a regular trailer? How does the towing vehicle drive?

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 3:33 pm

A Versahauler isn't a trailer. It is a rack that fits into a Class III(or igher) hitch receiver. I have a Tilt a rack that is pretty much the same thing and have used it for a Buddy and for a variety of Vintage up to a P200. For me...and the vehicles I have used it on...it works great.

It is VERY important to check the vehicle towing specs. A versa hauler is pure toung weight. Plus it is cantelevered out from the hitch so when you hit a bump the force on the hitch is greater than the weight.

Right now I use mine on a 10,000 pound motor home with a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs and toung capacity of 500 lbs no problem. I don't even know it is there.

I also have a small flatbed trailer for towing two scoots. For a single scooter the rack is easier and no additional tolls for another axle. If you have a vehicle with a light towing capacity a trailer might be the way to go.

My present truck has a towing capacity of 2,500 lbs I would not even think about trying a versa hauler with it. However my trailer with two scooters is under 1,000 lbs...no problem to tow two scooters with it.

It really depends on what vehicle you are going to use as to which will work for you.

Stilts · Post by **Stilts** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 3:34 pm

Yes, I know a Versahaul isn't a trailer. Bad choice of words for me

Thanks for your insight! The more I look at it, the more I think a small trailer would be the way to go at present.

Thanks again!

3angieyou · Post by **3angieyou** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 4:41 pm

What are you driving Stilts? Thinking I wanted one for my CRV, but not sure a CRV could handle a versahaul.

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 5:54 pm

I go back and forth between wanting one of these.

Since the weight of the scooter is concentrated in the rear, the scooter will have more of an ability to impact vehicle handling than a motorcycle that has its weight more centralized -- assuming that the motorcycle will be situated so that its midpoint is aligned with the receiver hitch. I don't know how much ability there is to fine tune the positioning of a bike, but I would suspect that you'd want to put the engine area closer to the centerline than you would the front of the bike.

Other items to think about if you're trying to decide between mutliple vehicles within your household for using one of these:

- Track (width) of the vehicle: wider is better
- Suspension: firmer is better
- Drivetrain: RWD or AWD/fulltime 4WD are better than FWD here.
- Wheelbase: longer is better
- Hitch height: lower is actually better here

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 11:22 pm

It doesn't matter where the bike is positioned. ALL the weight is on the hitch receiver...that's it...there is nothing else supporting the weight. The CG of the scooter will be toward the back but all the weight will be on the center.

The rack sticks out so the scooter will fit...figure at least 25% static increase in force over the weight.

A CVR has a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds so figure a toung capacity of about 150 lbs.

So just for fun lets figure 250 lbs for your scooter and hauler. Add the 25%...now your up to about 300 pounds static. on your receiver...hit a bump and kick it up some more another 50% or so...your up to 450 pounds on your vehicle hitch. Three times what it is rated for. Don't even think about it.

Using a rack and towing can be difficult to figure out and very dangerous if you don't get it right.

You can consider track width, suspension etc but what matters is the vehicle and hitch capacity.

If you don't know what you are doing consult a pro. Don't bet your life by getting advice on towing and hauling from a scooter forum...sooner or later you will get the answer you want....as in "it will be fine...go for it"...not the answer you need.

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Thu Jun 06, 2013 4:14 am

My post was from the perspective on that extra weight sitting out back and how it impacts vehicle handling dynamics - with the assumption that there is probably a slight bit of slop in terms of roll, amongst other thing, specifically that you are dealing with vehicles rated to carry the weight and a proper
Class 3 or 4 receiver.

Unless your vehicle is specifically mentioned in the application guide, I wouldn't go near one of these.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Thu Jun 06, 2013 12:45 pm

gar1013 wrote:My post was from the perspective on that extra weight sitting out back and how it impacts vehicle handling dynamics - with the assumption that there is probably a slight bit of slop in terms of roll, amongst other thing, specifically that you are dealing with vehicles rated to carry the weight and a proper
Class 3 or 4 receiver.

Unless your vehicle is specifically mentioned in the application guide, I wouldn't go near one of these.

I see your point, but in reality with a proper vehicle the load is light enough that handling isn't effected much by the difference between a MC and scooter. Also remember that most racks are adjustable, think moveable chock, to allow different positioning of the scooter or MC on the rack.