Dieselgem
Northeast
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Joined: 04/07/2005
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Maregold wrote:While I can understand that a rear entry door would be much easier to load, don't want to live in a garage. My husband will have to make do with a side entry. We can't tow anything larger than a 230RS and like the amenities this one has. His goldwing will be too long, I fear, but he isn't married to it and is willing to replace it with another bike.
I admire your husband. He sounds like a man that knows how to get his way. Has he started looking at new bikes yet?
So far as living in the garage, if you do it right it ends up being a very nice living space. And really comes in handy as an extra bedroom.
08-KZ Escalade 41'CKS Escalade
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shadoow
South Texas
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Joined: 09/25/2007
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i can almost guarantee you the goldwing won't work. We looked at a Cougar 310 a couple of years ago that had a side ramp in the back. I've got a full-dress harley so we took it down there to see how well it would make it up/down the ramp & into the storage area. Long story short, it didn't work & wouldn't have fit if it got it up the ramp (bike high-centered at the top). Also, those ramps can be pretty steep & even though the surface looks like it's got good traction, it don't !!!. The best way i found to navigate back down a ramp is to have the bike NOT running, put it in first gear and use the clutch along with the front brake to control your descent. The front brake alone was not enough & the bike & i slide down the ramp, but stayed upright. That was fun... It's not just the side ramps that you may encounter this. We ended up buying a rear ramp trailer & the ramp wasn't as steep, but i could still get into a slide if i wasn't careful. The height of the ramp will vary with how level the campsite is. If your parking on a spot that slopes downward at the rear, the ramp angle will be steeper. Also, if the bike tires or ramp surface is wet/damp, you'll get less traction.
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RTrider
London, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 02/22/2003
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{{{RTrider,
Do you have any pics of your extension ramp? }}}}
I don't have any pictures of the ramp extension just now, but will be loading up in a few days to head to Florida, so will take a few pics of the loading.
For the Outback 230RS, my understanding is that a big Harley will just fit in, but my bike has room to spare and a lot less weight. I am right on my weight limits with my half ton, so depending what your tow vehicle is, you may have issues even if the big bike fits.
Good luck.
2006 Outback 230RS Toyhauler
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DuallyMike
PA
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Joined: 10/11/2009
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One of the problems I found with mine is the raer living area has a linolieum floor. Let me tell ya, that gets real slippery. Looking for something in the way of a rubber mat to put down. Anyone have ideas?
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4*phun*2
Canada
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Joined: 09/24/2008
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Pictured of side load and rear load extended ramp
Needed to put MC kitty corner in garage and then jack it up to move it diagonal to fit.
I didn't like the thought of the stress put on it every time I started and stopped, although it never moved one way or the other. About 1/2 hour to load from start to finish. Needed to extend the ramp. Too steep. I don't like loading or unloading if my feet don't touch the ramp.
Victory lane is even taller so needed to extend the ramp too. About ten minutes from start to finish.
* This post was
edited 10/28/09 08:28am by 4*phun*2 *
Glenn & Karen
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case1370
Iowa
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Joined: 08/18/2008
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IF you have not purchase a trailer yet, and want a side loading hauler check out the Wildcat 31thsb. the back garage is 10 inchs lower then the living space of the camper making the ramp door closer to the ground. I have a H.D Heritage that fits straight in with wheel turned,I am going to get the bikers go strapless locking device for it. the bike does not bottom out when loading, the ramp and garage floor in camper are a rubber black diamond covering. Have had the camper for one year now and like it alot the floor plan is what worked for us. The camper is put away in storage for the winter so no pictures with bike in it available.
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campNride
Oklahoma City
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Joined: 04/16/2007
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I saw that one at the RV show. It was nice and with the bike in the back like that in basically a seperate room it is out of your way if you need to stop for the night with the bike loaded.
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nucleardave
Homestead Florida
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Joined: 10/08/2008
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I have absolutely No Problem loading a Harley Electraglide in the back of my Carri-Lite 37RGQ, side door. Like the Wildact, the floor in the garage is a foot lower than the living space and the floor slopes down even more toward the ramp, so high centering has never been an issue. I ride the bike straight into an Easy Chock offset toward the rear, no ramp extensions, no extra braces, handlebars straight, 4 tie downs and I can hit the road. Takes less than 5 minutes. I still have 31 feet of liveable trailer space, no gas smell, and plenty of storage. One condition of my purchase of this unit was that the Harley fit easily, I have 2 inches to spare!
Never an issue of the campsite not being level for the door to make good contact with the ground, after all it is pointing toward your neighbors campsite and it should be as level as yours.
Floor inside is a dimpled rubber that gets squeaky when wet but not slippery. The ramp is like sandpaper, no slip even in the rain.
My Goldwing however, will NOT fit no matter how I try.
Sounds like it's time for a second motorcycle - just to take camping!
I still ask myself if I should have gotten the rear door and longer garage to fit the 'Wing, but I would probably just pack more junk in there with it...
Good luck with your decision, and remember to have fun!
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06yz125
WV
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Joined: 10/29/2009
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case1370 wrote:IF you have not purchase a trailer yet, and want a side loading hauler check out the Wildcat 31thsb. the back garage is 10 inchs lower then the living space of the camper making the ramp door closer to the ground. I have a H.D Heritage that fits straight in with wheel turned,I am going to get the bikers go strapless locking device for it. the bike does not bottom out when loading, the ramp and garage floor in camper are a rubber black diamond covering. Have had the camper for one year now and like it alot the floor plan is what worked for us. The camper is put away in storage for the winter so no pictures with bike in it available.
We have the same one. Works fine.
Can't figure out how to post pics. PM me your email and I'll
post what I have.
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Edzzed
Cloverdale area of Surrey BC Canada
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Joined: 02/17/2009
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I have a side-trak which is a side loader. I have no issues with my klr650. fits well enough and have a 7 foot ramp. I do turn the wheel once I ready it for straps. I also made a stand of sorts which stops the bike from compressing the forks. Our trailer uses the bike area as a separate room but we still need to pass thru it to get to the living sleeping area. Ed camping pic camp pic
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