Maximum Motorbike Weight - Roller Team T-Line 785 (1 Viewer)

Kevin P

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Feb 14, 2018
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How heavy a motorcycle can a safely put on the rear of my Roller Team T-Line 785?

With the large overhang that is on many motorhomes are there any 'rule of thumb' suggestions.

My worry is if you put too much load on the back, then the front wheels will loose traction and positive turning ability, also with the a large overhang the rear suspension could be overloaded due to the cantilever action

Mnay Thanks

Kevin
 
Oct 2, 2008
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You will need to start with weighing your rear axle load , when you have your normal traveling load eg full fuel , usual water , etc You should also weigh the front axle load so you can see both your overall weight and what spare (if any) at which end . That will then give you a starting point . You can work out where you can move items to maximise your spare capacity on the rear axle . Then its possible to calculate what load you can carry on the rear , or need for trailer of some sort .
 
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Kevin P

Kevin P

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Feb 14, 2018
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You will need to start with weighing your rear axle load , when you have your normal traveling load eg full fuel , usual water , etc You should also weigh the front axle load so you can see both your overall weight and what spare (if any) at which end . That will then give you a starting point . You can work out where you can move items to maximise your spare capacity on the rear axle . Then its possible to calculate what load you can carry on the rear , or need for trailer of some sort .
Thanks for the reply.... presumably the rear axle load would be supplied by the van manufactureer (ie: Fiat Ducato). I did contact Roller Team and I am not sure even they know. They said they had tested with a 100kg load and all was okay. I replied saying would it take more load, and what happens if I wanted to put say a 250kg bike on the back. They can back to me saying they would try a 250kg load in the next month. I would have thought manufactures would have an answer to this sort of question considering the number of bikes that do get put onto the back of motorhomes.
Many Thanks
Kevin

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Mar 24, 2010
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I think you will find anything heavier than 100kg a very "exciting drive".I have a x250 Relay and my rack is 20kg and bike Innova 100kg and hardly notice it on back.Wouldnt like anything heavier! You will no doubt get someone saying they have 200+ kg bike-no problem!! Not for me !
 

WSandME

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There is a simple calculation you can make, given the following data:

Maximum weight allowed for vehicle
Max weight allowed on each axle
Actual weight on each axle fully laden (without m/cycle)
Weight of M/cycle
Weight of rack
Distance between the position of the weight of the M/cycle and the rear axle
Distance between the position of the weight of the M/cycle and the front axle...

...

Ahh, bu&&er it, here's a primer:
https://www.caravanguard.co.uk/news/how-to-calculate-your-motorhome’s-safe-weight-limits-4104/

Also, don't forget that (AFAIAA) motorhome manufacturers impose a maximum weight limit for their garages - presumably related to the structure of the garage as well as the axle weight capacities.

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MikeD

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Most motorhomes are a bit heavy on the rear axle at the best of times.

You need to weigh the motorhome at each axle to be really sure.

A tow bar will be around 35kg. The rack itself maybe another 20kg.

My PVC has a tow bar mounted rack for a motorbike - it's maximum safe loading is 130kg.
 
Oct 2, 2008
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Thanks for the reply.... presumably the rear axle load would be supplied by the van manufactureer (ie: Fiat Ducato). I did contact Roller Team and I am not sure even they know. They said they had tested with a 100kg load and all was okay. I replied saying would it take more load, and what happens if I wanted to put say a 250kg bike on the back. They can back to me saying they would try a 250kg load in the next month. I would have thought manufactures would have an answer to this sort of question considering the number of bikes that do get put onto the back of motorhomes.
Many Thanks
Kevin
You have a chassis load plate usually on vehicle on rad bridge , or elsewhere under bonnet most cases It gives max front axle weight max rear axle weight, and total gross weight , and train weight (that's with trailer) When you weigh vehicle as suggested that will then show you how much spare load you have available

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Jul 5, 2013
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Thanks for the reply.... presumably the rear axle load would be supplied by the van manufactureer (ie: Fiat Ducato).
Kevin
The maximum rear axle load will be shown on the plate that the converter, i.e. Roller Team, fitted onto you motorhome. Ignore the Fiat one, because the operative one is the latest one fitted. It will probably be under the bonnet or attached to the door pillar. Usually the bottom figure is the maximum rear axle load.
 
Oct 29, 2008
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Have you weighed the van as you may be overweight before you start. Is it a 3500kg van? If so you will probably have around 500KG payload before your accessories that have been fitted.
Edit, Just checked you have a 425kg payload to start with

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Blue Knight

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How heavy a motorcycle can a safely put on the rear of my Roller Team T-Line 785?

Hi Kevin,

I've just checked the stats of your van and if you are registered at 3.5T then you may already be running at maximum capacity with just you and the missus and all of your kit (including fresh water).

A weighbridge visit is the only way forward.

Cheers,

Andrew
 

Blue Knight

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Heavy Bike??
It's what these are for




That's a fantastic video Geo, really good.(y)

The only drawback is that Kevin's van is likely to be mounted on a standard Fiat Camper Chassis and therefore by my guestimate he's not likely to have enough payload available to add the extra metal structure and tow system.

I reckon that he'll have to raise the van above 3.5T (If not already done so) and do something with the rear axle.

It may be achievable but only a visit to the weighbridge will tell.

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Lenny HB

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Just looked at the spec 3500kg with option to upgrade to 3650, at that weight and with the long overhang and small payload I would say no chance of carrying any motorbike.
 
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Kevin P

Kevin P

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Feb 14, 2018
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Thanks to all for all of you helpful comments.....
I reckon the answer is probably the Easy Lifter Hydra bike rack suggested above, which takes the weigh of the rear of the motorhome..... or possibly a 100Kg maximum bike if I can keep within overhaul weight limit of vehicle. Roller Team seem to think that is 100kg is safe, just hope I don't do wheelies if I pull away too quickly .... whether one can rely on Roller Team information is another matter. I am registered at 3.5T at the moment but apparently not that difficult to increase to 3.65T, and then road tax is then less money at the heavier weight
Many Thanks
Kevin
 
Mar 24, 2010
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Most motorhomes are a bit heavy on the rear axle at the best of times.

You need to weigh the motorhome at each axle to be really sure.

A tow bar will be around 35kg. The rack itself maybe another 20kg.

My PVC has a tow bar mounted rack for a motorbike - it's maximum safe loading is 130kg.
What make of towbar are you using as my Witter had a max load of 100KG. I uprated it by adding 50x6 mm stays from chassis and bolted onto towbar. Still a "grey area " towbars/racks!

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MikeD

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Thanks --did you fit it yourself-interested on how it is fitted as my Witter is only rated as standard at 100kg and bolted to back of van in place of "crashbar" and one support up to chassis each side?

No - they supplied and fitted both the tow bar and motorbike rack.

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MikeD

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I think the new trailer definition is pretty clear.


This clause defines a trailer as anything on wheels which is intended or adapted to be pulled by a motor vehicle.

 
Oct 2, 2008
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QUOTE="MikeD, post: 2721443, member: 19230"]I think the new trailer definition is pretty clear.


This clause defines a trailer as anything on wheels which is intended or adapted to be pulled by a motor vehicle.

[/QUOTE]
When does a chassis extension become a trailer ? :)

another ? is this a vehicle and trailer , as second part is powered , and the front part cannot turn without rear part ? bv206.jpg
 
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Kevin P

Kevin P

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I haven't actually fitted towbar yet but my preference is probaly Bridgewater Trailer Centre (Somerset) who seem to specialise in motohome towbars. They say their towbar on my Roller Team 785 will be rated at 200kg max weight.... link below is to this company.
I did try one other Bristol company (LNB Towbars) who rated their towbar at 65kg max load

http://www.bridgwatertrailers.co.uk/motorhometowbars.html
 

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