Hauling dirtbike + ATV

[igxqrrl]

I'm going to be headed to Moab/DV for a week or so and want to bring along both an ATV (Yamaha Grizzly, ~650 pounds) + dirt bike (KLR 650, ~400 pounds). It's about a 1000 mile drive.

The Grizzly will require leaving the tailgate open, so my plan was to get a motorcycle hitch carrier built for 2 bikes, and just use the outer tray.

Anybody done long drives loaded this way? I'll be over the payload capacity by probably 500+ pounds, but on the highway I doubt that matters. I'm mostly nervous about the hitch carrier. The KLR isn't heavy, but the double carrier is a long lever arm.

Suggestions for the double hitch? Versahaul seems to be high quality, but spendy. ~$650. There's an AMC-600 for $250, but some comments on Amazon imply that the build quality isn't great. Any comments on these or others? Any FRF supporting vendors selling something for this?

Thanks!

 

[DynoDynge]

I'd rent/borrow a small trailer rather than take a chance.
Where are you coming from?

 

[6.2]

yeah id grab a trailer. that sounds pretty sketchy man.

 

[Evilmonkey]

If you could borrow, rent or buy a trailer that will haul both would be the best. I've overloaded the backend of my Raptor once. Scared the shit out of me. I was also towing a trailer with four quads and one dirt bike. I'll never do it again!

 

[Fyermanbob]

You'll bend a set of stock springs with that much weight hanging off the rear.

 

[bstoner59]

I'd also recommend the trailer. My buddy has a 2 bike rack and even with the bike on the outside rail the tailgate will not open.

 

[Wilson]

just use your truck to off road. ok a trailer is the best idea.

 

[Rookie]

What they said.

 

[igxqrrl]

LOL OK thanks all, sounds like it is unanimous. I actually do have a trailer, it's just a bit bigger than I'd otherwise need for this trip. But better to have some extra space than end up in a bad situation.

@DynoDynge: I'll be driving down from Portland

Thanks!