Hitch Carriers

[guiness92]

Just curious if there would be any interest in people wanting to buy hitch carriers. A friend of mine and I built a prototype and it is undergoing testing and so far seems to be perfect. I'll post up some pics a little later on tonight possible maybe tomorrow morn. It will have options available too, such as a ball on the end to tow a trailer behind it and a removable lightbar if you are worried about the lights on the vehicle being obstructed. It would be in the 275.00 range and would come with everything needed including strap hooks. Just curious if it would be worth making a bunch of em.

 

[guiness92]

And yes the price does seem a bit high and we are working on ways to lower it. This is very heavy duty and uses thicker gauge material than needed at this point. It is also welded instead of bolted which raises the price too which we may eliminate and just go with a bolt together design. We want it to be strong enough to carry small couches too.

Me and my buddy both have full time businesses and this is just a side thing we built originally just for us, but figured we would throw it out there for other people too. Any criticism and suggestions are more than welcome. I have thick skin and can take the abuse so dont be shy. Pics will be up as soon as I can. I'm at my brothers house right now and donthave my camera with me and my bro "claims" he doesnt have a camera.

 

[Kennay]

I will admit, I would consider one if I could get over the fact of losing my ski in the event of a rear end collision.

 

[butti]

is a trailer less dangerous?

 

[AtomicPunk]

We built my hitch hauler and it is perfect for me. I have no fear about being rear ended. I don't think I'll ever own a trailer again.

I would stick with welding the main parts for strength. However, if it is bolt together you could ship it easier/cheaper.

good luck!

 

[WFO Speedracer]

I built one also,made sense since I already had all the materials.

 

[Kennay]

is a trailer less dangerous?

Yes it is. If a car hits it, it's not going to get completely crushed. It is going to get hit, and then fly one way or the other. Ever heard of the expression "Between a rock and a hard place"? I rest my case.

 

[SurferSmurf]

I will admit, I would consider one if I could get over the fact of losing my ski in the event of a rear end collision.

you could still get rear ended with a trailer. it happened to me the day i got my trailer. luckily my ski was not on it and it was just a light bump. no damage to the trailer but it would have "F"ed up the ski.

 

[Kennay]

Really? You could? Who would have thought you could get rear ended even though you have a trailer behind you. If you don't understand what I said, then just nevermind LOL

 

[guiness92]

Ok here are some pics of a less heavy duty model we put together. Should be able to do this one a little cheaper. Some measurements are going to be changed a bit though. Bunks will be 2 3/4 inches further apart and the tube will be 6 inches longer to be able to open the hatchback while the ski is sitting on the carrier. Bunks will also be covered but this is a prototype.

If you have the means to do it yourself it would be alot cheaper for you to do it that way. This is getting thrown out there for people that DONT have the means to do it themselves. If anyone wants to build their own and has any questions just pm me and I'll help as much as possible. Again, this isnt a business venture, just a way to help people out that dont have the stuff to do their own.

 

[Kennay]

And Guiness, please don't think I was knocking your thread... I was just stating the obvious.

At that price, it's really not bad. Stell isn't cheap these days, and welding takes a bit of time... Plus, you have to think about what it is doing... it's something you can throw in your hitch, and it will carry your ski. Buying the only other thing to do that (A trailer) would be a bit more expensive, especially if buying new. I will seriously consider buying one if you guys start making them.

Just from looking, I'm sure it's beefy enough as it is, but i would feel a bit better if there was a trussed support going from the outer edges of the frame to the middle beam... maybe like one or two per side. It looks great though.

 

[guiness92]

Funny you mention that lol because the heavier duty version has that, but the engineer at my buddies company said it wasnt necessary. What do I know though, I'm just a construction worker lol.

And no worries on the thread, it is actually a big fear of mine that it will get hit from behind too. But unfortunately, I love the hitch carriers MUCH more than trailers. Especially in jersey since I dont have to pay double on the tolls using this.

 

[snowxr]

the engineer at my buddies company said it wasnt necessary. What do I know though, I'm just a construction worker lol.
.

In my oppinion people who can DO, people who THINK they can are ENGINEERS.

A little extra strength is never a bad thing. I would also considder a spot to hook your bow eye to. That would keep your ski from sliding either way, and keep the straps off your nice paint job.

 

[vjhardcore]

I'm looking a building something - The ones I've seen the ski seems to tilt and rock alittle? Does anyone else find that? That single post out the receiver seems to allow the ski to rock alittle? And I agree a post for the bow to keep it from slidning out and to keep the straps off the pint would be better?

 

[Big Kahuna]

hey Ron, look into fabricating a verticle post at one end for a bow eye mount, secures the ski much better than straps at both ends.

 

[Speedfreak]

The ones I've seen the ski seems to tilt and rock alittle? Does anyone else find that? That single post out the receiver seems to allow the ski to rock alittle?

I built mine and then welded up the 2 inch steel stock so that it was tighter in the receiver but the ski still rocks back and forth. I have been hauling my ski like that for about 4 years now and it won't go anywhere. I have tried to see how much it will take. My last truck was a lightning and I was doing a little street racing with the ski back there. This truck is a 4x4 so the ski has gone off road and it never moves. So who cares if it rocks back and forth. Actually if people think the ski is going to fall off they won't tailgate you. Which is a good thing.

And I like the no straps idea of guide post in the rear and one nose pin to hold it in place. Super easy and secure

 

[guiness92]

I like the bow eye idea and the side pipes, only problem is, that will just increase the price.

 

[Waternut]

Couple things to consider... You may want to carpet the wood so it doesn't beat up the hull so much. Also my Kawi's hull angles forward so I angled the bunks to accomodate this better.

 

[guiness92]

Yeah the bunks will be covered on the final one. Thanks for the info on the kawis, I wasnt aware that they angle forward. I will definately look into that though.

 

[Speedfreak]

You should make it so that you can buy the "accessory kit" which is the nose pin and guide post. Then after they get tired of strapping it down for the first year you can sell them the 2nd part of the kit.