Kart on the bed?

[NewbinHouston]

Hi all, I want to know if any members here ever have transported a (adult size) TaG Kart or Shifter Kart on the bed of the ridge. If you have any pictures to share it would be great.

Thanks!

[scottIN]

I don't think it will work w/o popping off the rear hubs. The bed is just over 48", and if you're runnng a ~56" rear wheel base, just ain't gonna fit. I thought about going in sideways and leaning either one side or the front end over the side of the bed, but the angle complicates things. You might get away with setting the back wheels on the tail gate and putting just the front in (unless you're running a crazy wide front end).

So, I simplified things and rented a garage at the track. No hauling for me! Although I am working on a snazzy little jerrry can holder that fits in the bed so I don't have to haul fuel in the cab.

[NewbinHouston]

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I'm looking at 55" rear width. I pretty much already planned on keeping the rear axle on the tailgate, but I was mostly concerned with the front and with the sidepods.
I have a trailer that I use for my bikes, but for me the whole idea behind getting a RL (or any truck) is to avoid using the trailer every time (a total pain in the butt).
I want a RL, but don't want to be limited on this end. I don't mind taking off the wheels if I need to, but don't want to haul in the trailer everytime.

[scottIN]

If you want to send me the measurement from the rear axle to where the side pods are 48", I can measure how deep it will go into the bed. If you're running Unico's, they taper fairly significantly Rear to Front. There was also a post on EKN today about a hitch hauler for karts that looked sweet. If I had to haul, I'd probably go that way vs. a trailer. Gear & tools in the bed / trunk, and the kart on the hitch hauler.

[NewbinHouston]

I haven't bought the kart yet either. I'm looking at two chassis, the Intrepid MT01, and Birel 32mm for the 125 cc TaG motor.
I can't find detailed specs on the complete Intrepid online, and Birel only give you the frame dimensions. Looks like I'm going to have to go to a shop and measure both.

Thanks for the offer though. Do you have a link to the EKN article you mentioned?

[scottIN]

I'm going Friday to get fitted for my seat Spec (Margay) TaG with a Leopard. Mark Dismore just finished building my wife's kart, a Spec TaG with a 100cc Leopard. I'd measure it, but it's still at the shop.

Here's a link to the place that does the custom hitch haulers - might be a good source for others on here as well-

http://www.joehauler.com/customhaule...mhaulers.shtml

[russiarulez]

I wonder how will a hitch stand up to that kind of abuse? They're putting about a 1000lbs into a standard class 3 hitch, isn't that way overloading it?

[NewbinHouston]

Originally Posted by russiarulez

I wonder how will a hitch stand up to that kind of abuse? They're putting about a 1000lbs into a standard class 3 hitch, isn't that way overloading it?

I depends on the "tongue weight capacity" of the hitch and the moment arm being applied. I used to have a hitch ramp for my motorcycles )from Joe Hauler, coincidentally). The ramp wighed about 120 lbs, and the bike about 500. It was not a problem at all for my wife's jeep grand cherokee (2" receiver, i think it was a class 3).
I was always nervous about the dynamic load being put on the hitch, but it never became a problem. I stopped using it because I had a back problem, and couldn't lift the ramp into position anymore.

[scott6428]

I don't have a ridgeline but one of the reasons I'm looking at it is that I want to put a 4 cycle kart in the back. The max rear axle width is 50 inches and the chassis is 65 inches long. My assumption is I'd have to put the rear wheels on the tail.

[Portogetin]

Hi,

i have an 125cc shifter kart. I am using my Ridgeline to go to the track for practicing. You will not be able to fit the kart on the bed on the tail gate flat down. The problem are the side pod, they are preventing the kart of going all the way so the the back wheel would be seating on the bed door. The way i was able to do this is by cuting a piece of 'plywood' so i was able to enter le kart on an angle. The kart is sitting on the 'plywood'. The front bumper of the kart is leaning on the back window. This is not ideal, but i am planning on building a rack so the kart will be seating on it level. So i will be able to close the bed door or open it if needed whlie the kart is on the rack in the trunk. The other thing that i found interesting with that is i will be able to bring all my equipment in the trunk instead of in the truck. I will send picture when i am done, hopefully withing the next month.

Christian