Re: motorcycle rack

[luvrbus]

Better look at the frame rails a little closer Wayne it is not solid that bolt hole is just a insert welded into the box


good luck

[rv_safetyman]

Chaz, my term equalizer hitch is an old term that we used to use.  I think the correct term is "weight distribution hitch".  It is a system that uses two spring arms that attach to the trailer and "lift" up on the hitch.  Here is a link that will show the concept:

http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/c-156-weight-dist-hitch.aspx

I am not a fan of auxiliary wheels unless they are designed as a SYSTEM.  I have seen platforms that are mounted on the rear of a vehicle using two vertical pivots and a single caster wheel.  If the platform is not pivoted, the vertical movement of the bumper in dips would kill most any suspension system on the load carrying wheel.

Properly designed, I think a caster wheel platform would work pretty well.  It could have a hitch on the back for the boat trailer.  The photo below shows the concept and why the platform/trailer would need to be pivoted.

Jim

[wal1809]

Better look at the frame rails a little closer Wayne it is not solid that bolt hole is just a insert welded into the box


good luck

I am assuming those holes is where an 8v would be mounted?

[luvrbus]

That is correct Wayne for a 8v92 or the 8v71 


good luck

[Ericbsc]

Most of the time I just sit back and read these posts. I have an Eagle that was down to the frame only. Don't know what it will hold. tote, lift, or push!! It just does what I need it to . I did see one comment I would like to reply to:


(The only problem I see with it will be the oil your engine puts out. After it gets all over that wing it will look like a Harley. I hope for you it won't make it hard to start. )

You know that riding a kawasaki, sizuki, etc. is sorta like dating an ugly girl. I'm sure she is nice, but you just don't want to take her to the family reunion!!!LOL

[luvrbus]

Oh oh the Harley guys have been awaken   


good luck from a Harley lover

[Ed Hackenbruch]

No charge for the rustproofing Cody!

[Van]

Should I comment... Ok can't resist this one, sorry   Load the Spertster and stay away from the fat girls, that will be a load we can all live with LOL!

[kyle4501]

Interesting thread. . . .
Looks like the potential problem areas have been pointed out & as long as those areas are properly considered, there is no reason it can't work.

BTW, FWIW, the tag on a PD4501 carries the same weight as the drive. They came with a feature that would allow the driver to reduce (by ~30%) the air to the tag air bags & put more weight on the drive to get better traction. If the tag is left in this 'unloaded' state, the bus will porpoise down the road & be very difficult to steer. So, axle loading can be very important . . . .

Good luck with the project.
As always, pictures of cool projects are appreciated.

[Charles in SC]

Sorry Eric but I could not resist it. The Harleys I have had made me feel like I had a real old girl with a new dress on. Not as great as they looked like they would be. Your bus looks great!

Most of the time I just sit back and read these posts. I have an Eagle that was down to the frame only. Don't know what it will hold. tote, lift, or push!! It just does what I need it to . I did see one comment I would like to reply to:


(The only problem I see with it will be the oil your engine puts out. After it gets all over that wing it will look like a Harley. I hope for you it won't make it hard to start. )

You know that riding a kawasaki, sizuki, etc. is sorta like dating an ugly girl. I'm sure she is nice, but you just don't want to take her to the family reunion!!!LOL

[Dave5Cs]

Cody;

Maybe a wheel chair lift modified tat would lift and possibly swing out of the way also to get to the Motor. They already have the lift rails and hydrolics FWIW

Dave

[rv_safetyman]

Dave, I am not sure what wheel chair lift you are thinking about, but I suspect that it will not lift a heavy motorcycle or quad.  Probably designed to lift 300 pounds with almost no lever arm capability.

After I posted the photo of the platform that has pivot mounts on the bumper/frame and a dolly wheel, I did some more thinking about the design.  I think that, properly designed (mostly the wheel suspension and components), it would would be a great option for carrying large loads on the back of a bus.  The pivot arms could be mounted via square tubing trailer hitch type receivers.  Would be easy to remove and get to the engine area.  The wheel would support quite a bit of the weight.

Several  of you have talked about the metal magicians that you are associated with and they could probably fabricate the platform using "farmer engineering".  Lest you think I am talking down to farmers, just the opposite is true.  They are, generally, the best engineers that I have ever met.  I worked in the Ag Market for years and many of the really good companies were started by farmers.  I used to call on Vermeer in the early 70s and their blueprints were chalk layouts on the floor.  They built (and probably still build) some of the best equipment in the world.  Same was true of Hesston (started by a couple of farmers with a some good seat of the pants ideas).

If a person wanted to pull a boat trailer behind the platform, a trailer hitch that pivots latterly to a small degree would help with the issue of the platform swinging out as the turn is made.

Jim

[luvrbus]

Good grief Cody all you ever told us was you replaced the baggage compartment rust and Jim said farmers where some of the best at engineering which I agree if it wasn't for a farmer named Holt there would no Cat tractors relax and enjoy the turkey today


good luck

[kyle4501]

My thoughts . . . .

What is laughable is for someone to ask " the guys on the board that are familier with iggle rears to give me their thoughts and what reinforcement they would suggest . . . "
-Only to rebuke all that was said that pointed potential problems to watch for.
-Then to claim the bus being discussed isn't an Eagle frame after all.
-That some with engineering degrees aren't engineers because they don't have their PE but a skilled fabricator is one of the best engineers in existence with no refrence of the prior mentioned PE.


No small wonder many don't post - If their efforts to help are met with belligerent defiance.

My question - cody, if you have such excellent engineering & design resources at hand, AND are going to trash caring posts interested in helping avoid failures . . . Why post the question?

[Chaz]

My ever consistant feeling is that there is a LOT of feeling, emotion, etc. lost in the "typed word". There really is. I'm not sure where or when one of us started to feel........ I dunno...... "belittled", maybe is the word, but, I am certain that if we were all having this conversation face to face we would ALL feel the better intentions and the conversation would not have come to this. Personally, I LOVE this thread and it has inspired me in some more creative ways.

I think the part of the problem may lie in having the last word. I can be guilty of that, at times, too.  But if "Thank You" would more often be the last word, some threads could be ended a little more civil. But, that said, I still love the exchange of ideas that this thread and others provoke. It really is good stuff!!!! When ego's get involved, well, that's when things can go south unfortunately.

Oh, and Charles, I resent that remark!! My old girl still has her old dress on and I'd take her before a new girl any day! Especially foreign girls!! And what's wrong with older girls with experience and class wearing new dresses!!??
  LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL    Just kiddin around!!! Just kiddin around. Obviously I like my old stuff including my Knucklehead. But then, who can't appreciate a well kept, in great shape older lady!!??  (careful now guys!! )

  Have a great turkey day folks!
   Chaz