Modern Vespa

Anyone any comments on this alternative to trailers or truck beds? I really do not like riding vast distances.

This rack seems to be solidly made. The scooter rides nicely behind my Dodge Dakota.

Miss Agnes helped me load the GTS onto the Versa Haul.


Port side.

Starboard side.

Do I need the Tail Light Kit?

Although I've never towed or trailered and have no idea usually what I'm talking about, it does make me wonder if your rear tiedown is ok just attached to the rear rack?

Blackbart used his to bring his Rally to my house over 30 minutes of hwy driving and about 20 minutes rural driving and then back home.
He said good things about it, and if I could get a hitch on my Mitsubishi, I'd go that route, too!

used one for years, albeit with my P200E.

No problems whatsoever, just need be extra cautious leaving and entering sloped driveways, as the device will scrape.

Oh, and I secure your seat-cover extra well while in transit. Having it fly off while driving could be traumatic (to you and the person behind you seeing it flying towards them ) as its in the busiest air behind your vehicle.

Have used for many trips, including recent round trip from PA to Cocoa Beach, almost 1000 miles each way. No issues.

I've used a variant of that carrier before. No problems to report.

I think I would tie down the rear end slightly differently, though. I would anchor closer to the attachment point of the rear rack, closer to the body, to avoid using the rack as a lever. Either that, or I would just tie the rear wheel down directly to the carrier and let the suspension do the rest.

I should use the rail that is adjacent to the seat. I tried to keep the strap away from the paint. The rear carrier seemed to work OK when the scooter was in the truck bed.

I will remove the seat cover for a 'real' trip. And probably put the pet carrier (Which is full of shtuff) in the truck bed; also have to tank fairly empty. All that to keep the weight on the rack low.

The good folks at Scoot Richmond suggested that I use ratchet straps to make the job of cranking down the front suspension a mite easier.


Someone at Amerivespa 2013 suggested additional straps from the Versa Haul, over the tailgate and to an attachment point in the truck.

I always put a twist in the strap to stop it vibrating in the airstream.

Nice looking setup. In answer to your question about adding towing lights I'd say yes. Look at it this way, they're dead simple to install since they're held in place with really strong magnets and they add a measure of safety to your package. They're also not expensive when compared to traffic tickets or the odd chance someone claims they couldn't see your lights.

Best,

LL75 8)

Thanks for the comment.

Um, what holds down the rear end of the scooter in your setup? I do not see a strap.

You know, it's been awhile since I last saw that scooter and I kind of wondered if someone had stolen it...

Seriously though, I tie down the wheels with straps and use zip-ties to secure the tie-down hooks as an extra measure. That particular photo was taken during the loading process which wasn't complete.

The following shots were taken during the first loading sequence of a new carrier and don't show the zip-ties installed. I haven't had a chance to go anywhere with this new system yet but it feels really solid so I'm happy with it. Sorry, the poor photos don't help much but you'll get the idea.

LL75












New rail in down position

New rail in up position

Thanks for posting these....I was wondering what Versahaul + Vespa looked like. Ya, I think you should get some more lights back there so you won't get pulled over....

I looked into the Versahaul but my small Ford Ranger is only rated for small scooters with it. A Vespa 300 is about 75 lbs. over the Versahaul rated capacity (with Ford Ranger). Adding stronger shocks/springs/whatever might make it doable but I'm trying to keep it simple. So, it looks like it is going to be trailer or truck bed for me....

Truck LED strip lights. They have reverse too.


I installed the LED lights (that are made to be put under the tail gate of a truck) on the rear of the carrier.

Absolutely mate.

I have a homemade version of the versa-haul, see photo.

It has traveled all over the country picking up scooters and motorbikes from 100lbs to 600lbs. Never had an issue, ever.

Cheers


1200 mile round trip, it was worth it.

i have a similar set up that i used when i picked up my 150 from the dealer. it seemed a little flimsy, but worked great. I also put a pad between the tailgate and the scooter and pulled the scooter forward for a little molre stability. i have a dodge dakota. its a great set up.

I've had great service from a Moto Tote carrying an LX150. Looking at the pictures always seems to spark new ideas on what is the best tie-down arrangement. I would be a little concerned with the windshields (especially the full one) riding sideways to the wind when mounted behind a pick-up truck that didn't block the direct airstream the way an SUV would (curvature of the windshield might generate "lift" pushing the mounts in the opposite direction than normal). Likewise, tying down each rim directly to the carrier is highly recommended to counter an unaticipated large bump "derailing" the scooter.

This is mine ... picture taken before putting tie-downs. Tie downs were put the same way as the members did on this board (thread)


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I'm interested in getting one that I could mount on an Acura Mdx. Anyone have any experience with that or a similar vehicle? About how long does it take to install on the vehicle and load the scooter?

Brendan

You know, I can't actually agree there. I think good heavy-duty cam-lock straps work better, are generally cheaper, and are simpler to use as well. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the ratchet straps are an over-engineered gimmick.

Cam-lock straps are also less likely to bend the handlebars.

Last edited by jess on Sat, 02 Mar 2013 02:32:15 +0000; edited 1 time

You need a Class III hitch receiver (or better) to use a Versa-Haul or its ilk. Generally speaking, that means a genuine body-on-frame truck, not an SUV with unibody construction. There are exceptions, though. You'd need to check the specs on the Mdx to see if it can support a Class III receiver with a 500 pound tongue weight rating.

http://www.etrailer.com/vm/Acura/MDX/hitch

400 lbs tongue weight. I'd go for it with added air bags. You'll usethem just enough to flatten out again. If it were under 400 I wouldn't consider it. Your good just need topart with few $$$.

Thanks, guys.

Brendan

My wife's 2001 MDX has a rated tongue weight of 450#s and that's from the factory. I would think most conventional scoots could be accommodated by the MDX. We put C rated tires on the vehicle instead of just P rated. We (she) likes the ride a lot better.

Jim, did you build it as you went along, or did you have plans that perhaps you could share with us DIY guys???

PS, Hope you're doing well!
Always a pleasure to read your posts and remember ALL the help you gave me!
Cheers!

Thankyou David, it's like you composed my post for me. Hi Jim!

Can you load and unload it by yourself? I've powered my scoot up a little ramp into my van by myself, but it's terrifying. And what's the weight limit?

I'd also like to put in a good word for ratchet straps. I use them a lot at work rigging sculptures and loading them onto trucks and I like the subtlety of clicking things along evenly all around and how easy they are to adjust when checking a load mid-journey.

That's interesting. My Ford Ranger checked in at 400 lbs tongue weight, also. However, the Versa-hauler website said I could only carry 250 lbs with a Versa-hauler on a Ford Ranger. (BTW, don't go to the Versa-hauler website right now, they've got issues on some of their webpages - my Kaspersky AV is going nuts when I click on their Carrying-Capacity webpage right now.) My GTV weighs 325 lbs. Do you suppose they are including the weight of the Versa-hauler (VH-55) in their calculations? I would like nothing better than to have the option of getting a Versa-hauler or an equivalent....

The Versa Haul weighs about 75 pounds; the GTS 350. A 400 pound tongue weight will not cut it. My Dakota is rated for 500. I plan to keep it light as stated above.

Re the ratchet* I found it easy to tighten the straps in the truck bed as I was standing on the solid base, however, on the Versa Haul there is a lot of movement which I found made it hard to tighten the straps in order to properly compress the front suspension.

I had no trouble pushing the GTS up the ramp onto the rack. Much easier - and less scary - than driving it up the big ramps onto the truck bed. And easier to back it off.

One more plus for this arrangement. When I drove up to the entrance to the Hilton garage at Amerivespa 2011 in New Orleans I realised (in time) that the truck plus scooter plus wind shield exceeded the entrance height limit. I had to unload the scooter in the street before I went in. This will not be an issue with the Versa Haul.


*I once said to a young lad in the tool department of Sears: "Do you know what a ratchet is?" "No", he said. "It is a little bit bigger than a mouse shit".

None of my scooters weigh more than 250 lbs, so even with the 75 of the versa haul itself, it sounds like 400 lb tongue weight would work.

Brendan

There's also an alternative to the VersaHaul called Tilt-A-Rack that is a bit lighter and tilts down to make it easier to get the bike on the rack.

http://www.tilt-a-rack.com/tilt-a-rack-410acr/

I own that one, and have used it extensively.

There's a fatal flaw in the traditional VersaHaul product. To get a bike onto the hauler, you need to allow for the length of the ramp and the length of the bike, plus a bit more to get a good start. In a built-up city, this length exceeds the width of the sidewalk. So you need an open parking lot or a driveway that you can block while loading and unloading.

I found that in parts of San Francisco, I couldn't load a bike with the traditional VersaHaul product, which is why I now own the Tilt-A-Rack. They don't recommend the 410ACR model for rear-engine scooters over 300 pounds (yours would be fine) but for anyone else reading this thread, there's also a 600-pound capacity model:

http://www.tilt-a-rack.com/tilt-a-rack-610acr/

You know I see those on here all the time but they always look so 'wibbly-wobbly' with the tie downs going almost straight down.

They must work but I'd get more than a bit nervous.

I've rented a bike trailer from U-haul for $15/day when I need it (and my GT needed it too often). All told I'm sure I still spent a lot less than buying my own carrier.

Cool, it sounds like a Tilt-a-Rack would probably make sense for NYC.

Brendan

Any mods to read suspension? I can't imagine a Tundra not sagging with 600LB and a rack on the ass end. All 3 of my Toyota trucks did.

MJM50cal. What is the name of the carryer that you have the mp3 on, and who produced it, or is it home made, I have a 3/4 ton pickup. I see there is a hitch on the rear of it, Have been thinking about getting rid of my 5th wheel and going back to a pop up. 7 to 8 miles per gallon is killing me.

Very good. For some reason, I had excluded that option. Local mom & pop trailer place didn't like the idea of me taking one of their trailers across town to the Vespa dealer (40 miles). I bet U-haul will take my money. (It will probably be more than $15, though). I don't plan to visit the dealer unless I absolutely have to....

Larry, what system is it you are using to haul your scooter?

Mate, When hauling an R1200GS, I take my 94 Land Cruiser. 2'' Lift with OME aussie shocks.
I have an arb bar on the front so sagging in the rear is never an issue ( most of the time ) .

David/Jeff, I did make it. I actually "learned" to weld making it. It's based on one that I used to own. Took me an entire weekend to make and $140 or so in steel. I loaned out my original rack and it never returned

The Tundra is still in Tucson....that's another story.

Cheers

Just transported my scoot this week. 5 hours of highway driving.

Hi guys, next time, try to add shorter straps around your brake levers to secure the scooters even more. This is a good practise.

And one more note: vespa is meant to be ridden in the first place, so why to attach it to a back of a truck?? :))

My Tilt-A-Rack is steel. The newer aluminum model looks much lighter. Wish I had one!