Box for the trailer hitch

[zoom45]

Has anyone made a rack for a small box that can be plugged into the trailer hitch receiver? I'm thinking about making one for the long rides that I don't want to pull the trailer. It could block the tail lights some so I was going to add extra lights on it that would just plug in to my quick connect for the trailer.
Zoom45

[formikec]

I'm thinking you won't be able to carry that much weight on it, but that's just an opinion. There's a lot of difference between pulling a trailer (tongue weight) and having weight just hanging off the back. At best, I would guess you probably wouldn't be safe if you were at the load limit (total passengers and cargo) of the bike, not to mention that weight is going to be hanging off the back, which will make the bike ride really weird.

Of course, this is just my guess/opinion. If you do it, how about some pics?

I'm still wanting a jetski combo where the ski could be gotten off the trailer somehow without backing the combo down the launch ramp. lol

[oldbikers]

Zoom I have one that I built for my Goldwing I have not used it on the Nomad yet but I will, the only thing I have carried on it was medium size cooler with a six pack (cokes) and some ice with 2 folding chairs strapped to it.

[zoom45]

The most I had planned on carring is one or two gallons of gas. Gas with the rack shouldn't weigh anymore than the tongue weight of my trailer. I don't think it would affect the balance. Of course if it does, I can always throw it in the garbage. LOL. I like to try new ideas but they don't always work. Some people think the rear box on my trailer makes it off balance but it doesn't. It pulls great (tested up to 84mph).
Zoom45

[ringadingh]

Unwind2's husband here, has a hardshell golf case that he mounts on the back of his bike by means of the trailer hitch, I seen it in Elkins and it held all his clothing and stuff. It a pretty neat setup when you need a little more storage space. I think there are pictures of it somewhere on one of the boards.

[radco]

They do make a rack like that.. Ive seen them on Wings..ALSO RVs but those are too big LOL..

[coldfingers]

I think the ones for the wings are called pak-it-rack?

[formikec]

http://www.pakitrak.com/
According to a post on the website:
25 lb load rating?

[Yellow Jacket]

What is the loaded weight of the trailer you pull? 10%-15% of whatever that weight is will be what your tongue weight should be. So, if your loaded trailer comes to 300 lbs. then your hitch should be supporting 30-45 lbs.

I would figure that a hitch box should be able to carry the same weight as the tongue weight of your trailer. That's assuming of course that your trailer isn't excessively heavy compared to the weight of the bike.

[formikec]

I would also be concerned if you carry much liquid (gas). Liquid can move and shift the load. For example, if you were going around a sharp turn and had to lay the bike one way or the other quickly, what would be the effect of the liquid shifting and hanging that far out behind the rear tire? Just something else to think about, might be okay, I don't know.

[zoom45]

Mine is about 120 lbs empty with 23lbs tongue weight. With it loaded it still has 23lbs tongue weight and that's even with the rear box on with two gallons of gas in it. You just need to be carefull where you put the heavy items.
Zoom

[formikec]

If I were going to build it, though, I believe I'd put a receiver tube on the back of your trailer, build it so it could be used on the back of the trailer or in the receiver on the bike. That way, if you aren't using the trailer, you could take it off and put it on the bike, if you are using the trailer, then you can put it on the back of the trailer and use it there. Just another thought. lol

[zoom45]

Actually that's the way it is now.

[formikec]

Then, all you really need to do is make an adapter to allow you to attach it to the hitch on the bike? Why buy a rack when you can just adapt what you already use?