quote:

Originally posted by Cob:
You can only imagine how much weight that quad + the rack is exerting hanging out what at least 5ft from back of truck. Add to that you hit a bump and it bounces. NO WAY! $2000 on top of it. talking about going places that a trailer can't yeah right in his dreams that suker sticks out about as far as my trailer.

quote:

Originally posted by Tree Farmer:
Friends, I think some "matters of degree" might be involved in consideration of this hitch-hauler device.

The "degrees" involved include the carrying capacity of the prime mover (the pickup or SUV; is it mini, half-ton, 3/4 ton, 1-ton?), the weight and center-of-gravity of the payload (dirt bike, ATV, golf cart, what-have-you), and the terrain to be negotiated (Interstate highways, ditches-and-dips, whatever).

Within this spectrum of loads and terrain, I don't doubt there are applications where this hauler works great; faster, safer, and/or more convenient than, for example, trailers.

Also, there are combinations where the rig might work, "not so good." The geometry appears inescapable, the long overhang guarantees scalping on some ditch-crossings, bank descents and ascents, etc.

So, the device has its limitations; but . . . its applications also, I would think.

If the device and its load do not exceed the vehicle's payload weight, or the tongue weight, hauling looks plausible to me.

Handling? Don't think you want to enter a NASCAR Craftsman Truck series race with it, but--as with any unusual load distribution, you gotta take these factors into consideration when you drive.

I won't condemn the device in the abstract; I'd want to log a few miles with one installed and loaded before I passed judgment, or at least get the take of some unbiased source who has direct and first-hand personal experience doing so.

Installation and removal from the pickup receiver hitch doesn't look particularly difficult, with the wheeled strut and "legs" shown in the latter part of the video.

Bottom line, the "Tail-Gator" may or may not fit one's individual hauler, load, and/or environment, but--wouldn't write it off for everyone, based upon the limited information in the video.

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The UNUSUAL draws critical scrutiny.

As some know, I use a Louisiana Guard Dog, a hold-down/security device selling for around $ 150 ( http://www.laguarddog.com ).

Frequently asked questions:

"Don't you hafta tie the front end down?" Answer: No, you don't. The single point hold-down of the trailer hitch ball secures and stabilizes the quad adequately.

"Ain't that too much weight on the TAILGATE?" Answer: No, not at all. The dynamic weight of the rear wheels is transferred to the pickup FRAME, through the receiver hitch, not to the tailgate. (BTW, looks like some similar dynamic load transfer exists with the Tail-Gator, the device discussed in this thread.)

These are just a couple of examples of "NIH" (not invented here) or "it won't work, cause I don't have one" criticisms; I'd try to caution against such critiques of the Tail-Gator.

An often-posted image of my own rig follows.



LOUISIANA GUARD DOG SECURES QUAD; AUXILIARY TRAILER HITCH PULLS DIRT BIKE TRAILER