What do you think of this?

"ImmoralMinority" (araimondo) 01/19/2017 at 19:53 • Filed to: None

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I want to use one of these to carry the Vespa on the Sienna as part of my campaign to Make Visits to the In Laws Great Again. It is rated up to 600 lbs, and the Vespa weighs about 230.

Good idea, bad idea, or just plain nuts?

PS We have a road trip planned for the Grand Canyon in April, which could mean Vespa in Arizona...what say you Oppo? Toby, the Grand Canyon, and Vespa, ingredients for an epic journey or a sure slide into madness?

For Sweden > ImmoralMinority 01/19/2017 at 19:59

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But why not in the bed

shop-teacher > ImmoralMinority 01/19/2017 at 19:59

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Should be fine.

TheRealBicycleBuck > ImmoralMinority 01/19/2017 at 20:03

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Check the maximum tongue weight when the van is loaded with people and luggage. The only other suggestion is a cover of some sort. If you get rain or snow, the back of the van is a dirty place to be. Just imagine the Vespa covered with the same gunk that covers the back window. Yuck.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > ImmoralMinority 01/19/2017 at 20:03

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Aside from blocking the rear plate, provided your hitch is of sufficient quality and your vehicle does not take on a nose up stance, should be fine.

Alfalfa > ImmoralMinority 01/19/2017 at 20:04

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I’ve known a few guys who use them, one fabricated his own. They seem to get the job done.

Tekamul > For Sweden 01/19/2017 at 20:05

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...Sienna.....

XJDano > ImmoralMinority 01/19/2017 at 20:08

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It’ll add weight to the back. Check the tounge weight rating of the van. That’ll be the Max load. I’ve put a few hundred pounds on the equinox.

I’d say as long as you can walk it up and walk it down you’ll probably be ok.

For Sweden > Tekamul 01/19/2017 at 20:08

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Why not make it a pickup with a bed

Tekamul > ImmoralMinority 01/19/2017 at 20:08

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As long as it’s at least a class II hitch, it should be fine. Siennas can handle about 350 on the hitch.

Tekamul > For Sweden 01/19/2017 at 20:11

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THAT is oppo level advice. What, can’t the guy borrow a sawzall?

comes over to help work on your car and only drinks beer > ImmoralMinority 01/19/2017 at 20:19

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Sienna fist bump...depending on what year you have and the specifications...we have a 2011 V6 LE AWD with towing package, which puts the towing capacity at 3500 lbs. General calcs want about 10% tongue weight, which should mean that up to at least 350 lbs should be good...however, the 4 cylinder or no towing package limits are quite a bit lower...now, that being said, the ‘towing package’ is only a trans cooler, so it would seem the suspension isn’t the limiter. I didn’t see any max tongue weight listed in my owner’s Manuel (it was an extra package, a spanish guy to tell me how my van works). If you have a different year, check the manual, look up towing.

We bought a pop-up camper last year (right at 3500 lbs), so towing was well researched by me. Long term, a truck is in the plans, but we’ll get by for now. I was able to accelerate uphill to pass a semi at interstate speeds, so I was okay after that.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > ImmoralMinority 01/19/2017 at 21:18

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http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200671883_200671883

Busslayer > ImmoralMinority 01/19/2017 at 21:42

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Is it a 2" receiver.   That should be sturdy enough. Tongue weight soundd OK as well. The only other concern I can think of is how low is the hitch? Does the carrier just stick straight out of does it have some rise to it? I use a hitch mounted cargo carrier on my wife’s Sedona and it drags on driveways and dips with suspension compression. Looking at that carrier I’m pretty sure it would drag constantly on our minivan.