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is motorcycle carrier a trailer, speed limit 55 or 65?

MackeyStingray said:
attach the plate to the carrier w proper lighting
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You mean the lights for the illumination of the license plate?

Or lights for the rear-brake, left/right signals, night light, and reverse gear light?

Or do I need all these 5 kinds of lights?
 
What exactly are you trying to do? Are you trying to move a bike from point A to point B? If so, there are a couple of different options.

To answer your original question: No, a carrier is not a trailer.

If you are towing a trailer, you can only go 55 MPH. (35 in some spots).

If you are towing a trailer, the license plates must be visible.

Does that help?
 
a_fierce_lion said:
Lots of comments,,, lots of people saying what I can NOT do... will someone come out and solve the problem?

This carrier thing can not be illegal, companies are surviving in manufacturing these. As much as these will violate the law, there will be solutions that don't. I need those.

Be productive please, I am here to seek help from you LEOs, to hear solution to my problem.

And I appreciate your help in advance.
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There are tons of companies making tons of illegal aftermarket products for vehicles and motorcycles. It would be kinda hard to really make that carrier legal in all respects by looking at it. I guess it would just depend on the risks you want to take. How long is the trip? Probably the worst thing is that if it blocked the brake lights, and you didn't have modified lights put on the back of the carrier, then someone might slam into the back of the truck and not only damage your truck, but you bike too, not to mention possibility of injuries.

A trailer would be legal in lighting and having its own plate, etc., but it probably costs more, you have to register it, and there are storage issues you don't have with the carrier.
 
Rel said:
If you are towing a trailer, the license plates must be visible.
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Visible from where? It wouldn't be visible from directly behind the trailer, just like it wouldn't be from directly behind the carrier.
 
OldFatGuy said:
Visible from where? It wouldn't be visible from directly behind the trailer, just like it wouldn't be from directly behind the carrier.
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I've never seen a vehicle towing a trailer that had a clearly visible rear plate. Trailers will have their own plate so as long as that one is visible I don't really worry about it. But then again, my primary job is working patrol, not strictly traffic enforcement.

I would say any blocked plate is technically illegal, but I would also bet it would be more likely to be enforced with someone using a rear carrier (where no plate is visible) vs. a trailer where as least the trailer plate is visible.

Maybe Rel has more to add?
 
a_fierce_lion said:
You mean the lights for the illumination of the license plate?

Or lights for the rear-brake, left/right signals, night light, and reverse gear light?

Or do I need all these 5 kinds of lights?
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The link i posted earlier http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=BLZ&MfrPartNumber=C6423&CategoryCode=3467A
These lights have everything you need, including light for license plate.Im not sure of your fabrication skills but it would be pretty simple to fab up something on the carrier to include a license plate bracket.Hell if you were in Sac id gladly give you a hand.Probably an hour job.
 
All this is getting too complicated.... i am getting inclined towards just shipping the bike.

I saw that link gixxer joe, its just that I don't feel like messing up with the truck circuitry.
 
bojangle said:
I would say any blocked plate is technically illegal, but I would also bet it would be more likely to be enforced with someone using a rear carrier (where no plate is visible) vs. a trailer where as least the trailer plate is visible.

Maybe Rel has more to add?
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There is no "technically", it is plainly illegal. via the license plate not being visible.

However, there is nothing wrong with the.... Well hell, I'm going to call it a tote, cause it's NOT a trailer. It's not supporting it's own weight via an axle, and attached to the vehicle via an articulating coupler. So saying it's a trailer is obviously not a logistical answer.

However, I'm unclear as to if the OP's truck is capable "safely" of a Tongue load of that weight (it should be). I also do know there are weight limits imposed as to a "passenger" plated truck, vs a "commercial" plated truck. As to those restrictions, I have no knowledge.

Seeing if the OP was smart enough to temporarily relocate the license plate, as to be visible. Make sure the rear lights of the vehicle are clearly visible. I would see no real reason for a LEO to be alerted into stopping the vehicle for any other reason then running the plate on the bike to make sure it's not stolen.

Even IF the driver is doing 65mph.
 
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a_fierce_lion said:
dodge ram 1500 2 door

6'3" long bed
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You can purchase a magnetic light kit for your truck, it will plug into the exissting trailer connector. Stick those on the carrier, and you're good to go.

Here's an example:
http://www.equipment2u.com/family/Magnetic_Mount_Tow_Light_Kit_20_/5853?trk=frgl if you have an existing flat 4 conductor plug on your truck.

Here's a video showing just how easy it is: [youtube]fUUnStZov6k[/youtube]

If you don't, there are plugs in the existing harness where one will connect, you just need to source it.
 
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Dopesick said:
However, I'm unclear as to if the OP's truck is capable "safely" of a Tongue load of that weight (it should be). I also do know there are weight limits imposed as to a "passenger" plated truck, vs a "commercial" plated truck. As to those restrictions, I have no knowledge.
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Tongue weight is probably limited to 500lbs on the bumper or rec'r hitch.

How many "passenger" plated p/u's have you seen in CA? Getting a "passegener" registration on a P/U (to avoid weight fee's) is a PITA as it requires permanent living quarters - a camper shell doens't cut it.

Brian
 
NVR FNSH said:
Tongue weight is probably limited to 500lbs on the bumper or rec'r hitch.

How many "passenger" plated p/u's have you seen in CA? Getting a "passegener" registration on a P/U (to avoid weight fee's) is a PITA as it requires permanent living quarters - a camper shell doens't cut it.

Brian
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I'm sorry I don't know what P/U and PITA is. I also don't know what a permanent living quarter is.
 
NVR FNSH said:
Tongue weight is probably limited to 500lbs on the bumper or rec'r hitch.

How many "passenger" plated p/u's have you seen in CA? Getting a "passegener" registration on a P/U (to avoid weight fee's) is a PITA as it requires permanent living quarters - a camper shell doens't cut it.

Brian
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I work in the smog industry. I see plenty of non-commercial plated pickups and SUV's. :|
 
moving to the east coast??

dude, uhaul it, you can throw all your crap in the bed. and even more in the ENCLOSED trailer

just my 0.02
 
Rel said:
Well CRAP.

OP, I misread your post. You're carrying the item, not towing it.

Therefore, as long as your load is secure, you can do the maximum speed limit.

See, even a LEO can admit when a mistake is made. :teeth
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damn I wanted to correct you!!! you ruined my day :)
 
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