Readying the Motorcycle swivelwheel

Finally a day with no rain!!!  Yes....I can finally 

ready the motorcycle swivelwheel for a test run.

Good so far.  Got it attached to the dually.

NOTE:  Click on any photo for a full screen view - or double click 
             for a two   time full screen view.

 This swivelwheel will be attached to the receiver on the 5th wheel.  The objective today was to complete the assembly, install all relevant components, load the motorcycle and take the swivelwheel for a test run.

This is a direct connection to the receiver.  There is no ball.  The swivelwheel acts like a welded attachment... it is not considered a trailer...or 'B' train when attached to the 5th wheel.

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This bolt is actually threaded through the solid piece of steel that directly connects into the hitch receiver.

Because this loading ramp is welded aluminum which is very slippery when wet- and we live in a wet winter climate - I chose to cut, paint, and glue sand onto 1/4" plywood pieces and mount these to the aluminum rails using self taping metal screws.

Folding aluminum motorcycle loading ramp.

Painted sand boards.

Close up of my custom made anti slip boards.

Preparing to attach the anti slip boards to the aluminum rails with self tapping metal screws.

Once this was completed, I attached the ramp to the swivelwheel and walked up and down.  No slipping...no sliding! This is most important when loading a 750 lbs motorcycle.  You do not want to have your feet slip.  OUCH!!!!  This worked out really well! Should I have to stop, part way up the ramp, my feet will stick to the ramp and the bike will not fall over due to slippage.  My feet will not fall through the ladder rails either.  That would really hurt!!!    Safety is key when loading and unloading.

The ramp safety chains required the installation of two safety hooks....one for each side. The ramp will not fall down when loading or unloading. 

These hook latches were installed with bolts, washers and locking nuts.

Once that was accomplished the next step was to center, drill holes for and mount the motorcycle wheel chalk.

Once the locking nuts were tightened, the deck was ready to receive the motorcycle.

Chalk is opened to receive the front wheel.

Line her up.....with a view from this side....

...and a view from that side.  OK, we're ready! Sorry....no photos of the ride up the ramp.  My co-pilot was off running errands.

Motorcycle is loaded and strapped down.

Swivelwheel is checked for pressure brake and air pressure settings.

After I drove it around the neighbourhood for a test drive, my co-pilot took the wheel of the F-350 and I followed to observe how well this swivelwheel system works.

Looks great from the side....and it tracks very well.

It tracks very well from this vantage point too.

Signal, running and brake lights all work well.

It takes the corners very well.  The driver reports no sense of sway.  I observe from behind that this swivelwheel system tracks very well indeed.

Test is completed and my co-pilot is returning to the driveway @ home.

Our impressions:

Very cool indeed.  Although we have not tested this system with the 5th wheel, that will happen in the next few weeks when it will be brought out of storage and readied for our journey to the sunny Arizona, California and Texas climes.  That will happen shortly after Christmas day. Based on today's trials, we don't foresee any problems when the swivelwheel is attached to the back of the 5th wheel. It was a productive day indeed......and to top it off, the Christmas lights were installed on the house too. Photos to come at a later date.