Motorcycle hitch carrier

[s1000rr]

Hey guys,
need some assistance. I brought this up on a motorcycle forum and they said they wouldnt trust it. Hope someone can help with weight distribution and tongue weight.

Planning on doing a trip and want to bring the bike with me. Looking to purchase a hitch carrier, the one specifically would be the moto tote (google if you never heard of it).

It has a maximum weight capacity of 550lbs, and weighs 60 lbs.

Now doing calculations:

2013 ford explorer sport, with tow package: maximum towing 5000 lbs.

divide this by 10% according to the site, gives me 500 lb tongue weight.

Now, to add in the bike. Dry weight is around 400 lbs.

add the 60 lbs of the carrier and that brings it too 460 lbs.

So im left with 40 lbs extra.

My question is, what is the actual tongue weight the car can support?
Im fairly close to the limits, and thats also my concern.

Hope someone can help out. thanks

 

[Lewisra]

Take a look at this document. The max rated is 500lbs. You should be fine. just a few extra bounces when you go over bumps.

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/13flrv&tt_explorer_oct1.pdf

 

[soulpatch]

Two problems. One your bike is no longer dry as I assume you have had gas in it, oil for the engine, and brake fluid. You need to add weight to the bike. You also need to take into account that as the suspension compresses it is a force downwards when you go over a bump and thus adding more "weight" to the tongue.

I track my Daytona 675 and I have seen plenty of these come rolling in. Some work awesome but then again track bikes typically shed a ton of weight removing all of our lights and other useless bits. I have also seen some that have tweaked the receiver and caused damage to the truck.

Personally I would rather spend close to the same amount for a cheap harbor freight trailer and go that route. It would cost you about the same, would give you additional functionality other then the bike, and you are guaranteed to not damage the vehicle.

One other thing about the back hitches is that you typically need airbags for them. Otherwise you have put a bad weight on the back of the truck and cause serious sagging and the front lifting.

 

[s1000rr]

thanks for the document lewisra!!

Correct soul patch, I actually only accommodated for the fuel, not oil and brake fluid. thats why i rounded up to 400. Wet weight is 451.

I wont be tracking my s1000rr yet, may get a used bike for that.

I was worried about tongue and hitch which you have mentioned, last thing i want to do is see my bike on the highway behind me or even damaging the suspension.

Some even mentioned that small bike trailers are also not so great, due to the fact that they can sway because they are so small. Some typical ones are kendon trailers and trailer in a bag.

I will have to do some more research. thanks guy

 

[soulpatch]

Harbor Freight trailers are around the same price if not cheaper then those options you have listed and they work well for their purpose. Depending on your explorer you already have anti sway and if not you can add one cheap to the hitch.

I had a small utility trailer to start and had no issues with undesired movement. My enclosed trailer now needs anti sway as it can be pushed in wind at times.

The kendon is pretty good but it is overpriced for what you get honestly. Ton of options out there for us now but if you have a tractor supply or harbor freight around you I would start there.

If you are going to continue to trailer your bike around I HIGHLY suggest the pit bull trailer restraint system. No more fussing with straps or chocks. Just wheel bike into the pins and drive off. Loading now takes 15 seconds.