Tongue Weight Capacity of 2012 Dodge Journey for Transporting Powered Wheelchair

Question:

I have a 2012 dodge journey r/t .I need to use a power wheel chair carrier the chair plus the carrier weights 330 lbs. the tongue weight for my vehicle is only 250 lbs. Would a weight distributing hitch give me enough weight distribution from the carrier so I can carry the power wheel chair?

asked by: Ken D

Expert Reply:

A weight distribution hitch like the terrific Reese Straight-Line # RP66082 works only with bumper-pull trailers that couple to a hitch ball. They cannot be used with static hitch-mounted accessory items like wheelchair carriers.

Unfortunately there is no way to add tongue weight (TW) capacity to a vehicle. That figure is determined by the engineers that designed the car. Even though we do offer Class III hitches for your car that offer a 400-lb TW rating, the vehicle's lower 250-lb rating becomes the actual limit. The lowest-rated item in a system determines overall capacity, like the weakest link in a chain.

You will need a small trailer to tow your power chair. You can find ramped trailers for wheelchairs at many outdoor type stores. Towing one will require a hitch, a ball mount, hitch ball and wiring harness. Use the link provided to choose your type of taillights and to then see compatible hitches.

For a ball mount you can use # D-4, Hitch Pin and Clip, # PC3, and a 2-inch hitch ball like # 63845 or 1-7/8-inch like # 19260.
For wiring use kit # 118567.