Can a Hitch with a 500 lb Tongue Weight Capacity Carry 500 lbs of Carrier and Motorcycle

Updated 05/13/2016 | Published 05/11/2016

Question:

how much weight can a 500 pound TW hitch handle? lets say i have a pick up truck that has a drawtite hitch class 2 i believe rating at 500 pounds TW that i have purchased from etrailer a while back , now i would like to put on the hitch a 100 pound moto rack and a 400 pound motorcycle which sticks out about 3 feet from the hitch, considering going through windy roads example 25mph posted speed limit but going 35mph the thrust and force would change from say just going straight, my question is will the 500 pound TW hitch handle all that weight, picture is shown with a dirt bike on a home made toy hauler i am considering hauling a super sport motorcycle, thank you

asked by: Daniel M

Expert Reply:

They rate the tongue weight on hitches based on how the vehicle would most likely be used. So the hitch you have that has a 500 lb tongue weight rating is designed to handle exactly 500 lbs when used in normal towing situations.

So long story short, if your hitch has a 500 lb capacity (which would mean it isn't a Class II), you could carry exactly 500 lbs worth of carrier and motorcycle as long as you are obeying the speed limit on normal non-offroad type roads.

expert reply by: Jameson C