Can a 225 Pound Dirt Bike be Carried on the Back of a 2015 Chevy Equinox AWD 4 Cylinder

Updated 10/17/2016 | Published 10/15/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(880)

$166.62

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(165)

$68.91

etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs

(1375)

$88.95

etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"

(1247)

$148.62

Question:

I see that I am able to buy a class III, 2inch hitch for my equinox. My question is this: Am I able to use a dirt bike carrier in the hitch? Carrier weighs 40-50lbs and the dirt bike weighs 225lbs. Tongue weight is 350lbs, but weight will be on the carrier some distance away. Also, these are uni-body type vehicles and not a true truck frame. Does it matter? Thoughts?

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

The tongue weight capacity of the trailer hitch is one thing but you also have to consider the tongue weight capacity of your 2015 Chevy Equinox. According to the vehicle owner's manual the 4 cylinder models are rated for 1,500 pounds gross trailer weight and the tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. So at 1,500 pounds 15 percent would be 225 pounds. This is about 50 pounds short of where it would have to be with a 50 pound carrier and 225 pound bike.

If the Equinox is the only vehicle you have then the best option is a small trailer, even one designed specifically to carry one motorcycle. For this you will need a hitch and accessories. I do recommend sticking with a Class III hitch # e98865 since it will be more robust than a lower class hitch.

I also recommend etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not have the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, use the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

And for trailer wiring you can use # 118494 to add a 4-Way trailer connector to the rear of the vehicle. I have linked a video showing how it installs as well.