Recommended Setup For Towing A Light Dirt Bike And Tow A Lightweight Dingy Trailer

Updated 04/24/2017 | Published 04/21/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Multipurpose Ball Mount with 2" Receiver for Bike Racks and Cargo Carriers - 7,500 lbs

(236)

$73.69

1-7/8" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 2,000 lbs

(2639)

$13.66

Curt Hitch Receiver Reducer Sleeve - 2-1/2" to 2"

(611)

$36.76

Curt Dual Hitch Extender for 2" Trailer Hitches - 8" Extension

(123)

$105.16

Question:

I have a class 5 hitch on a ram 2500. I want to tow the small motorcycle on the top hitch with an aluminum carrier approx 310lb and pull an aluminum flat Bed trailer 180lb with and a inflatable dingy and motor combined weight approx 205lb The weight of the dirt bike 230cc and the aluminum carrier weight would be on the top hitch and the bottom hitch would pull the 12.6 dingy and 8hp motor. And 178lb aluminum trailer.

asked by: Charles

Expert Reply:

I have a couple of options for you to carry a dirt bike and tow a small trailer with infalatable dingy. I recommend the Curt Dual 2" Receiver Tube Adapter, 8" Extension # D-192 or the Curt Multipurpose Ball Mount with 2" Receiver for Bike Racks and Cargo Carriers - 7,500 lbs # D210. Both of these adapters will limit your towing by either having a lower capacity by design or having a lower capacity because an extention reduces the hitch tongue weight rating by 50%.

Both of these adapters are for 2 inch hitches, so if your class V hitch is 2-1/2 inches, I recommend using the Curt Hitch Receiver Reducer Sleeve - 2-1/2" to 2" # C45405. This will reduce the size without reducing the capacity.

For the motorcycle carrier, I recommend the etrailer Motorcycle Carrier for 2" Hitches - 500 lbs # e98873 because the lightweight carrier has the capacity you need. If you already have a ballmount to use with the extender, you will need to factor in that weight and keep everything within the tongue weight capacity of the hitch and adapter. If you use the Curt ball mount, you will need a hitch ball. For a 1-7/8 inch hitch ball, I recommend # 19260, for a 2 inch hitch ball # 63845 or a 2-5/16 inch hitch ball # 63847.

expert reply by: Jason S