Can a 2006 BMW 530xi Tow a Motorcycle on a Trailer with a Class I Trailer Hitch

Updated 05/24/2011 | Published 05/20/2011

Question:

I have a 2006 BMW 530xi sedan and all I can find is Class 1 hitches. I want to load my Harley Davidson on a trailer and take on vacation with me. I will be going from Pennsylvania to Florida in June. Will the Class I be enough of a trailer hitch to tow a trailer with the bike?

asked by: Craig J

Expert Reply:

The Curt Trailer Hitch, # 11498, for the 2006 BMW 5 series sedan is rated at 2,000 pounds gross trailer weight and 200 pounds tongue weight. The combined weight of the trailer and Harley cannot exceed 2,000 pounds. A lot of larger Harleys can be quite heavy on their own, with several models over 1,000 pounds.

However, if you find the right trailer and stay under the weight capacity limits of the hitch, you will be able to tow the bike and trailer and the hitch will be able to handle it. You can find a lot of different light weight trailers designed specifically for motorcycles online.

Tongue weight will be a little easier to control. It should be between 10 and 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. If the tongue weight is too high, move the bike back a little on the trailer. It will also help to load the bike on the trailer dry. Take anything off of it that you can and stow in the car forward of the rear axle. You can empty the gas tank and remove the battery to lighten the load.

expert reply by: Michael H