Is Rear End Sag Normal When Using MaxxTow Hitch-Mount Motorcycle Carrier MT70101

Published 01/31/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(815)

$180.84

Air Lift 1000 Air Helper Springs for Coil Springs - Rear

(1187)

$129.89

Question:

Hi, I installed Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver on my 2017 Ford Explorer and I attached MaxxTow MaxxHaul hitch carrier. When I load my dirt bike on the carrier, end of carrier goes down toward to ground little bit so the carrier is not parallel to the ground. Is this normal? Also, anti-rattle bracket on hitch carrier doesn’t fit on my hitch. Is this normal or something is wrong?

asked by: Mason W

Expert Reply:

Thank you for your purchase of the Draw-Tite 2-inch hitch # 76034 and the MaxxTow Aluminum Motorcycle Carrier MT70101.

When a hitch carrier like this is installed and loaded up with a motorcycle (even a relatively light one like a smaller dirt bike) there will always be some rear end sag on the vehicle. In the same way, a vehicle like a pickup truck that can have a front hitch installed to allow use of a snowplow will have the same issue but only on the other end of the vehicle.

The further away from the actual hitch tube most of the item's weight is the more leverage that weight will apply and the more sag you are likely to experience. How critical this is in actual use depends on many things such as the specific weight of the carrier and motorcycle, the passenger and cargo load inside the vehicle, the tire size, condition and inflation pressure and the general condition of the suspension.

You have a new vehicle so although you certainly do not have a worn out suspension there is still a significant distance of 17-inches from the carrier hitch pin hole to the center of the track that holds the bike. To help illustrate, if you inserted a 2-inch steel bar into the hitch and stood on it a distance of 17-inches from the hitch pin hole you would again see the rear of the vehicle sag. If you stood on that bar even further away from the vehicle you would see the sag increase. This is normal but you might check your manual for the car's tongue weight rating just to make sure the combined weight of the bike and carrier is within that rating.

The particular anti-rattle you selected will not work as well as the one made for your hitch. This is a J-pin style that uses the other hole in the receiver tube to secure your carrier. It also locks.

There is a rear axle air bag kit for your Explorer, AirLift kit # AL60821, which would allow you to adjust their pressure to stiffen your rear suspension as needed when transporting the motorcycle. This would offset the sag from the carrier weight.