Can I Carry Motorcycle With a Hitch Carrier on My Nissan Pathfinder  

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I looked up the owner's manual for your 2020 Nissan Pathfinder and it gives all of the specifications and how to check for proper loading, and weight capacities, you can find it on page 10-17 - 10-22. The maximum tongue weight for your Pathfinder is 600 lbs, which is 10% of the max towing capacity 6000 lbs. So unfortunately since the total weight is over 600 lbs, I cannot recommend it, if you can shave 21 lbs off the carrier or the bike it would be within the manufacturers limit. I think that 600 lbs with no extra support under it is too much even if it is within the limit, that puts a lot of stress on the hitch, the carrier, and probably cause a very uncomfortable ride.

Hitches are typically rated higher than the vehicle they go on, but you need to use the lowest rating with all the components being used. So even though the etrailer hitch has a 900 lbs tongue weight rating, the lowest rating (in this case the manufacturer's rating) must be used.

With your bike at 524 lbs, that leaves you with 76 lbs available for the carrier. The etrailer.com Motorcycle Carrier w/ Ramp # e98873 only weighs 58 lbs, but it is rated at 500lbs, so again shaving off extra weight from your motorcycle would still be needed.

To stay within the manufacturers limit, have the safest and most comfortable ride the best option is to get a small utility trailer and wheel chock for your motorcycle like Rack'em Manufacturing Removable Wheel Chock # RA-17.

I linked our selection of motorcycle wheel chocks for reference.

expert reply by: Robert C

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