Does etrailer Motorcycle Carrier e98873 Reduce Hitch Tongue Weight Capacity Due To Length?
Updated 03/06/2023 | Published 03/04/2023
Question:
I have a concern about calculating tongue weight with these motorcycle carriers. Let’s say my vehicle and hitch support a 600 pound TW. My bike weighs 350 pounds and the rack 100 for a total of 450 pounds. However, the TW is for straight down pressure, but these carriers are extended out without the end support of wheels like on a trailer, thus you have to factor in leverage from the bulk of the weight being far away from the hitch, correct? I see that your hitch extenders have a disclaimer that the TW capacity has to be reduced by 50, so wouldn’t you have to do something like this for a motorcycle carrier? In my example above, my 600 pd TW would to 300 and I would be over my limit at 450 pounds. Thanks!
asked by: Justin A
Helpful Expert Reply:
I understand your concern, but the etrailer Motorcycle Carrier # e98873 does not reduce the capacity of your hitch like an extender does, so if you had a 350lb bike and figure in the 68lb weight of the carrier itself, then as long as your trailer hitch is rated for 418lbs or more you'd be fine.
While the extender does reduce the capacity of a hitch, its not because of length, its because it adds another connection point that allows additional movement. Extended ball mounts like # D-26 do not reduce capacity of the hitch by 50% due to them being a single piece.
Since the # e98873 is not adding another connection point, and even has an anti-rattle pin to prevent any movement, it will not reduce the capacity of the hitch.
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