Does a Motorcycle Carrier Reduce the Weight Rating of the Hitch Receiver

Updated 09/06/2023 | Published 09/05/2023

Question:

I looked over some QandAs relating to carrying dirt bikes on hitch carriers. It appears that you can add the weight of the dirt bike and carrier in my case 250 lbs +50lbs = 300lbs to get the required minimum tongue weight capacity of the car / hitch. Is this correct - wouldn’t you have to double the weight of the bike and carrier since the center of mass is 12 ins or so behind the ball of the hitch?

asked by: James

Expert Reply:

I get where you're coming from, but the only time manufacturers mention the weight rating being reduced is when an extender is used, because then you're extending the accessory that much further out from your hitch receiver/vehicle. In the case of the Ultra-Fab Dirt Bike Carrier for 2" Hitches # UF48-979033, you don't need to double the weight (or reduce the weight rating of your hitch) since Ultra-Fab has already done the testing and rating for this carrier.

Hope this helps explain it a bit more!

expert reply by: Jon G