Can I Safely Carry a Motorcycle at the Back of My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

Published 12/29/2023

Question:

Is the tongue weight rating when hauling a trailer, the same thing as the tongue weight rating when using a hitch hauler? I get most tongue weight ratings are 10 of the maximum hauling capacity of the vehicle, but I am not hauling a 3500lb trailer, only a 500lbs motorcycle with a 600lbs rated hitch hauler. I installed a class iii receiver from e-Trailer on my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Ultimate.

asked by: Rich H

Expert Reply:

Yes, the tongue weight rating of a hitch will be the same whether you're towing a trailer or using it for an accessory like hauling a motorcycle.

You'll be limited by your least rated component so since the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98841 you have is rated for 900 lbs tongue weight but from what I could find in the online owner's manual, your 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is only rated for towing up to 2,000 lbs which means Hyundai is okay with up to 200 lbs of tongue weight. I recommend verifying this with your local Hyundai dealer to ensure you don't overload and damage the vehicle.

Trailer hitches are weight tested apart from the vehicle which is why you'll see different ratings on the hitches and the vehicles they fit on. As long as you remain under the lower rated part of the towing setup you can be confident nothing is going to fail.

expert reply by: Jon G